Great Central American Journey: Guatemala to Panama

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Antigua, Guatemala

Arrive in Guatemala City and continue on to Antigua, one hour’s drive away through the mountains. There are no planned activities today so check into our hotel and enjoy the city. Once the third largest city in all of Spanish America, Antigua served as Guatemala's capital city for more than 200 years until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. In 1979 UNESCO declared Antigua a World Heritage site, and Antigua today is a peaceful colonial city that is a pleasure to explore. Walk through quiet cobblestone streets past rebuilt stucco homes with heavy, beautifully carved wooden entrances. The point of reference for finding one's way around Antigua is the Central Park, and the place to be in the late afternoons/evenings. You can pick up a map from the tourist office located on the ground floor of the Palace of the Captains-General on the south side of the central park. Explore the museums, colonial buildings and soak up the atmosphere in this delightful city, one of the best-restored Spanish colonial cities in the world. Antigua has various specialties that make shopping here very worthwhile. Textiles sold here and in the nearby towns are of the highest quality, beautifully designed and woven on foot looms or the more traditional back-strap loom. Jade, in carved statues and jewellery, is sold in several factories and shops in town and silver jewellery is sold in the better shops and also in a silver factory in nearby San Felipe de Jesus. The city also offers good buys in ceramics and antiques as well. For the museum and gallery buffs, one of the best in the Central America is found in the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. It houses colonial religious, contemporary Latin American and pre-Colombian art pieces. These form only part of the galleries and museums of the 5-star Hotel Santo Domingo, formerly a Dominican monastery. Antigua is a popular centre for Spanish study, and here you will find dozens of schools and a collection of students from around the globe. Because of the international population, there is no shortage of restaurants, bars and activities available in Antigua. You’d have to try very hard to get bored! There are also plenty of fun day trips available from Antigua, one of the most popular being a climb of still-smoking Pacaya Volcano.

Day 2 Copán, Honduras

The Mayan ruins of Copán are fascinating, beautiful and unique among Mayan cities. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, Copán contains some of the most important Mayan ruins found to date, and many unusual artistic features. Visitors walk through grassy plazas filled with intricately carved and decorated monuments, statues and staircases. Huge carved faces stare at you from ancient walls and bring the place to life, causing renewed wonder at the mysterious disappearance of such a creative civilization.The colonial highland town of Copán Ruinas is a charming and relaxing place, with an almost-perfect climate. Enjoy the cooler evening temperatures before our descent to the coast tomorrow. Please be ready for a long travel day with an early morning departure!Estimated Travel Time: 8 hoursApproximate Distance: 200 km

Day 3-5 Utila, The Bay Islands

A scuba diving haven amidst what is part of the second largest barrier reef in the world, Utila is a Caribbean-style island more kicked back than its larger neighbor, Roatan. Measuring only 13 km long and 5 km wide, Utila has a small community atmosphere. Crystal blue waters invite swimming, diving, and snorkeling. Utila is surrounded by over 100km (62 miles) of living, protected reef that is home to thousands of species of fantastically coloured fish and marine life.As fascinating as the marine life, is the colourful local history and culture of Utila and the Bay Islands. Once the home of British pirates, a unique culture developed when the British moved a population of slaves from the Caribbean island of San Vincent to nearby Roatan in 1795. From this seed, grew a large Garifuna culture that spread through northern Honduras and into Guatemala. One finds English, Garifuna and Spanish spoken here with descendants of all three cultures populating the island.Estimated Travel Time: 10 hoursApproximate Distance: 350 km

Day 6 Tegucigalpa

Leave Utila by ferry and catch a glimpse of Honduras' famous Mosquito Coast. Spend the full day travelling from sea level to the highlands, through rainforest and along scenic mountain roads, ending in Tegucigalpa.Tegucigalpa, or "Tegus" as it's known by the locals, has been the capital city of Honduras since 1880. Located in the southern part of Honduras, Tegucigalpa is nestled in a valley at an elevation of approximately 3000 feet, surrounded by a chain of tree-covered mountains. This creates an ideal climate; Tegucigalpa is tropical yet cool, with less humidity in comparison with other major Central American cities. Already a settlement of indigenous Lenca people, the Spanish arrived in the area during the mid-16th century and began transforming it into a major mining centre for silver and gold. Evidence of this can be seen in several colonial buildings such as the cathedral of St. Michael Archangel.Estimated Travel Time: 8 hoursApproximate Distance: 350 km

Day 7-9 Granada

Nicaragua has flourished in recent years and boasts both friendly people and impressive natural beauty. Granada’s colonial charm is complemented by the active volcanoes and lakes that surround it, and there are many fun easy day trips available. Hike, cruise, or just explore the city’s markets and museums.Granada is Nicaragua’s third largest and oldest city and retains its traditional Spanish colonial character. It's sometimes called ¨The Great Sultana¨ because of it's beautiful colonial architecture. In the warm evenings you can usually find friendly neighbors visiting and chatting with each other from rocking chairs in the open front room of their homes. You'll walk along cobblestone streets and see brightly painted buildings. Frequently live local music is played in the square, and good nightlife is easy to find. Granada is located on the shores of Lake Nicaragua and has a long park ideal for strolling. For a relaxing afternoon, you can spend a couple of hours in a boat touring some of the 350+ ¨Isletas¨ or little islands by found nearby Granada in Lake Nicaragua. Other optional activities include visiting the nearby extinct volcano Mombacho, now shrouded in vegetation, or Masaya Volcano National Park, which is home to an active volcano. The nearby markets of Masaya house vendors selling great Nicaraguan handicrafts such as hammocks, ceramics, and paintings. Estimated Travel Time: 12 hoursApproximate Distance: 370 km

Day 10-11 Ometepe

To reach Ometepe, we cross Lake Nicaragua and enjoy great views of the two towering volcanoes that compose the island´s stunning landscape -- Concepción at 1610 m (5281 feet), and Madera, at 1340m (4395 feet). If you enjoy a challenge, hiking Madera volcano is an option…but not an easy one! If not, check out the pre-Colombian petroglyphs, try out the Tarzan swing at a nearby jungle swimming hole or enjoy the beach. The people of Ometepe mostly make their living through agriculture. As you journey to the hotel, you'll pass plantain plantations and several small villages, giving you a chance to see how rural Nicaraguans live.Also known as La Mar Dulce (the Sweet Sea) and Lake Cocibolca, Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America and the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world. Forty-five rivers flow into the lake and it is home to the unique lake shark, the world’s only species of freshwater shark. The wildlife on the island is abundant and includes several species of monkeys and green parrots. The otherworldly roar of a Howler monkey (you’ll think it’s a jaguar) can be heard for several miles. The island is also famous for its stone statues and petroglyphs made by the Chorotega people.Estimated Travel Time: 5 hoursApproximate Distance: 60 km

Day 12-13 Monteverde, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a natural gem because of its breathtaking flora and fauna. Travelling into the cool cloud and rainforests of Monteverde, we have a glimpse of how lush ecosystems truly are works of art. Take time to bird watch, ride a horse, mountain bike, or ride a zip line over the rainforest canopy.Spend two days exploring Monteverde and the Forest Reserve, truly a nature lover's paradise. Local guides are extremely knowledgeable about the area and passionate about conservation of this precious ecosystem. The unique community has several local co-operatives worth visiting including artist collectives and a cheese factory. If you're there at the right time of year, you may be lucky enough to see the Resplendent Quetzal, one of the most beautiful and elusive birds in the world. Optional activities include the Sky Walk, a series of suspension bridges through the jungle canopy, a butterfly garden and a thrilling canopy zip line.Monteverde or "Green Mountain", is exactly what you find at the end of the long, rutted dirt road through the mountains. The surrounding pastures were once covered with dense forest, but today only a small piece of it remains. That piece of forest has been preserved as the Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Cloud forest is much like a rainforest, but much of the moisture comes not from falling rain but from the condensation left by the nearly constant cloud cover that blankets the tops of mountains in many parts of the tropics. Monteverde Reserve covers 1600 hectares of forest and is home to a great variety of wildlife. More than 2,000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different species of mammals inhabit this small area. The Santa Elena Reserve, another park contiguous with Monteverde, is less well known and visited but also worth seeing. All proceeds from this park profit the local community.The village of Monteverde was founded in the 1950s by Quakers from the United States. Looking to leave behind the constant fear of war and objecting to being forced to support continued militarism through their taxes, the Quakers chose Costa Rica because of its commitment to a non-militaristic economic path - Costa Rica’s army was dissolved in the 1940s. Since its founding, Monteverde has grown slowly as others who shared the original Quaker founders’ ideals moved to the area. Although the Quakers came here to farm the land, they recognized the need to preserve the rare cloud forest that covers the mountain slopes above their fields. The community is very different from those on the coast, and offers several souvenir shops and the Quaker cheese factory, which is definitely worth a visit. Make sure to try their ice cream!Estimated Travel Time: 10 hoursApproximate Distance: 240 km

Day 14-15 La Fortuna / Arenal

Set on the northern plains of Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano sits on the southeast shore of artificial Lake Arenal (77 square kilometres, or 48 square miles). Separating the mountain ranges of Guanacaste and Tilarán, the lake was created by a hydroelectric dam. Winds sweeping off the Caribbean Sea reach speeds of 48 to 72 km/hr (30 to 45 mph), making Arenal one of the best windsurfing destinations in the world. The volcano is quite active and occasional eruptions make it a natural wonder to be respected. La Fortuna, the town near the foot of the volcano is an excellent base for adventure. Take an unforgettable night hike around the base of the volcano to see the top glowing an eerie red, accompanied by a soundtrack of monkeys and the rumblings of the volcano in the distance. Hike the area’s nature trails, swim in chilly La Fortuna waterfall or join a canopy tour and catch a bird’s eye view of the forest greenery. Other optional activities include full-day Class III & IV white water rafting on the Toro or Arenal Rivers, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, or a tour of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Like much of Costa Rica, the area is a birders’ paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents. . After a long day of exploring, the Baldi Hot Springs might just be the answer to your tired muscles. Soak in one of the natural thermal baths and hope for the clouds to part long enough for a glimpse of Arenal´s slopes shaped by multiple eruptions.Estimated Travel Time: 4 hoursApproximate Distance: 50 km

Day 16-17 San José

Located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate. Like most cities, San José has its good and bad sides. It is the centre of government, theatre, and art, as well as of air pollution and congestion. It has beautiful parks and museums, and a few beggars on the streets. It is big and often noisy, but even from its crowded downtown streets, you’ll often enjoy a view of the surrounding lush mountains. Start your exploration of the city in the main plaza, a great place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere. A source of pride for the Ticos (Costa Ricans) is the National Theatre. Inaugurated in 1897, the building was paid for by coffee growers through a voluntary tax on every bag of coffee exported. The National Museum, housed in the Bellavista Fortress, offers exhibits on pre-Columbian art, colonial art and furniture and religious art within a 19th century building that was converted from a military fortress after the army was abolished. The Museum of Costa Rican Art, located in La Sabana Park, used to be the international airport and the museum is now housed in the old terminal building. The Jade Museum is on the 11th floor of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros building. In addition to the marvelous collection of jade objects, there are pre-Columbian ceramic and stone works as well as displays with archaeological and ethnographic information. The Gold Museum is located underneath the Plaza de la Cultura. Its spectacular collection of indigenous gold art belongs to the Central Bank of Costa Rica.The best and least expensive places to buy souvenirs in San José are the markets. The two main ones are the ones in Plaza de la Cultura, which is an outdoor open market, and the Central Market, where handicrafts are sold along with boots, fish, flour, herbal remedies, shirts and everything else you can imagine. Always watch your belongings and be ready for crowds. If you plan on spending a few days in San José after your tour, there are a number of activities within the city and area that you can participate in, many of them outdoors.Probably the hardest thing you will do in San José, other than get safely across busy streets, is keep the street numbering systems straight. Street and avenue numbers are posted on buildings at the corners of some intersections. Keep looking as you walk, and you will eventually find one. Get to know your new companions joining the tour for the Panama Experience segment.Estimated Travel Time: 6 hoursApproximate Distance: 150 km

Day 18-20 Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

We head to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica to the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Fourteen kilometres of incomparable white and black sand beaches are surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation. There are several optional activities available; hike to Monkey Point through the Gandoca - Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge or try snorkelling in the turquoise waters. Or, just take it easy and and explore La Isla Botanical Gardens.Rent a boogie board if the waves are calling, dance the night away to reggae and calypso, taste flavourful Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and succumb to the natural beauty of this tropical paradise. This area of Costa Rica was quite isolated until a road was built a only a couple of decades ago, and it still hasn’t lost its charm.Estimated Travel Time: 5 hoursApproximate Distance: 180 km

Day 21-23 Bocas del Toro

Crossing into Panama, we take a bus then a boat to arrive at the Archipelago of Bocas del Toro, which means the bull’s mouth. Our time here offers us plenty of opportunities to snorkel, scuba dive, or just relax on the beach. The Archipelago of Bocas del Toro is made up of 6 islands, only 2 of which have roads and services for tourists. The islands are very unique in many ways. The islands and closest shoreline are an isolated pocket of lowlands, between the mountains and swamps of most of nearby mainland. Because of this, there is much wildlife and fauna ,which are found only in this region and nowhere else! The islands are mostly covered in rainforest, and have spectacular beaches perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling or diving.Estimated Travel Time: 7 hoursApproximate Distance: 70 km

Day 24-26 Boquete

Leaving the coast we arrive back on the mainland and travel up to mountain retreat of Boquete. A plethora of outdoor options await us here, including numerous hikes, whitewater rafting and a tour of a coffee plantation. The picturesque town of Boquete is nestled in a green mountain valley, with a beautiful river running through it. The town is well-known for its cool, fresh climate and unspoiled natural environment, making it an outdoor lover’s paradise. There are numerous hiking tours to choose from, as well as horseback riding and whitewater rafting. It is also a good place to just relax in the mountain climate as a break from the lowland heat. For the coffee lovers, there are many plantations that offer tours of their factories as well as taste tests.Estimated Travel Time: 8 hoursApproximate Distance: 340 km

Day 27-28 Santa Clara

This laid-back town on the Pacific coast is the perfect place to wind down. In addition to relaxing on the long stretch of white-sand beach, your options include kayaking local rivers or the coast, biking or horseback riding.If history interests you, check out the airfield located at nearby Playa Blanca. Currently used for infrequent chartered flight landings, this was used by US stealth bombers in 1989 when they bombed Noriega's barracks at the then military base. You may also be able to find Noriega's old vacation home with bullet-riddled walls nearby, although there are plans to tear it down soon.El Valle de Anton is also a short day-trip away if you'd like to explore this little village in an extinct volcanic crater famed for its Sunday market that is very popular with Panama City residents on the weekend.Estimated Travel Time: 8 hoursApproximate Distance: 330 km

Day 29-30 Panama City

Lying in the centre of Panama’s southern coast, the country’s capital is a modern, bustling city, thanks to the enormous trade and commerce that passes through each year. However, there are plenty of other reasons to visit the Panama City aside from the world-famous canal. The city has a long and varied history, and the site was an important stop on the “Gold trail” of treasures being shipped from the Spanish colonies in the Americas back to the motherland. For this reason, the early settlement was attacked numerous times and at one time the city was burned to the ground. This part of the city is now known as Panama La Vieja (Old Panama) and still has some great old buildings, as well as some interesting museums that document the history of the region.After the fire, the city was relocated 8 km away, on a small peninsula planners felt would be easier to defend. This area is now known as the “Casco Viejo,” and is surrounded by sea on 3 sides and a moat on the fourth, making it a very strategic location. The area is beautiful, and great for a glimpse into history with its narrow cobblestone streets and colonial-style buildings. Heading out of the city there is a fantastic 2 km-long causeway linking the city with 4 small islands off the coast. The causeway has great views of the city and ocean, and if you are lucky you can sometimes spot dolphins.The Panama Canal is a fabulous example of modern engineering and is considered to be one of the engineering wonders of the world. Many times before was a canal attempted to join the two oceans at this point. The first to try were the French, but they encountered endless trials and catastrophes, in the end claiming the lives of 22,000 people—and the canal was abandoned. The United States eventually completed the canal in 1914, and today it extends 80 km across the country. Gigantic lock systems raise and lower the water levels, allowing ships to go from lake to lake (the canal is made up of entirely fresh water), and eventually from ocean to ocean. According to statistics, more than 12,000 ocean-going vessels pass through it a year–over 30 a day! Watching a freighter pass through the locks is something not to be missed.Estimated Travel Time: 3 hoursApproximate Distance: 150 km

Day 31 Depart Panama City

Depart Panama City at any time.