Nature Tour: Costa Rica – Nicaragua
in 2 weeks

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Your driver will be waiting for you at Juan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at an elevation of 1,150 meters in the heart of the Central Valley, to take you to your hotel.

Overnight stay at a charming hotel located near downtown San José 

You’ll start your day bypicking up your rental car.

Drive from San José to Boca Tapada.

Set off for the northern part of the country, near the border with Nicaragua, marked by the San Juan River.

Once you arrive in the San Carlos Valley, you’ll continue on to Pital. The adventure begins here: you’ll leave the comfort of a paved road behind and take a dirt track to the village of Boca Tapada.

Approximate driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes.

Come nightfall, encounter nocturnal animals!

Discover the region’s wildlife on a night hike. Your naturalist guide will help you spot alligators, snakes, spiders, frogs, and other nocturnal species…

Approximate duration: 1 hour and a half

Spend the night at a must-visit lodge in the Boca Tapada region, which includes the following activities: a guided forest hike, planting a tree on the property, and canoeing on the lagoon (without a guide).

Note: Option to stay in a treehouse—please contact us for details.

A Floating Safari on the San Carlos River!

You’ll set out in the morning for a canoeing and kayaking adventure accompanied by a nature guide on the San Carlos River, where you can focus on the surrounding nature and enjoy the relaxing sounds of the area.

You’ll peacefully observe waterbirds and other animals along the riverbank. The goal of this activity is for you to enjoy the environment and take in the beauty of this river while paddling throughout the tour.

Approximate duration: 4 hours.

It’s also possible to do this activity aboard a raft, which offers a more leisurely experience—please contact us for details.

Second night at a must-visit lodge in the Boca Tapada region.

Drive from Boca Tapada to Arenal!

Departure for the La Fortuna region and the majestic Arenal Volcano (1,635 meters).

Approximate travel time: 2 hours.

Once you arrive, visit the Asis Foundation and volunteer:

You’ll have the opportunity to explore the reserve with your guide to learn about each animal and its story.

You’ll learn why animal conservation is so important, how it should be done, and what impact you have. All while having fun with your caring guides, who will engage you and help you think about conservation in a new way.

Next, you’ll have the chance to learn how to prepare food for the animals and then serve it to them. You’ll then create fun and enriching activities for them to enhance the daily routine of the Foundation’s residents—the highlight of your visit.

Approximate duration: 3.5 hours.

Overnight stay at a beautiful lodge in the Arenal region with a view of the volcano

A Walk Across the Suspension Bridges!

You’ll enjoy a roughly 3-kilometer trail through the primary forest and across about fifteen suspension bridges high above the canopy, offering breathtaking views of the tropical vegetation and the Arenal Volcano!

Approximate duration: 2-hour walk.

IntimateHotSprings

At the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a relaxing moment at ahot springs resort in an intimate setting.

The hot water comes directly fromthe hot springs of Arenal Volcanowithout ever coming into contact with the magma.

Approximate duration: 1 to 3 hours.

Second night in a superb lodge in the Arenal region with a view of the volcano

The Road from Arenal to Monteverde!

We set off for the Monteverde region, whose reserve offers views of alpine pastures in the heart of the Tilarán mountain range. Known worldwide for its tropical cloud forest, which helped establish Costa Rica’s reputation in ecotourism.

Monteverde is home to extraordinary vegetation and wildlife.

Approximate travel time: 4 hours.

Encounter with Nocturnal Animals

Discover the region’s particularly active nocturnal wildlife—which complements that of Boca Tapada—during a hike at dusk.

Your naturalist guide will help you spot snakes, spiders, frogs, and other nocturnal species…

Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Overnight stay at a lodge nestled in the heart of Monteverde’s natural surroundings   

Guided tour of the Curi Cancha Reserve!

You’ll explore the various trails and immerse yourself in this unique cloud forest ecosystem. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might spot the legendary quetzal, whose tail feathers were long used as adornments by the Aztecs.

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

Services of a naturalist guide at the Curi Cancha Reserve

In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to try out the thrilling zip lines!

Thrills guaranteed in complete safety. You’ll explore the treetops via zip line as you glide along cables from one platform to the next. The 4-km course consists of a total of 14 platforms.

You can try swinging like Tarzan and will have the chance to try the “Superman” zipline!

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

Second night in a lodge nestled in the natural surroundings of Monteverde  

From Monteverde to Rincón de la Vieja!

We set off for the province of Guanacaste, home of the Sabaneros—those proud and colorful cowboys.

Approximate travel time: 4 hours.

Overnight stay at a must-visit hotel in Rincón de la Vieja, located right inside the national park.

When staying at this hotel, you’ll have free access to the Rio Negro hot springs—a series of hot spring pools located 15 minutes from the hotel. Be sure to take advantage of them!

Tour of Rincón de la Vieja National Park!

Today you’ll explore one of the three sectors of Rincón de la Vieja NationalPark: the Las Pailas sector, known for itsvolcanic activity and lunar-like landscape.

At the heart of this park stands the massive Rincón de la Vieja volcano. Spectacularly beautiful and dotted with nine craters, it is the source of the geothermal activity you’ll see during your hikes in this sector.

Second night at a must-visit hotel in Rincón de la Vieja that is located directly within the national park.

Here you’ll encounter capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, anteaters, sloths, and more than 300 species of birds.

The park, established in 1973, is home to a very high concentration of orchids, including the local flower, the “Guaria morada” (Guarianthe Skinneri).

Note: The national park is closed on Mondays. 

Welcome to Nicaragua!

Drive north from Rincón de la Vieja to reach the Peñas Blancas border crossing.

This is your first glimpse of the country; then, pick up your rental car on the Nicaraguan side of the border to begin your drive to the colonial city of Granada.

Note 1: Be sure to have $13 USD per person in cash for the entry fee.

Approximate travel time: 2 hours

Discover Las Isletas!

You’ll spend the afternoon exploring the Las Isletas archipelago, a group of islands off the coast of Granada.

You’ll set out by boat to cruise among these islets, where Nicaraguans have now built their vacation homes.

There are nearly 400 basalt islands, and you’ll surely have the chance to enjoy a spectacular view of the majestic Mombacho Volcano as well as observe a variety of wildlife.

Approximate duration: two hours

Overnight stay at a superb hotel in Granada

Half-Day Guided Tour of Granada! 

La Gran Sultana is a colonial gem that we invite you to explore on foot. You’ll begin this guided tour at the Church of San Francisco, the oldest in the city, and then head to the cemetery with its marble tombs dating back over 400 years. You’ll then continue on to the Polvora Fortress, the Church of Xalteva, the Cathedral, and Central Park.

The tour concludes with a stroll through the central market and its colorful stalls.

For lunch, we suggest you try a vigorón (a typical Nicaraguan dish) in the central square, in the shade of the trees.

Suggestion: Discover the Pueblos Blancos, small villages near Masaya renowned for their handicrafts. From pottery to leather goods and hammocks, the vibrant colors of the local crafts will dazzle you!

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Laguna de Apoyo, a former volcanic crater now filled with freshwater. You can choose between a walk, a swim, or kayaking—or simply relax in this enchanting setting.

Second night at a superb hotel in Granada

El Crater Hike on Mombacho Volcano

We invite you to explore the lush rainforest of Mombacho Volcano, which overlooks Granada.

It consists of four volcanic craters, the highest of which rises to 1,345 meters.

Meet at the entrance to Mombacho Volcano, where you’ll board a 4×4 truck to reach the easily accessible hiking trails that wind throughthe only rainforest on Central America’s Pacific coast.

Nearly 150 species of orchids, 50 types of mammals, and 120 species of butterflies have been recorded there.

You’ll also visit a museum chronicling the major volcanic events of this volcano.

Approximate duration: 1.5-hour hike on marked trails—moderate difficulty.

You’ll climb to an altitude of 1,000 meters, where the weather is cooler, so be sure to dress appropriately.

Then you’ll have free time to explore the Masaya region

Along the way, take the opportunity to stop in Masaya to explore this small town, renowned for its artisanal market. As you continue eastward, you’ll pass through the pleasant Julio Cesar Central Park and come across numerous producers of Nicaraguan hammocks, which are then sold throughout the country.

Then, a few streets further on, you can stroll along the overlook bordering Laguna Masaya, with a view of the volcano of the same name.

Nearby, you can enjoy the Catarina overlook, which offers a panoramic view of Laguna de Apoyo. In this lagoon, you can cool off with a refreshing swim.

Suggested activities—contact us for details:

– Artisan market

– Masaya Volcano Park (day and night)

– Apoyo Lagoon

– Catarina Lookout

– Explore the Pueblos Blancos (quaint towns like Catarina or Diriamba)

– Chocoyero-El Brujo Reserve

Suggestion: Explore the Masaya Volcano at night!

(May 2024: currently closed due to recent landslides in the crater)

With its 54 km² and 20 km of trails through untamed wilderness, Masaya Volcano National Park is a place that will give you a new perspective on what lies beneath the Earth’s crust.

With its five craters, Masaya—known as Popogatepe by the indigenous Nahuatl people — is the most accessible active volcano in the world.

The tour involves exploring the volcano at dusk to enjoy the sunset, the lava lake, and the local wildlife, including parrots and bats. You’ll drive right up to the crater to take in the view.

Note: Open from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It is recommended that you arrive as soon as it opens, as there is an average wait time of 30 minutes ($10 USD per person).

Last night in a superb hotel in Granada

Last day in Granada, then on to Managua!

After taking some time to enjoy Nicaragua one last time, you’ll head to Managua International Airport.

The plan is to arrive at the airport three hours before your departure.

Approximate travel time: 1 hour