Way to San Jose

Visiting: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua

Way to San Jose

Travel through the heart of Central America, Covet local handcrafts in Antigua's markets, Tour through the ancient Mayan ruins at Copan, Frolic into cool Caribbean waters off Roatan Island, Spot the world's only freshwater sharks in Lake Nicaragua , Explore the steamy Monteverde cloud forest, Visit La Fortuna's fiesty Arenal Volcano, Admire the dramatic scenery surrounding San Jose, Feast on fiery Central American cuisine, Enjoy a cruisy day sightseeing in Granada, Find a comfy patch of grass in Comayagua's Parque Central

Get ready for a fast-paced adventure through the best of Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. From oceans teeming with marine life to cloud forests alive with jungle melodies, this pocket of Central America is something of a natural paradise. Whether you're shopping in colonial Antigua, exploring the intricately carved Copan ruins, diving into the crystal blue waters of Honduras' Roatan Islands or taking a night tour of Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, you'll get a wonderful insight into Central America during this incredible adventure.

You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting tonight at 6pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. After the group meeting there is the option of joining the group for dinner.
This meeting will be followed by an orientation walk, led by your group leader, around some of Antigua's highlights.

In Antigua you shouldn't miss the Tamales, a local dish traditionally prepared on weekends, served in a corn leaf. Or you could also give the Pepian a try, a meal that consists of a rich dark sauce and three meats (chicken, beef and pork). The best value food you find next to the artesian market close to the bus station.
Our hotel in Antigua is located near the central park and only across the street from the market.

Included Activities

•Orientation walk

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

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We travel by local bus to Copan, Honduras (approx. 6 hours). Along the way, you will pass through the wild, dry country side of eastern Guatemala.

The following day you could make an optional visit of the Mayan ruins of Copan. As you walk past monuments, statues and staircases it's hard not to wonder at the mysterious disappearance of such a creative civilisation.

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

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We travel by local bus to Copan, Honduras (approx. 6 hours). Along the way, you will pass through the wild, dry country side of eastern Guatemala.

The following day you could make an optional visit of the Mayan ruins of Copan. As you walk past monuments, statues and staircases it's hard not to wonder at the mysterious disappearance of such a creative civilisation.

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

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A local bus takes us to San Pedro Sula (approx. 3 hours), then to La Cieba (approx. 3 hours) before a ferry brings us to Roatan (approx. 2 hours). The connections make this a long travelling day, leaving Copan early in the morning and arriving to the hotel in Roatan in the early evening.

Spend the following two days relaxing and taking part in the many water based optional activities. Dive, swim or snorkel through the Caribbean waters to discover thousands of species of multi-coloured fish or chill out on the powdery white sands under swaying coconut palms. For more active adventures, tear yourself away from the beach and venture into the hilly interior by bicycle or scooter. Spot 'Jesus Lizards' in the botanical gardens or visit the nearby Institute for Marine Science. English is the main language in Roatan, so in the evenings chat away with the locals in any of the lively bars and enjoy a cold light house beer.

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nts)

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A local bus takes us to San Pedro Sula (approx. 3 hours), then to La Cieba (approx. 3 hours) before a ferry brings us to Roatan (approx. 2 hours). The connections make this a long travelling day, leaving Copan early in the morning and arriving to the hotel in Roatan in the early evening.

Spend the following two days relaxing and taking part in the many water based optional activities. Dive, swim or snorkel through the Caribbean waters to discover thousands of species of multi-coloured fish or chill out on the powdery white sands under swaying coconut palms. For more active adventures, tear yourself away from the beach and venture into the hilly interior by bicycle or scooter. Spot 'Jesus Lizards' in the botanical gardens or visit the nearby Institute for Marine Science. English is the main language in Roatan, so in the evenings chat away with the locals in any of the lively bars and enjoy a cold light house beer.

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nts)

!item

A local bus takes us to San Pedro Sula (approx. 3 hours), then to La Cieba (approx. 3 hours) before a ferry brings us to Roatan (approx. 2 hours). The connections make this a long travelling day, leaving Copan early in the morning and arriving to the hotel in Roatan in the early evening.

Spend the following two days relaxing and taking part in the many water based optional activities. Dive, swim or snorkel through the Caribbean waters to discover thousands of species of multi-coloured fish or chill out on the powdery white sands under swaying coconut palms. For more active adventures, tear yourself away from the beach and venture into the hilly interior by bicycle or scooter. Spot 'Jesus Lizards' in the botanical gardens or visit the nearby Institute for Marine Science. English is the main language in Roatan, so in the evenings chat away with the locals in any of the lively bars and enjoy a cold light house beer.

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nts)

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A very early ferry (approx 5:30 am) takes us back to the mainland (approx. 2 hours).  We then travel on to Comayagua by local bus (approx. 4.5 hours), arriving late afternoon. This is a great place to witness colonial architecture meeting modern day life and we spend the night here.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

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A good book, music, snacks and bottled water are a must to have for today's long journey (approx. 12 hours), as we take a local bus, Tica Bus, taxis and another local bus. The border crossing between Honduras and Nicaragua is easy and quick and your group leader will assist you on what you have to do at the border.

Nicaragua is a beautiful place that surprises most travellers with its friendly people, impressive natural beauty and for many it becomes their favourite country in Central America. The country has flourished in recent years and is an incredibly vibrant and unique country.
 
Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

!item

A good book, music, snacks and bottled water are a must to have for today's long journey (approx. 12 hours), as we take a local bus, Tica Bus, taxis and another local bus. The border crossing between Honduras and Nicaragua is easy and quick and your group leader will assist you on what you have to do at the border.

Nicaragua is a beautiful place that surprises most travellers with its friendly people, impressive natural beauty and for many it becomes their favourite country in Central America. The country has flourished in recent years and is an incredibly vibrant and unique country.
 
Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

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From Granada we travel by local bus and boat (approx 6-7 hours) to Ometepe.

Lake Nicaragua is the largest in Central America and the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world. Ometepe is a mainly agricultural island with rural villages and watermelon, coffee, banana and citrus plantations. Wildlife abounds here and as well as monkeys and green parrots, and the lake itself is famous for the world's only species of freshwater shark. A great experience is sitting on the shore of the lake when the fishermen come back from their long day bringing in what they have caught.

You have a full free day here, and might want to take an optional hike to the Madera Volcano, which at 1340m (4395 ft), is no walk in the park. Otherwise check out the petroglyphs or chill out on the beach.

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

!item

From Granada we travel by local bus and boat (approx 6-7 hours) to Ometepe.

Lake Nicaragua is the largest in Central America and the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world. Ometepe is a mainly agricultural island with rural villages and watermelon, coffee, banana and citrus plantations. Wildlife abounds here and as well as monkeys and green parrots, and the lake itself is famous for the world's only species of freshwater shark. A great experience is sitting on the shore of the lake when the fishermen come back from their long day bringing in what they have caught.

You have a full free day here, and might want to take an optional hike to the Madera Volcano, which at 1340m (4395 ft), is no walk in the park. Otherwise check out the petroglyphs or chill out on the beach.

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

!item

We travel by local bus to Monteverde (7 to 9 hours depending on border crossing conditions). The pasture land surrounding Monteverde was once covered in dense forest. Unfortunately, only a small area remains untouched. This area is lush, full of wildlife and protected as the Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde. This is truly a nature lover's paradise. Cloud forest is similar to rainforest but instead of the moisture coming from rain, it comes from the almost permanent cloud that covers the region.

In our free time here you may choose to explore Monteverde by foot, horse, mountain bike or ride over the rainforest canopy on a zip line. You could also arrange a local guide to take on a walk around the park. There are more than 2,000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals that call Monteverde home so the knowledge and experience of a local guide can make a huge difference on the enjoyment of this walk.

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

!item

We travel by local bus to Monteverde (7 to 9 hours depending on border crossing conditions). The pasture land surrounding Monteverde was once covered in dense forest. Unfortunately, only a small area remains untouched. This area is lush, full of wildlife and protected as the Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde. This is truly a nature lover's paradise. Cloud forest is similar to rainforest but instead of the moisture coming from rain, it comes from the almost permanent cloud that covers the region.

In our free time here you may choose to explore Monteverde by foot, horse, mountain bike or ride over the rainforest canopy on a zip line. You could also arrange a local guide to take on a walk around the park. There are more than 2,000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals that call Monteverde home so the knowledge and experience of a local guide can make a huge difference on the enjoyment of this walk.

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

!item

Travelling by local bus it takes approx. 6-7 hours to reach La Fortuna.

You will have free time here to try some of the optional activities such as a night hike around the base of the volcano for up close views, a day trip to the waterfall, a canopy tour for a bird's eye view of the forest or a full day of adrenaline pumping white water rafting. Otherwise head out into the beautiful surrounds and explore by bike or horse. At the end of a long day of exploring you can ease into the Baldi hot springs and hope for a clear sky for the ultimate bathing view, the Arenal Volcano and its glowing lava.

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

!item

Travelling by local bus it takes approx. 6-7 hours to reach La Fortuna.

You will have free time here to try some of the optional activities such as a night hike around the base of the volcano for up close views, a day trip to the waterfall, a canopy tour for a bird's eye view of the forest or a full day of adrenaline pumping white water rafting. Otherwise head out into the beautiful surrounds and explore by bike or horse. At the end of a long day of exploring you can ease into the Baldi hot springs and hope for a clear sky for the ultimate bathing view, the Arenal Volcano and its glowing lava.

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

!item

A local bus ride (approx 5 hours) brings us to San Jose which sits in the middle of the fertile Valle Central, ringed by volcanoes and jagged mountains just begging to be explored.

The city itself has all the sights and modern conveniences you would expect from a capital city. A good place to start exploring is the main plaza, a fantastic place to get comfy and do some people watching. Artisan booths are common here and you never know when there'll be a spontaneous art fair. Have a look at the Gold Museum which has an amazing collection of indigenous gold art. If these cultural gems get you in the mood for a bit of shopping head to the out door market in Plaza de la Cultura or the Central Market where you can buy anything from handicrafts to seafood.

We stay in a hostel, located only a few steps from Paseo Colon.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is 10:00am. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel reception. There may be a small service fee.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

!item

A local bus ride (approx 5 hours) brings us to San Jose which sits in the middle of the fertile Valle Central, ringed by volcanoes and jagged mountains just begging to be explored.

The city itself has all the sights and modern conveniences you would expect from a capital city. A good place to start exploring is the main plaza, a fantastic place to get comfy and do some people watching. Artisan booths are common here and you never know when there'll be a spontaneous art fair. Have a look at the Gold Museum which has an amazing collection of indigenous gold art. If these cultural gems get you in the mood for a bit of shopping head to the out door market in Plaza de la Cultura or the Central Market where you can buy anything from handicrafts to seafood.

We stay in a hostel, located only a few steps from Paseo Colon.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is 10:00am. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel reception. There may be a small service fee.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

!item

@variation

Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner