Private Journeys

Undiscovered Nicaragua and El Salvador

19 days from £4,070pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Nicaragua / El Salvador

  • El Salvador

Overview & Highlights

Nicaragua and El Salvador are off the beaten track, with fairly rudimentary infrastructure but as such they offer a rewarding experience akin to what travellers enjoyed in other parts of the continent decades ago.

Nicaragua has been developing a discreet, eco-friendly approach to tourism for some years while El Salvador now presents its Mayan sites, colonial cities, delightful rural drives and the El Imposible National Park. On this holiday you'll be among the first to discover their natural beauty and unpretentious charm. The people of both countries are among the most hospitable in Latin America.

The two newcomers on the radar of adventurous travellers, Nicaragua and El Salvador, share gorgeous landscapes of volcanoes, lakes, palm-fringed beaches, fertile slopes smothered in coffee bushes, and a diversity of flora and fauna. Both have only relatively recently emerged from a period of political turbulence: the impressive level of reconciliation between formerly warring factions has resulted in the creation of two of perhaps the most appealing and friendly countries on the continent. They cannot be compared with the big hitters of Mexico, Peru and Brazil in terms of mind-boggling attractions but their scantily populated rural landscapers of chains of volcanoes, coffee plantations, lakes and remote rivers combine to create a captivating destination.      

Read More
  • Granada: Guided city tour and Masaya volcano
  • El Castillo: Caiman-spotting by night
  • El Castillo: Hike in Indo Maíz Biosphere Reserve
  • El Castillo: Kayaking on Rio San Juan
  • El Castillo: Guided tour of the fortress
  • Perquín: El Mazote and Museo de la Revolución
  • Suchitito: Walking tour
  • EL Imposible National park: hiking

THE UK’S NO. 1 SPECIALIST IN TRAVEL TO LATIN AMERICA

Sophie Barber

Sophie Barber

Travel Expert

Talk to our experts

Things to do

We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • I would recommend this trip to anyone who has an interest in magnificent scenery and wonderful wildlife experiences.

    CT, Antrim
    Apr 2013
  • Enjoyed the trip to the equator while in Quito. Loved Alausi, very interesting place, people. Cuenca was lovely, very easy to get around, felt safe, staff at hotel very helpful, happy hour cocktails 2 for 1 delicious! Las Cajas national park very interesting. The Galapagos week was fantastic! Staff really professional, islands and wildlife more than I imagined, learnt to snorkel, scenery fantastic. The group were also really nice, and as a single traveller this made my holiday really special. And on the whole the weather was very sunny and warm. Enjoyed the picnics we had during our trips in the Andes, which the tour leader arranged, especially the exotic fruits which she advised us to try.

    JC, Bury
    Feb 2016
  • It was better than my wildest expectations, especially as value for money is very important for me and I saved 4 yrs for this trip it was worth every penny £ and $.              
    'Untouched Aisen' is a tour which describes exactly what it is - a trip off the beaten track, away from people and exploring a truly wild and beautiful part of the world. It was my first visit to South America and a really memorable one.

    JS, Malvern
    Feb 2019
  • Please describe the most memorable experience/aspect of your trip? "In Galapagos; swimming with a playful Sea Lion, having a penguin swim right under my tummy and watching white tipped sharks cruise by all in the same snorkel session!"

    "Journey Latin America came highly recommended to us, in turn we highly recommend them to you."

    DM, Marlborough
    Mar 2013
  • Our first trip to S. America was a wonderful experience from start to finish. Everything was very well organised and we couldn't have had a better group leader than tour leader. The local guides were very knowledgable and enthusiastic to share their country. When we booked this holiday we thought it would be our only trip to S. America, primarily to see Machu Picchu but now hearing the tour leader talk about other tours she has run we are eager to see more of the continent with JLA.

    FM, Aberdeen
    Oct 2018
  • It was a wonderful adventure which we enjoyed with a very nice group, all of us led by an excellent guide. 

    WD, Greenford
    Mar 2019
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Our expert's view

Sophie Barber
Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

Inspired by this trip

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • CarrieGallagher2
    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

  • Heloise Buxton
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Juliet Ellwood
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Charlotte Daubeney (2)
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • Sophie Barber
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Kathryn Rhodes
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

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