33 days in South America & Central America Itinerary

Nestled between rising hills in a narrow valley, Medellin serves as an energetic melting pot of people from all socio-economic classes.

Step off the beaten path and head to Parque Arvi and Parque Explora. Take a break from Medellin with a short trip to Off-Road Tours in Guarne, about 36 minutes away. On the 1st (Tue), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. There's lots more to do: take an in-depth tour of Museum Pablo Escobar, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, don't miss a visit to Escaleras Electricas De La Comuna 13, and examine the collection at Toucan Coffee Museum.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Medellin trip planner.

Toronto, Canada to Medellin is an approximately 11-hour flight. In July, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Fri) early enough to fly to Cali.

Learning how to salsa may be the most popular thing to do in Cali, but this giant city in southwestern Colombia represents more than just the "Salsa Capital of the World." Home to over 2 million people, thriving Cali serves as a major commercial and industrial center in South America, boasting the fastest-growing economy in Colombia.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Museo Aereo Fenix and Zoologico de Cali. The adventure continues: admire the striking features of El Gato Del Rio( Gato De Tejada), admire the masterpieces at Museo de Arte Colonial y Religioso La Merced, examine the collection at Caliwood Museo de la Cinematografia, and stroll through Bosque El Descanso.

To find ratings, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Cali trip itinerary website.

Fly from Medellin to Cali in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Medellin in August: highs in Cali hover around 37°C, while lows dip to 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Mon) early enough to fly to Panama City.

Arguably the most modern of Central American cities, Panama City boasts a shimmering skyline of glass skyscrapers.

Explore hidden gems such as Room Escape Games and Cinta Costera. And it doesn't end there: delve into the distant past at Panama La Vieja, get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, learn and have fun at Habla Ya Spanish for Travelers - Day Classes, and admire the striking features of Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus.

To find more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Panama City day trip planning app.

Traveling by flight from Cali to Panama City takes 4.5 hours. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Cali in August since evenings lows in Panama City dip to 29°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Fri) to allow enough time to fly to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Set against the backdrop of the imposing Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna de San Carlos offers visitors a chance to explore diverse natural landscapes and sample some delicious local produce.

Explore hidden gems such as Venado Caves and Spas. Step out of La Fortuna de San Carlos to go to La Virgen and see Kayaking & Canoeing, which is approximately 1h 10 min away. Next up on the itinerary: skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, look for gifts at Souvenir Leo, tour the pleasant surroundings at Mirador El Silencio, and take an in-depth tour of ChocoMuseo La Fortuna.

To see reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read La Fortuna de San Carlos online trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Panama City to La Fortuna de San Carlos by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and shuttle. The time zone difference when traveling from Panama City to La Fortuna de San Carlos is minus 1 hour. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Tortuguero.

One of Costa Rica's least accessible destinations, Tortuguero sits within an eponymous national park and remains accessible only by plane or boat.

On the 17th (Thu), explore the striking landscape of Tortuguero National Park.

To see traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Tortuguero travel planning tool.

Getting from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Tortuguero by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In August, daytime highs in Tortuguero are 35°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) so you can go by car to Manuel Antonio.

The rainforest meets the sea at Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but scenic natural preserve on the west coast of Costa Rica.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Nature & Wildlife Tours and Santa Lucia Falls. Venture out of the city with trips to Dominical (Danyasa Eco-Retreat - Bamboo Yoga Play Studio & Mama Toucan's Natural and Organic Food Store) and Rancho La Merced National Wildlife Refuge (in Uvita). There's much more to do: head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, stroll around Parque Nahomi, kick back and relax at Playa Manuel Antonio, and get the lay of the land with Walking tours.

To find more things to do, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Manuel Antonio tour builder app.

Traveling by car from Tortuguero to Manuel Antonio takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Mon) early enough to drive to Jaco.

A seaside resort town with plenty of entertaining distractions along its attractive coastline, Jaco has long been a major tourist destination on the central Pacific coast.

On the 22nd (Tue), stop by Dantica Gallery, explore by horseback at Vista Los Suenos Horseback Riding, and then catch all the local highlights with Costa Rica Dreams Sportfishing. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Neo Fauna CR, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Royal Butterflies, and then head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

To see traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Jaco travel itinerary planner.

You can drive from Manuel Antonio to Jaco in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Wed) so you can drive to Monteverde.

Monteverde is all about natural attractions, not surprising for an eco-tourism hotspot known for its cloud forests and rich diversity of animal life.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Thu): ride a horse along Finca el Rodeo, then relax and rejuvenate at Monteverde Karmen Massage, and then get outside with Guia Naturalista Olman Gonzalez.

For traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, read Monteverde day trip site.

Getting from Jaco to Monteverde by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. On the 25th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to San Pedro.

San Pedro evolved from small fishing village and now represents one of the most visited locations in Belize.

Step off the beaten path and head to Parasailing & Paragliding and Food Tours. There's lots more to do: see the vivid underwater world at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, view the masterpieces at The Gallery of San Pedro, explore the galleries of Belizean Arts, and make a trip to Shark Ray Alley.

To see other places to visit, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, read San Pedro driving holiday app.

Traveling by combination of taxi and flight from Monteverde to San Pedro takes 10 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle, bus, taxi, and ferry; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and ferry. In August, plan for daily highs up to 37°C, and evening lows to 30°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight to Belmopan.

Nicknamed the "Garden City" thanks to its planned urban parklands, Belmopan serves as the capital of Belize and a launching point for tours of nearby caves and Mayan ruins.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Wed): explore the striking landscape of Blue Hole National Park and then surround yourself with nature on Belize True Adventures.

To see ratings, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Belmopan tour planning tool.

Traveling by flight from San Pedro to Belmopan takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. August in Belmopan sees daily highs of 37°C and lows of 30°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Wed) to allow time to fly to Placencia.

Once a humble fishing village, Placencia has been transformed into a leading tourist destination, with its focus primarily on outdoor activity and natural exploration.

On the 31st (Thu), get advice or help at Placencia Municipal Pier, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Placencia Fellowship, and then stop by Kaj Expressions Placencia.

To see reviews, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, use the Placencia visit planner.

You can fly from Belmopan to Placencia in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In August, daily temperatures in Placencia can reach 37°C, while at night they dip to 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Fri) to allow enough time to fly back home.