If you want to see hilltop ruins and have some of the best food around while you're in Mexico, you should plan on visiting Oaxaca — this part of the country boasts dozens of day trips we love, like the imposing ancient ruins of Monte Alban. 

If you're headed to Nicaragua you should definitely start getting excited about the beautiful beaches you can visit. 

Beaches perfect for surfing and surrounded by lush jungles are only two things you’ll find in Jaco ... can you see why this is one of the prettiest weekend getaways for our volunteers in Costa Rica?

Tour the mansion on the grounds, go ziplining, or rent paddle boats on the surrounding lake — we love a quick trip to this estate!

If you find yourself near Leon, Nicaragua but need some time with turtles, play on taking a day to visit this nearby gem.

You have your weekends covered if you find yourself around Uvita, Costa Rica! 

Hey, hey Mexico! We love that we can jump from town to town, exploring a new spot every weekend on a budget because of the really affordable bus system. Because the country is so expansive, there are several spots that are best accessed by flight. But you know us ... we love a good deal!

Atlixco is a charming town surrounded by volcanoes and wildflowers, not to mention that it's one of the top destinations in the state of Puebla! If you're coming from the city of Puebla, you're just a short drive away, making it a perfect town to go explore for the day.

With miles and miles of golden sands, snorkeling, catamaran trips, and more we're all too happy that this part of Mexico still feels undiscovered. 

If you're headed to Nicaragua for the Spring semester with ILP, you get to be in the country for one of the best weeks of the year — Holy Week.