Central America and the Dominican Republic Au Naturel

Countries
Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Panama

Zones
South

Themes
Adventure

This tour includes a visit to four colorful countries with a perfect combination of tropical nature, cultural wonders, and friendly peoples, which will allow you to fully enjoy your vacation getaway. You will delight yourself with a mixture of nature and adventure with visits to volcanoes, colonial cities, craft markets, lakes, islets and much more to end on a beautiful Caribbean beach. Enjoy it to the fullest and come back soon!

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Day 1

Upon your departure from the Juan Santamaría Airport in
San José, Costa Rica, a local representative will meet you
for your transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in San José.

At the specified time, departure to visit the Poás Volcano. Our path takes us through grasslands, coffee, ferns, and strawberry plantations to the unique Volcano National Park. The active crater of the Poás Volcano, with temperatures between 40° to 70°C, is the largest volcanic crater in the world. Then we will go north of the Central Mountain Range to La Fortuna, located on the Arenal volcano.

The afternoon at the foot of the perfect volcanic cone is at your entire disposal to take pictures. We will spend the night in a hotel in the Arenal region, near La Fortuna.

Day 3

After breakfast, we will embark on a hike through the humid tropical forest and the lava fields at the foot of the Arenal Volcano, with the opportunity to observe monkeys, toucans, and a variety of other species of birds. From the hiking trail you will see La Fortuna Waterfall, which is located near the Arenal Volcano and is surrounded by a lush forest.

Then we will walk along the hanging bridges in the treetops. At the end of the day, return to the hotel. We will spend the night at a hotel in the Arenal region near La Fortuna.
Overnight in La Fortuna.

Day 4

Immediately after breakfast, we will take the bus to “Las Tablillas” which is one of the border crossings between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Here, the tour guide will help you handle the border formalities. Once we have crossed the border, another tour guide will take over, and we will continue to the port of San Carlos to take the boat. After a tour of the historic fishing village, we will start the boat trip to the Solentiname Archipelago, a Nicaraguan National Monument.

The archipelago is made up of 36 islands with tropical forests, colorful houses, and a colony of naïf art painters. Upon reaching Mancarrón, the main island, we will go to the beautiful hotel with tropical gardens that invite you to relax.
Overnight at Hotel Mancarrón-Solentiname.

Day 5

After breakfast, we will transfer by boat to the “Los Guatuzos” Nature Reserve. This site is the first internationally recognized RAMSAR wetland in Nicaragua. The boat will navigate through the Papaturro river, in a small jungle near Solentiname. You will discover a beautiful tropical forest with a unique biodiversity: monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, sloths, turtles, toucans, and white herons, the guardians of the nature reserve.

On the way we will take a short walk to learn the deepest secrets of the rainforest. With a little luck, we will see the poison dart frog and the toucans. Return to the hotel at lunch time. In the afternoon we will take a boat ride and will visit a family of naïf art painters on the island of Venado, where three generations have dedicated themselves to this art school.

Return by boat and walk to the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Mancarrón-Solentiname.

Day 6

The day starts very early with breakfast and then transfer by boat from Solentiname to San Carlos. Upon arrival, travel by land to the capital, Managua.

Along the way we will be able to observe the change in the landscape and will make a stop in Juigalpa to visit the Gregorio Aguilar Barea Archaeological Museum. This museum has several pieces of stone and other artifacts from the Amerrisque mountains. Some of the impressive basalt statues are over four meters tall, and some can be found in famous museums like the Louvre in France.

We will continue the journey to the colonial city of Granada. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.
Overnight in Granada.

Day 7

After breakfast at the hotel, we will enjoy a walking tour of the city of Granada, the oldest colonial city in the Americas, and currently one of the nation’s tourism centers. Founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524, its squares and cobbled streets are full of colorful colonial architecture.

Attractions to see in Granada include the House of the Lions or House of the Three Worlds, the main and central square, the Municipal Palace, and the Cathedral. On the way, you can climb the stairs of the La Merced church tower and enjoy a fantastic view of the city from the roof. In the afternoon, take a decorated horse-drawn carriage to the port and end the day with a relaxing boat ride through the more than 300 islets formed during a volcanic eruption in the great lake of Nicaragua. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the tropical aquatic flora and fauna.

In the afternoon we will go to the Masaya Volcano National Park for a spectacular night tour to the crater of the active Santiago volcano, where you will appreciate the bright and burning lava.
Return and overnight in Granada.

Day 8

In the morning, we will visit the impressive Catarina scenic viewpoint, from here you can see the volcanos, the Apoyo Lagoon, and the large lake. We will visit San Juan de Oriente, with its beautiful gardens and colorful alleys, where we will visit the Valentín López ceramic school (Point of Life), where you will discover the secrets of local ceramic crafts. Then we will continue to Managua, the country’s capital. Upon arrival we will take a panoramic tour of the city, including visits to the Revolution Square with the old Cathedral, the National Palace, the Rubén Darío Theater, and the beautiful Malecón, the lakefront.

Around noon, transfer to the Managua international airport to take the 2:30 PM Copa Airlines (CM105) flight to Panama City. Upon your arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Overnight in Panama City.

Day 9

After breakfast we will visit the Panama Canal. We will observe the passage of a cruise through the gigantic locks across the canal, which takes place at noon and in the shadow of the ocean liners that sail through the Miraflores lock. This is an exciting event worth appreciating, where you will also learn about the history of the waterway, from the difficult beginnings to the current self-government.

In the afternoon we will visit the old town of Panama with the Government Palace, venerable churches, and wonderful cafes.
Overnight in Panama City.

Day 10

Early transfer from the hotel to the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City to take the Copa Airlines (CM748) flight that leaves at 9:45 AM for Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic.

Arrive in Punta Cana where you will be welcomed by a local representative to transfer you to the all-inclusive hotel, which will allow you to enjoy everything so you can have fun on a beach surrounded by palm trees, white sand, and soft Caribbean waves.
Overnight in Punta Cana.

Day 11

This day is destined for you to enjoy your vacation in the beautiful white
sand beaches and all the attractions that you will find in the resort.
Overnight in Punta Cana.

Day 12

After breakfast we will come along for an excursion in a catamaran to
Saona Island. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Punta Cana.

Day 13

Free day at the hotel to relax to the fullest on your last day of your trip. Enjoy the beach and show off the best tan and enjoy the atmosphere of your all-inclusive resort.
Overnight in Punta Cana.

Day 14

After breakfast, transfer to the International Airport at the scheduled
time for your departure flight and return to your country of origin.

Activities included

Included.

13 Nights of accommodations based on: three-star hotels, boutique hotels, Bed & Breakfast, and charming hotels.
Accommodation in rural areas and three-star eco-hotels.
Accommodation on beaches in All-Inclusive System Hotels.
All breakfasts
All meals at the Mancarrón Hotel in Solentiname, meals do not include alcoholic beverages.
All-Inclusive System in Punta Cana.
Transfers IN/OUT.
Water transfers in motorboats or private boat when the program describes it.
All tickets to reserves and museums when the program so describes it.
Bilingual guide service during the excursions described.
Tourist land transportation according to the number of people in the group.
Activities and visits as described in the itinerary.

Not included.

Personal expenses.
Tips for porters, waitresses, guide, and pilot.
Meals and drinks not mentioned.
Intra-regional air tickets.
Air ticket back to your country.

Useful information - Do not leave anything

Recommendations

Passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry into the country.
COVID-19 vaccination registry.

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