Central America & the Caribbean Small Group Tours & Trip...

Central America & the Caribbean Small Group Tours & Trips

661 Central America & the Caribbean trips. Tours from 240 tour companies. 1,542 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

261 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Group Tour
Iberian Discovery & Morocco
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Andalusia, Granada, Jerez, Lisbon, Madrid, Salamanca, Segovia, Seville, Tangier, Toledo

Highlights

  • Madrid : Welcome and farewell dinners; guided sightseeing, visit the Prado Museum
  • Segovia : Take pictures of the Roman aqueduct
  • Avila : Visit the walled town
  • Salamanca : Orientation walk; wine tasting, dinner, and overnight stay at Hacienda Zorita
  • Fatima : Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

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Spain, Portugal & Morocco
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Casablanca, Erfoud, Erg Chebbi, Fez, Granada, Jerez, Lisbon, Madrid, Marrakesh, Middle Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate, Rabat, Seville, Tangier, Toledo

Highlights

  • Lisbon : Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit the Alfama quarter and Jeronimos Monastery
  • Azeitao : Visit a tile workshop
  • Seville : Guided sightseeing, visit the Casa de Pilatos, and walk through the Santa Cruz quarter
  • Algeciras–tangier : By ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar
  • Rabat : Guided sightseeing, visit Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Roman relics of Chellah
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
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Spanish Fiesta
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Andalusia, Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada, Madrid, Malaga, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Segovia, Seville, Toledo, Valencia

Highlights

  • Madrid : Welcome and farewell dinners; guided sightseeing, visit the Prado Museum
  • Segovia : Take pictures of the Roman Aqueduct
  • Ribera del duero : Wine tasting with tapas at Bodega Portia
  • Burgos : Take pictures of the Cathedral of Santa Maria
  • Bilbao : Guided visit of the Guggenheim Museum
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
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Natural Wonders of Costa Rica with Guanacaste
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Central America, Guanacaste, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Pacific Ocean, Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Cariari: Tour a banana plantation
  • Tortuguero national park: Guided cruise through the canals to view wildlife; guided walk through the rainforest; naturalist talkSARAPIQU
  • Arenal : Guided sightseeing of Arenal Volcano National Park; sightseeing of La Fortuna town; and visit Tabacón Hot Springs
  • Monteverde: Visit the Sky Walk hanging bridges; guided visit of Children’s Eternal Rainforest; Ecological Sancturary tour and cooking lesson; farewell dinner
  • Sarchi: Shop for souvenirsGUANACASTE
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Natural Wonders of Costa Rica
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Central America, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Pacific Ocean, Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Cariari: Tour a banana plantation
  • Tortuguero national park: Guided cruise through the canals to view wildlife; guided walk through the rainforest; naturalist talkSARAPIQU
  • Arenal : Guided sightseeing of Arenal Volcano National Park; sightseeing of La Fortuna town; and visit Tabacón Hot Springs
  • Monteverde: Visit the Sky Walk hanging bridges; guided visit of Children’s Eternal Rainforest; Ecological Sancturary tour and cooking lesson; farewell dinner
  • Sarchi: Shop for souvenirs
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Natural Wonders of Costa Rica with Manuel Antonio
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Central America, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde, Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Cariari: Tour a banana plantation
  • Tortuguero national park: Guided cruise through the canals to view wildlife; guided walk through the rainforest; naturalist talkSARAPIQU
  • Arenal : Guided sightseeing of Arenal Volcano National Park; sightseeing of La Fortuna town; and visit Tabacón Hot Springs
  • Monteverde: Visit the Sky Walk hanging bridges; guided visit of Children’s Eternal Rainforest; Ecological Sancturary tour and cooking lesson; farewell dinner
  • Sarchi: Shop for souvenirsMANUEL ANTONIO
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
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5 Day Classic Guatemala
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3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antigua, Central America, Lake Atitlan, Panajachel

Highlights

  • Tour of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Visit Chichicastenango, the most vibrant Maya community in the Highlands of Guatemala
  • Excursion to Lake Atitlan, the deepest lake in Central America †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

Trip dates & details
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12 Day Culture & Adventure in Guatemala & Belize
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3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antigua, Caribbean, Caye Caulker, Flores, San Ignacio, Tikal

Highlights

  • Get a glimpse into the history of coffee and its production, followed by a tasting Tour Guatemala's indigenous communities around Antigua Savor a home hosted lunch with a local family and hear about their values and traditions Visit Casa Santo Domingo, a cultural complex housing two of Antigua's best museums Take a peaceful boat ride through the canyon of the Rio Dulce and hear the sounds of nature around you Explore the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization Enjoy a tubing excursion at Jaguar Paw Cave, a sacred underground world to the Maya Take a catamaran tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, known for its impressive coral reefs and abundant marine life Discover Belize City with its unique blend of Mayan ruins and old colonial buildings †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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261 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Group Tour

Central America & the Caribbean Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
1,542  Reviews
See all Central America & the Caribbean tour reviews
Excellent
1,076
Great
264
Average
18
Disappointing
5
Terrible
8
A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A great adventure in Costa Rica

This was our second Exodus trip and again, we were not disappointed. An itinerary which covered many different ecosystems, plenty of wildlife, pleasant travel comp...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Magical Wildlife

This holiday was superb for exploring different landscapes and seeing lots of wildlife. The tour includes a wide variety of places to visit, allowing you to see t...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Discover Costa Rica

I would highly recommend this trip. The trip is very wildlife oriented, so if that is not your main interest, it may not be for you. However, I wouldn’t say that i...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Totally superb experience.

Our Guide & tour leader-Johnny [Villalobos] made this trip the best we have experienced; with his expertise, knowledge & general manner. Superior to simi...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Discover Costa Rica

We had am amazing time on this trip from the moment we landed in San Jose. Our guide Andres kept us informed about what to expect, and bring for each activity. He...

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Central America & the Caribbean Tour Selection Trips

  • The Caribbean is much more than beautiful beaches. Each island has its own culture and languages include English, Spanish, French and Dutch.
  • Outside of Costa Rica and perhaps Belize and Panama, Central America is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua are rich in history, culture, and natural beauty as well.
  • With some 7,000 islands in the Caribbean (many of them small) and nearly 30 island nations, it's best to pick cruises -- preferably small ship -- that visit a few at a time, or take a tour of one or two islands to get to know them in depth.
  • The biggest islands in the Caribbean -- and among the most popular -- are Hispaniola (shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. 
  • The Dominican Republic is best known for its beaches, but it also contains the Caribbean's highest mountain (Pico Duarte), which you can climb on a guided tour; is a top windsurfing destination; and offers hiking and mountain biking adventures. 
  • U.S. citizens can travel to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands without carrying passports (though it's always wise to get one). 
  • Bermuda is often thought of as a Caribbean Island, but actually it's hundreds of miles north in the Atlantic Ocean, and can be quite chilly in winter. 

Additional details

Safety Tips in Central America 

When people think about Central America, many associate the region with violence, drugs and gang related misconduct. While there are crimes that go on in this region, many areas are very well protected for any traveler to visit. That said, Central America guided tours to the region are a highly recommended way to travel if you’re worried about safety. Most countries, though are, in fact, very safe whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or a group of friends.

Panama, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Nicarargua are perhaps the safest (and generally more expensive) countries to travel to. Although there are some areas here and there where it is advised to not travel to, these countries are always seeing influxes of thousands of tourists every year looking to enjoy the wealth of wildlife, culture and food that is distinct than anywhere in the world. 

Other countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are more on the cautionary side. When traveling to these countries especially, the capital city is always a little more dangerous.

Guatemala, for example, is safer in areas outside of cities such as Antigua and Atitlan. For transportation in Guatemala, it is advised to use only uber and not local taxis or buses. Walking alone at night is not advised, nor is showing off your phone or other valuables when you walk. 

It is helpful to speak to locals about it. Many are very friendly and it’s always good to know which areas are unsafe and should be avoided when traveling in Central America

What Countries are in Central America 

Central America, sitting in between Columbia and Mexico, is an incredibly vibrant and exciting travel destination filled with biodiversity, culture and a mecca for marine life. It has a population of more than 42 million people. The following are countries classified as being a part of Central America:

  1. Guatemala

  2. Costa Rica

  3. El Salvador

  4. Belize

  5. Honduras

  6. Nicaragua 

  7. Panama

Packing List for Central America Travel 

Depending on what time of the year that you go, the packing list for Central America tours can differ. In general, however, these are the top 6 essentials to carry when traveling to any of the 7 countries:

  1. Swimwear: whether you are traveling to Lake Atitlan or the San Blas islands, swimming in either the pacific or caribbean waters is something to not miss out on.

  1. Secure backpack: this is helpful when walking around the towns and especially in market places where pickpocketing is expected. Make sure to always pack refillable water bottles, your phone with a downloaded offline map, sunglasses, sunscreen, wallet, bug spray and more. 

  1. Sneakers: motorbiking, hiking or exploring on foot is a must in Central America. The best places are the hidden gems tucked away by cobble pathways in small towns, views atop mountains and hilly streets that criss cross next to beaches that has the best, local restaurants and stores.

  1. Travel insurance: Other than your visa, this is the next most important thing. 

  1. Cash: All the countries have different currencies from one another and having cash ready, especially if you plan to visit marketplaces, is extremely useful. Make sure to withdraw before you leave as getting cash in Central America itself can be more expensive. 

  1. Stomach medicine: don’t underestimate the power of a bad stomach, and the likelihood at that. Anything from fresh fruits, vegetables, ice, street food and altitude sickness can ruin the itineraries in a trip, so it’s wise to pack tums, tylenol and pepto-bismol before you leave. 

Weather in the Caribbean

Caribbean weather is mostly hot and sunny all around. 27 degrees celsius is the average while in the southern islands, temperatures can soar to 38 degrees. The wet seasons typically experience rain in bursts no more than an hour from May to October. Cold winds from the north happen sometimes but are infrequent and rare.

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