Day 1. : From your preferred airport you fly to Panama City. Your English speaking guide will be waiting to greet you upon arrival at the airport. After a short transfer to your hotel and after a quick check in you will be given your reserved room. 

Accommodation: Hotel BW Plus Zen.

Day 2. We take the Panama Canal from Gamboa to the port of Flamenco passing through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks. Whilst enjoying a group lunch on the ship we can be impressed by the huge cargo ships carrying out their manoeuvres. In the afternoon we will explore, on foot, the colonial old town of Panama City. Restored colonial houses in bright colours, next to almost dilapidated houses but with marvellous charm give the city a unique flair. With our guide we stroll through narrow streets and alleys admiring the views of this modern city’s skyline and learn about the history of Panama.

Accommodation: Hotel BW Plus Zen. Meal plan: F, M (Ship)

Day 3. We take a boat trip through the dense jungle along the Río Chagres in typical indigenous Indian tree boats. On a visit to the Emberá people we get an insight into the ancient traditions, culture and way of life of these ancient peoples. After lunch we continue to the Miraflores lock where huge freighters pass through the Panama Canal. From the viewing terrace we can watch the ships as they manoeuvre into the lock and in the canal museum we learn about the history of the construction of this miracle of technology.

Accommodation: Hotel BW Plus Zen. Meal plan: F, M (Emberá)

Day 4. After a short flight to Costa Rica we drive first on the legendary Costanera highway before we take a boat trip on the Sierpe River. This is the second largest mangrove area in Central America and extremely lush with all shades of green - a habitat for a variety of plants and wildlife.

Accommodation: Hotel Villas Rio Mar. Meal plan: F

Day 5.  Along the Pacific coast through the picturesque backdrop of palm oil plantations, we drive to Manuel Antonio. The small town is at the entrance to the National Park of the same name. With a local guide you take a hike through the nature reserve seeing many of the over one hundred species of mammals living here. Some of these animals are known for not being shy of humans. The cheeky capuchin monkeys love to visit the white sandy beaches and also howler monkeys, iguanas and sloths are among the often seen inhabitants of the park.

Accommodation: Hotel Villas Rio Mar. Meal plan: F

Day 6. We drive up to the highest point of the legendary Pan Americana, the 3491 m high Cerro de la Muerte (“Mountain of Death"). The name derives from the many travellers who previously attempted to cross this mountain on foot and lost their lives in the storms. The spectacular views while driving to the top of the mountain is breathtaking. The town of San Gerardo de Dota, just a few kilometres from the mountain pass is famous for its cloud forest. A possible highlight during our hike in the high valley surrounded by oak forests is spotting the long colourful feathers of the Resplendent Quetzal.

Accommodation: Hotel Savegre. Meal plan: F

Day 7. Early in the morning we go stalking the Quetzal, the Bird of the Gods to the Maya. The bird is easy to recognize by its colourful tail, up to a meter long. After breakfast we transfer to our hotel near Puerto Vejo, where we arrive at noon. In the afternoon we visit the nearby "Leos Ants Project". One of the most interesting eco projects of the rainforest. Leo, a farmer from Costa Rica, shows us with his project the importance of sustainable tourism and explains to us most vividly his insights about the life of ants.

Accommodation: Hotel La Quinta Sarapiqui. Meal plan: F

Day 8. We visit a local school typical for this rural region. The children welcome us and we stop to look into the classrooms and what they are studying. We then continue on to the northern Caribbean lowland and Tirimbina. In the reserve which is in the middle of the rain forest, we are accompanied by a biologist as we visit a land-typical farm that specializes in the cultivation of cocoa. For those who prefer coffee, then a visit the nearby Coope Sarapiquí coffee cooperative. After a regional-style group lunch we drive on to our relaxing hotel at the foot of the volcano Arenal which is reached in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Hotel Casa Luna. Meal plan: F, M

Day 9. During a tour over a system of high hanging bridges we gain an insight into the sensitive ecosystem of the forest canopy. Our local guide explains the incomparable wide variety of flora and fauna found in the cloud forest. In the afternoon we drive to the Arenal volcano, the youngest and most active volcano in Costa Rica. With our guide we hike over the partial black volcanic soil, alongside colourful orchids, exotic plants and colourful wildlife.

Accommodation: Hotel Casa Luna. Meal plan: F

Day 10. In the early morning we drive to Caño Negro National Park one of the most important wetlands in Central America and home to many colourful birds. After breakfast, we board a boat at Rio Frío, and admire many different monkeys, sloths, river turtles, caymans, iguanas and countless bird species found on Lake Nicaragua. We then cross the Las Tabillas border station to enter Nicaragua. After completing the entry and exit formalities the bus takes us to Granada, where in the evening we reach our city centre hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel La Gran Francia. Meal plan: F
 

Day 11. The city of Granada is the oldest colonial city in Nicaragua. We walk through the old town, passing by impressive churches and historic buildings such as Casa de los Tres Mundos (“House of the Three Worlds"), an international cultural centre. We then take an excursion boat to one of the numerous islands on Lake Nicaragua. Las Isletas is a natural paradise where we can observe many waterfowl. The afternoon is at your leisure before enjoying, as a group, a typical Nicaragua dish for dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel La Gran Francia. Meal plan: F

Day 12. We visit Managua the capital of Nicaragua. Fascinating are the archaeological sites of Acahualinca, the new cathedral with its most unusual form, the old cathedral from the time of the Spaniards and the National Museum. In the afternoon we drive to the Masaya national park, north of Granada. The very active volcano of the same name had during pre-Columbian times a ritual importance with the indigenous population and later it was avoided by the Spanish conquerors as a "hell-hole". In the late afternoon we return to Granada.

Accommodation: Hotel La Gran Francia. Meal plan: F, A (Restaurant)

Day 13. We drive back to Costa Rica passing Lake Nicaragua. After the border we cross through a nature reserve - the last remnants of a rare tropical dry forest, which during the dry season can be seen without leaves presenting just the yellow glowing blossoms of the gold tree. We continue on to our lodge in the Rincón-de-la-Vieja-Nationalpark. After the opportunity to have a relaxing bath in a hot spring at the lodge, we will enjoy a group dinner.

Accommodation: Canon de la Vieja Lodge. Meal plan: F, A (Hotel)

Day 14. We spend the morning at the Rincón de la Vieja national park. The main attraction is the volcano and the surrounding forests with four different main climate zones, which provides a habitat for a great diversity of species. As the national park is surrounded by cattle farms we see Sabaneros (Costa Rican cowboys) going about their daily work. Later, we will return to San Joséthe using the legendary Pan Americana. On route we stop at the Río Tárcoles, for a surprise. Keep the camera handy! In the early evening we reach our hotel in San José.

Accommodation: Studio Hotel. Meal plan: F, A (Hotel)

 Day 15. :   The morning is at leisure with time to visit one of the numerous museums or to stroll and do some last minute shopping. In the afternoon your transfer to the International Airport and return flight home.

Services included

• All Transfer
• All overnight stays are based on double occupancy with breakfast incl.
• For other meals see table.
• All entrance fees listed in the table Activities and National Parks.
• Qualified English-speaking tour guide.
• Transport in modern, comfortable and fully air-conditioned vehicles.
• EU safety guidelines for drivers  and driving times are maintained.

Self Drivers

• Airport Transfers
• Accommodation is based on a doubleroom including breakfast
• Rental car including basic insurance. Vehicle Type: Hyundai Tucson or similar
• GPS navigation system 
• free mileage

Services not included

• Gratuities (optional) 
• Departure Tax Costa Rica (26 USD)