Around the World Flights -  via Central America

Explore Central America

Scattered with Mayan ruins, fantastic underwater landscapes, almost-untouched rainforests, stunning tropical islands and temperamental volcanoes, Central America has tonnes to offer. Plus it's a perfect continent to pick up a smattering of Spanish.

This route is for those that want to explore a melting pot of cultures. Caribbean meets Latino meets American in an explosion of incredible sights, sounds and smells.

  

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Product Details

"Around the world tickets" (a.k.a 'Round the World' or 'RTW' tickets) are a series of single flights built into one ticket. Valid for 12 months - this ticket literally takes you "Around the World" - making this one of the cheapest way to do a big trip to Australia.

How do they work?
Simple - choose the regions / countries you want to visit on your way to Australia and then on the way back. You can build your own ticket - for example - the most popular route is:

London - Los Angeles [USA] - Fiji - Cook Islands [Pacific Islands] - New Zealand - Australia - Singapore - travel overland to - Thailand - London

Price guide:
- Basic routes (4-6 stops) leaving off peak (April-August) cost as little as £800 (incl. taxes*)
- Many stops on many Continents leaving at peak times (Nov-Dec) could cost £2,500+ all-in
- Most people: leave Sept, Oct, Jan-March and pay £1,500-£1,800 (incl. taxes*)

* BEWARE! Watch out for 'Fr' or 'From' [e.g. Fr £566] and what look like really cheap RTW tickets. Once you include taxes and your travel dates the price will be similar to above.

Around the world via Central America

These routes take you via Central America. Once you're there, it's really easy to travel around amazing countries like Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Costa Rica. Lush rainforests, incredible diving, delicious food, Latin culture and jaw-dropping Aztec and Mayan ruins are waiting for you...

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"BUILD YOUR OWN" AROUND THE WORLD TRIP: 3 easy steps

1. Read below what gapyear.com users have to say about Central America
2. Find out what you can do and where
3. Decide whether to build this region into your RTW ticket

When you're ready to compare the routes you like, or if you're struggling and need assistance, simply call 0845 3 447 667 or enquire through our online system and we'll help you with the rest. Details at the bottom of this page.

1. THE KEY RTW STOPS IN CENTRAL AMERICA:

To explore Central America you'll generally fly into / out of Mexico City or Cancun [Mexico]

2. POPULAR ROUTES THAT INCLUDE CENTRAL AMERICA:

London- Bangkok [Thailand] - travel overland to - Singapore - Bali [Indonesia] - Perth - Sydney [Australia] - Auckland [New Zealand] - Santiago [Chile] - travel overland to - Lima [Peru] - San Jose [Cost Rica] - travel overland to - Mexico City [Mexico] - London

London - Mumbai [India] - Singapore - Cairns - travel overland to - Sydney [Australia] - Auckland [New Zealand] - Fiji [Pacific Islands] - Mexico City - travel overland to - Cancun [Meixco] - Lima [Peru] - London

London - Cape Town - travel overland to - Johannesburg [South Africa] - Perth - Cairns - travel overland to - Sydney [Australia] - Auckland [New Zealand] - Fiji - Hawaii [Pacific Island] - Los Angeles [USA] - travel overland to - Mexico City [Mexico] - London

London - Bangkok [Thailand] - travel overland to - Singapore - Bali [Indonesia] - Darwin - Cairns travel overland to Sydney [Australia] - Christchurch - travel overland to - Auckland [New Zealand] - Hawaii [Pacific Islands] - Mexico City [Mexico] - London

3. THINGS TO SEE & DO IN CENTRAL AMERICA:

Mexico:

1. Mayan ruins at Palenqu
2. Oaxaca
3. San Cristobal (pictured)
4. The Copper Canyons
5. The ancient city of Yaxchilán

Belize:

1. The Cayes (beautiful tropical islands, pictured)
2. The 'Blue Hole' (for Scuba diving)
3. Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve
4. Tubing in the underground caves

Guatemala:

1. The Mayan ruins at Tikal
2. The market at Chichicastenango
3. Antigua
4. Volcanoes
5. Lago Atitlan (probably the most beautiful lake on Earth)

The most popular trip around this region:

Mexico - Belize - Guatemala - Mexico

The most popular trip through this region, and perfect for first time around the world travel, is to land in Mexico to taste a bit of the unique Mexican flavour, pop next door to Belize to sample one of the largest and most beautiful coral reefs in the world and then take a trip through Guatemala to see all the amazing Mayan ruins and history before heading back up to Mexico and continuing around the world direct or from Los Angeles or San Fransisco.

Cheap buses will take you around from start to finish, either the cheap local 'chicken buses', or (recommended) the air conditioned coaches that are quicker, more comfortable and very affordable. Some cool tours of the region are available - see bottom of the page).

This will give you a real Central American experience that you will never forget, it's not too difficult to do or too far to travel and it's very affordable, interesting stop-off on your round the worlds travels. For those wanting to be a bit more ambitious consider heading further down to Honduras and Costa Rica, but then make sure you give yourself enough time to see it all properly. We probably wouldn’t suggest Nicaragua or El Salvador unless you know someone there, you are travelling with someone who knows the area or have basic training from the Special Forces.

Why Central America?

Central America offers you the chance to practise your Spanish - or learn some - in vast, chaotic cities or almost-untouched rainforest. The wonderful Mayan ruins scattered through the region are another attraction, as is the chance to dive in some amazing underwater landscapes. Mexico, Belize and Guatemala are three favourite destinations. These countries are great for backpackers, with loads of cheap accommodation, great food and adventures waiting to be had. Despite this, they're far from overrun with tourists, and it's easy-peasy to get off the beaten track for some authentic experiences.

What others say about this region...

Cat Barrow: "My favourite destination was Costa Rica for the easy going culture, beautiful weather, friendly people and gorgeous beaches. It was absolutely amazing to to be able to learn Spanish in paradise..."

Peter Kehoe: "I really enjoyed the time that I spent in Costa Rica, the people were so friendly and really grateful for us visiting. Costa Rica is such a lovely country and it hasn’t been spoilt by tourism".

Mexico

Gabi Cross writes...
There’s more to Mexico than nasty alcoholic spirits, stereotyped accents, droopy moustaches and outsized sun-hats! Mexico has several diverse regions which differ hugely from each other: there’s the Pacific shoreline running alongside the Sea of Cortes, the biodiversity of the Sierra Madre Occidental, Baja California for sun, surf, sea and sand, world heritage sites, colonial influences, pirate history and ethnic and cultural diversity.

It’s a country that has a lot to offer the budget traveller: it’s cheap, easy to travel around with various climates to suit every taste, and the scenery is absolutely inspiring. There’s cheap accommodation in every town: if you fancy staying somewhere totally diverse from your usual backpacker hostels try the Tourist "Yú'ù". These are houses built by the tourism ministry, where you can stay for a low price and as they are run by the villagers themselves the money goes directly into the local community. There’s a plethora of food markets offering typical Mexican fare for as little as 25p (every Tapas fan’s paradise), and the buses cost next to nothing making your journey from A to B much more acceptable.

Summary

Mexico is an affordable place to soak up the sun, sea and sand, as well as some amazing sights. The culture is another draw, though it's not so different from home that you'll find it impossible to adjust. You'll come across plenty of other travellers and loads of water sports. If this sounds like a good mixture to you, then don your sombrero, amigo!

Belize

Jos Bates writes...
For such a small country, Belize has lots to offer. From the cayes in the east to the mountains of the west, it packs an enormous variety of adventure, culture, history and natural beauty into a relatively small space. Scattered around the country are remnants of Belize's rich Maya heritage and a trip to some of the ruins, coupled with a night or two with a local family, should help you get a taste of the country's culture and heritage.

Belize also boasts the world's second largest barrier reef so it's an excellent spot for aquatic adventure. The cayes just off the coast are the best spot for pastimes such as snorkelling, Scuba diving, fishing and sea-kayaking. The Blue Hole National Monument is a sight to see, as it plunges deep below the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. The untamed parts of the Belizean interior offer pristine jungle, the world's only dedicated jaguar reserve and ample opportunity to get off the beaten track and commune with nature. Friendly people, bustling towns and cities and the chilled out Caribbean pace of life all combine to make this a unique destination for your gapyear.

Summary

Among Belize's attractions are its diving and water sports, its mountains and icons, its wildlife, and the wide variety of placements you can do there. As a result, it's visited by a relatively high number of backpackers, so even though it's not an easy country to explore, you'll generally find fellow travellers to share the experience.

Guatemala

Vicki Crabb writes...
Guatemala is an intense, varied country of different people, climates and eco-systems. It has all of this while remaining one the most homogenous countries I have visited. The lush tropical jungles teem with wildlife such as howler monkeys, snakes, scorpions and lizards.

The volcanic south is a place of awe-inspiring beauty carving out valleys, lakes and lava beaches. The Mayan history is evident in the racial make up of the people and the numerous Mayan ruins which have been painstakingly restored. The Spanish colonial history is prevalent mainly in language. I was unprepared for how little English is spoken even in relatively touristy places. Catholicism brought by the Spanish is the dominant religion and this is evident in the numerous churches and especially cathedrals in Antigua and the relative modesty of the people.

Summary

You'll find fewer western travellers in Guatemala than in Mexico or Belize, though there are still a fair few. Those who do explore this country find a fab range of attractions, from the spectacular ruins, dense jungles to the volcanos which dominate the skyline.

CENTRAL AMERICA: SUMMARY

If natural and manmade spectacles are your thing, you'll be deeply impressed by Central America's jungles, mountains, underwater wonders and Mayan history. It's not the easiest continent to get around, but you'll find that things run a lot more smoothly if you've got a basic grasp of Spanish. We strongly recommend taking a language course before you go, or while you're there.

Explore Central America

Scattered with Mayan ruins, fantastic underwater landscapes, almost-untouched rainforests, stunning tropical islands and temperamental volcanoes, Central America has tonnes to offer. Plus it's a perfect continent to pick up a smattering of Spanish.

This route is for those that want to explore a melting pot of cultures. Caribbean meets Latino meets American in an explosion of incredible sights, sounds and smells.

  

OR CALL OUR ADVISORS ON

0845 344 7667

THE AROUND THE WORLD HELPLINE