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Central America Ethical Adventure Trail - 10 week incorporating a placement

  • In Brief
  • The Project
  • What to Expect
  • Reviews
  • Gallery
  • Extras
  • Dates & Costs
Central America Trail Central America Trail Central America Ethical Trail - 10 weeks
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Find out more about Mexico

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Frontier Group Project

Working in collaboration with institutions and NGOs with the country, projects are research-based, creating sustainable and biodiverse programmes.

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Combine exciting adventure travel with a project placement and experience the best of Central America on an unforgettable adventure trip with Frontier through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Explore the legendary Mayan ruins set in dense rainforests and swim in azure waters off white sand beaches. Climb to the rim of active volcanoes, ride horseback down ancient mountain trails, snorkel and dive some of the world's best dive sites, zip-line through the canopies of lush jungles, and dance the night away in the best salsa clubs.

On an incredible journey of discovery through the countries of Latin America you will also have the chance to contribute to both the local community and environmental conservation, spending time helping at a wonderful school in Honduras as well as working on the Frontier Big Cats, Turtles and Primate Conservation project.  Travelling to our remote coastal forest camp in Costa Rica, you'll participate (in season) in hands-on turtle conservation, collecting eggs and patrolling beaches. Out of season, you'll survey monkeys and other exotic jungle animals, trekking into the rainforest and tracking along the beach. 

What is so fantastic about this journey is that whilst travelling you will benefit from the leadership of a young, friendly, fun but also sensible and well-travelled guide who will take care of all the stress and organisation on the trip, whether it be recovering lost luggage, arranging bus tickets, booking hostels or extra activities, dealing with emergencies or even knowing the best places to go for a great night out! If you want to experience the beauty and adventure of Central America, travelling along with a young and friendly group of companions, without the hassle, then joining this Frontier Ethical Adventure Trail is the perfect solution!

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• A unique view of this fascinating part of the world
• Discover local cultures and delicacies
• Immerse yourself in culture as you assist at a local community school
• Learn about the wildlife of this fascinating biodiversity hotspot
• Earn your BTEC (at an additional cost)

Airport Pickup Camping Beach Community Emergency Ground Transport Hotel Homestay Meals Research Mountainous PADI Terrestrial Qualification Trekking Wildlife Wildlife Rainforest Coastal Snorkelling Encounter
FAST FACTS
Location Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Activities You could be:
Climbing volcanoes
Exploring ancient ruins
Horseback riding
Snorkelling and diving
Conservation work
Assisting in a local school
Transport Airport pickup and local transport between locations
Accommodation Varies - May include hostels, host families, camping and more!

WHAT'S INCLUDED
Before you go Pre-departure support
Travel & medical advice & documentation
Equipment advice
Discounted medical kit
Free Frontier t-shirt
In-country 2 meals a day
Accommodation
Airport pick-up & drop-off (subject to flight dates)
Ground transfers & internal travel
Local orientation and training
In-country emergency support
24-hour international HQ backup

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

 

MEXICO


Mexico City:  The adventure begins with a whirlwind tour of this leviathan of a city. You'll delve into a history as rich and colourful as any in the world, typified today in magnificent monuments such as the zócalo, the western hemisphere's largest cathedral, the Catedral Metropolitana, the museum of anthropology and, of course, the famous murals of Diego Rivera. You will have the opportunity to get to know the rest of your group. Group sizes range from 2- 12 participants.
Acapulco:  Stay at this world famous hedonistic paradise with postcard beaches and exhilarating water sports on offer sun-worshippers flock to this exciting city. Add to this the fantastic nightlife, breath-taking scenery and gourmet food and you won’t want to leave!
San Cristobal:  Ride horseback through the hills of the legendary Zapatista uprising and trawl markets for crafts inspired by the spirit of revolution. You'll discover how one small group of dedicated villagers brought the whole world's attention to the plight of indigenous Mexicans.
Palenque:  Improve your language skills with some Spanish lessons with the locals, and then try your skills against a backdrop of live music as you sit down to a dinner feast. Find ancient ruins hidden in dense jungle and cool off in the clear waterfalls at Agua Azul.


GUATEMALA


Flores / Tikal:  Watch the sun rise over Central America's most famous ruins which have towered over the jungle for thousands of years and learn about the ancient Mayan empire from an experienced local guide.
Chicicastenango:  Kayak across the tranquil volcanic paradise of Lake Atitlan or explore the endless alleys of the most colourful indigenous market in Central America.
Antigua:  Sip organic coffee at a roadside café as you take in the magnificence of this ancient UNESCO heritage city. Stand at the edge of Pacaya, Central America's most active volcano.


HONDURAS


Copán:  Explore mighty Mayan ruins by day and rest your weary bones in warm thermal pools in the evening, before you set out to dance the night away in a hilltop disco.
San Pedro Sula:  Based in a colourful and friendly nearby town surrounded by green mountains and tropical cloud forest, you will help out at a local school which aims to help the most disadvantaged children. You may be assisting in classes, leading your own, helping with after school activities and classes, or other duties around the school and within the community where many families are truly destitute. There will also be opportunity to venture into the nearby cloud forests or explore the traditional beach communities of the Caribbean coast at the weekend.
Útila:  Central America's diving paradise is an island built solely around exploring the underwater world and is an ideal place to do your PADI dive training. You'll also go on a day trip to a perfect deserted island, finishing the day with a barbecue on the beach.


NICARAGUA


León:  The echoes of revolution still hang in the air of this exciting city, where you can stroll cobblestone streets amidst murals depicting the heroes of the revolution. To learn more you can visit fascinating museums and art galleries with works found nowhere else on Earth. You can also go volcano-boarding, which is an adrenaline-pumping rollercoaster-ride down soft ash.
Granada:  A magnificent colonial town, where tree-lined streets host musicians and entertainers of all sorts is the perfect jump-off point for your visit to the volcanic islands of Ometepe, situated in the middle of the luscious Lake Nicaragua.
Santa Elena:  Soar through the jungle canopy on a zip-line tour and canopy walk, the perfect way to get up close and personal with the exotic creatures of the rainforest. You'll uncover the hidden mysteries of the rainforest with the help of friendly local people.


COSTA RICA


Costa Rica Forest Project:  Depending on the season, join our fight to save critically-endangered sea turtles, or trek through remote rainforest in search of spider monkeys and macaques. You'll spend a month with other eco-warriors on our conservation camp, helping to change the world under the guidance of field experts.
San José:  Do some last minute shopping and eat your last gallo pinto before you fly home, alive with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime!*


*This is intended as a sample itinerary only and is subject to change.
 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

You will be greeted at Mexico City Airport by your trail leader and escorted by bus to a local hostel where you will spend your first night. If you are arriving before the project start date you will meet at an agreed rendezvous point.
You will have a day in Mexico City to get a taste of the Latin American spirit to come. From there you will soon set off to the next destination on your exciting adventure, so be prepared to throw yourself into the experience once you arrive!

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

During the trail you will stay in basic but of course comfortable accommodation such as hostels, sleeping in mixed sex communal dorms or shared rooms, or homestays.

Once on the remote Frontier conservation camp on the peninsula your accommodation will vary from tents, to hammocks under tarpaulin A-frames, and again will be mixed sex and communal style living.

You may also get out and about into the local environment staying overnight in temporary satellite camps close to the National Park, deep in the rainforest or even down on the beach, depending on the work programme. Be prepared for long drop toilets, mosquito nets and open-sided living quarters, while your bucket showers might provide some light entertainment for the local howler monkeys!

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

You will be provided with two meals a day. These will include a variety of local cuisine from markets and food stalls as well as delights cooked up by yourself and other trail members – so don’t forget your recipe book! By using local produce and learning traditional cooking techniques you will be provided with an authentic Central American experience! 

When taking part on the conservation phase of your trail you will be involved in cooking for yourself and your camp mates and you will discover how to produce delicious and nutritious meals to provide you with all the energy you'll need for your busy schedule. Costa Rican food is simple but delicious, with a focus on rice, beans and good quality fruit and vegetables.
 

Teaching and homestays - a valuable experience  | 1 Feb 2012
We have just finished a great week volunteering at Cofradia's Bilingual School where we all h...

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Salsa, Waterfalls and Some Local 'Peach Posh'  | 17 Jan 2012
  After Mexico city we got a 12 hour bus journey to San Cristobal, which went surprising...

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A City of Contrasts  | 12 Jan 2012
  We’ve been in Mexico for a week now and have seen so much already!  Mexico ...

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Carnival atmosphere for a brand new trail  | 5 Jan 2012
The Central American trail is well and truly up and running! Safe and sound, everyone arrived in ...

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Happily bumping along on chicken buses!  | 24 Nov 2011
We have been travelling for four weeks now through central america and I am still having a brilli...

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Samuc Champey- B.E.A-utiful!  | 16 Nov 2011
  Last time i did this I was in one of my new favorite places, San Cristobal. Since then...

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4 weeks in and still loving Central America  | 4 Nov 2011
Now, 4 weeks into the Central America Ethical Adventure Trail, it feels like so much longer. Havi...

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Guatemala has something for everyone!  | 2 Nov 2011
After Mexico offered so much in just a week, it was worrying to know how the rest of the countrie...

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Hello from Honduras!  | 26 Oct 2011
I'm writing you from Utila in Honduras on week 4 of the Central America Ethical Adventure Tra...

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Central America Trail - Goodbye Mexico!  | 10 Oct 2011
I can’t believe our time in Mexico is almost over, but I’m so happy about how much fu...

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ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

At each destination along the trail route there will be a range of activities for you to choose from, at extra cost. These could include watersports such as scuba diving, kayaking or jet skiing canopy zip lines, volcano boarding and horse riding, and Spanish lessons, to name but a few! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to use your newly acquired knowledge to explore these activities at local rates rather than paying tour company prices! If all this wasn't enough, our guides are always happy to advise you on where to go next! Perhaps travel down to South America, or stay on in one of these fascinating countries.

COSTS

10 weeks US$ 4,295


DEPARTURE DATES

Departs January, April, July and October

DURATION

10 weeks, including a placement

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Before you go

  • Pre-departure support
  • Travel & medical advice & documentation
  • Equipment advice
  • Discounted medical kit
  • Free Frontier t-shirt

In-country

  • 2 meals a day
  • Accommodation
  • Airport pick-up & drop-off (subject to flight dates)
  • Ground transfers & internal travel
  • Local orientation
  • Project training
  • In-country emergency support
  • 24-hour international HQ backup

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Flights

Flights aren't included, but shop around to get the best deal. The earlier you start to look the cheaper it'll be!

We have recently commissioned Longreach Travel to help our volunteers find the best flight deals for their trips with Frontier. Longreach Travel are a specialist agent in the Expedition and Gap Year Market and will source the best possible fares for you, whilst offering you an outstanding level of service and support at all times. We ask that you contact Longreach Travel for your flights rather than book online, as they will not only offer you the most competitive fares but also offer a range of benefits to you which include:

  • Your credit card details are not in danger of being fraudulently used.
  • Longreach Travel are bonded to ensure your financial protection.
  • Every ticket issued by Longreach Travel is covered by Airline Failure Insurance, except for those airlines which are in financial difficulty, which will be advised.
  • You have access to a support system should you encounter difficulties, or you find it necessary to change your travel arrangements for whatever reason.
  • Longreach Travel wil help you with any other travel requirement such as overnight hotels if required, Sim cards for your mobile phones, travel insurance and lounge passes.

You are not obliged to book with Longreach Travel, however we at Frontier believe they wil offer you the best possible deals for your flights. Longreach Travel have assured us that should you contact them for a quote, your details will remain strictly confidential and will not be held in their system or added to any future mailing lists. To receive your quote or to seek any advice for your flights, please contact Frontier’s dedicated consultant at Longreach Travel, Michelle Cumbo on 01932 753 411 or by emailing fares@longreachtravel.co.uk

Visas

Depending on your destination country and your country of origin, you might require a visa. Please see the appropriate country consular website for details. Please note that your visa will usually start on the date that you enter the destination country regardless of when it was issued. Please check with the relevant embassy or high commission. If you are purchasing your visa or paying entry/exit fees in-country you will probably need to pay in US Dollars. If you have any questions please consult the relevant embassy or high commission. Please check the visa information regularly, as changes often happen without warning.

Insurance

You'll need to buy appropriate travel insurance covering your participation on the project. You won't be able to go without the right travel insurance so double check to avoid disappointment. Please make sure that you're covered for the whole duration of your trip – from the day you leave the UK to the day you return. It's also best to get your travel insurance at the same time as paying the deposit for your project. Depending on your policy, this will cover you for any unexpected cancellations.

Your insurance should include the following:

  • Medical cover, including medical emergencies and medical evacuations (up to £2,000,000);
  • Personal liability (up to £1,000,000);
  • Cancellation and curtailment of your trip (up to the value of your project contribution).

If you are going to be scuba diving you should get coverage for scuba diving up to 30m, including hyperbaric therapy treatment (unlimited). You should consider obtaining insurance to cover you for any additional activities which you plan to do during, before, or after your Frontier project. We recommend that you obtain cover for your baggage and personal effects.


LEGAL STATEMENT
Frontier supported projects and Frontier group projects are run in partnership with in-country NGOs, small community based organisations, local research institutes, academic organisations and conservation agencies. Project descriptions and information are supplied directly by our partners or field staff and are accurate at time of publishing.

We aim to keep information up to date and accurate, however, the nature of our projects and in particular the fact that they are constantly evolving and developing in response to changing needs means that project activities, travel schedules, tour itineraries and daily timetables can change overnight and without notice.