Nicaragua to Costa Rica Wildlife & Culture Holiday
The howl of a monkey; the flash of a quetzal; the aroma of coffee roasted at source. This trip celebrates the natural world, and the locals who call it home.
Duration
26 days
Duration
All our trips are tailormade and therefore can be extended or reduced to suit you. You'll find a few ideas to extend your trip below, but please do ask about how we can tailor it to you.
Guide Price
£4,965 pp
n/a
Guide Price
This is a realistic guide price per person, based on you travelling at an optimum time for this holiday. Please see 'What's Included' for full details and contact us for a personalised quotation.
When
Dec-Aug
When
This is a broad indicator of when you might realistically take this holiday. Please do ask us if you'd like to chat through your options in more detail - getting the timing right is important. We'd love to help.
This part-private guided, part-driving holiday snakes its way from city street to wetland creek, volcano peak to forest floor, bringing together everything that's great in Nicaragua and Costa Rica as it goes. If ever there was a trip to celebrate the wildlife and local life of these two naturally-blessed neighbours, you've landed upon it.
Enjoy reading this taster itinerary. Please Request Full Details if you'd like to know more, or to discuss how we can tailor this holiday for you.
Nicaragua to Costa Rica Wildlife & Culture Holiday
Day 1 - Arrive in Nicaragua, settle in colonial Granada
Arrive in Nicaragua's capital Managua late in the day, and transfer to your hotel in the small city of Granada. Please note that international flights are not included.
2 of 26
Day 2 - Private guided Granada and islands
Enjoy a tour of this beautiful colonial city this morning. Later take a boat ride out to Las Isletas, a group of small islands around the shores of Lake Nicaragua just outside the city.
3 of 26
Day 3 - Markets and highlands of Matagalpa
See the scenery change around you as you transfer up to the highlands of Nicaragua today, settling in the northern city of Matagalpa to explore its markets and history with your guide.
4 of 26
Day 4 - Learn all about coffee
Travel to your ecolodge amidst the coffee plantations, where they produce their own coffee. Your hosts will take you on a walk through the plantation.
5 of 26
Day 5 - Private guided cloudforest hike
Visit the Peñas Blancas reserve today, and go for a guided hike through its spectacular cloudforest environment with white cliffs, waterfalls, tropical plants and a variety of birds and wildlife.
6 of 26
Day 6 - Visit our community reforestation project
Travel west to visit the reforestation projects we support with our Carbon Balance scheme. In the afternoon travel to the colonial city of León where you settle in your hotel in the historic centre.
7 of 26
Day 7 - Private guided in colonial Léon
Take a city tour with your local guide, taking in revolutionary murals and street art as well as the bustling local market. End with a visit to the spectacular rooftop of León's cathedral.
8 of 26
Day 8 - Day to rest, hike a volcano or explore the coast
Today is free for you to decide how active you want to be, exploring León at your own pace or joining optional activities like a hike up a volcano or a day out on the Pacific coast.
9 of 26
Day 9 - Visit Masaya market on the way to Ometepe Island
Travel south to Ometepe island, stoping in Masaya to meet indigenous craftspeople and visit the famous artisan market and take the impressive view down into the crater of its volcano.
10 of 26
Day 10 - Private guided day to see island life
Enjoy a morning with your guide, taking in ancient petroglyphs and a beautiful natural reserve. Finish at the freshwater volcanic springs of Ojo de Agua - a relaxing way to end your explorations.
11 of 26
Day 11 - Day to explore at your own pace
Today is as leisure to continue exploring as you prefer - there are various guided tours you could arrange locally. You might hike to the San Ramón waterfall, or go kayaking.
12 of 26
Day 12 - Cross the border into Costa Rica
Transfer to the Costa Rican border where you pick up your rental car for the rest of your holiday. Drive three hours to your destination in the foothills of the Tenorio Volcano National Park.
13 of 26
Day 13 - Guided birding in a private reserve
This morning you have a private guided birding tour within the Tapir Valley Reserve, 220 hectares of primary and secondary forest which is teeming with animal life.
14 of 26
Day 14 - Stay in a treehouse surrounded by birds
Drive towards the Nicaraguan border again to stay in a treehouse surrounded by rainforest. As part of your stay you have a guided nature walk included and use of the kayak in the lagoons.
15 of 26
Day 15 - Birdwatching or optional activities
Full day to explore your beautifully remote surroundings. There are lots of options for boat trips, kayaking, nature trails as well as community visits, or you can just enjoy the fine birdwatching.
16 of 26
Day 16 - Pass the Arenal Volcano on the way to the Caribbean
Although a long day of driving, it's a spectacular one as you drive out of the rainforest of the north to the Caribbean coast, via the dramatic Arenal Volcano.
17 of 26
Day 17 - Private guided in Cahuita National Park
Enjoy a guided hike in Cahuita National Park to discover the monkeys, snakes and other wildlife that inhabits the coastal forest here. Explore the laid-back little village this afternoon.
18 of 26
Day 18 - Visit conservation projects
Today you have the best possible introduction to the flora and fauna of the area with a visit to a nearby botanical gardens and the Great Green Macaw reintroduction project.
19 of 26
Day 19 - Visit a wildlife sanctuary
This morning you take a private tour of the nearby Jaguar Rescue Center before you travel north to the Caribbean uplands near Turrialba where you stay in a lovely family run coffee estate.
20 of 26
Day 20 - Learn about coffee at a historic farm
Today is spent on and around the historic finca, exploring coffee production, and local life in this traditional town. If the weather's warm, cool off with a dip at a spectacular waterfall.
21 of 26
Day 21 - Drive up into the central mountains
Drive south into the cloudforest below Cerro Chirripo, Costa Rica's highest peak. Cross the pass of Cerro de la Muerte, where detour to hike to the lovely Savegre waterfall.
22 of 26
Day 22 - Private guided walking in the hills
Meet your private guide this morning as you head out to explore the cloudforest, either on a shorter walk to focus on the flora and fauna, or a real leg stretch up the mountain.
23 of 26
Day 23 - Relax in style on the coast
Drive to the Pacific coast at Uvita, descending from the cool mists of cloudforest to the tropical jungle, then on through banana plantations to the coast.
24 of 26
Day 24 - Guided day trip to the Corcovado National Park
Taking a boat across the bay onto the Osa Peninsula, visit the Corcovado National Park as part of a guided small group as you walk the paths of this most biodiverse part of Costa Rica.
25 of 26
Day 25 - Day to relax on the coast
Today is yours to relax and enjoy the coast, perhaps to spot whales offshore or paddle through the waves. The coastline here is also beautiful as a place to simply relax.
26 of 26
Day 26 - Time to fly home
Drive north to San José this morning, leaving time to drop off your car and check in for your flight home this afternoon. Or ask us how you can stay longer!
1 of 26
Day 1 - Arrive in Nicaragua, settle in colonial Granada
Arrive in Nicaragua's capital Managua late in the day, and transfer to your hotel in the small city of Granada. Please note that international flights are not included.
2 of 26
Day 2 - Private guided Granada and islands
Enjoy a tour of this beautiful colonial city this morning. Later take a boat ride out to Las Isletas, a group of small islands around the shores of Lake Nicaragua just outside the city.
3 of 26
Day 3 - Markets and highlands of Matagalpa
See the scenery change around you as you transfer up to the highlands of Nicaragua today, settling in the northern city of Matagalpa to explore its markets and history with your guide.
4 of 26
Day 4 - Learn all about coffee
Travel to your ecolodge amidst the coffee plantations, where they produce their own coffee. Your hosts will take you on a walk through the plantation.
5 of 26
Day 5 - Private guided cloudforest hike
Visit the Peñas Blancas reserve today, and go for a guided hike through its spectacular cloudforest environment with white cliffs, waterfalls, tropical plants and a variety of birds and wildlife.
6 of 26
Day 6 - Visit our community reforestation project
Travel west to visit the reforestation projects we support with our Carbon Balance scheme. In the afternoon travel to the colonial city of León where you settle in your hotel in the historic centre.
7 of 26
Day 7 - Private guided in colonial Léon
Take a city tour with your local guide, taking in revolutionary murals and street art as well as the bustling local market. End with a visit to the spectacular rooftop of León's cathedral.
8 of 26
Day 8 - Day to rest, hike a volcano or explore the coast
Today is free for you to decide how active you want to be, exploring León at your own pace or joining optional activities like a hike up a volcano or a day out on the Pacific coast.
9 of 26
Day 9 - Visit Masaya market on the way to Ometepe Island
Travel south to Ometepe island, stoping in Masaya to meet indigenous craftspeople and visit the famous artisan market and take the impressive view down into the crater of its volcano.
10 of 26
Day 10 - Private guided day to see island life
Enjoy a morning with your guide, taking in ancient petroglyphs and a beautiful natural reserve. Finish at the freshwater volcanic springs of Ojo de Agua - a relaxing way to end your explorations.
11 of 26
Day 11 - Day to explore at your own pace
Today is as leisure to continue exploring as you prefer - there are various guided tours you could arrange locally. You might hike to the San Ramón waterfall, or go kayaking.
12 of 26
Day 12 - Cross the border into Costa Rica
Transfer to the Costa Rican border where you pick up your rental car for the rest of your holiday. Drive three hours to your destination in the foothills of the Tenorio Volcano National Park.
13 of 26
Day 13 - Guided birding in a private reserve
This morning you have a private guided birding tour within the Tapir Valley Reserve, 220 hectares of primary and secondary forest which is teeming with animal life.
14 of 26
Day 14 - Stay in a treehouse surrounded by birds
Drive towards the Nicaraguan border again to stay in a treehouse surrounded by rainforest. As part of your stay you have a guided nature walk included and use of the kayak in the lagoons.
15 of 26
Day 15 - Birdwatching or optional activities
Full day to explore your beautifully remote surroundings. There are lots of options for boat trips, kayaking, nature trails as well as community visits, or you can just enjoy the fine birdwatching.
16 of 26
Day 16 - Pass the Arenal Volcano on the way to the Caribbean
Although a long day of driving, it's a spectacular one as you drive out of the rainforest of the north to the Caribbean coast, via the dramatic Arenal Volcano.
17 of 26
Day 17 - Private guided in Cahuita National Park
Enjoy a guided hike in Cahuita National Park to discover the monkeys, snakes and other wildlife that inhabits the coastal forest here. Explore the laid-back little village this afternoon.
18 of 26
Day 18 - Visit conservation projects
Today you have the best possible introduction to the flora and fauna of the area with a visit to a nearby botanical gardens and the Great Green Macaw reintroduction project.
19 of 26
Day 19 - Visit a wildlife sanctuary
This morning you take a private tour of the nearby Jaguar Rescue Center before you travel north to the Caribbean uplands near Turrialba where you stay in a lovely family run coffee estate.
20 of 26
Day 20 - Learn about coffee at a historic farm
Today is spent on and around the historic finca, exploring coffee production, and local life in this traditional town. If the weather's warm, cool off with a dip at a spectacular waterfall.
21 of 26
Day 21 - Drive up into the central mountains
Drive south into the cloudforest below Cerro Chirripo, Costa Rica's highest peak. Cross the pass of Cerro de la Muerte, where detour to hike to the lovely Savegre waterfall.
22 of 26
Day 22 - Private guided walking in the hills
Meet your private guide this morning as you head out to explore the cloudforest, either on a shorter walk to focus on the flora and fauna, or a real leg stretch up the mountain.
23 of 26
Day 23 - Relax in style on the coast
Drive to the Pacific coast at Uvita, descending from the cool mists of cloudforest to the tropical jungle, then on through banana plantations to the coast.
24 of 26
Day 24 - Guided day trip to the Corcovado National Park
Taking a boat across the bay onto the Osa Peninsula, visit the Corcovado National Park as part of a guided small group as you walk the paths of this most biodiverse part of Costa Rica.
25 of 26
Day 25 - Day to relax on the coast
Today is yours to relax and enjoy the coast, perhaps to spot whales offshore or paddle through the waves. The coastline here is also beautiful as a place to simply relax.
26 of 26
Day 26 - Time to fly home
Drive north to San José this morning, leaving time to drop off your car and check in for your flight home this afternoon. Or ask us how you can stay longer!
