The information below is given as a guide. Please note that visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller. We strongly recommend that you contact a specialist visa service, your embassy or consulate before departure to obtain the most up-to-date visa information.
Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of return from Central America.
British, other EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders travelling to Mexico for touristic purposes do not require a visa for stays up to 180 day but do need a Blue Tourist Card which can be obtained by completing an immigration form available at border crossings or onboard flights to Mexico. Alternatively they can be obtained from Mexican Consulates prior to travel.
South African passport holders do require a visa. Please contact your embassy for further details. Visa exemptions may apply to holders of a valid visa for the USA.
Other nationalities should check their visa requirements with the embassy.
Note: To obtain a Blue Tourist Card you will need a valid passport (which must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your return date), return/onward ticket and proof of financial means (international credit cards, debit cards or traveller’s cheques).. Keep your Tourist Card safe because it has to be presented and stamped on leaving.
Departure tax: There is a departure tax of approximately USD $50 which is payable on departure from Mexico.
British, other EU, Australian, New Zealand, South African, Canadian and US passport holders travelling to Belize for touristic purposes do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days.
Other nationalities should check their visa requirements with the embassy.
Note: All travellers are required to show evidence of sufficient funds (minimum £50 per day) and proof of return or onward ticket at the point of entry.
British, other EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders travelling to Guatemala for touristic purposes do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days*.
South African passport holders only require a visa if entering overland. If you are flying in to start one of our tours then the airline will provide you with a tourist card to complete and hand in to immigration.
Other nationalities should check their visa requirements with the embassy.
All travellers should hold return or onward tickets and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination.
British, other EU, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders travelling to Honduras for touristic purposes do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days*.
South African passport holders require a visa to enter Honduras, contact your embassy for further details.
Other nationalities should check visa requirements with their embassy.
All travellers should hold return or onward tickets and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination.
British, other EU, Canadian and US passport holders travelling to Nicaragua for touristic purposes do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days*
Australian, New Zealand and South African passport holder require a visa which can be obtained at the border for a fee of US$5 to US$20.
Other nationalities should check their visa requirements with the embassy.
Departure tax: Nicaragua has a departure fee of approximately USD $32.00 when you leave the country.
*Note: Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua are part of the Central America Border Control Agreement (CA-4). Under the terms of this agreement, tourists can travel within any of the CA-4 countries (which also includes El Salvador) for a period of up to 90 days, without completing entry and exit formalities at border immigration checkpoints. This period begins at the first point of entry in to any of the CA-4 countries. Fines are applied for travellers who exceed this 90-day limit, although a request for a 30-day extension can be made before the 90 days limit expires.
British, other EU, Australian, New Zealand, South African, Canadian and US passport holders travelling to Costa Rica for touristic purposes do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days (30 days for South Africans).
Other nationalities should check their visa requirements with the embassy.
Departure tax: An airport departure tax of USD $26 is required. You can pay this departure tax upon your arrival into Costa Rica by CASH or VISA only to save time queuing upon return.
British and other EU passport holders travelling to Panama for touristic purposes do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days
Canadian, US, Australian, New Zealand and South African passport holders can obtain a Tourist Card instead of a visa upon arrival at the border for a fee of US$5 to US$20.
Departure tax: A departure tax of approximately USD $20 is payable when you leave the country.
All nationals need a tourist visa to enter Cuba, this comes in the form of a 30-day tourist card. Entry is granted on production of a passport valid for more than six months, proof of accommodation (although this is rarely asked for) and a return-flight ticket. The official on entry may ask you if you want your passport stamped or not, otherwise your tourist card will be stamped.
Important: your stamped tourist card should be left in your passport for the duration of your stay Do not lose this piece of paper as you will need to produce it on departure
Departure tax: A departure tax of CUC25 (approximately US$25) is payable when you leave the country.