Mayan heritage and nature

NATURE AND MAYAN HISTORY IN CENTRAL AMERICA

Countries
Costa Rica, Guatemala

Zones
North, South

Themes
Archeology and History, Culture, Nature, Sun and Beach, World Heritage

Enjoy Central American nature during your visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest or the Arenal National Park, as well as the peoples of Atitlán, and the Chichicastenango indigenous market, the colossal city of La Antigua Guatemala, and the incomparable archeology of Ruins of Tikal, World Heritage Site.

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Day 1

Arrive in Guatemala City, meet and greet at airport. We will bring you to beautiful La Antigua to spend your first night. This charming city will transport us to colonial times of Guatemala, when the religious Hispanic influence dominated the region.

Day 2

In the morning we will discover the timeless colonial city of Antigua which sits gracefully among three towering volcanoes. Explore with your guide beautiful buildings full of history: ornate la Merced church, the Capuchinas convent, the cathedral and surely the famous street of the Arch. Continue in the afternoon to Chichicastenango.

Day 3

Visit to Chichicastenango’s outdoor market, the largest in Central America. Find here colorful Mayan fabrics and ceremonial masks, genuine leather goods, jewelry and souvenirs. Enjoy the festive environment on site. In the afternoon, travel to Panajachel on the shore of beautiful Lake Atitlán. Enjoy a nice evening at your leisure.

Day 4

Morning boat tour on Lake Atitlán, visiting San Pedro town, Santiago Atitlán village, and San Antonio Palopo, all three places with autochthonous art: pottery, paintings, colorful handicrafts, and a mix of Mayan and Christian traditions. Transfer to Guatemala City.

Day 5

Early start today to catch local flight to the city of Flores. Continue from Flores to marvelous Tikal, capital of the vast Mayan empire in the 700 A.D. A wonderful hike will reveal this Mayan city with impressive pyramidal constructions, roads and unique details of a culture without equal. At mid-afternoon, head back to Flores.

Day 6

A return local flight to Guatemala City, usually scheduled in the morning, will give you chance to tour the city. We will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, the Civic Center, the Central Plaza, the Ixchel or Popol Vuh Museum. Enjoy a nice evening at leisure and prepare for tomorrow’s flight to Costa Rica. Accommodations in Guatemala City.

Day 7

Leave Guatemala City and the Mayan heritage to embrace beautiful Costa Rica lushness. Upon arrival in San José, brief visit to the main attractions of the city on the way to your hotel. A nice introduction to the country and the itinerary by your local guide. Enjoy some leisure time this evening. Accommodations in San José.

Day 8

Leave San Jose after breakfast going over the mountains along beautiful landscapes. Visit a coffee plantation and learn about this crop. Continue going north to Arenal area. Stay in front of Arenal Volcano and enjoy the soothing hot springs on site. It is also possible to take a white-water rafting tour along the way, optional at an additional cost.

Day 9

This morning, your guide will take you to Arenal Volcano National Park for a nice hike learning about the geologic origin of the region and volcanic activity, the secondary and primary forest surrounding the volcano, and the interesting wildlife of the area. Enjoy leisure time at the soothing hot springs at your hotel.

Day 10

Transfer to Monteverde along Lake Arenal, going through beautifully landscaped areas. This afternoon a nice guided hike in the cloud forest suspension bridges for more opportunities to see wildlife. Available on-site zip-line (canopy tour) at an additional cost.

Day 11

Morning drive down the mountains while enjoying beautiful views of the Gulf of Nicoya. On the way, enjoy a bird and crocodile spotting boat tour on the Tarcoles River, adjacent to the Carara National Park, important nesting site of the scarlet macaw. Cruise through protected mangroves as this river unfolds on the Pacific. Continue to San José. Farewell dinner for the ones going back to their countries next day.

Day 12

Airport shuttle service for your flight back home. OR extend your stay to spend nice leisure time at the beach (transportation provided).

Activities included

Accommodations in double occupancy, breakfast daily, domestic flight Flores-Guatemala City-Flores, private ground transportation with English speaking driver/guide, sightseeing tours listed with admissions, local guides, and taxes for all included features.

Daily breakfast and a few meals on some tours, farewell dinner on last night.

Our vehicles are insured and first aid will also be provided in case of emergency. We urge you to take traveler’s insurance in your own country.

It does not include:

Meals not mentioned as included; regional flight Guatemala City, Guatemala–San José, Costa Rica; airport taxes, gratuities to guides, drivers, doormen or waiters; and, personal expenses.

Useful information - Do not leave anything

We recommend to bring…

While at the airport, do not leave your luggage unattended. We will be holding a sign with our logo and your name on it, do not exit the airport until you identify your guide. Do not give your luggage to anyone who is not identified with our logo. We do not recommend exchanging money to local currency at the airports.

Bring comfortable shoes to hike, sandals, more shorts than long pants, raingear (a poncho), hat or cap, sunscreen, toiletries, medicines, extra batteries and memory card, as you don’t want to waste time looking for accessory you need. A bandanna or handkerchief and your own water bottle to refill for hikes.

Accommodation

Due to the nature of the program, we combine lodging of different categories in the same plan. These are from 2 to 5 stars.

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