{"id":6777,"date":"2022-06-16T06:36:55","date_gmt":"2022-06-16T12:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitcentroamerica.com\/packages\/the-best-of-central-america-and-the-dominican-republic\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T02:55:38","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T08:55:38","slug":"the-best-of-central-america-and-the-dominican-republic","status":"publish","type":"package","link":"https:\/\/www.visitcentroamerica.com\/en\/tours\/the-best-of-central-america-and-the-dominican-republic\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best of Central America and the Dominican Republic"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\"The<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"The<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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A program that perfectly combines natural, cultural, and gastronomic treasures, in addition to adventure, the warmth of its people, and some of the most popular areas of the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica.<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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BOOK NOW! <\/i><\/i><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 1<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Arrival in the Dominican Republic<\/strong><\/p>\n

Welcome to Santo Domingo, the Primada de Am\u00e9rica, a World Heritage Site. We will meet you on arrival at the exit of the Las Am\u00e9ricas International Airport customs area to take you into the First City of America 30 minutes from the airport, in a private vehicle. Dominican beer offered on board your transfer.<\/p>\n

You will arrive directly in the Hotel Nicol\u00e1s de Obando, a 16th century residence that belonged to the first tax collector in the New World, located on the first street drawn on the Continent. Here, with the colonial atmosphere and the Ozama River at your feet, we will taste rum and cigars for which we are known throughout the world. Dinner on your own. Overnight in a standard room at the Nicol\u00e1s de Obando Hotel in Santo Domingo.<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 2<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Santo Domingo – Excursion to the Colonial City<\/strong><\/p>\n

After your breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed to take a bicycle tour of the\u00a0Colonial City<\/a>\u00a0and its primacies, stopping at iconic sites such as the First Court of the New World, the First Hospital, the First Cathedral of America and ending with colmados (popular stores for beer or watch a Dominican-style domino class). Then we will transfer you to El Lago Restaurant where we will taste quality Dominican food.<\/p>\n

Free afternoon to walk around the area and shop. Bohemian night at Casa de Teatro.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a standard room at the Nicol\u00e1s de Obando Hotel in Santo Domingo.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 3<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Santo Domingo and El Cibao<\/strong><\/p>\n

We will depart for the Center of the Island (region known as \u201cEl Cibao\u201d). We will stop at a Boh\u00edo, where the Restaurant \u201cTipico Bonao\u201d operates, where we will enjoy a true Dominican breakfast. After a succulent breakfast with \u201cmang\u00fa,\u201d fried cheese, boiled yuquita, eggs, the famous \u201cpapaya milkshake,\u201d among others.<\/p>\n

We will continue our way to La Esmeralda, the most important organic cacao farm in the world, where we will participate in the entire chocolate making process: from sowing cacao, harvesting it, splitting a cocoa pod, tasting the seed, to fermenting it.<\/p>\n

We will then prepare our own artisan chocolate ball with our own chocolate mold to take home. This tour includes lunch. Return to\u00a0Santo Domingo<\/a>\u00a0and dinner on
\nyour own.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a standard room at the Nicol\u00e1s de Obando Hotel in Santo Domingo.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 4<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Path to the South<\/strong><\/p>\n

After breakfast, you will be transferred from the First Capital of America to Ocoa Bay. Here you will have the opportunity not only to see the vineyards of the Caribbean, but you will also enjoy a wine tasting experience and a delicious lunch.<\/p>\n

From Ocoa Bay we will transfer to the Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, in the city of Barahona. In the afternoon you will have time to enjoy the pool and the Spa nestled in a river that brings Larimar stones.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a standard room at Casa Bonita, in Barahona.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 5<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Santo Domingo – Bah\u00eda de las \u00c1guilas (Eagles Bay) – Cabo Rojo (Red Cape)<\/strong><\/p>\n

After breakfast, we will leave from Casa Bonita along the coast entering \u201cLos Patos,\u201d the shortest river in the world, and will continue along the coast until we reach the Larimar Museum where you can buy \u201cEl Larimar,\u201d the scarcest stone in the world and unique in the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n

From there we will continue to Cabo Rojo and Bah\u00eda de las \u00c1guilas, passing through the Laguna de Oviedo, a flamingo reserve, until we reach the Glamping Ecolodge. After check-in, we will take a boat to one of the five most beautiful beaches in the world according to CondeNast magazine: Bah\u00eda de las \u00c1guilas, where you can go snorkeling.<\/p>\n

You will enjoy a paella with white wine on the beach and in the afternoon, we will return to the Glamping Ecolodge to have dinner at the restaurant and sleep next to the sea in tents.<\/p>\n

Overnight at Glamping Ecolodge in Cabo Rojo.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 6<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Bah\u00eda de las \u00c1guilas (Eagles Bay) – Santo Domingo<\/strong><\/p>\n

After breakfast at the lodge, we will take a boat one more time to enjoy the beautiful Bah\u00eda de las \u00c1guilas Beach, and at noon we will leave for Santo Domingo<\/a>\u00a0to arrive again at the Nicol\u00e1s de Obando Hotel.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a standard room at Nicol\u00e1s de Obando Hotel in Santo Domingo.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 7<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Santo Domingo – Panam\u00e1 – Chiriqu\u00ed<\/strong><\/p>\n

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Panama.<\/p>\n

Upon arrival in Panama, we will take a connecting domestic flight to the Province of Chiriqu\u00ed. At the indicated arrival time at Enrique Malek airport, we will be transferred to Boquete via private transfer. We will start the tour in the town of Boquete, which is located at 1,131 meters above sea level, and is one of the places where Geisha Coffee is produced. Geisha Coffee, an award-winning coffee, set a new world record selling for $2,568 per pound. You will be able to live the experience by visiting one of the Geisha producing farms, learning about the whole process, and of course, taking the opportunity to enjoy the attractions of the town, its people, its nature, and climate. On the way back we will go to the hotel to taste and live the experience of a Geisha Coffee Filtering. Then you will have freetime to rest.<\/p>\n

Overnight at the Boquete Tree Trek Hotel in Boquete.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 8<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Boquete – Soloy-Azuero Indigenous Community<\/strong><\/p>\n

After breakfast we will take the Inter-American Highway, via private transfer, to the Soloy Community in the Nogbe Bugl\u00e9 Indigenous Region. Here you will enjoy the impressive KiKi Waterfall. After a walk of approximately 25 minutes, you will enjoy the imposing fall of approximately 100 meters. You will have free time to swim and enjoy nature, with a small natural snack included. Then we will return to the town where you will taste native dishes and drinks in the Mro Restaurant. We will then continue our journey in a private transfer until we reach the Azuero Region, specifically the Pamel Agrotourism Farm or the Cubit\u00e1 Hotel where you will have dinner and rest.<\/p>\n

Overnight at the Pamel Agrotourism Farm or the Cubit\u00e1 Hotel in Azuero.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 9<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Azuero – Herrera and Los Santos<\/strong><\/p>\n

You will enjoy a delicious typical Panamanian breakfast and will learn how to prepare a Changa, which is nothing more than a yellow corn tortilla. Then we will tour the farm and visit the archaeological site of Cerro Juan D\u00edaz. Then, we will go to the town of Pes\u00e9, where we will visit La Hacienda San Isidro, cradle of Rum Abuelo and Seco Herrerano. We will also enjoy a visit by cart to the sugar cane fields, learning about the aging cellars, as well as tasting the different rums and even the Centuria, rums that have won many quality awards. We will finish with a delicious typical lunch. In the afternoon, we will take the tour of a Little Piece of Azuero, where you will learn how the famous Pan de La Arena is prepared, having the opportunity to taste its bread and sweets at the San Pablo Bakery.<\/p>\n

In addition, we will visit pottery artisans where you get to try making a clay figure using a manual lathe. We then go to a picturesque town called Monagrillo, where you will visit \u201cLa Ara\u00f1a Sin Rival,\u201d the oldest bar with more than 80 years. Here you will get to taste the \u201cSeco con Leche,\u201d the traditional drink of the festivities.<\/p>\n

Finally, you will meet Don Jos\u00e9 Mascaras, a craftsman who makes the devil masks. We will return to the farm and will have a simple explanation of how the Polleras are made. Dinner on your own (not included in the package costs).<\/p>\n

Overnight at the Pamel Agrotourism Farm or the Cubit\u00e1 Hotel in Azuero.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 10<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Azuero – Los Santos – Panam\u00e1<\/strong><\/p>\n

After breakfast, we leave for the city in a private transfer, but not before visiting the Church of San Atanasio in Villa de Los Santos and its small town.<\/p>\n

Upon arrival in the city and after the hotel check-in, we will go to the Old Town to visit the Museum of La Mola and then we continue with the visit to the Golden Frog to taste craft beers, and learn about the history of the Old Town, its Churches, and its colonial infrastructure. We close the night with dinner at the Casa Catedral Antique Car Collection Restaurant.<\/p>\n

Overnight at Bristol Panama Hotel or Wyndham Panama Albrook in <\/em>Panama City.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 11<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Panama City – Nicaragua – Managua – Colonial City of Leon<\/strong><\/p>\n

After breakfast, we will visit the\u00a0Panama Canal<\/a>\u00a0and then we will head to the airport via private transfer to continue our journey to Managua-Nicaragua.<\/p>\n

When leaving the airport\u2019s custom area, look for your Nicaraguan ambassador who will have a sign with your name on it. Continue the day with a 2-hour transfer to the colonial city of Le\u00f3n. On the way you will visit the historic site \u201cRuins of Le\u00f3n Viejo,\u201d founded by the Spanish in 1524 and declared by UNESCO as a Historical-Cultural World Heritage Site. It is one of the oldest Spanish colonial settlements in America, and it is the place where the city of Le\u00f3n was originally founded. The next stop will be La Paz Centro municipality, land of clay artisans and the famous typical dish \u2018\u2019Quesillo.\u201d After this short gastronomic stop, you will continue to the city of Le\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Le\u00f3n, known as the \u201cUniversity City,\u201d is the second largest city in Nicaragua after Managua. In Le\u00f3n we can find two UNESCO masterpieces: the ruins of Le\u00f3n and the Cathedral of Le\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a standard room at El Convento Hotel in Le\u00f3n.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 12<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
A.M. Visit to Cerro Negro Volcano & P.M. Visit to Colonial Leon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby to start a fabulous day full of activities. After a 50-minute drive you will arrive at the base of the Cerro Negro Volcano, a young volcano 726 meters high\u00a0above sea level and easily accessible. After approximately 45-60 minutes hiking you will reach the top to enjoy the great landscape where you will have the opportunity to see the volcanic chain \u201cLos Maribios.\u201d Once you have enjoyed the incredible view from the top, you will descend the steep slopes of the volcano on foot, using the same volcanic sand to regulate your descent speed, or using a special table for your descent. Upon your return to Le\u00f3n, you will have free time at the hotel to prepare for the second part of the day.<\/p>\n

Learn about the history and culture of the university, poetic, revolutionary and one of the oldest and most influential cities in Nicaragua. During the tour, visit the Cathedral of Le\u00f3n, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Heroes and Martyrs Mausoleum, where you will learn a little more about the participation of the Leonese in the Sandinista Revolution of 1979. The Rub\u00e9n Dar\u00edo Museum, located in the house where the poet grew up, you will learn more about his influence on the Spanish language. You will also get to see the main colonial buildings.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a standard room at El Convento Hotel in Le\u00f3n.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 13<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Attractions Granada Colonial City and Islets boat ride<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we travel to our second colonial jewel, the colorful and beautiful\u00a0Granada<\/a>. Upon your arrival you will enjoy the colonial architecture of the churches and houses with nice and beautiful patios. You will visit Central Park, which is the heart of the city, among other places of interest.<\/p>\n

To end the day, you will enjoy a relaxing boat ride through the famous Lake Nicaragua Isletas. During the tour you will enjoy a panoramic view of the Mombacho Volcano, pass by the houses of native families that live on the islets, the San Pablo Fortress, restaurants, and private vacation homes. It will also be a wonderful opportunity to observe the great variety of flora and fauna in the area.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a room with a balcony at the Plaza Col\u00f3n Hotel in Granada.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 14<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
White Villages & Masaya<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast at the hotel. The day excursion begins in San Juan de Oriente, part of Los Pueblos Blancos. This beautiful town is distinguished by its various artisan workshops, in which there is an active and diverse production of attractive pieces of clay and ceramics. You will have the opportunity to visit an emblematic workshop in the area to learn about the origin, the process, and appreciate the finished pieces. You will also visit\u00a0El Mirador de Catarina<\/a>, one of the highest hills surrounding the Apoyo Lagoon with an incredible view. You will then go down to the shores of the Apoyo Lagoon for a typical lunch while you enjoy the nature that surrounds the area.<\/p>\n

The second part of the day includes a visit to the\u00a0Masaya Volcano National Park<\/a>, where you will get to see its most active crater and its surroundings, as well as the magnificent flora and special fauna of the site. A few minutes by bus is the city of Masaya, known as the mecca of Nicaraguan crafts. Visit with your guide the different options where you can buy souvenirs made by the hands of Nicaraguan artisans.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a room with a balcony at the Plaza Col\u00f3n Hotel in Granada.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 15<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

Granada – Pe\u00f1as Blancas – Monteverde<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast at the hotel. Guided private transfer to the Pe\u00f1as Blancas border crossing.<\/p>\n

Upon arrival at the Pe\u00f1as Blancas border crossing, you will take a private transfer to the beautiful town of Monteverde. The transfer will take around 3 hours and 15 minutes, with approximately 186 km. You will arrive at your hotel in Monteverde for check-in and will have time to rest and enjoy the facilities offered by the hotel.<\/p>\n

In the afternoon you will enjoy a shared guided tour in the Monteverde Reserve. This two-and-a-half-hour tour begins with an introductory video about the Monteverde Cloud Forest, during which you will learn about the expectations of the tour, the rules of the park, and will also receive a flashlight to be used during the walk. The tour begins at the El Colibr\u00ed Gallery, where you can watch flying bats.<\/p>\n

Afterwards, the trails extend for approximately 1.8 km surrounded by lush vegetation and different animals, such as insects, birds, and nocturnal mammals. This is an excellent opportunity to experience the true nightlife in the forest, to appreciate the different perspectives of the jungle when it gets dark, and to live the incredible experience of observing the behavior of some animals and plants at night. Fluorescent mushrooms and fireflies are an important part of the show. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve will allow you to explore magical nature by maximizing your senses. Bring comfortable and warm clothing, footwear suitable for walking, a raincoat and insect repellent. Tour includes transportation, bilingual guide, and entrance fee to the reserve.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a classic standard room at the Monteverde Country Lodge Hotel in Monteverde.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 16<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Monteverde Sky Tram, Trek & Walk<\/strong><\/p>\n

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have the opportunity to venture on the shared Monteverde Classic Sky Tram, Trek & Walk tour with a nature guide and transfers included. This tour begins with the Sky Tram gondolas, which rise delicately over the rainforest, offering invaluable landscapes along the way. This tour is perfect for all those people who want a different contact when admiring nature, without making any physical effort, but just at the point where nature exhibits all its magic. During the 20-minute tour you will be attended by a professional bilingual guide who will show you characteristics of the flora, fauna, and other important aspects of the journey.<\/p>\n

The Sky Tram ascends through the mountains until you reach an observation platform at the highest point of the reserve, where you can enjoy the wonderful scenery. From this area, you will begin to slide on a series of zip lines that extend in the middle of the treetops, thus beginning the exciting adventure descending the mountains. Next, a series of trails and hanging bridges will offer you more than a unique experience, since you will be coexisting with the flora and fauna of the forest and will have a vision of the forest from a different point of view.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a classic standard room, with breakfast included at the Monteverde Country Lodge Hotel in Monteverde.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 17<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Transfer – Excursion via Lake Arenal<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start the day with your breakfast at the hotel and then you will take shared transportation to the Arenal area via Lake Arenal. This service, half transfer, and half excursion is a fast and scenic way to go from Monteverde to La Fortuna (Arenal area).<\/p>\n

You will leave your hotel in Monteverde and have a journey of approximately 1.5 hours to R\u00edo Chiquito (during the rainy season, this transfer may take a little longer). Once in R\u00edo Chiquito, you will board a comfortable and safe pontoon boat and after a 30-40-minute journey you will arrive at Lake Arenal. After a 30-minute minibus ride, you will arrive at your hotel in the Arenal area.<\/p>\n

Lake Arenal is the largest and most important in Costa Rica, it is artificial and was built in 1974 to obtain hydroelectric energy for the country. It is also a place where you can find a variety of resident and migratory birds. Sometimes it is possible to observe mammals such as monkeys and sloths in the surroundings of the place, in addition to excellent views of the\u00a0Arenal Volcano<\/a>\u00a0when it clears. It is advisable to bring long pants, a coat, comfortable shoes, a camera, binoculars, sunscreen, and a raincoat.<\/p>\n

In the afternoon, you will enjoy the shared Sloth Bear tour, with transportation, certified guide, snacks, and drinks included. During this activity, which lasts two hours, you will have the opportunity to admire two or three-toed sloths, this being the most popular species in the region, and to learn about its natural history and other important information that you may not have imagined. Your guide will look for the best places to observe them in their natural habitat, leading you through beautiful open areas of\u00a0La Fortuna<\/a>\u00a0and, at the same time, being able to see some more species such as the multicolored toucan, the blue poison frog, iguanas, and monkeys, among others. Bring comfortable clothing, walking shoes, sunscreen, camera, and binoculars.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a standard room, with breakfast included at the Arenal Para\u00edso Hotel Resort & Spa Hotel in Arenal.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 18<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Shared Tour Raft Safari and tortilla class<\/strong><\/p>\n

After breakfast at the hotel, you will take a shared raft Safari tour and then a tortilla-making class. During this tour, you will enjoy the sights and sounds of Costa Rica\u2019s wildlife with the Safari Float from La Fortuna to Arenal. This trip takes place on the Pe\u00f1as Blancas river. Without a doubt, it is a quiet tour that will allow you to enjoy the tranquility of the Costa Rican rainforest to immerse yourself in all the sights and sounds of the tropical environment. Be sure to keep an eye out for a wide variety of monkeys, alligators, iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards, and a wide variety of colorful bird species. The river is home to small crocodiles that hide underwater when you
\npass by. The nature guide will share with you his local history and knowledge of the plants and animals that you encounter during the tour. In about two hours you will enjoy, at a relaxing pace, exploring the banks of the river\u00a0and the jungle\u2019s inhabitants.<\/p>\n

At the end of the tour, you will depart for the tortilla- making experience and visit a local family. This time, at the house of Do\u00f1a Maras, who will help you better understand the meaning of \u201cPura Vida\u201d that Costa Ricans experience. You will be greeted with a tropical drink at the \u201crancho\u201d and will enjoy a delicious traditional lunch after preparing tortillas. You will learn to flatten the tortilla dough, in perfect circles, ready to cook. It is recommendable to wear quick-drying clothes, bring a change of clothes, sunscreen, water shoes, insect repellent, camera, and binoculars. The tour includes transfers, guide, lunch, equipment, and snacks.<\/p>\n

Overnight in a standard room with breakfast included at the Arenal Para\u00edso Hotel Resort & Spa in Arenal.<\/em><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Day 19<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

Departure – Private transfer to the International Airport<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breakfast at the hotel, hotel check-out at the agreed time and departure, via private transfer, for the Juan Santamar\u00eda International Airport to take the flight out and return to your country of origin. This transfer will take approximately three hours and 15 minutes. Please consider that passengers must be at the airline counter 3 hours before flight departure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Activities included<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

Included<\/strong><\/p>\n