Race Across the World 2025 – Central America
Blog
We are so excited that Race Across The World is returning to our screens this week! This season’s route takes pairs of celebrities from Isla Mujeres in Mexico to Península de La Guajira in Colombia, known as the gateway to South America. Between us, we have been debating the best route through Latin America, a region filled with ancient ruins, jungle paths and crystal-clear turquoise waters. So, while we wait for the first episode to air, we have been busy mapping out a couple of routes they could take(without knowing where the checkpoints will be) and picking out some of the highlights for you to experience the Rickshaw way.
When is Celebrity Race Across The World on?
The first episode airs on Thursday 6th November at 8pm on BBC One.
Who is in this season of Race Across The World?
The celebrities taking on the adventure of a lifetime are:
- Actor Dylan Llewellyn and his mum, Jackie
- Broadcaster Anita Rani and her dad, Bal
- Presenter Roman Kemp and his sister, singer-songwriter Harleymoon
- Presenter and DJ Tyler West and his fiancée, Molly Rainford
Route 1: Classic overland trail & San Blas sail
This is the classic backpacker trail that takes you right into the heart and soul of Central America. You’ll experience colourful cities, serene volcanic lakes, and end with a relaxing sail through the Caribbean to reach Colombia. Keep reading for our route highlights, suggested route & map*.
Highlights:
Mexico – tacos and turquoise waters in Isla Mujeres, and then head inland to explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza or Palenque.
Belize – swap buses for boats and enter the underwater world of the Belize Barrier Reef.
Guatemala – stroll through the cobbled streets of Antigua and soak up the morning mist over Lake Atitlan.
Nicaragua – take a dip in the volcanic crater lagoons around Granada or explore Ometepe Island by bicycle.
Panama – finish with a stay in Boquete’s lush coffee hills, before setting sail through the tropical San Blas Islands.
| Route stops | Transport | Nights | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isla Mujeres > Cancun > Chetumel | Ferry + Bus 7h | 1 | Overnight stop before Belize border |
| Chetumel > Belize City | Bus 4h | 1 | Stroll the seafront and try local Creole food |
| Belize City > Flores, Guatemala | Bus 6h | 2 | Visit Tikal Ruins deep in the rainforest |
| Flores > Antigua, Guatemala | Bus 8-10h | 2-3 | Colonial town beneath volcanoes |
| Antigua > San Salvador > León > Granada | Tica bus 3 legs over 4 days | 4 | Volcano boarding & colourful markets |
| Granada > Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua | Bus + ferry 5h | 2 | Swim in volcanic lagoons |
| Ometepe > San José, Costa Rica | Bus 8h | 1-2 | Chill in the capital or nearby Poás volcano |
| San José > Boquete, Panama | Bus 9h | 2 | Coffee farms & cloud-forest hikes |
| Boquete > Portobelo / San Blas Islands | Bus + 4×4 transfer 8h | 1 | Prep for sailing |
| San Blas Islands > Cartagena, Colombia | 5-day sailboat via tropical islands | 4-5 | Swim, snorkel & island-hop across turquoise seas |
| Cartagena > Santa Marta > Riohacha > La Guajira Peninsula | Buses + 4×4 12h total | 3-4 | Sand dunes, flamingos & Wayuu desert villages |
Total time: 23-27 nights (4 weeks)
Route 2: Caribbean coast & island hopper
For a more coastal route, mixing overland bus journeys with island-hopping adventures on the Caribbean waters, our second route captures the laid-back coastal charm of Central America. From Belize’s vibrant coral reefs and Honduras’ tropical islands, to Nicaragua’s colourful towns and Panama’s San Blas islands, before setting sail into Colombia’s wild north*.
Highlights:
Belize – snorkel with sea turtles and reef sharks in Caye Caulker and soak up the laid-back Caribbean charm.
Honduras – explore The Bay Islands, where you’ll find world-class dive spots and welcoming island communities embracing their Garifuna heritage.
Nicaragua – head inland and discover the local character and volcanic landscapes of Leon and Granada.
Panama – visit the tropical paradise of Bocas del Toro, where you can spot dolphins and vibrant coral reefs and then journey on to the San Blas Islands, home to the Guna people.
Colombia – arrive by sailboat in Cartagena’s sun-kissed harbour, then head up the coast to Santa Marta and set off on a trek through the wild jungles of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
| Route stops | Transport | Nights | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isla Mujeres > Chetumel > Belize City | Ferry + Bus 8h | 1 | Gateway to the Cayes |
| Belize City > Caye Caulker | Water taxi 1h | 2-3 | Snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve |
| Caye Caulker → Belize City → Puerto Cortés, Honduras | Overnight ferry | 1 | Experience the lively port town of Puerto Cortés |
| Puerto Cortés → La Ceiba → Roatán / Utila | Bus + ferry 6h | 3 | Diving, tropical fish, laid-back island life |
| Roatán → Mainland → San Pedro Sula → León / Granada | Buses – 2 days | 2-3 | Colourful Nicaraguan towns |
| Granada → Bocas del Toro, Panama | Bus + boat 10h | 3 | Caribbean islands & dolphins |
| Bocas del Toro → Almirante → David → Panama City → Cartí (San Blas Islands) | Boat + bus + 4×4
10–12 h |
1 | Remote tropical islands and Guna culture |
| San Blas Islands → Cartagena, Colombia | 5-day sail | 5 | Turquoise seas and Caribbean island hopping |
| Boquete > Portobelo / San Blas Islands | Bus + 4×4 transfer
8h |
1 | Prep for sailing |
| San Blas Islands > Cartagena, Colombia | 5-day sailboat via tropical islands | 4-5 | Swim, snorkel & island-hop across turquoise seas |
| Cartagena → Santa Marta → Riohacha → La Guajira Peninsula | Buses + 4×4
12h total |
3-4 | Sand dunes, flamingos & Wayuu desert villages |