The Best of Nature in Central America 2027

Your Spanish-speaking driver will pick you up at Managua International Airport to take you to the colonial jewel of your trip: Granada. Affectionately known as the "Great Sultana," it is one of the oldest colonial cities in the American continent. You will spend your first night here in this authentic and multifaceted country. Nicaragua welcomes you warmly.
Meals included: None
Entrance fees/excursions included: None

After breakfast, your tour guide will be waiting for you at the reception. Together you will explore the historic center of Granada on foot and visit the most important monuments of this impressive colonial city. Next, you will travel to the nearby town of Catarina, a traditional village with a wonderful view of the "Laguna de Apoyo."
After this visit, you will continue to the neighboring town of San Juan de Oriente, known for its artisans and, in particular, for its high-quality ceramics. You will have the opportunity to talk with a local artist, ask questions, and learn more about their inspirations and techniques.
At the end of the day, you will travel to Masaya National Park. There you will find the impressive lava field from the 1772 eruption, which, together with the spectacular view, offers ideal photo opportunities. From the museum terrace, you will be able to enjoy a wide view of the surrounding landscape and get a vivid idea of the extent of previous volcanic eruptions.
Meals included: Breakfast
Entrance fees/excursions included: Entrance to San Francisco Convent, La Merced Bell Tower, Catarina Volcano Park & Masaya

Before leaving Granada, you will take a relaxing boat ride on Lake Nicaragua through the tropical "Isletas" of Granada. Here you can enjoy the lush vegetation and observe numerous bird species in their natural habitat.
Next, you will head south on the famous Pan-American Highway to Rivas, the city of mangoes. From there it is only a short distance to the port city of San Jorge, located on the shores of the largest lake in Nicaragua and all of Central America. Here you change to the ferry and enjoy a crossing of approximately one hour to the volcanic island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua.
After arriving in Moyogalpa, you will continue to your hotel, located directly on a black sand beach of volcanic origin. You will check into your room and then have the opportunity to visit the legendary Charco Verde Lagoon. Sunset is the perfect time to enjoy the quiet natural landscape and observe animals in their natural environment.
Meals included: Breakfast
Entrance fees/excursions included: Boat tour to Las Isletas, ferry ticket and Charco Verde Lagoon

You can organize the morning as you wish:
If you want to take it easy, relax by the pool or take a refreshing swim in the seemingly endless Lake Nicaragua.
If you prefer to start the day more actively, you can take a volcano excursion with your guide. After a short drive to Finca El Porvenir, you will discover impressive petroglyphs, stone evidence of the original indigenous population. Your guide will provide you with fascinating information about the meaning of these century-old petroglyphs. You will then walk through various plantations to the viewpoint on the eastern slope of Volcán Maderas. The climb, lasting about two hours, is rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of the majestic Volcán Concepción and Lake Nicaragua.
In the afternoon, another highlight awaits you with your guide: a kayaking excursion on Lake Nicaragua. The starting point is Playa Caimán. From here, you will paddle along the shore to the mouth of the Istián wetland. You will follow narrow channels inland, where you can observe herons, kingfishers, and many other bird species up close. Finally, the dense vegetation leads you to a point that invites you to turn back. (Duration: approximately 2-3 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast
Entrance fees/excursions included: Maderas hike (optional) and kayaking excursion on Lake Nicaragua

Before leaving the island, you will visit the El Ceibo Museum in the morning, which offers interesting information about Nicaragua's pre-Hispanic history. Then take the rustic ferry back to mainland.
Back on the mainland, you will continue south to the Peñas Blancas border, where you will leave this pristine and diverse country.
After border procedures at Peñas Blancas, the journey continues to the cloud forest paradise of Monteverde. In Las Juntas begins the approximately 35-kilometer road, sometimes potholed, that leads to one of Costa Rica's most famous cloud forest reserves. Along the way, you will enjoy impressive views of the green mountains and the Nicoya Gulf. You will then check into your hotel room.
Meals included: Breakfast
Entrance fees/excursions included: El Ceibo Museum and ferry ticket

Today you will visit the famous Curi Cancha reserve, where a 2 to 2.5-hour hike is planned on well-maintained trails. This region is famous for its lush vegetation and extraordinary variety of birds. With a bit of luck, you may spot the colorful quetzal, the bird of the Maya gods.
You will then continue your journey to La Fortuna. The route will take you along the picturesque Lake Arenal, a reservoir that blends harmoniously into the surrounding landscape and offers impressive views along the way.
Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a bath in the thermal waters.
Meals included: Breakfast
Entrance fees/excursions included: Curi Cancha Reserve

After breakfast, you will take an excursion through Arenal National Park, always with views of the majestic volcano. The trail will take you through a small section of forest to an impressive lava field that formed during the 1968 eruption.
Afterward, more adventurous guests will have the opportunity to participate in an optional canopy excursion (not included in the price, please consult with your guide).
Late in the afternoon, you will embark on another exciting excursion, a night walk with cultural exchange. Experience the fascinating diversity of the tropical rainforest at night. Together you will search for colorful tree frogs, lizards, insects, birds, and other nocturnal animals. Halfway through the walk, a delicious refreshment awaits you: freshly squeezed sugarcane juice and its derivatives, which will give you new energy to continue discovering. Finally, you will enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner lovingly prepared in a wood-fired oven.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Entrance fees/excursions included: Volcán Arenal National Park, night cultural visit

Today the day starts very early. You will depart around 05:30. The journey will take you through Puerto Viejo and Horquetas to Guápiles, where you will enjoy a typical Costa Rican breakfast at a restaurant around 8 am.
Afterward, you and other international guests will depart on the lodge bus to La Pavona and Caño Blanco. Along the way, you will learn interesting facts about banana cultivation, which characterizes this region, including interesting perspectives on the opportunities and challenges surrounding the yellow fruit.
From there, the boat transfer to the lodge begins, taking you through an extensive network of rivers and channels in the midst of lush nature. By midday you will arrive at your accommodation for the night, a lodge in the jungle, where a delicious lunch awaits you.
In the afternoon, you can choose between relaxing by the pool or visiting the town of Tortuguero with your guide. There you can visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy museum (entrance USD 2 per person, not included), dedicated to the protection of endangered sea turtles. Enjoy a drink at one of the small typical restaurants of the country (known as sodas) before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Between July and September, you can participate in an optional sunset beach walk to observe sea turtles laying eggs. An unforgettable experience. Please wear dark clothing, as turtles are very sensitive and may decide not to approach the shore or turn around and disappear back into the sea at the slightest disturbance.
Info: On the Tortuguero National Park excursion (days 8, 9, and 10), other guests participate in addition to your group.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Entrance fees/excursions included: Excursion to the town of Tortuguero

Early in the morning, you will depart in small boats with your tour guide to explore the narrow channels of Tortuguero National Park. The lush vegetation is so dense in some places that it feels as if you are traveling by boat through a green tunnel. With a bit of luck, you may spot crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, freshwater turtles, sleeping bats, and numerous water birds. The flora also delights with an almost inexhaustible variety.
After this nature experience, you will return to the lodge, where a delicious breakfast already awaits you.
After breakfast, another boat excursion through the channels is scheduled. Weather permitting, you may spot monkeys, sloths, turtles, iguanas, and numerous bird species in the midst of lush vegetation. Lunch will be served at the lodge.
In the afternoon, a walk through the lodge gardens is scheduled.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Entrance fees/excursions included: Two boat excursions, entrance to Tortuguero National Park, one hike

The boat will take you back to the departure port, La Pavona or Caño Blanco. At the restaurant, where you will also have lunch, you will change to the comfortable tour bus, which will take you further along the Caribbean coast. The route passes through the port city of Limón, where you might be fortunate to see ocean liners or cruise ships. The journey continues along the coast to Puerto Viejo de Limón, a small town with a relaxed, Caribbean atmosphere.
After checking into your hotel room, you will have the afternoon free. Enjoy a drink in a reggae bar and soak up the atmosphere. There are numerous local restaurants in town for dinner, which you can discover individually. The beaches of the Caribbean coast are also perfect for enjoying the tropical climate and the relaxed atmosphere of this unique region.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Entrance fees/excursions included: None

After breakfast, we will load your luggage back onto the bus and take you to a cacao plantation over 100 years old. During an informative guided visit, you will learn everything you need to know about cacao fruit cultivation and will also be able to taste it fresh. You will discover historic machines that now adorn the small museum as exhibits and gain a fascinating insight into the entire production process, from the fruit to the finished chocolate. Of course, you will also be able to taste some!
Next, you will have free time in Cahuita until the bus picks you up and takes you back to San José. Check-in at the hotel and accommodation.
Meals included: Breakfast
Entrance fees/excursions included: Chocolate tour

Today we will take you to the airport, where our services end. You can book a connection stay for an additional charge. The transfer to the airport is always included in the program and is not charged separately.
Meals included: Breakfast
Entrance fees/excursions included: None