Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Visit to Poás Volcano, which is an active volcano with several of the most beautiful sceneries in Costa Rica. On the road towards the National Park we pass along many coffee plantations until reaching the cloud forest. We arrive to the immense active crater that measures 1.5 km in diameter, one of the biggest of the world. Enjoy also the Botos Lagoon with its trails and diversity of sceneries.  Visit to a coffee cooperative to discover the secrets of this plant very important for the country’s economy. This visit will allow us to know all the stages of the coffee process, from the plant to the cup. Walk through the plantation, guided visit to the facilities of the Beneficio (Coffee Processing Installation) were you can enjoy tasting the different coffee blends.  Continue on route towards the north. Little by little the conical silhouette of the Arenal Volcano appears. With an altitude of 1,633 meters, its regular eruptions offer one of the most extraordinary and impressing natural panoramas of Costa Rica. (x 2 nights)

The Arenal Volcano’s conical form evokes the traditional image of the active volcano. When the sight at the top is clear of clouds it is impressive: fumaroles during the day, falling lava at night.  Caño Negro National Park visit, which is a marvelous wildlife refuge, considered to be the third most important wetland in the world and without doubt one of the most ecologically diverse sites in the country. A nature lover’s paradise, Caño Negro is the habitat of many migrant and endangered fish, reptiles, birds and plants. Continue to the hot springs at Ecotermales La Fortuna.

Departure to Monteverde enjoying the beautiful view of Lake Arenal. Arrival to the cloud forest Monteverde, a place of cloud forests and coffee plantations, monkeys and mist. The moisture, often in the form of fog, catches on the branches of the tallest trees and drips down to the other organisms below. This helps to support a complex and far- reaching ecosistem. Visit of Café-Galería Colibris for a taste of the finest coffees produced in the region.

Enjoy a Sky Walk tour, that are a series of 6 suspension bridges and also several trails on the cloud forest of Monteverde. Learn more about the rich and diverse flora and fauna of the region both from the ground and from above. Afterwards visit to a Serpentarium where you will observe a wide variety of reptiles found in the region. Continue towards the dry flat lands of Guanacaste, with a different climate and scenery. Its a region of long flat lands and haciendas. The road takes us around Lake Arenal, before descending to the town of Cañas. (x 2 nights)

Rincon de la Vieja National Park is a still relatively undiscovered gem of the Costa Rican interior. Within it, is the active Volcán Rincón de la Vieja, one of 5 volcanos in the Cordillera de Guanacaste (Guanacaste Mountain Range). The National Park is also part of the World Heritage Site, the Guanacaste Conservation Area. Return to the hotel, PM at leisure for optional activities. Recommended: Natural SPA.

Early start to the border with Nicaragua. After border formalities, continue to the north and center of Nicaragua to visit Masaya Volcano National Park, the first and largest National Park in Nicaragua. The park also has an interesting vulcanology museum. Visit of Managua, the capital city that has been transformed by various earthquakes. Visit to Loma de Tiscapa, that is a mirador that allows us a view of the city. Continue to León, with an spectacular view of Momotombo Volcano. Arrival to León de los Caballeros, the second largest city in Nicaragua.

Visit of León. The city was founded in 1524 and severely destroyed by an eruption of the nearby Momotombo volcano. Walking visit of this city home to several interesting colonial churches: La Merced, El Calvario, San Francisco, as well as the Art Museum Fundación Ortiz Gurdián. Departure to San Jacinto, located at the foot of the Maribios Volcanic Range. Visit to the boiling mud pools of San Jacinto.   Continue to Granada visiting on the way Huembes Market, an interesting place in this market is the handicrafts section, where you will find a great variety of products from all over Nicaragua, made of all types of materials, like wood, textile, leather, pottery, etc. (x 3 nights)

Boat tour through the islets, an archipelago of volcanic islands, on Lake Nicaragua (the second largest lake in Latin America). The islets and islands sum up to 365, some of them inhabited and a true natural paradise covered in rich vegetation. Continue to Pueblos Blancos (White Towns), a region of several towns with strong pre-columbian roots. Visit to Catarina and its mirador, San Juan de Oriente with its magnificent handicrafts, Diriomo, etc…you will have the opportunity to learn more about these villages, their history, crafts, food, etc. Some of these villages enjoy superb view over the blue waters of Lake Apoyo and others are famous for its delicious homemade “cajetas” or sweets.

Free day to further explore Granada on your own. Granada is one of the oldest cities in Central America. Also known as “La Gran Sultana” by its Moorish and Andalusian appearance, Granada has a rich colonial heritage.

Return to the border with Costa Rica. After short border formalities, continue to the Northern Pacific of the country. Arrival to Tamarindo, one of the most popular beaches in the country. Tamarindo Beach is part of a bay formed by a cape, Cabo Velas (velas is Spanish for sails, or sailfish). Playa Grande lies to the north of Tamarindo Beach inside the bay. The two beaches are separated by a natural salt water estuary, Estero Tamarindo. South of Tamarindo Bay there is another beautiful estuary and beach, Playa Langosta. Both Playa Grande and Playa Langosta are protected nesting areas for the giant leatherback turtle, and are part of the Costa Rican national park system. These beaches are the major nesting areas worldwide for the turtles, which arrive from October to March to lay their eggs. (x 3 nights)

2 Free days to enjoy diverse optional activities in the region.

AM at leisure to further enjoy the sun and beach. Afternoon, departure to San José.

Transfer to International Airport.