This trip is recommended for very active and independent-minded travelers. There will be some rigorous nature hikes and stays in some remote areas, with very basic services and accommations. In these areas, you can expect crowing roosters, occassional power outages, and a night or two with cold shower. Please keep these challenges in mind when considering this program.
On our trips there is no rigidly planned travel schedule. The travel days are determined in advance of course, but the group and the tour guides will decide together, on the spot, how the program will be filled in. On most days the tour guides will suggest a program. You are definitely not obliged to participate in these excursions. Those travelers who would rather venture out by themselves are free to do so. That is after all the best way to get to know a country. Entry fees are not included in the price of the trip.
Religious holidays are oberved in this region so if you are traveling at Christmas, for example, there will be sites that may not be open. Expect large crowds and high traffic when crossing borders at this time of year.
San Jose
Day 1 USA - San Jose
Day 2 San Jose - Monteverde
Day 3 Monteverde National Park
Costa Rica is an enormously diverse country. In a wide valley in the highlands lies San Jose, the modern capital of Costa Rica where it is always springtime. Here we will have some time to view the city center or to visit one of the museums, for example the Jade museum. From San Jose we will drive through the coffee region of Costa Rica to Monteverde. Monteverde literally means green mountain and the area generously honors its’ name. Because of the location high in the Tilaran Mountain Range clouds of mist are almost continuously present and this gives the whole area a mystical atmosphere. The area is not so easy to reach and the last miles go straight up the mountain over a bumpy dirt road. Bird lovers can go looking for the more than 400 species that live in this region. If you are very quite and a little lucky you might get to see the pretty quetzal. You will definitely see hummingbirds of various eye-pleasing colors that come to the honey feeders at the information center. The Skywalk is amazing, a route of 2.17 miles during which you cross seven hanging bridges 82 feet above the ground as you walk across the tops of the mist forest. A very spectacular way to get to know the mist forest is to take the Canopy Tour. On this tour you swing, safely in a harness, from treetop to treetop. There is a reason that the mist forest is so lusciously green, a rain jacket and some good walking shoes are very necessary. You can also pay a visit to the butterfly garden or the frog pond. In the village Sta. Elena you can also find a snake center where you can safely admire these slippery animals and also an art and craftwork center where products made by the local population are sold. In the evening there is the possibility for the swingers or curious amongst us to practice the national dance forms salsa and cumbia.
Rincon de la Vieja
Day 4 Monteverde NP - Rincon de la Vieja
Day 5 Rincon de la Vieja
Driving over a dirt road we slowly ascend and all around us we see a savanna-like volcano landscape. In front of us lies the volcano Rincon de la Vieja in the nature park of the same name. We spend the night at the foot of the volcano on an idyllic hacienda, a comfortable farm open to tourists. We have a whole day to view this beautiful park. The untouched volcano area invites us to take a hike past thermal springs, boiling mud pools and fast flowing brooks. The walking paths are very well kept and marked, so that you can easily wander around by yourself. You have the opportunity to go horseback riding here.
Ometepe
Day 6 Rincon de la Vieja - Isla Ometepe
Day 7 Isla Ometepe
We leave the inland and drive to the border of Nicaragua via the city Liberia. The largest country of Central America is also the least visited. The current tourist is therefore surprised to find serene colonial cities, volcanoes, lakes and curious locals. After the border formalities we drive to San Jorge, on the shore of one of the largest lakes of Latin America, Lago de Nicaragua. The native inhabitants called it Cocibolca or “the sweet sea”. An impressive 45 rivers feed into this lake and water flows to the Caribbean Sea through the San Juan River. There are about 400 islands in the lake, some very small but the largest island Ometepe is at its widest point almost 18 miles long. The island consists of the volcano cones of the Concepcion and the Maderas. The descending lava has attached the two cones. The local population, living in small settlements, grows corn, citrus fruit, bananas and other crops. In addition to this people live off fishing. You can often find howler monkeys here and many kinds of birds, including parrots. Time does not exist on this quiet, rural island. This is the portion of the trip when everyone can enjoy a well-deserved rest. It is easy adapting to this lazy pace of life in our comfortable accommodations, situated at the most beautiful beach on the narrow connection between the two “volcano islands”. Our houses with patios are located in a beautifully designed garden. You can enjoy sunbathing on the private beach and from here you can dive straight into the warm water of the lake. Of course taking beautiful walks, horseback riding or canoeing are also options. The adventurous traveler will however take a hike to the Madera, a spectacular day trip! Be sure to discuss the nature of any hike with the guide to make sure that it will not be too strenuous.
Granada
Day 8 Isla Ometepe - Granada
Day 9 Granada
We leave Ometepe by boat and we drive to Granada along the shore. Because of its strategic location on the lake of Nicaragua, Granada was an important trade center in earlier days, partially because of the connection with the Caribbean Sea via the San Juan River. The trade wealth is still recognizable by way of the restored monuments. Now you will find a serene peacefulness here and the center has been designated a protected monument. You can recognize the Spanish influence in the pastel colored houses, the tile work and the restaurants. Our comfortable hotel, with a swimming pool and colonial rooms is situated in the heart of the center on the beautiful Parque Colon. From the hotel terrace, where you can also have breakfast, you have a good view of the many colonial buildings and daily life in the square. There is also enough time to take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage down to the shores of the lake. Or you can take a boat trip to Las Isletas. Las Isletas has more than 360 small islands. You can choose one where you can dock and go for a refreshing swim.
Leon
Day 10 Granada - Leon
Day 11 Leon
During the short trip to Leon we will make an excursion to the still active volcano Masaya in the Masaya National Park. Together, the volcanoes Masaya and Nindiri have five craters. One of these craters, the Santiago-Crater is very active and spits out big clouds of sulfur. The legend exists that Indians from this area threw young women into the crater to appease the goddess of fire.
The colonial city Leon, the former capital, is viewed as the cultural and intellectual center of the country because the university is situated here. From a bench in the Parque Central you can watch daily life pass by and admire the largest cathedral of Central America. According to a local legend the building plans for this cathedral where originally planned for the Peruvian city Lima, but on the boat from Spain plans were accidentally switched. Leon can be easily explored on your own. A tour along the churches paints a good picture of the city. You can also take a look in Leon Viejo, the old Leon that is situated 20 miles away on the lake of Managua. A volcanic eruption buried this city under a thick layer of ashes in 1610. Only recently archeologists have started digging up the old city. It is also possible to make use of public transportation to visit Poneloya, situated on the coast. During the weekends it is very busy with day-trippers here whereas during the week the beautiful sandy beaches on the Pacific Ocean seem deserted. The wealthier Nicaraguan may own a second house here.
Isla de Roatan
Day 12 Leon – Tegucigalpa – flight to Isla de Roatan
Day 13 Isla de Roatan
Day 14 Isla de Roatan
From Leon we drive to the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa. There we get on a little airplane that brings us to the small airport Roatan. This way we avoid a nine-hour bus ride. During this flight you will have a good view of the landscape of Honduras. In Roatan we spend the night in the quaint village West Bay that has a total of one street. This white sandy road is flanked on one side by the typical Caribbean wooden houses and on the other side by palm trees and the azure blue Caribbean Sea. Roatan is situated amidst the largest coral reef of the Western Hemisphere. The underwater world can be measured against the most beautiful in the world and it is a favorite spot for underwater-sports. Many diving schools offer diving courses here, and as a beginner you can often take a trial dive. If you would rather keep it simple you can also go snorkeling. It is easy to rent materials to do so. You can walk to the sea in just a few minutes from the hotel or come along on an organized snorkeling trip; the instructors know the best places to go. Roatan is not just a paradise for snorkelers and divers. There are several possible activities like kayaking, walking along the beach, water-skiing or you can swim with dolphins here at the Maritime Research Center. If you bought a hammock en route to Guatemala than this is a great place to relax between the palm trees with a margarita! Of course there are enough restaurants and bars here where in the evening you can find a bite to eat and some sociable entertainment.
Copan
Day 15 Isla de Roatan - Copan
Day 16 Copan
In Roatan we board the modern ferry and sail approximately two hours to La Ceiba, where we will drive to Copan. If the weather is nice it is wonderful to relax out on the spacious deck and there is a good chance that you will see flying fish along the way. The drive from the Caribbean coast inland to Copan takes a few hours. Copan Ruinas is a peaceful mountain village with a characteristic town center. The ruins of the Mayan City Copan are situated only about .62 miles away. This town was a very busy center in the period of 250 to 900 AD. From the way the buildings are situated one can tell that the Mayans where very gifted astronomers. We will have plenty of time to visit the outstretched ruin complex. Notable are the stèles with sculptures and the staircase with hieroglyphics. The hilly green mountain landscapes entice you to go on amazing walks or horseback tours.
Panajachel
Day 17 Copan – Lago Atitlan
Day 18 Lago Atitlan
The road to Guatemala first leads through the mountains, but after crossing the border we descend to the warm tropical low plains of Guatemala. Naturally we take regular stops to take pictures and to enjoy the beautiful views. After a 6-hour drive along the Carretera al Atlanticao (Atlantic Coast highway), we arrive in Guatemala City where we head into the mountains again. Via a beautiful route throughout the highlands we drive on to the crater lake of Atitlan. The views across the lake with the volcanoes in the background will make a lasting memory.
Squeezed between the foot of the crater and the blue lake is the quaint town Panajachel. This peaceful village, also called Gringotenango, is an ideal base for a boat ride or a visit to the villages situated around the lake, such as San Pablo or Santiago Atitlan. You can also take a walk through the beautiful vicinity along fields and coffee plantations.
Antigua
Day 19 Lago Atitlan - Chichicastenango - Antigua
Day 20 Antigua
Day 21 Antigua
Day 22 Antigua – Guatemala City – Arrival USA
As we leave the highlands of Guatemala, you will often encounter Mayan descendants, especially during a visit to the famous market of Chichicastenango. At the market, which is held on Sundays and Thursdays, you will see many traditionally and colorfully dressed Indian families buying and selling their wares. The whole happening is an impressive selling spectacle that can keep you entertained for hours. Not only will you find vegetables, fruits, flowers and ceramics, but also chickens, pigs and other cattle wander freely across the market. Handmade textiles are sold here: clothing, bags, cloths or rugs that easily have been worked on for more than a month. At the church situated nearby Indians continuously walk in and out of the church to burn candles, pray, baptize their children or to get married.
After a short ride, winding through the mountains, we arrive in Antigua. We have two days to enjoy this small city that has a nice atmosphere and to allow ourselves to soak up the Latin American lifestyle. Antigua might well be the most beautiful colonial city of the Western Hemisphere. This picturesque and pleasant city, dating back to 1533, is situated at the foot of three volcanoes. Over a period of 233 years it was the Spanish-colonial capital. After the city was mostly destroyed during an earthquake in 1773 the title of Capital City was passed on to Guatemala City. However, Antigua was rebuilt and the colonial atmosphere was maintained. Dozens of churches and abbeys remain, as well as wealthy estates and other Spanish-colonial monuments. Behind the beautifully carved wooden gates of the houses there are patios covered with flowers where you can find small shops and terraces. If you want to take an active hike you can climb one of the volcanoes, like the still active Pacaya. Our hotel, located close to the Parque Central, is a beautiful colonial building with patios that is on the list of protected monuments. This once was the palace of the daughter of one of the most powerful Spanish conquistadors of the “new world”: Pedro de Alvarado. From Antigua, we drive about one hour to the airport near Guatemala City to begin our journey back home.
