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Costa Rica + Nicaragua Holiday: Arenal + Rincon Vieja + Granada + Ometepe Island

Costa Rica to Nicaragua - Private Tour

12 NIGHTS FROM:

$4,372

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

RPN12S

• Cost Rica & Nicaragua Holiday

• Tortuguero National Park

• Arenal Volcano

• La Fortuna Waterfall

• Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

• Hanging Bridges & Hot Springs

• Rincon Vieja

• Granada

• Ometepe Island

• Isletas Archipelago

Combine the wildlife of Costa Rica with Nicaragua & its Spanish colonial culture on this two-country privately guided holiday. Visit Tortuguero Wetlands, Arenal Volcano, Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge & volcanic Rincon Vieja, ending in picturesque Granada on Lake Nicaragua, with excursions to Ometepe Island & Islets Archipelago. All guiding, transfers & specified sightseeing included.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

You will be met at San Jose Airport and transferred 3.5-hours through beautiful Costa Rican scenery towards the Arenal Volcano - one of the most active in Central America, with a perfect cone that on a clear day is visible from almost anywhere in the area.

Our route crosses a large cattle and agricultural area, where chocolate is grown. Cacao was very important in the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations and today it is enjoyed throughout the world.

Check into your hotel in La Fortuna, where you can relax surrounded by rainforests, waterfalls and thermal hot springs.

Day 2

This morning enjoy a privately guided tour to the Mistico Hanging Bridges - a series of ten fixed and six suspension bridges, located in a natural corridor followed by migratory birds travelling between North and South America and offering wonderful views of the lake and volcano.

This 2-mile (3-km) trail will allow you to enjoy the great diversity of flora and fauna found inside this mountainous zone, as well as outstanding bird watching. Keep an eye out for howler monkeys, sloths, anteaters, coati, racoons and other rainforest wildlife. Birds you can hope to see include the Yellow-throated toucan, Crested guan, Grey-headed chachalaca, Baltimore oriole, Clay-coloured thrush and Red-throated ant tanager, amongst others.

Afterwards there is the option to relax at one of the many Hot Springs in the area (you can pay locally - but we strongly recommend booking in advance, as these do get fully booked in season).

Note: The Hanging Bridges trail is not suitable if you have a fear of heights. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars & rain gear. Also sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, swimwear and water shoes for the hot springs.

Days 3 To 4

At leisure to explore with your guide the magnificent surroundings of La Fortuna (pay any entrance fees locally).

In 1968, the Arenal Volcano erupted after centuries of lying dormant, converting this quiet agricultural town into a hot spot for adventure travel. Many optional activities are available - including the Sky Tram & ziplines, the Hanging Bridges in the treetop canopy where you can search for rainforest wildlife such as sloths and monkeys, the La Fortuna waterfall and many walking trails around Arenal Volcano.

You can enjoy kayaking or paddle boarding on Lake Arenal, horse riding, mountain biking, ATV tours or a gentle cruise down the Penas Blanca River. If you are adventurous you can also try river tubing and waterfall canyoning, or venture into a world of stalactites, stalagmites and subterranean species on a visit to the Venado Caves. Alternatively you can simply relax at one of the many Hot Springs.

Day tours are also available to the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, the rainforests of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, the turquoise waters of the Rio Celeste, or across the border into Nicaragua to view the Penas Blancas Massif.

Day 5

Today travel 4-hours from La Fortuna through the beautiful landscapes of northwestern Costa Rica to Rincon de la Vieja.

Situated in the scenic Guanacaste Mountain Range, this active cinder volcano rises 6,286 ft (1,916 m) above sea level and is surrounded by nearly 35,000 acres of national park. With volcanic steam vents, bubbling mud pots, hot springs and 32 rivers and streams, this is a fascinating region of geothermal activity.

Days 6 To 7

At leisure to enjoy waterfall hikes and walking in Rincon de la Vieja National Park - which means 'Old Woman's Corner'.

Optional activities include horse riding, mountain biking, abseiling, waterfall canyoning and tree top canopy tours in this spectacular scenery. Afterwards enjoy a mud bath in the thermal hot springs.

Day 8

Today we leave Rincon de le Vieja and travel 4-hours across the border to Granada in Nicaragua, stopping for immigration formalities at Penas Blancas,.

Continue to your hotel in beautiful Granada. Situated on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, this elegant city is home to many Spanish colonial buildings that have survived repeated pirate invasions. Check in and absorb the atmosphere of this historic place.

Day 9

Today enjoy a boat excursion to Ometepe Island in vast Lake Nicaragua, followed by a walking tour of the city of Granada.

Ometepe Island is known for its twin volcanoes - active Concepción in the north and Maderas in the south, which has trails to the San Ramón Waterfall. In the village of Altagracia we visit Ometepe Museum, which has some ancient petroglyphs.

We then return to Granada for a guided walking tour of the city. Central Park, the main plaza, is dominated by the distinctive yellow and white bell towers and dome of the colonial Cathedral of Granada, towering far above and visible for miles. The nearby San Francisco Convent and Museum is the oldest church in Central America, dating back to 1585. It is a striking building with a robin's-egg-blue birthday cake façade. It houses both an important convent and one of the best museums in the country, with a wonderful display of pre-Columbian statues. Our tour ends with a visit to the Casa de los Leones colonial mansion, which is now a cultural centre.

Day 10

Today transfer to Granada Port for a 6-hour excursion to the beautiful Isletas Archipelago, consisting of over 350 small tropical islands situated on Lake Nicaragua.

Navigate 40-minute by boat to this spectacularly archipelago, that is covered in lush vegetation and is home to many aquatic birds. These small peaceful islands are accessible only by boat and are inhabited by a rural community.

Enjoy an included fish barbeque lunch on Zopango Island, with stunning views over Mombacho Volcano and the bay. Here you can see orchids, rare birds, turtles and many beautiful trees. You can also enjoy kayaking, walking on the island, bird watching and swimming in the lake. In the late afternoon we return to Granada by boat.

Day 11

Enjoy a day of sightseeing today as we leave Granada and drive 1.5-hours to León.

We head inland to Masaya National Park, where you can see Nicaragua’s most accessible active volcano. The hills and elevated flatland (meseta) surrounding the town of Masaya are scattered with huge crater lakes and here you will find a collection of small picturesque white stucco villages known as the Pueblos Blancos ('White Towns').

We visit San Juan de Oriente with its unhurried lifestyle, where most residents are skilled in traditional arts and crafts such as ceramics and pottery. We also visit the nearby town of Catarina, which has spectacular views across the Apoyo Lagoon towards Lake Nicaragua and the Mombacho Volcano.

In Managua we stop at the Roberto Huembes Market, where you can haggle for traditional arts and crafts, buy souvenirs, see snake and crocodile products and try the local foods.

On arrival in León, check into your hotel in this second largest city in western Nicaragua that is home to the largest cathedral in Central America.

Day 12

This morning we visit a Rum Factory, followed by a tour of the city of Santiago de los Caballeros de León.

Flor de Caña is the premium rum in Central America and one of Nicaragua's major exports. Enjoy a 1.5-hour tour of their factory, tasting rum in its various stages as it moves from raw material to finished product. Here you can also enjoy wonderful views of the San Cristóbal Volcano.

Afterwards enjoy a tour of this city, which is the intellectual capital of the nation with a university that was founded in 1813. It is also an important agricultural and trade centre. The massive León Cathedral combines baroque and neoclassical architecture. The nearby Ortíz Gurdián Foundation Art Centre, situated in two colonial houses, has a great collection of Latin American contemporary art.

The balance of your day is free to explore the city independently.

Day 13

Transfer 2-hours to Managua Airport for your flight home.

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