Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. This adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Modern meets ancient in Mexico City - one of the world's largest urban centres. Although crowded and smoggy, D.F. (Distrito Federal) offers a great variety of impressive museums, galleries and architecture, along with excitin...

Enjoy a guided walk taking past some of the most iconic sights of the city, including a visit to the Zocalo in the historic centre of Mexico City, Templo Mayor, the Government Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The rest of today is free to explore. If you prefer to get out of the city and escape the crowds, take a trip to the canals and gardens of Xochimilco. In the evening, explore Mexico's exciting night life. Learn some dance moves from the locals, or try out your own to the music of a mariachi band.

Travel out of town by subway and bus for a guided tour of the ancient city of Teotihuacan. Located 50 kilometres northeast of Mexico City are the 'must-see' archaeological ruins of Teotihuacan - the site of the massive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon which dominate the skyline. This was once the country's biggest ancient city and capital of the Aztec people, who ruled over the largest empire in the pre-Hispanic era. Guarded by mountains this magnificent city is thought to have been founded early in the 1st century AD and reached its peak around AD 500, when its influence extended down to Guatemala and as far north as present-day Texas. With the help of a local guide we have time to stroll down ‘The Avenue of the Dead’, uncover its many wonders and imagine what life must have been like nearly 2000 years ago. ...

Travel to Queretaro (approx 3 hrs), where the bustling city streets give way to a pretty scene of plazas and museums. Explore the city at your leisure.

Today we journey to historic San Miguel de Allende (approx 1.5 hrs), a colonial-era city in Mexico’s highlands known for its baroque Spanish architecture and thriving arts scene. Pay a visit to the Independence Museum and learn about the heroes of Mexico's War of Independence.

Continue on to the colourful streets of Guanajuato (approx. 1.5 hrs). Named a World Heritage site in 1988, Guanajuato was developed with riches acquired from rapid mineral discovery in the 1500s.

Pay a visit to the Museo Casa Diego Rivera, the birthplace of artist Diego Rivera that is now an excellent museum in his honour. The ground floor of the museum is even a faithful recreation of his original home, complete with 19th-century antiques. Afterwards, head to the Granary Museum for a unique glimpse of the history of this area.

Travel further north to Zacatecas (approx. 4.5 hrs). Get acquainted with this historic silver town on a walking tour taking in the towering Cerro de la Bufa and the Revolutionary Museum.

Transfer to Guadalajara and go on a Mexican Murals Painting Tour to view seminal works integral to the history of the area.

Sample the famous drink made from the heart of the blue agave plant on a tequila tour. Enjoy the laidback ambience of Guadalajara in the afternoon – perhaps relax in the central plaza and do some people watching.

Drive south to Paztcuaro (approx. 4 hrs), a quaint 13th century city with terracotta-roofed dwellings, warped red-and-white adobe walls, and narrow cobblestone streets to be explored. If visiting from November to February, make sure to bring warm clothes as the altitude here can lead to cool days and cooler nights. Get to know the city on arrival with an orientation walk.

Visit the stone ruins of Tzintzuntzan today from Morelia. Spend an afternoon exploring this Unesco World Heritage-listed town and its cafes, museums and restaurants.

Get better acquainted with the state capital of Michoacan on a walking tour around the city. The stunning pink-stone cathedral demands a closer look, and you’ll also visit the conservatory and a local high school.

Return to Mexico City with a stop en route to visit the breathtaking El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Reserve (depending on the season). It's home to millions of these colourful creatures from November to March each year.

Fly to Costa Rica, where this tour will be joined by new travellers. There will be another Welcome Meeting at 6pm today. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place.  With over half the country's population living within its parameters, San Jose is a bustling city with lively markets, intriguing museums and a dynamic atmosphere. A good place to start exploring is the main plaza, a fantastic place to get comfy and do some people watching. Artisan booths are common here and you never know when there'll be a spontaneous art lection of indigenous gold art. If these cultural gems get you in the mood for a bit of shopping head to the out door market in Plaza de la Cultura or the Central Market where you can buy anything from handicrafts to seafood.

Depart San Jose and descend to the Caribbean lowlands by local bus (approx 4 hours). The final section of this journey to the port at La Pavona is on an unsealed road. Then take a boat to Tortuguero National Park (approx. 1.5 hours). This National Park has long been associated with turtle catching (in fact, tortuguero means turtle-catcher). The original indigenous inhabitants used turtles as a sustainable resource, but the arrival of Europeans led to major exploitation. Tortuguero National Park, established in 1970, is now home to 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered mammals. Among them are manatees, ocelots and jaguars, as well as over 300 bird species. First and foremost, however, it is the nesting ground of the green turtle, which comes ashore between July and October to lay its eggs on the sandy beaches. Lesser numbers of the...

Today head out on a walk around the park's main paths. Keep your eyes peeled to spot monkeys, birds, frogs and perhaps a sloth or two. An optional canoe trip or canopy tour offers a different perspective on this amazing, precious ecosystem.

Early in the morning we travel to Sarapiqui in the heart of Costa Rica's banana growing region. First, transfer back to the port by boat (approx 1.5 hours), then continue to Sarapiqui by private minibus (approx 3 hours). On the banks of the Puerto Viejo River, and next to the Braulio Carrillo National Park, this budding town is surrounded by virgin forests and banana and pineapple plantations. Sarapiqui is also known as one of the richest areas in Costa Rica for bird watching. The diversity of lowland bird life is impressive. A biological research station and several nearby forest lodges have made this undisturbed habitat accessible to scientists and travellers.

There is plenty of free time to explore the jungle that surrounds the town by mountain bike or on foot, or find a comfy spot to watch the colourful birdlife glide by. Alternatively you may wish to satisfy your sweet tooth on a chocolate tour.

Travel by private minibus to Santa Rosa de Pocosol (approx 2 hours) and spend the night at a homestay. Just down the road is the Juanilama gricultural community, where there is the opportunity to help the local villagers with farm chores or to take a cooking lesson. Several villagers have built comfortable rooms for guests next to their homes. All rooms have shared facilities. In order to make the most of this homestay experience, it may take a bit of effort from your side to break the ice first. Learn as many Spanish words as you can and get ready to build some serious hand signalling skills.

Continue by private minibus to La Fortuna (approx 2 hours). This small town is situated just a few minutes away from Costa Rica's most famous volcano - the majestic Arenal.

Besides the spectacular views, La Fortuna offers a range of natural sights to see and things to do – such as visiting the 70-metre-high La Fortuna waterfall and the surrounding lush forests, or animal watching and watersports on the lake. The volcano’s inner workings also mean that the area has a number of thermal springs where hot, lava-heated water gushes to the surface. These springs have been turned into a number of thermal pools and waterfalls, often surrounded by foliage, an ideal chance to relax.

Today take the scenic route to Monteverde (approximately 4 hours in total). Travel by shared minibus to Lake Arenal, which we'll cross by boat. On a clear day you can see fantastic views of the surrounding area. On the other side of the lake, re-board the minibus and continue on to Monteverde. Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers; they cleared virgin forest to create verdant pastures ideal for dairy farming. These environmentally aware settlers were conscious of the danger that unrestricted settling and farming could cause to this precious habitat. Consequently they established a small privately-owned wildlife sanctuary, which has since grown to become the internationally-renowned Monteverde Cloudforest Biological Preserve. These forests are similar to rainforests, bu...

Head out on a guided walking tour through the Monteverde National Park. Alternatively, walk through the canopy on suspension bridges or watch butterflies at play in the specially created butterfly garden. The local guides are very knowledgeable about the area and passionate about conservation and in the local communities there are several cooperatives worth visiting. More than 2,000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call Monteverde home. Be sure to keep an eye out for the resplendent quetzal, one of the most elusive birds in the world.

Descend from the mountains to the small beach-side hub of Quepos, located on the Pacific coast. Hit the turquoise water for some kayaking, fishing, swimming or surfing, or just bliss out on the beautiful local beaches. When the sun sets, take an opportunity to hit the lively bars and clubs for some local mingling.

Spend your time here enjoying all that Manuel Antonio National Park has to offer. Head out for a hike along its many trails, keeping one eye on the great views and the other looking for the abundant wildlife. Monkeys, armadillos, sloths and hundreds of birds are among the species you maybe be able to spot. The park also boasts turquoise seas and white sand beaches, perfect for swimming, kayaking, sailing or fishing. It would be easy to spend your whole time here in, or by, the water.

Return to San Jose on a local bus (approx 4 hours). The buses in this region of hte country are a little more basic but this is a great opportunity to mix with Costa Ricans and get a feel for local life. Arrive at San Jose in time to pick up some last minute souvenirs at the city's colourful and vibrant markets. Then head out for an optional dinner where, after reliving the memories of this Mexican and Costa Rican adventure, another night of escapades in this energetic capital could well be on the cards.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.