Costa Rica And Nicaragua - The Chorotegan Path

( 5 Star )

Visit: San José – Arenal – Nicaragua – Tamarindo

Overview
Itinerary
Inclusion / Exclusion
Dates Pricing

Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a sovereign state in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, and Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island. It has a population of around 5 million in a land area of 51,060 square kilometers. An estimated 333,980 people live in the capital and largest city, San José with around 2 million people in the surrounding metropolitan area.

Upon arrival at San Jose airport, you will be welcomed by our representative who will escort you to your hotel in San Jose and give you your trip itinerary. Your journey will begin with a night in San José, the capital, located 3 937 feet above the sea level and gathering half of the population of the country. The town is placed in Central Valley Area, surrounded in the north by different volcanos like Poás, Irazú or Turrialba and in the south by Talamanca’s Cordillera, which is the highest mountain range of the south of Central America. Traveling time: 20 mins Included meals: - Accommodation: Wyndham Herradura 4* SUP

After breakfast, you will meet your semi-collective shuttle for a transfer to La Fortuna. This town is situated at the skirts of the Arenal volcano, Costa Rica´s most famous one. This country is well-known for its 116 volcanoes, but the Arenal volcano is probably the most famous one. This active volcano rises over 5347 feet above the sea level and it has the iconic volcano-shaped perfect for pictures. Surprisingly, this volcano is the youngest of the country, being only 7500 years old! Even if the Arenal Volcano activity decreased over the past 3 years, some clouds of smoke can still be seen going out of the crater when the sky is clear. Traveling time: 3h00 Included meals: B Accommodation: Arenal Oasis Ecolodge & Reserve 3*

After breakfast, you will enjoy a self-guided hike through the hanging bridges (included activity). Observe the rainforest through the bird’s perspective. These trails and suspended bridges are completely immersed in a rainforest private reserve which will let you spot many of its inhabitants. Some of the animals you might see are the howler monkeys, emerald toucanettes, bell birds, snakes, lizards and basilisks. Free afternoon to enjoy your hotel’s facilities or explore the region by yourself. You can also include any of the following activities (for more details please contact your local specialist):  Guided hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park Colombia | Costa Rica | Ecuador | Panamá | Venezuela  Excursion to La Fortuna Waterfall (with or without guide)  Zip lining  Chocolate Farm tour  Salsa Dance Lessons  Cooking lessons with a local family and dinner  Relaxing time in the hot springs (lunch or dinner can be included)  Proyecto Asís Rescue Center Included meals: B Accommodation: Arenal Oasis Ecolodge & Reserve 3*

Free day to explore the area at your own pace. You can also opt to book any of the following recommended activities: • Canyoning • SUP or kayaking in the Arenal Volcano Lake • Hot Air Balloon Ride • Visit the autochthonous Maleku people • Night hike in a private reserve • Day Trip to Tenorio National Park & Río Celeste Included meals: B Accommodation: Arenal Oasis Ecolodge & Reserve 3*

Our English-speaking tour guide and driver will be waiting for you at the border of Las Tablillas, located in the area of Rio San Juan, at the edge of the great lake of Nicaragua. After the usual immigration formalities, you will start your trip in this exciting region and country accompanied by your guide. You will take the public boat through the Río San Juan, together with the warm and friendly local travelers. With more than 600 species of birds and various mammal species and reptiles, the area is a paradise for wildlife watchers and nature lovers! You will then pass by Sábalos Lodge for our lunch and a walking tour into the forest in order to learn about the flora and fauna of the place. Then you will continue to the small, colorful village of El Castillo and the historic fortress, which was built by Spanish conquistadors to protect against pirates. You will also get lots of information about the transit route. Traveling time: 45 min + 2 hours by boat Included meals: B & L Accommodation: Hotel Luna del Río 2* SUP or similar

After breakfast, you will have some time to explore the town before returning to San Carlos and continue your trip on Lake Nicaragua. Our private boat will first drive us to Los Guatuzos Reserve. Three-toed sloths, caimans, bats and numerous species of birds are at home here. During the visit to the Biological Center, we learn more about the sustainable, flora and fauna of the region. Afterwards, we will arrive to Solentiname Archipelago. In the seclusion and beauty of the 36 islands, the poet and priest Ernesto Cardenal taught fishermen and peasants painting and woodcarving in the 1960s. Numerous families produced artists. We will visit some of them. Overnight on Solentiname Traveling time: 3.5 hours by boat Included meals: B, L & D Accommodation: Hotel Cabañas Paraiso 2*

After an early breakfast the tour will continue by boat crossing Lake Nicaragua to the mainland and tiny town of Colon. Your driver will be already for you to head to the resort town of San Juan del Sur. This is a famous and one of the favorite holiday towns for Nicaraguans. Here, you will have time to walk along the beach, take a dip in the Pacific Ocean and stop at one of the bars or restaurants along the beach. From there you will drive to San Jorge to take the ferry to the Island of Ometepe. After a pleasant one-hour ride you will be transferred to one of the lake side hotels where you can soak up the natural beauty of Nicaragua’s “Utopia”. Traveling time: 2 hours + 1 hour by ferry Included Meals: B & D Accommodation : Hotel Villa Paraiso 3*

After breakfast you will explore the largest volcanic Island in a freshwater lake in the world. As a designated Biosphere, the island protects the natural resources and the timeless rural way of life of the islanders. You will visit Charco Verde, hiking the trails around the lagoon and the butterfly house, the museums at El Ceibo and have the chance to swim in the crystal-clear freshwater springs at the Ojo de Agua. The two volcanoes forming the island, the Maderas and the Concepcion, will always appear in the background during your excursion! A full day’s adventure in a rural paradise! Tour duration: Around 1.5 hours Included Meals: B & D Accommodation : Hotel Villa Paraiso 3*

After a leisurely breakfast overlooking Lake Nicaragua, you will leave your hotel and make your way to Moyogalpa Harbor. Then take the ferry back to the mainland and on to the colonial city of Granada. After moving into your hotel room, you will begin your cooking classes that will help you understand how the Mayan culture and Spanish colonial influence merge in perfect harmony through food. Later, go with your tour guide for a tour of the city. You will visit the main attractions, such as the Convento & Museo San Francisco with statues of Zapatera Island, La Merced Church with great views of the city and Casa de los Tres Mundos. Then you will embark on a boat tour of Granada's famous Isletas, an archipelago of inhabited islands formed by an ancient volcanic explosion, just off the shore of Lake Nicaragua. The ‘Isletas’, due to their natural location, shape fantastic canals where numerous species of birds and tropical plants can be observed. You can also catch a glimpse of the immensity of Lake Nicaragua while appreciating the different wildlife. Traveling time: 2 hours + 1 hours by ferry Included meals: B & L (included in cooking class) Accommodation: Hotel Estrada 3* SUP or similar

After breakfast, we will explore the region. First, you will head to one of “White towns”: the village of Catarina. Here you can enjoy a great view over the Laguna Apoyo, a former volcanic crater. From here, you can see on clear days the Nicaragua Lake, Granada and Colombia | Costa Rica | Ecuador | Panamá | Venezuela the volcano Mombacho. Afterwards, you will visit San Juan de Oriente, renowned for their quality pottery. At town of Masaya, you will also visit the colorful open market. The entire handicraft done in Nicaragua is represented and sold here at very competitive price. It`s time to go shopping! At dusk, drive to Masaya Volcano National Park with a visit to the active crater of Santiago. The view into the Santiago crater is impressive, as the volcano emits huge amounts of lava and gas. After this unique experience, you will head back to Granada. In the evening you will meet with your tour guide for a dinner in a famous restaurant of the city. Tour duration: Around 1.5 hours Included meals: B & D Accommodation: Hotel Estrada or similar, Granada

Breakfast at your hotel, then departure in the morning towards the Peñas Blancas border in order to cross to the neighboring country of Costa Rica. Your guide will help you with immigration formalities. You will then meet your car rental representative who will hand you off the keys to your vehicle. You will drive southwards to Tamarindo, one of the most ebullient villages in Guanacaste province. Here you can find a large range of activities like surfing and kayaking, a large variety of restaurants, shops, etc. The beaches of Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande are in a great bay, on the northern part of Nicoya Peninsula, and they are part of Las Baulas National Park. After checking-in at the hotel, you will have the afternoon free to enjoy the hotel facilities or the nearby beaches. Traveling time: Around 4.5 hours Included meals: B Accommodation: Hotel Pasatiempo 3*

Free days to enjoy the hotel facilities, the beach or to go and explore the area. Several activities are offered in the area such as: • Sea observation trip: boat trip + snorkeling • Diving (only for certified travelers) • Surf lesson. • Horseback riding or bike rides Colombia | Costa Rica | Ecuador | Panamá | Venezuela • Kayak or boat in the mangrove near Tamarindo You can also visit the surrounding national parks or the beautiful beaches of the area. Less than a 30 minutes-drive from Tamarindo you can discover Playa Conchal, a seashell beach that is one of the most beautiful ones in the country. Playa Flamingo, Playa Avellana or Playa Langosta are all located around a 5-minute drive by car from the center of Tamarindo. Included meals: B Accommodation: Hôtel Pasatiempo 3*

It’s time to say adios to Costa Rica! Today, you will head to San Jose International Airport. You will drop your car off at the car rental agency situated close to the airport and a free shuttle will take you to the airport. Please consider that you have to be there 3h before your departure. Travelling time: Around 4 hours Included meals:

Inclusion

Meet and greet at the airport by one of our English-speaking representatives and private transfer to your hotel on day 1 Travel documents in English Phone support by our team all along the trip 13 nights in the mentioned hotels - depending on availability at the time of booking – including taxes 3 days of car rental. 4X4 TOYOTA RUSH (base 2 pax), 4x4 SSANG YONG KORANDO (base 4 pax), HYUNDAI H1 (Base 6 pax), unlimited kilometers, basic obligatory insurance, GPS and WI-FI included from day 11 at 10h30 to day 15 at 13h30. Transfers and transportation during your visit to Nicaragua in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles as described (Please note that vehicles on Ometepe do not have air conditioning.) Private and public boat as described in the program. Ferry from San Jorge - Moyogalpa - San Jorge English speaking qualified tour guide from day 5 to day 11 Activities mentioned as included Mentioned Meals Administration fees Symbolic participation to eco-responsible missions undertaken by Tucaya Costa Rica

Exclusion

International flights, cancelation, repatriation, luggage insurance Tourist card on arrival to Nicaragua Additional car insurance, deposit for the car (with basic insurance and with additional insurance) and for the GPS, and gas expenses. Any meal that is not mentioned as included or not mentioned at all Any activity o entrance fee that is not mentioned as included or not mentioned at all Personal expenses and tips Anything not mentioned above in the “The price includes” section