23 Day Panama, Costa Rica & Nicaragua Tour

• Day 1: 

  Arrival in Panama City
  Welcome to Panama City, Central America's most cosmopolitan capital, where skyscrapers pierce tropical skies and two great oceans meet through human ingenuity. This vibrant metropolis serves as both a dynamic regional hub and gateway to extraordinary tropical adventures.
  
  Panama's unique position welcoming both east and west has created a cultural cocktail that's refreshingly fluid and dynamic. Centuries of trade, immigration, and interoceanic commerce have shaped a city where colonial Spanish heritage blends with Caribbean rhythms, while gleaming modern towers reflect Panama's role as a contemporary financial centre.
  
  Tonight, we gather fellow travellers for dinner, sharing anticipation for our journey through one of the world's most strategically important and naturally diverse countries.
  
  Overnight in Panama City.

   

  Included Meal(s): Dinner
• Day 2: 

  Partial Canal Transit
  The world's most famous waterway beckons as we embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the Panama Canal, one of humanity's greatest engineering achievements.
  
  Our adventure begins with a 15-minute drive to Balboa port, where we board the passenger ferry for our partial canal transit. At Miraflores Locks, we witness the extraordinary process as ships rise 16 metres (54 feet) through ingenious two-step chambers. This marvel operates entirely by gravity—no pumps required—as water flows from Pedro Miguel Lake to fill the chambers where vessels await passage.
  
  We then observe the Pedro Miguel Locks, where ships ascend to 26 metres (85 feet) above sea level. Again, gravity alone transfers water from Gatún Lake, demonstrating the canal's elegant hydraulic engineering. Crossing the Continental Divide at the canal's narrowest point, we arrive in Gamboa, home to the dredging division that maintains this vital maritime highway.
  
  The experience includes breakfast, lunch, and specialist guide commentary revealing the canal's fascinating operational complexities. Each transit requires precise coordination, with vessels guided through narrow chambers by powerful locomotives called "mules" ensuring safe passage.
  
  Light clothing, insect repellent, hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes enhance your comfort during this unforgettable journey through one of the world's most important transportation corridors.
  
  Overnight in Panama City.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 3: 

  Panama City: Portobelo & Agua Clara Locks
  We journey to Portobelo, once the beating heart of Spain's New World empire, where treasure fleets loaded Peruvian silver and Mexican gold for the perilous Atlantic crossing.
  
  During colonial times, Portobelo hosted annual trade fairs lasting 30 to 60 days, transforming this sleepy Caribbean port into a bustling commercial centre where transactions frequently totalled 10 to 12 million gold pesos. These extraordinary gatherings continued until 1738, when relentless pirate attacks forced Spain to abandon the Isthmian route for the longer but safer passage around Cape Horn.
  
  The constant pirate threat necessitated convoy systems—each year, two fleets of 40 to 70 ships sailed from Spain, one bound for Veracruz, the other for Portobelo. Though diminished from its golden age glory, Portobelo retains considerable charm and historical significance.
  
  We begin at San Felipe Church, home to the Black Christ—a life-sized wooden statue of Jesus discovered on the harbour shores. Adorned with robes changed twice yearly during the Festival of the Black Christ and Holy Week, numerous legends surround its miraculous arrival: shipwreck, divine intervention, or salvation from plague.
  
  We then visit the Customs House, passing stone sundials and gold measures where Spanish treasure was weighed before shipment. Fort San Gerónimo and Fort Santiago reveal defensive strategies, while panoramic views from ancient battlements showcase this strategic harbour's commanding position.
  
  Our final stop at Agua Clara Locks reveals modern canal expansion, featuring fascinating overflow tanks allowing 60% water recycling as vessels transit.
  
  * PLEASE NOTE that, due to ongoing renovations some of the monuments listed above may not be accessible during our visit.
  
  Overnight in Panama City.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 4: 

  Parque Metropolitano & Amerindian Village
  Urban wilderness awaits at Parque Metropolitano, where vast expanses of tropical semi-deciduous forest create an incredible escape within Panama City's boundaries.
  
  Our walking route ascends to a 150-metre-high mirador offering panoramic vistas across Panama City, the bay, and canal stretching toward Miraflores Locks. This protected forest demonstrates how tropical ecosystems survive within urban environments, providing habitat for countless bird species, mammals, and insects while offering residents and visitors a taste of Panama's remarkable biodiversity.
  
  This afternoon brings cultural immersion as we visit an authentic Emberá/Chocó Amerindian village. Our journey begins with a boat ride along routes commonly used by indigenous peoples for daily river transport, providing insights into traditional lifestyles that continue largely unchanged despite modern Panama's development.
  
  A short forest walk follows, guided by local experts who explain botanical novelties and cultural traditions maintaining deep connections to ancestral ways. The Emberá and Chocó peoples have inhabited these riverine environments for centuries, developing sophisticated knowledge of forest resources, traditional crafts, and sustainable living practices.
  
  We witness traditional handicrafts including intricate basket weaving using natural fibres, while learning about medicinal plants, hunting techniques, and social customs that preserve indigenous identity. The village visit provides respectful cultural exchange, supporting community tourism initiatives that benefit local families while sharing their remarkable heritage.
  
  Overnight in Panama City.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 5: 

  Panama City Touring - Fly to David, Chiriqui Highlands
  Panama City's layered history unfolds as we explore ruins spanning from colonial foundations to modern canal construction.
  We begin at Old Panama ruins and Casco Viejo, the historic compound dating to the late 1600s, learning about events that led to the capital's eventual relocation. Casco Viejo houses monuments to Ferdinand de Lesseps and others instrumental in France's ill-fated canal attempt, revealing early engineering ambitions that preceded American success.
  
  At San José Church, we discover the famous Altar de Oro—a magnificent baroque altarpiece crafted from pure gold. Built soon after the first Spanish Pacific Coast settlement in 1519, this church relocated to the present peninsula during the 17th-century capital movement, carrying its most precious possession. Our exploration concludes at the Panama Canal Museum, chronicling the waterway's complete construction saga.
  
  Later, we transfer to Albrook domestic airport for our scheduled flight to David in Chiriquí Province.*
  
  The enchanted Chiriquí Highlands await—part of the Cordillera Central defining northern Chiriquí Province. Primeval rainforests bedecked with clouds shelter chattering birds flashing brilliant iridescent colours, while flowering epiphytes bloom high above forest floors. Gurgling streams tumble over great boulders toward the sea through landscapes of cloud forests, volcanic peaks, coffee plantations, and traditional Guaymí Indian communities.
  
  * Flight schedules may have us flying to David this morning in which case the above listed Panama City sightseeing will be accomplished on Day 9. Due to 12 kilo weight restriction on this flight and on the flight from Bocas back to Panama City, we strongly recommend that you pack a smaller bag for the next few nights and leave excess baggage in storage at our Panama City hotel.
  
  Overnight in Chiriqui Highlands.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 6: 

  Chiriqui Highlands
  Cerro Punta beckons as we explore Panama's highland wilderness with expert naturalist guides seeking the region's spectacular avian treasures.
  
  These elevated forests provide excellent opportunities for spotting resplendent quetzals—Central America's most magnificent bird—alongside black and yellow silky flycatchers, prong-billed barbets, and volcano hummingbirds. Each species has adapted to specific altitude ranges and forest conditions, creating diverse ecological niches within relatively small geographic areas.
  
  We continue to La Amistad International Park Headquarters, where this binational reserve stretches from Costa Rica into Panama. Small portions extend into Chiriquí Province, encompassing primarily cloud forests where land rises above 1,500 metres (4,950 feet). Here, warm air ascends mountains, meeting cooler temperatures and condensing into persistent cloud cover that creates unique ecosystems supporting astonishing flora and fauna diversity.
  
  Cloud forests exhibit characteristics found nowhere else, with epiphytes, bromeliads, and orchids creating vertical gardens on tree trunks and branches. The constant moisture supports amphibians, insects, and specialized plant communities adapted to these misty conditions.
  
  We also tour Haras Cerro Punta, a thoroughbred breeding farm nestled in a mountain valley between Cerro Punta and Guadalupe—Panama's highest inhabited region. This 100-hectare operation, surrounded by fertile agricultural areas, maintains an average population of 200 animals while producing racehorse champions for Panama and beyond.
  
  NOTE: The order of our Chiriqui sightseeing may vary due to weather, accommodation availability, and other logistical considerations.
  
  Overnight in Chirqui Highlands.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 7: 

  Chiriqui Highlands - Bocas del Toro
  After a leisurely morning, we prepare for our scenic drive to Almirante on Panama's Caribbean coast, witnessing dramatic landscape transitions from highland cloud forests to tropical coral reefs.
  
  En route, we pause at the impressive Fortuna Dam and spectacular waterfalls along the Continental Divide, where Pacific and Caribbean watersheds separate through geological forces that shaped Central America's mountainous spine. We cross the Palo Seco Protected Area, serving as a buffer zone for La Amistad International Park while demonstrating conservation strategies protecting biodiversity corridors.
  
  The transformation from cloud forests to coral reefs proves remarkable as elevation decreases and Caribbean influences strengthen. Tropical vegetation changes dramatically, while architecture reflects Afro-Caribbean cultural influences that distinguish this region from Pacific Panama.
  
  In Almirante, boats await to transfer us across emerald waters to our island destination.
  
  Five centuries ago, Christopher Columbus arrived at this tropical paradise he named Bocas del Toro. Overwhelmed by incredible contrasts of vivid colours and pristine natural surroundings, Columbus dropped anchor to explore this idyllic archipelago. Little has changed since that pristine era, except for the provocative calypso rhythms and alluring Caribbean accents of local inhabitants.
  
  Bocas remains the perfect place to sink toes into white sand, explore lush rainforests and coral reefs, and observe faithful sea turtles that have visited these islands for millennia.
  
  Overnight in Bocas del Toro.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 8: 

  Bocas del Toro
  Paradise reveals its secrets as we explore an archipelago where 92% of land remains covered by tropical forest, maintaining natural ecosystem balance that supports extraordinary biodiversity.
  
  This immense national patrimony harbours 200 plant species, 55 amphibians and reptiles, 57 mammals, 200 bird types, 1,500 insects, and more than 58 coral species. Bocas del Toro Province borders the Caribbean Sea northward, with Veraguas Province eastward, Chiriquí southward, and Costa Rica westward. While most territory occupies Talamanca and Central mountain slopes, the majority of 93,000 inhabitants live in coastal lowlands and on islands.
  
  The province contains the large Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro at Laguna de Chiriquí's mouth, beginning 35 kilometres from Costa Rica's border. This chain consists of 68 islands and numerous mangrove keys surrounded by coral fields, titanic marine life variety, and water so emerald that Christopher Columbus named the region Veraguas—contracting "verdes aguas" (green waters).
  
  Our boat tour explores surrounding attractions revealing this destination's incredible beauty. Swimming opportunities await in pristine surf, while coastal walks lead to Red Frog Beach, where visitors discover an enchanting acoustic surprise. Initially, the symphony of non-musical chirping seems to come from crickets, but closer inspection reveals the source: tiny frogs about thumbnail size creating strangely beautiful sounds. These diminutive amphibians represent just one example of Bocas's remarkable endemic species, many found nowhere else on Earth.
  
  Overnight in Bocas del Toro.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 9: 

  Bocas de Toro - Fly to Panama City: Panama City Touring
  Leisure time in tropical paradise allows final appreciation of Bocas's extraordinary natural beauty before our afternoon departure to Panama City.
  
  Morning hours offer opportunities for independent exploration—perhaps revisiting favourite beaches, seeking additional wildlife sightings, or simply relaxing in hammocks while Caribbean breezes carry calypso rhythms and seabird calls.
  
  The flight back to Panama City provides aerial perspectives of the landscape diversity we've experienced: from Caribbean archipelagos through highland cloud forests to the urban sophistication of Central America's most important capital. If Panama City sightseeing was postponed from Day 5 due to flight schedules, we accomplish those activities today upon arrival.
  
  We reconvene this evening for our farewell dinner, sharing memories of canal transits, cloud forest adventures, cultural encounters, and Caribbean island magic that define Panama's remarkable diversity.
  
  Overnight in Panama City.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 10: 

  Panama City - San Jose, Costa Rica
  Today we fly from Panama City to San Jose, Costa Rica.
  
  San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is on a plateau in the Central Valley at 1200m (3,700 ft), ringed by lush green mountains and valleys. The population of this city is probably half of the whole country! The main downtown area is a bustling collection of well-laid-out streets filled with bustling traffic and lined with eclectic, historic architecture. On the surface, it is a gritty downtown area, but you'll also find friendly people, quirky spots, and the historic side of San Jose which might just change your initial impression.
  
  Overnight in San Jose.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 11: 

  San Jose - Boat to Tortuguero
  This morning we travel by bus from San Jose through Braulio Carillo National Park, one of Costa Rica's largest. If season/harvest time permits, we will visit a working banana plantation and then pass through a region known for its cocoa production. We then board our riverboat* and spend the afternoon journeying through myriad interconnecting rivers and canals that take us finally to the Caribbean coast and Tortuguero Park.
  
  The park is a water thoroughfare which is a 160 km (100 mile) stretch of natural rivers, lagoons and estuaries, and connecting man-made waterways that run almost to the Nicaraguan border. The canal is the main "highway" of the northern coastal region, complete with directional signs and branches from the main trunk route.
  
  As we go along the canal, keep a keen lookout for views of pastel-coloured toucans and monkeys of various type; if we're lucky, a lazy sloth hanging from a branch, and maybe a coati or two roaming the forest. Stands of mangroves and water hyacinth appear here and there. Scattered along the way are people, too -- fishers and farmers whose dugouts serve all the purposes of pickup trucks elsewhere. Mostly the banks remain wild, and the calls of monkeys and whistles of birds predominate over the noises of humans.
  
  * We strongly recommend that travellers bring a smaller bag to take to Tortuguero due to limited sapce on the boat and the lack of personnel to help you with baggage. Your luggage will be securely stored until we are reunited with it upon departure from Tortuguero.
  
  Overnight in Tortuguero.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 12: 

  Tortuguero: Forest Walk & Village
  Tortuguero Park is a fascinating place to explore. An early morning boat ride offers an opportunity to observe an awakening coastal rain forest full of lush vegetation and unique bird life.
  
  After lunch we visit the village of Tortuguero accessible only by river boat; you may choose to walk on the Caribbean beach where several turtle species lay their eggs each year. We will visit the Tortuguero Museum with its excellent displays pertaining to the ecology of the area and an informative video presentation specific to turtle conservation in Tortuguero and the entire Caribbean region (the Green Sea and Hawksbill turtles' nesting season runs from July to October with the peak in August, and the Leatherback turtles nest from February to April. It is possible to see individual turtles at any time of the year).
  
  NOTE: The exact order of our activities in Tortuguero may vary depending on weather and other variables.
  
  Overnight in Tortuguero.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 13: 

  Tortuguero - Baldi Hotsprings - Arenal/La Fortuna Area
  After an early breakfast we travel by boat 1½-hour to reunite with our land transport and then continue by road to the La Fortuna/Arenal area.
  
  We travel through rolling hills covered with sugar cane fields to overnight near Arenal Volcano. We make a stop at the Baldi Hotsprings (located near Arenal and outside the Risk Zones established by the National Prevention of Risks and Emergency Commission). Here a geothermally-heated river flows through beautifully landscaped grounds featuring many plant and tree species and great birdlife. We will have time to relax in or around the various pools (bring a towel). The springs feature several hot pools with different temperatures fed by individual springs and three swim-up bars.
  
  This evening (weather & volcanic activity permitting) we can view the volcano.
  
  Overnight at Arenal/La Fortuna.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 14: 

  Arenal - Monteverde Cloud Forest
  Today we travel through a rustic rural countryside to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve area (+/- 4 hours).
  
  Covered in a mantle of moss, ferns and orchids, this private reserve is home to over 400 species of birds and a great number of animals. The forest is created by the winds, particular temperature and moisture conditions, and mountainous topography which combine during the dry season to hold a steady cloud cover along the continental divide. The rains and the moisture in the air nourish trees and plants rooted in the ground, as well as many plants that live at the upper levels of the forest, and take their nutrients directly from the mist and dust that pass through the air. The result is an enchanted fairy-tale environment where trees are laden with orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns that obscure their branches, where the moisture and mild temperatures and sunlight filtered by the forest canopy encourage the exuberance of begonias, heliconias, philodendron and many other tropical plants in every available space on the ground.
  
  This afternoon we have a guided tour of the "Butterfly Garden" where butterflies and other endemic insects are raised and protected in a controlled environment allowing scientists to study them -- their place in the food chain and their response to things like increased pollution and climate change.
  
  Overnight in Monteverde.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 15: 

  Monteverde Cloud Forest
  We have a full morning exploring the cloud forest reserve with the help of a local naturalist guide. There is more to the forest than the trees and lesser plants. Of over 320 bird species, the most notable is the quetzal with its long arc of tail feathers. Assorted trogons in addition to the quetzal inhabit the reserve, along with more than 50 varieties of hummingbird. About 500 kinds of butterfly are found at Monteverde. Among the more than 100 mammalian species are howler, white-faced and spider monkeys, coatis and their cousins, raccoons; as well as the rarely observed pumas, ocelots, jaguars, tapirs, and kinkajous.
  
  This afternoon you may choose to go on an optional "Canopy Walk" excursion, located within the cloud forest. Suspension foot-bridges are strung across deep gorges allowing one to get a bird's eye view of the forest from a totally different perspective than we experienced this morning. At a leisurely pace, one can complete this easy and fascinating walk in about 90 minutes. Your Tour Leader can help you plan this activity (your Tour Leader will advise re the current price while on tour).
  
  REMEMBER: This can be a wet and windy place by definition; you should be prepared for varied conditions.
  
  Overnight at Monteverde.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 16: 

  Monteverde - Quepos
  This morning we descend from the interior mountains to the Pacific Coast and continue southward to the town of Quepos, gateway for the Manuel Antonio National Park, an unspoiled haven of natural beauty on the shores of the Pacific.
  
  The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is more developed than the Caribbean coast, so dozens of charming beach towns line the way. The Pacific coast is also home to more than 10 national parks and many other reserves, wildlife refuges, tropical dry forests, rainforests, mangroves, wetlands and coral reefs. These parks offer great opportunities for some unique wildlife encounters, such as howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin, and spider monkey, both inside and outside the parks and reserves.
  
  Nestled along the picturesque Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Quepos serves as the perfect starting point to explore Manuel Antonio National Park. With its walkable streets and relaxed vibe, this is a perfect locale for travellers seeking an authentic experience in a tropical setting.
  
  Overnight near Quepos.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 17: 

  Manuel Antonio National Park
  This morning we enjoy a leisurely walk through part of Manuel Antonio Park. While strolling the forest trails and the white sand beaches, we'll likely encounter monkeys, iguanas, sea creatures and bird life of amazing variety. After our morning walk, you may like to continue to explore the park and return to the hotel by taxi on your own.
  
  Manuel Antonio National Park is an area of sand curving around a bay strewn with islands of rock, and shaded by green bordering forests. All are back-dropped by dramatic cliffs. Manuel Antonio beach is one of the few places in Costa Rica where unspoiled primary forest grows right to the high-tide mark, allowing visitors to bathe at times in the shade.
  
  South Espadilla is the northernmost of the park's beaches, followed by calmer Manuel Antonio beach, offshore of which are some coral spots. Third Beach has tidal pools where brightly coloured fish and eels are temporarily stranded. Last is Puerto Escondido, access to which is made difficult by the bordering rocky promontory.
  
  Overnight near Quepos.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 18: 

  Quepos - Crocodile Safari - Rincon de la Vieja
  Today we head north again on the Pan-American Highway and travel to Rincon de la Vieja National Park. En route we'll enjoy an informative crocodile safari.*
  
  The safari provides visitors with an exciting opportunity to enjoy one of Costa Rica's most beautiful ecosystems. The tour takes place along the Tarcoles River and is accompanied by a bilingual guide, who will share interesting information and spot an assortment of critters. Most notably, the Tarcoles River is known for its abundance of crocodiles, some of which can grow up to 15 ft in length. Other animal sightings include over 50 species of bird -- including the rare scarlet macaw -- as well as an assortment of iguanas and lizards. Heading downstream, the boat will also pass through Estero Guacalillo, an extensive mangrove system which houses four different types of mangrove trees.
  
  Known for its stunning diversity of flora and fauna, Rincon is home to two volcanoes, the Rincon de la Vieja and the Santa Maria, as well as six different volcanic peaks and thirty two rivers and streams. The park has small geysers, bubbling mud pots and mineral hot springs that have earned it the name, "Costa Rica's Yellowstone". One more thing that is unique from Rincon de la Vieja Volcano is the Vrizea Vulcanicola bromeliad, endemic to this park and Costa Rica.
  
  * Occasionally this visit may be impacted by high tides.
  
  Overnight near Rincon de la Vieja.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 19: 

  Rincon de la Vieja National Park
  We will have a full morning with a somewhat CHALLENGING walk (undulating, uneven terrain -- talk to your Tour Leader re your suitability) along Las Pailas Trail to view the best volcanic activity you can see in the country. The trail takes us through cloud forest, open grassy slopes and near a wide array of volcanic features including impressive boiling mud pots, fumaroles, and thermal streams.
  
  This afternoon you can continue your on-foot exploration on your own or take part in a number of optional activities, including river tubing, horseback riding and/or hot springs soaking. Or you can simply relax and enjoy the birdsong and magnificent views.
  
  Overnight near Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 20: 

  Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica - Granada, Nicaragua
  Today we continue north to Granada, Nicaragua (have your passports handy!).
  
  The country of Nicaragua derives its name from Nicaro, the name of the Nahuatl-speaking tribe which inhabited the shores of Lago de Nicaragua before the Spanish conquest of the Americas, and the Spanish word Agua, meaning water, due to the presence of the large lakes Lago de Nicaragua (Cocibolca) and Lago de Managua (Xolotlan), as well as lagoons and rivers in the region. At the time of the Spanish conquest, Nicaragua was the name given to the narrow strip of land between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean. This is the largest yet most sparsely populated country in Central America.
  
  Granada is set by Lago Nicaragua and is one of the most beautiful cities in Central America. Countless historical buildings share the city's cobblestone streets with elegant homes and tranquil parks, an urban elegance complemented by nearby natural attractions.
  
  Upon arrival you'll be able to explore Granada before our evening meal. Of interest are the Fort La Polvora, Xalteva Church, Xaltera walls, and the church La Merced. A walk through the Main Square Colon takes you to the Cathedral, the Casa de los Leones, and the old Convent of San Francisco, where you can admire the impressive stone-carved statues with animal and human form.
  
  Overnight in Granada.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 21: 

  Granada: Omtepe Island Excursion
  Today we will enjoy an excursion to Nicaragua's famous Ometepe Island, one of the most impressive sights in Central America. The name Ometepe means 'two hills' in the native Nahuatl language. The island measures 276 square kilometers and it houses two majestic volcanoes connected through a small strip of land. The two volcanoes, Concepcion and Maderas, are joined by a low isthmus to form one island in the shape of an hourglass. Concepcion Volcano is still active, and most recently erupted on December 5, 2007.
  
  Ometepe is somewhat isolated from the rest of Nicaragua and therefore maintains its special mystery and charm. After driving along the southern shore of the lake to the boat dock, we will board the ferry for the 1.5 hour ferry ride on Lake Nicaragua to Ometepe Island where we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the island, including some petroglyphs.
  
  For lunch (included today instead of dinner) we will make a break at Santo Domingo Beach, and then we will explore the harbour town of Moyogalpa. At the end of our day we will then travel by ferry back to the shore where we begin our drive back to Granada.
  
  Overnight in Granada (dinner on your own this evening).

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Day 22: 

  Granada - Masaya Volcano National Park - Managua: City Tour
  Today travel to Managua and have a city tour on arrival.
  
  En route we stop at the Masaya Volcano National Park, which comprises two volcanoes and five craters (our program here may be impacted by volcanic activity levels at the time of our visit). The volcanoes have erupted several times in history, and were feared by both the indigenous people and the Spanish conquerors. The eruptions have had a dramatic impact on the surroundings. Rocks and volcanic ashes still cover the area surrounding the volcanoes. The nature is rough yet peaceful. Different types of vegetation appeared after the eruptions. Visitors can peek over the edge at the Masaya Volcano and look into the impressive crater, which is continuously emitting smoke and sulphur gases. We also stop at Laguna de Apoyo, the largest crater lagoon in Central America at 6 km across.
  
  In Managua, we will visit historical sites such as the Old Cathedral, destroyed by the earthquake of 1972; the Presidential House, the National Palace of Culture, the waterfront, and the National Museum. We also stop for a photo at the new Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
  
  Overnight in Managua.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 23: 

  Departure
  Departure from Managua.
  
  BUEN VIAJE!

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast

*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.