On this exciting adventure we pass through spectacularly diverse landscapes and get to see amazing wildlife. Arenal Volcano gives us a beautiful firery experiance. We wonder through untouched rainforests and glide across warm turquoise waters, and view some of the wonderful colours of the reeefs at Bocas del Toro. A journey into Central America that can not be missed.
Tour Details
• Tour Type: Luxury Package Tour • Region(s): Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Panama
16
31-12-2008
Luxury
• Price: From $ 4 061.00 pps
$ 303.00
No Local Payment
12
Some
No
12
25
Discover the beautiful colonial city of Granada, and the historic centre of Panama City, Arenal Volcano, explore the waterways and forests of Tortuguero, relaxation time on the beach
Day 1: Fly to Granada Nicaragua Day 2: Tour of Granada, to San Juan del Sur Day 3: Free time to relax on the beach, and take an optional evening turtle watching excursion (July to September only) Day 4: Cross the border into Costa Rica, to La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano Day 5: Free day for relaxation or optional excursions, including zip lines, horseback riding, hot springs visit and volcano hiking Day 6: To Manuel Antonio Day 7: Full day to explore the park Day 8: To San Jose, Costa Rica's capital city Day 9: To Tortuguero on the Caribbean by road and boat, see turtles nesting on beach (July to September only) Day 10: Optional early morning bird watching excursion, cross the border into Panama and continue by ferry to Bocas del Toro Day 11: Free day to relax or take optional excursions including catamaran sailing trip, scuba diving and snorkelling Day 12: Return to mainland and continue by road to Boquete Day 13: Optional excursions including bird watching, hiking, rafting and coffee plantation tours Day 14: To Panama City via Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal Day 15: Morning free to explore the city, depart Day 16: Arrive London
Tour Map of 16 day Central America
Tortuguero National Park, located in the northeast part of Costa Rica’s Atlantic coast, is one of Costa Rica's best known parks
The Miskito Cays are a true paradise in the Caribbean, consisting of small islands with white sand beaches and plentiful coconut trees
Small in size but possessing immense beauty, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the world’s most dramatic beach destinations
The Arenal Volcano, in Spanish Volcán Arenal, is an active andesitic stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica
04 October 2008 London
14 Nights Hotels
Ambassadors Hotel London
An ideal place in the city of London, this stylish hotel offers a warm welcome, pleasant ambience and convenient facilities.
Situated in the South Kensington area, the Ambassadors Hotel London is just a couple of minutes walk from both Gloucester Road and South Kensington tube stations.
Prices from: GBP 89
New Linden Hotel London
This three-star hotel has all the necessary technical equipment and amenities to guarantee the client's comfort and attention.
Located in the city of London, the New Linden Hotel is just 5 minutes walk from the Bayswater Station. Situated on Leinster Square, the hotel is within walking distance from some of London's most beautiful parks, Kensington Palace Gardens and Hyde Park.
Prices from: GBP 88
Berjaya Eden Park Hotel London
Famous for its gracious and warm hospitality, the Berjaya Eden Park Hotel is home to discerning business travellers as well as leisure travellers.
Built in 1860, the elegant Berjaya Eden Park Hotel is a welcoming and relaxing haven in the heart of London, one of the world's most vibrant capitals. Set within a tree -lined terrace just a few minutes west of the city's famous Oxford Street, this Victorian hotel is a peaceful sanctuary in which guests can relax and unwind
Prices from: GBP 64
Travel is by private air-conditioned minibus
Boat
Local ferry
Essential Equipment and Clothing:
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Sunscreen
Waterproof rain poncho or waterproofs
Warm sweater (for highland areas)
Shorts
Long trousers
We also recommend:
Swimming gear
Umbrella
Camera (plus sparefilms or memory cards and batteries)
Binoculars
Flashlight
Small daypack for walk
Universal sink plug
Insect repellent
Reading List:
The Rough Guide to Central America
Various authors (Rough Guides)
Popular and well-informed guide with extensive practical advice and
information.
Central America & Mexico Handbook
Peter Hutchison (Footprint)
Another informative and handy general guide to the region
Costa Rica Handbook
Christopher. P. Baker (Moon Publications)
An excellent and comprehensive guide
A Guide to Birds of Costa Rica
F.G. Stiles & A.F. Skutch (Cornell University Press)
Although expensive (c. £40) it is the most comprehensive guide available
for keen birdwatchers
Passports and Visas:
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months
beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the
correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is
necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are
to visit. Holders of British, most EU and Australian, Canadian, USA and New
Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for any of the countries
visited on this trip.
Visa regulations can and do change without notice and if you are not a
British passport holder please check the current regulations in good time
to obtain a visa if one is required.
For UK residents, we recommends the visa agency Travcour for
obtaining your visas.
Health Requirements
Vaccinations and Health
Typhoid
Polio
Hepatitis A
There is a moderate risk of malaria in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica with a low
or negligible risk in other regions.
Please consult your doctor or vaccination centre for up-to-date information.
Currency Information
You should take all of your spending money in US Dollars – it is not
possible to exchange Sterling in Nicaragua, and can also be difficult in
both Costa Rica and Panama.
The unit of currency in Nicaragua is the Córdoba (NIO), divided into 100
Centavos. In September 2007 the exchange rate was £1 = 37.6 NIO and
$1 = 18.7 NIO.
The unit of currency in Costa Rica is the Colon (CRC), divided into 100
Centimos. In September 2007 the exchange rate was £1 = 1053 CRC
and $1 = 519 CRC. Colons cannot be bought or sold outside Costa Rica.
The unit of currency in Panama is the Panamanian Balboa PAB. In
September 2007 the exchange rate was £1 = 2.03, and $1 = 1 PAB.
There is no Panamanian paper currency - instead, US$ are used, as are
US coins.
Travellers’ cheques (in US dollars also) can be quite difficult to change
throughout Central America.
Extra Expenses and Spending Money
As the majority of meals are not included, you should bring sufficient
funds with you to pay for food and drink. You should budget for a
minimum of US$20 per day for meals (not including alcohol). Soft drinks
are usually around US$1 per bottle, and beer between US$1.50 and
US$2. Prices can be higher in more remote areas.
ATM availability
ATMs are increasingly available in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
and are now present in most major towns, although are generally difficult
to find in rural areas. The PLUS system is the most widely available
international ATM, with CIRRUS not too far behind. A flat fee of up to
US$3 and a small commission usually applies with debit card
withdrawals. Credit card withdrawals generally attract a 1% charge. You
should check with your bank before departure to ensure your card will be
accepted in ATMs.
Credit Card Acceptance Mastercard and Visa are the most widely available cards, although
please note that there are government taxes payable on transactions.
Extra Expenses and Spending Money
As the majority of meals are not included, you should bring sufficient
funds with you to pay for food and drink. You should budget for a
minimum of US$20 per day for meals (not including alcohol). Soft drinks
are usually around US$1 per bottle, and beer between US$1.50 and
US$2. Prices can be higher in more remote areas.
Tipping
It is usual for groups to tip guides and drivers, and it would be reasonable
for each group member to contribute about US$5 per day for this
purpose
Baggage and baggage allowance
There are no specific baggage requirements for this trip, other than those
imposed by the airline (two bags weighing no more than 23kg each in
economy class on Continental Airlines and other airlines flying via the
USA).
Insurance
It is a condition of joining this trip that you must be insured against
medical and personal accident risks
