Cancun to San Jose 1 (Cancun to San Jose)

Day 1 to 1

Arrive Cancun

Day 1 is simply an arrival day with no pre-arranged activities, so you will have free time to relax and see some of the sights. Until 1970, Cancún was simply known as a small fishing village, but due to its beautiful beaches and subtropical climate it now attracts over 2 million visitors a year. Relax on one of the beautiful white-sand beaches and swim in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, or enjoy optional water sport activities like snorkelling, scuba diving or parachuting. You’ll also find modern shopping malls, more than 500 restaurants offering the best in national and international cuisine, and numerous bars and discos where the parties rage all night long. You may want to arrive a couple of days early to get the most out of your stay here.

Day 2 to 6

Playa del Carmen - San Ignacio

The beautiful beach resort of Playa del Carmen is about an hour away from Cancún. Relax on a white sand beach or take advantage of one of the several interesting optional activities available in the area such as visiting the island of Cozumel or the amazingly located Maya/Toltec ruins of Tulúm. There are also many cenotes to explore. Crossing into Belize we spend a couple of very laid-back nights on the island of Caye Caulker, where you can throw away your shoes to wander the sand-filled streets, spend the evenings eating seafood, drinking cocktails, and listening to reggae music in one of the bars. During the day you can organise a range of different optional snorkelling trips, such as to Shark and Ray Alley, where you can swim within a few feet of nurse sharks and majestic sting rays, or in their mating season you may even have the opportunity to swim with sea-cows. Another optional snorkelling tour takes you out to Hol-Chan Marine Reserve where you are guaranteed to see lots of colourful fish and interesting reef formations. Qualified divers can explore the so-called bottomless "Blue Hole", made famous by the explorer Jacques Cousteau (please note: this optional excursion does not go every day, check locally for availability). Other options include relaxing on the beach, riding a bike around the island, or trying your luck at fishing. If you are lucky, you can take your catch to one of the local restaurants so they can BBQ it for you. Belizeans really know how to relax, and hopefully the locals’ expertise on relaxation will rub off on you during your stay on Caye Caulker. We continue on to San Ignacio. Known as “Cayo” to local people, this agricultural centre is also known to be the ‘adventure' and ‘nature' capital of Belize. The surrounding jungle, wildlife, waterfalls, rivers and caves, have created the ideal location for the numerous optional excursions that are available, from canoeing downriver and tubing through caves, to visiting the famous caves Actun Tunichil Muknal, where they found untouched Mayan ceremonial and sacrificial remains.

Day 7 to 10

Tikal / Flores - Livingston / Rio Dulce - Antigua

We continue to the charming island-town of Flores, situated in the centre of Lake Peten Itzá, which was the last town to be conquered by the Spanish. Flores is our base for exploring the breathtaking Maya jungle site of Tikal, is regarded as the greatest city of the Mayan world. This complex is one of the biggest Mayan sites discovered, and you will have time to explore the site and learn about the flora, fauna, and amazing history with a knowledgeable local guide. Today the main centre covers an area of approximately 2½ square kilometres, but at the peak of its power the mighty Mayan city stretched for nearly 100 kilometres. As you wander the site, you will see several tall mounds which are temples that have not yet been excavated, and you will have the opportunity to climb some of the tallest Mayan temples. The emphasis was on height when creating these imposing structures because the Maya believed the higher the building, the closer they were to the gods. Tikal is surrounded by animal life and if you’re lucky, you may spot noisy howler monkeys, pizotes (a racoon-like animal), exotic birds such as toucans, and much more. We carry on to the river town of Rio Dulce, where we’ll have the option to take a boat tour to Lívingston, experiencing some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable along this 23-kilometre stretch of waterway. Lívingston is situated at the mouth of the Rio Dulce, where it joins the Bay of Amatique, and is inhabited by the Garifuna people. This lively little town has a Caribbean atmosphere different to the rest of Guatemala and is a great place to try the delicious local specialty tapado (seafood coconut soup) and listen to the local African-style punta music. Framed by awe-inspiring volcanoes, Antigua is one of the most charming and delightful colonial towns in Central America. Everywhere you go, local people line the cobbled streets and plazas in colourful traditional costume, selling handmade crafts and textiles. As the cultural centre of Guatemala, Antigua is an ideal place to experience the traditional music, Baroque architecture and artistic traditions of the country. Rich in ornate churches, convents, parks and plazas, as well as cafés, restaurants, bars and colourful street markets, Antigua has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 11 to 15

Copan Ruinas - Roatan Island

Leaving Guatemala we cross into Honduras and the charming town of Copán Ruinas. Within walking distance of the village is one of the best-kept and most intriguing of all the ancient Mayan sites, which we will visit on a guided tour. See the intricately carved stelaes (carvings/statues) depicting the 16 rulers of this once magnificent and influential city, the spectacular staircase, ball courts and enormous main plaza. You can enjoy a trip up to hot springs surrounded by the lush vegetation of the surrounding hills, take a horse-trek through the countryside, or enjoy a coffee tour of a local plantation (optional). From Copán Ruinas we take a bus through coffee growing districts to the industrial city of San Pedro Sula, where we change buses for the coastal town of Tela. We have time here to relax on the beach before moving on to La Ceiba for the trip by ferry across to Roatán Island, the largest of the beautiful sun-soaked Caribbean bay islands. Development on the island means there is plenty to do, but it is also easy to find a deserted beach lapped by warm Caribbean waters. Here you will find palm-fringed lagoons, turquoise water, friendly locals, lively nightlife and stunning underwater scenery, with some of the best value for money diving and snorkelling in the world. You can elect to swim with dolphins, a truly unforgettable experience, or get into the true Caribbean sprit with a sunset cruise. (optional).

Day 16 to 20

Tegucigalpa - Leon (Nicaragua) - Granada

After a few days in Roatán, we return by ferry to the mainland to catch our express bus through the stunning Honduran countryside to Tegucigalpa (Teh-goo-si-gal-pa), the capital city of Honduras. The pace of life in Honduras only shifts up a gear in Tegucigalpa (or Tegus as it's thankfully called by the locals) where colourful chaos reigns eternal. Everything you imagine a Latin capital city to be, Tegus is charming, historic and framed perfectly by peaks on three sides. Crossing the border into Nicaragua, the lovely town of León with its colonial charm is our next stop. We have plenty of free time here to take a break in the shady gardens and plazas. This is an especially good place to buy leather work souvenirs. There are various museums, churches the cathedral and the Plaza de la Constitution to explore. The Templo Expiatorio also has a collection of catacombs which are worth seeing. After passing through the capital, Managua, and the tobacco growing regions, we arrive in Granada, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Granada is one of the most characteristic and colourful colonial towns in Central America. Founded in 1524 at the foot of the Mombacho Volcano, this lovely town will remind many of its Spanish counterpart, due to its Moorish feel. Here there are many optional excursions to visit surrounding countryside, including a visit to the Masaya National Park, with its double-crested active volcano, and the Masaya handicraft markets nearby (great for buying hammocks). Alternatively, you can choose to go for a boat tour of the islands on the lake nearby, or a trek and/or zipline through the Mombacho Volcano Cloud Forest. With two free days in Granada you also have plenty of time to take a day trip into Managua to explore. After years of civil war and the devastating earthquake of 1972, the city centre was left in shambles. There are still buildings with huge cracks and weeds growing through them, the strange old Cathedral being one. However, this now peaceful city is in the process of rebuilding itself. The recently restored National Palace offers a fascinating tour into the past.

Day 21 to 24

Ometepe Island - San Jose

Travelling onwards we cross the vast Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America. Once a large ocean bay, the water was cut off from the sea by land forced upwards by seismic activity. This has left the lake populated with sharks and other salt-water species. We take a boat to the unspoilt and tranquil island of Ometepe, located in the middle of the lake. This is the true heart of Nicaragua and is the perfect place to escape from normal life. The name of the island means ‘between two hills’ and was formed by the two volcanoes, Concepción and Madera. The fertile volcanic soil provides the local population with perfect farming conditions for the many crops grown here. You may choose to hire a local guide and spend your free time touring the island and searching for ancient stone statues and petroglyphs which have been found all over the island. Those feeling athletic can go for volcano hikes or horseback rides on the black sand beaches. If you’re more inclined to relax, you can spend your time lying about in a hammock, or take a dip in the lake or the nearby freshwater spring.  Either way, you can be sure that Ometepe’s beauty, tranquility and kind-hearted residents will make this visit a highlight of your trip. The capital city of Costa Rica is nestled in a fertile valley among coffee and sugar-cane farms on a high plateau. There is not much left of San José’s colonial era architecture due to the damage done by earthquakes, but it is certainly worth seeing the National Theatre which was built in 1897. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to catch a performance whilst you're here. The gold, jade and national museums are also particularly recommended for a visit.

Day 25 to 26

La Fortuna - Santa Elena - Monteverde Cloud Forest

We continue to the small town of La Fortuna. The main attraction is the nearby active Volcano Arenal, which has been constantly erupting since 1968. After settling into the hotel you'll have time for a leisurely lunch and to explore the town. An exciting optional night excursion is available where you are taken to a site near the volcano to listen to it rumble and sample the local alcoholic spirit (proceed with caution!). On a clear night you can see the amazing sight of glowing lava discharging from the volcano crater. After this you may want to visit the local hot springs for a well-earned dip. There is also free time to enjoy several interesting optional excursions while in La Fortuna such as a visit to nearby waterfalls, caving, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, horse-riding, trekking, cycling, and wild-life spotting activities. Then why not indulge in a massage, followed by a visit to another set of hot springs! Our next journey takes us up into the mountains by a combination of jeep/minivan and boat. The first leg takes about 30 minutes to the Lake Arenal. After transferring onto a boat, we continue through stunning scenery for approximately an hour to the other side of the lake where we are met by our transport taking us the remaining hour and a half to the small town of Santa Elena, established by American Quakers in the 1950's. From here we visit Monteverde Cloud Forest in search of the mysterious Quetzal, a very rare and timid bird with incredibly colourful plumage. There are several paths to explore in this privately owned reserve, one of which takes you to the continental divide. On a clear day; both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans can be seen! We'll also stop at the Hummingbird Gallery where these energetic birds buzz around sipping on nectar. Among other activities here, you'll have the option of flying through the trees on a series of cables strung out between giant trees, or for the not so courageous a sky walk along suspension bridges at the forest canopy level 42 metres above the ground. If even this is too much for you, you might prefer to visit one of the many nature farms in the area, and/or partake in a nature-spotting twilight walk.

Day 27 to 31

Quepos - Manuel Antonio National Park - San Jose

Descending down a steep mountain road, we travel through very lush green countryside to the coast line and the old town of Quepos, once a very important port for the exportation of bananas. We continue our journey down another twisting road all the way to sea level in order to visit the Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most popular parks in the country. This celebrated park is blessed with beautiful lagoons, palm fringed beaches, a vast array of animals and lush green rainforests. Many of the creatures that call Manuel Antonio National Park home include sloths, pelicans, white-faced monkeys, anteaters and huge iguanas. It is also famous for its beaches- although almost deserted on weekdays, keep a sharp eye on your belongings, as the monkeys are seasoned thieves! Heading across the country to the Caribbean coast we stop en route and spend the night in San José.

Day 32 to 36

Tortuguero National Park - Cahuita National Park - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - San Jose

Leaving San José we travel to Tortuguero National Park, located on the Atlantic/Caribbean coast. We continue by bus to the port of Limón, then take a taxi and a motorised boat along inland jungle canals into the park. With a wide variety of wildlife along its banks, we may possibly spot monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, turtles, many different birds and the ‘Jesus Lizard', so named because it can walk on water. With luck we will observe green turtles which arrive at the beaches in their thousands between August and October to lay eggs in the sand. There is an interesting visitor's centre in the tiny village where you can watch videos and learn all about the turtles. During our excursion around the national park we should also be able to spot tiny but brightly coloured poison arrow frogs. We now move on to the magical Cahuita National Park, which offers very nice beaches and an off-shore coral reef. You can go snorkelling or take a glass-bottomed boat tour to see some of the 500 species of fish in the area. There is also an old Spanish shipwreck within easy swimming distance from the shore and the beaches offer the opportunity for a relaxing walk. We will be taken through tropical forest hosting a wide range of flora and fauna including howler monkeys, coatis, snakes, coloured frogs and hermit crabs. The actual town of Cahuita has a very impressive selection of restaurants where you may sample some fruits of the sea, and of course listen to reggae music blaring out to the delight of the local Rastafarians. From Cahuita you have the option of taking a short bus journey down the coast to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. This laid-back village has both black and white sandy beaches and some of the best surf in the country. Close by is the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge (option to visit) where they are studying ways to protect the giant leatherback turtle and the Talamanca Indian Reserve. We return to San José for the final night of the tour. Perhaps a group dinner and night on the town is in order!

Day 37 to 37

San Jose

Our tour ends after breakfast on day 37.