Optional Excursions Guide for Adventure Tours in Central America Our optional excursions guide lists the optional extras you can choose to do on your tour at your own cost. It is designed to be read in conjunction with your tour dossier and will help you to budget for your holiday. Check your Itinerary for details of the cities your tour visits, and then use the guide below to see what optional activities and excursions will be available to you. Currency - The prices in the guide below are quoted in US$. Please see the relevant exchange rates listed below (current at the time of the ‘last updated’ date and still subject to change) or visit www.xe.com for up-to-date exchange rates. Health & Safety: It is sometimes difficult to obtain protective helmets of a reliable standard at some destinations, and unfortunately Tucan Travel are not able to provide them. If you intend to take part in optional activities such as bike, horse, donkey or camel rides, and would like to wear a helmet, consider bringing one with you. BELIZE COSTA RICA Tortuguero La Fortuna Monteverde Cahuita Vinales Cayo Levisa Soroa Varadero Playa Larga Trinidad Baracoa Santiago de Cuba GUATEMALA Panajachel HONDURAS Roatan Tela MEXICO Merida Cancun Tulum Palenque NICARAGUA Ometepe PANAMA Bocas Del Toro Diving & Snorkeling Courses Boquete Panama City Please note: If you choose an overnight excursion you should take your own daypack as you may be required to leave your main luggage at your accommodation and/or or with the vehicle.
Please Note: For additional sightseeing suggestions and included activities please check your tour dossier. The prices below are current as of the ‘last updated’ date and are subject to change without notice.
Tipping - Gratuities are expected on optional excursions. Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, gratuities are a normal part of Central American culture and most workers depend on them to survive. We recommend US$3-5 per passenger for a half/full day excursion.
Be carried swiftly along by the rivers currents in a large tyre tube and admire the crystal clear water.
Explore caves, partly filled with water to discover the original artefacts
of an ancient Mayan ceremonial site.
Canoe on the Macal River through the jungle, enjoying the scenery and looking for wildlife.
This is the largest and most important Mayan ruin site in Belize. Guides offer insights into the Mayan world and one of the greatest Mayan cities.
Visit different waterfalls in the surrounding mountain pine ridge area with chances to swim underneath them.
Visiting various snorkelling sites
Visit the breeding and feeding area of the manatees and also stopping at 3 locations in the reserve to snorkel.
This trip includes 3 dives – The ‘Blue Hole’ to a depth of 124ft. Here you will see the beautiful stalagmites and stalactites and possibly a even a few sharks.
The Half Moon Caye is to a depth of 90ft where you can see a vibrant underwater world of turtles, spotted eagle rays, and colourful coral and sponges. Finally ‘Long Caye Wall’ is to a depth of 80ft. This dive tour includes coffee in the early morning, lunch and snacks. The travel time to the Blue Hole is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. You must be an experienced & confident open water diver.
Several options available ranging in time, depth and what you get to see. A refresher dive course is also available which includes 2 dives on a half day excursion.
San Jose
Museum entrance fee
Museum entrance fee
Enjoy a visit to San Jose's exotic butterfly farm and marvel at the colours of these beautiful creatures
Entrance fee
This is a seasonal guided walk on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park. If we are lucky we will see these magnificent sea turtles returning home to lay their eggs. This is a seasonal excursion and will not be available all year.
Walk through the Arenal Reserve, looking for wildlife along the way. Take a bus to the lookout where you will see lava flow. Complete the day relaxing in one of the hot springs.
Hike through the stunning National Park and admire the luscious surrounds.
Hike through the reserve and see the lava flow from the observation point.
Exciting and continuous rapids in a tropical canyon on one of Costa Rica's nicest rivers.
Enjoy the white water or Lake Arenal
Floating down the river looking out for wildlife
Take a guided ride to 150 foot Rio Fortuna waterfall.
Ride from Lake Arenal to Monteverde.
Visit the luscious waterfalls of La Fortuna.
Admire local wildlife from a boat at this stunning national reserve.
Explore natural caves of the region.
Enjoy a thrilling canyoning experience in the land of extreme sports
Walk through dense forest to the Cerro Chato and experience the beautiful birds, plants and animals of the stunning landscape.
You take the ATV's on the back roads around La Fortuna through banana, papaya, yucca, plantain, avocado, mango and orange plantations to the La Fortuna Waterfall lookout and a swimming hole for swimming
Enjoy a taste of the thermal hot springs in the area.
Spend 2 hrs volunteering at the Proyecto Asis Animal Rescue Centre where you will have the chance to see toucans, sloths and monkeys. Then enjoy rafting the grade 2-3 rapids.
This is the volunteering portion only of the above tour.
Visit this coffee region, where the famous gourmet coffee beans are made.
Explore Monteverde in the evening and discover a new side to this amazing forest.
Visit this museum/zoo/conservation program for native frogs and toads.
Beautiful rides through the countryside with views of the coffee plantations and waterfalls.
Sail above the trees on a zip line
A series of 2.5km of trails and 6 suspension bridges and platforms built in the cloud forest.
Experience the serpentarium - one guess what you will find here!
Tour this interesting cheese factory
Learn about the insects and butterflies of Costa Rica.
Manuel Antonio
Guided tour of one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful National Parks.
Surf the waves of Costa Rica
Ride along the beach or in the Rainforest
Class 3-4 difficulty rafting trip through beautiful jungle surrounds and farmland.
Take an exciting ATV tour for another adrenalin rush
Travel through the mangroves while a naturalist describes this delicate habitat.
Take a trip in a catamaran where you will go snorkelling around nearby islands.
Morning or afternoon cruise with snorkelling excursion.
3 hr walk with a guide who will explain the exhibits and animals in detail.
2 hrs snorkelling on the reef.
Enjoy a visit to the famous Cahuita National Park to admire the beautiful rainforests of the area.
Ride along the beach, and into the mountains to see waterfalls.
Visit the Bri Bri Indians located in the Talamanca Mountain Range.
Same tour as above but includes canoe, horse riding and waterfalls.
Rent a bike and discover Cahuita cycling around.
Take on the rapids of Cahuita - It’s up to you to stay dry!
Take a glass bottom boat for a ride to see the sea life and coral below.
Surf Costa Rica's tropical waves.
Get up close and personal with 2 and 3 toed sloths.
CUBA
Havana
Museum of the Revolution - A must for all visitors to Cuba
One of Cuba’s divine architectural highlights
Explains the rum making process and history of Havana Club
Displays momentos of Jose Marti (Cuba’s National Hero)
Dinner, show and rum
Cabaret show
Excursion around the valley and to a wonderful lookout point of Vinales
See the tobacco sorting process before it gets made into cigars.
Tour in Spanish only
Explore the valley on a bicycle
A great way to explore the Vinales Valley
Walking Trail to Waterfalls Free
Enjoy a natural bath in sulpha pools with mud mask and massage
2 sites - 1 on the beach and 1 on the cave
- 2 Dives 70 CUC
Green Fees
5 hours fishing with open bar
Great way to see Varadero
Tour to nearby island inhabited by iguanas. Includes snorkelling.
UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the slave tower, colonial houses and markets.
Great way to see the surrounding areas.
Nice beach to visit 8km from Trinidad.
Kayak on River Toa
Hike to the top of El Yunque 575 meters above sea level.
Visit the fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Interesting insight into the uprising in Oriente preceding the revolution.
Detail of Castro's first attempt to overthrow Batista.
Fascinating collection of artefacts pre history to the revolution.
Collection of costumes, photos and carnival memorabilia. Mini show with music and dancing
Antigua
Climb the active volcano that overlooks Antigua
Explore the hills behind the Cerro de la Cruz
A short walk that’s a great way to see the city from above
Visit Antigua's cemetery to gain an insight into the old way of life
2 1/2 hr guided tour of the city
Take an authentic cooking class to learn the art of Guatemalan cooking.
Take a trip on the famous Lake Atitlan, which Aldous Huxley once called ' the most beautiful in the world' located in the Gautemalan highlands
Walk the path past waterfalls (in season), across hanging bridges, to a bird observation deck, a monkey rescue centre, a butterfly reserve and a coffee finca.
If you prefer not to take a tour you can visit the various villages by the boats that run back and forth across the lake
Copan
This will take you up to the butterfly gardens as well as some local villages
Relax in the hot springs and enjoy a Honduran BBQ
Informative tour about coffee and other plants. Includes lunch.
Visit local bird and butterfly park.
Introductory classes and a dive up to 15m
Take a unique ride on a glass bottom boat and see the ocean from a different side
1 -4 pax. Cook the fish you catch.
Look out for crocs and enjoy the nature
Rafting Rio Cangreajal
San Cristobel
A highly recommended tour with an English-speaking guide to visit two fascinating Mayan villages close to San Cristobel
This museum was once the house belonging to Frans and Trudy Blom, an anthropologist and archaeologist couple who lived and worked amongst the Lacandon Indians
A tour from San Cristobel to a deep impressive canyon, where you can spot several sun-bathing crocodiles.
This museum has an interesting display of artefacts and natural history exhibits from the Yucatan area
See the interesting buildings situated around the plaza, including the Governors Palace, learning about the history and architecture of Merida
See these beautiful ruins in a different light with an evening light and sound show.
In good weather it is possible to swim and snorkel in various cenotes which often resemble small, circular lakes or lagoons with vertical edges.
Good overall view of the city, taking in all the sights and Paseo de Montejo,
Take a boat trip to visit this beautiful island - 'island of the women'
Enjoy 6 big water slides and a wave machine, as well as a lazy river that will take you around the park
Popular theme park
Eco tourism theme park
Visit the famous Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean
Tour from Palenque by minivan to these famous falls
Granada
A great way to see the city
Take a trip to the Masaya Volcano, which is Nicaragua's first and largest national park and then enjoy a visit to local markets for some souvenir shopping.
Discover the quaint islets of Granada
Enjoy a canopy tour at Mombacho, another of Nicaragua's beautiful volcanoes near Granada. This area is home to some of the most beautiful tropical rainforests in the country and contains some unique flora and fauna
Ride along the beach and through some local farms then you can get off the horses to see pre-Columbian rock carvings
See a waterfall and some jungle animals as well as a chance to swim in the crater at the top.
You must be in top physical condition to do this climb
Trek this active volcano. It is a very strenuous walk up and down.
US$35 for 45 minute back, neck, head & shoulders
US$25 for 30 minute back rub
Updated 08/02/10