Journey through Central America
A journey to Costa Rica along the Pan-American Highway with an included coast-to-coast railway journey along the Panama Canal and an optional visit to Nicaragua
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow via Madrid or Miami to Panama City. Transfer to Country Inn & Suites Hotel or similar for a two-night stay.
Day 2 Full-day tour by train along the historic Panama Canal railway to Colón. Continue to a traditional Emberá Indian village, the port of Portobelo and Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal.
Day 3 Travel along the Pan-American Highway to Boquete and two nights at Finca Lerida which stands amidst its own, private coffee plantation.
Day 4 Visit the coffee plantations before taking a tour to view the Quetzal and a wide variety of hummingbirds.
Day 5 Cross the border into Costa Rica and travel to Esquinas Rainforest, an enchanting oasis surrounded by the untouched wilderness of one of Costa Rica’s remotest national parks. Two nights at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge.
Day 6 Drive through the rainforest to Golfito for a motorboat ride along the Golfo Dulce with its deserted beaches and dolphins.
Day 7 This morning there is a gentle hike in the Piedras Blancas National Park which protects the rainforest and beach areas of the inland Golfo Dulce close to Golfito. Continue to the Carara National Park for a two-night stay at the Villa Lapas.
Day 8 Walk on the skyways or hanging bridges of the private reserve at Villa Lapas which stands between the tropical and dry pacific eco-systems.
Day 9 Leave Carara and take the road over the Avocado Hill to the capital city San José and overnight at the Hotel Country Inn El Rodeo or alternatively leave for a fascinating trip into Nicaragua.
Day 10 Flight via Madrid or Miami to London Heathrow.
Day 11 Early morning arrival in London.
Extension - Nicaragua
Nicaragua is largely undiscovered by modern-day
Europeans and its colonial heritage provides a perfect
contrast to Costa Rica and Panama.
Day 9 Drive across the mountains to Costa Rica and overnight at Canon de la Vieja Lodge.
Day 10 Cross the border to Nicaragua and take the ferry across Lago de Nicaragua to Ometepe Island, dominated by two active volcanoes both over 1000 metres high. Overnight at the Villa Paraiso.
Day 11 Morning island tour before continuing to Leon, the former capital city, this is still the intellectual heart of the country. Overnight stay at Hotel Los Balcones.
Day 12 Sightseeing of Leon and view Momotombo volcano en route to Granada for a two-night stay at Hotel Colonial.
Day 13 A full-day tour of this colonial city which was named after its Moorish counterpart in Spain and is full of architectural interest.
Day 14 Drive to Liberia airport in Costa Rica for the flight to San José and overnight at the Hotel Country Inn El Rodeo.
Day 15 Fly from San José via Miami or Madrid to London Heathrow.
Day 16 Morning arrival in London.
