Mexico, Guatemala & Costa Rica tour, 20 day

Planet

Transport:
As you move from place to place, you’ll use public buses where possible, which an effective way to help lower your carbon footprint, mingle with the locals and soak up the scenic views as you make your way to the next location. You will also cycle through Tulum and enjoy a walking tour of Mexico City, which is a relaxing and slower paced visit. A lot of our activities are based on walking from place to place. These cycling and walking trips will provide you with light exercise - looking after your well being, while also reducing the carbon footprint on the planet - looking after the planet’s well being!

Accommodation:
All of the places we stay in are locally run and passionate about doing their part when it comes to the environment. On this tour, we stay in hostels & guesthouses, a great way to immerse yourself in a local Mexican, Guatemalan & Costa Rican tradition. Whilst you’re staying in each of these places, we encourage you to use local services on offer, this way your money goes straight into the local community and economy. Check out the Local Restaurants or Street Food Vendors rather than visiting chains. The local coffee is some of the best!

In Tulum, the hostel is committed to sustainability. They integrate ecological and social practices into their operations, such as organising beach cleanup events to benefit the environment and local communities. In Manuel Antonio, the hostel offers a commitment to sustainability, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking an eco-friendly experience in Costa Rica. As a guest, you can rest assured that your stay contributes to a more sustainable and responsible travel industry.

Wildlife:
We visit some stunning natural wonders of the world, such as Hierve el Agua day tour incl. Visit to Tule tree and Mitla Ancient Ruins in Oaxaca, Cenote in Tulum, natural thermal baths in La Fortuna and of course treks of Acatenango Volcano & Arenal Volcano hike in Guatemala & Costa Rica. Natural rock formations and sinkholes deep in the jungle allow our travelers to soak in the beautiful nature Mexico has to offer, but of course we encourage everyone to be considerate of their surroundings. Stay on the designated paths and avoid touching or carving into the Tule Tree. Use biodegradable sunscreen when bathing in the pools. During our 2-day hike of Acatenango Volcano, we encourage to follow waste disposal rules – carry out any trash, and use eco-friendly products to avoid pollution.

Top Tips:
We do not encourage our travelers to drink tap water in Mexico, Guatemala & Costa Rica, however we still suggest packing a reusable water bottle in case there are safe refill stations so that we can still try to minimise the trail of plastic left behind.

We also recommend packing as light as possible, to help keep your carbon footprint low.

People

Local tour guides:
By hiring local tour guides we help support the local people and provide employment opportunities.

For example, we will enjoy an Alebrijes Workshop and Cooking Class during the time in Oaxaca, Mexico. Learn about the traditions from the locals first hand. As you hike up the Acatenango Volcano in Guatemala, local experienced guides and porters will travel with you, ensuring your safety throughout.

Local experiences:
You’ll learn about the deeply rooted Mexican tradition Lucha Libre which represents the folklore and national identity of Mexico. Discover the Alebrijes, which are brightly coloured folk art sculptures with a strong cultural heritage in Oaxaca. Indulge in some Mezcal tasting in Oaxaca and learn about the centuries-old distillation techniques and of course try your hand at some wonderful Salsa moves. While Guatemala focuses on nature, it also offers cultural insight into indigenous communities and their relationship with the land. Costa Rica’s activities focus more on nature and adventure, cultural experiences can still be woven in through interactions with local communities, food, and traditions.

As a sign of respect, we think that it is important for travelers to learn a few key words or phrases in the native language, so we offer classes to learn about the local language and encourage learning along the way.

All of our customers’ interactions are with local suppliers, and we promote integration between travelers and local people through our “unmissable” included activities and our optional activities, and opportunities for authentic cultural immersion.

Our Adventure Leaders are trained in ensuring that customers are aware of local customs and traditions, educating them on when it is appropriate to take photos and/or videos.