Combined Costa Rica - Nicaragua: between nature and culture


Trip description

Discover these 2 beautiful countries of Central America. Costa Rica and Nicaragua are neighbors, different and complementary. Immerse yourself in Costa Rica's nature before going to Nicaragua to appreciate its culture and history.

This itinerary will allow you to discover Tortuguero and its canals by boat and then drive to the Arenal and Tenorio volcanoes. In Nicaragua, follow in the footsteps of the pre-Columbian populations on the island of Ometepe and the beautiful colonial city of Granada, without forgetting the white sand beaches of the Pacific coast.

Discover the agency :
TERRA NICARAGUA


17 days

From : €1,340*



Maelle

After living in Chile, Algeria and some West African countries in a professional capacity, it is in Nicaragua that I decided to settle permanently with my family in 2015. Why ? During my first trip to Nicaragua, I was amazed by its cultural richness, its authenticity, the warm welcome of its inhabitants, its paradisiacal beaches, its volcanoes, its lakes and the diversity of its fauna and flora. 

Still unknown destination and preserved from mass tourism, I will be delighted to make you discover this fantastic country!

Day 1: Arrival in San José

Day 2: Costa Rica's little Amazon

Day 3: Costa Rica's little Amazon

Day 4: Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui

Day 5: Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui - Arenal Volcano

Day 6: Arenal Volcano

Day 7: Tenorio Volcano

Day 8: Tamarindo and its beaches

Day 9: Tamarindo and its beaches

Day 10: ¡ Adios Costa Rica, Hola Nicaragua !

Day 11: San Juan del Sur

Day 12: Volcanic island of Ometepe

Day 13: Volcanic island of Ometepe

Day 14: Granada, colonial city

Day 15: Granada and surroundings

Day 16: Masaya, town and volcano

Day 17: Hasta luego Nicaragua !

Day 1 : Arrival in San José

Monument national du Costa Rica, San José. ©Marek Poplawski - Shutterstock.com


Welcome to Costa Rica!

Your driver will be waiting for you at the Juan Santamaria International Airport, near San José, at an altitude of 1,150 meters in the heart of the Central Valley, to drive you to your hotel.

Night in a modern and comfortable boutique hotel in a quiet area of San José.




Day 2 : Costa Rica's little Amazon

Sur le Tortuguero ©ICT (Institut Costaricien de Tourisme)


Tortuguero National Park

Early in the morning, departure in grouped service to the unavoidable region of Tortuguero, on the Caribbean coast. On the way, you will first cross the lush Braulio Carrillo Park covered by a thick tropical rainforest and drenched by torrential rains, before going along the banana plantations of which Costa Rica is one of the first exporters in the world. It is in La Pavona or Caño Blanco, depending on the water level, that you will embark on a motor boat to navigate between the flora and the tropical fauna until the lodge.

Night in a lodge located between the sea and the luxuriant jungle of the Tortuguero National Park.




Day 3 : Costa Rica's little Amazon

Rainette aux yeux rouges, parc national de Tortuguero ©SL_Photography


Tortuguero National Park

Departure for the channels of the national park of Tortuguero. This great aquatic park is entirely made up of canals and lagoons in the middle of an impressive jungle, to which it owes its nickname of "Amazonia of Costa Rica". It is through this unique and extraordinary network of rivers and marshes in the heart of the jungle, that you will leave with your guide to the discovery of caimans, toucans, turtles, howler monkeys, parrots, sloths, iguanas and multicolored birds.

Night in a lodge located between the sea and the luxuriant jungle of the Tortuguero National Park.




Day 4 : Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui

Tabacón dans le parc du volcan Arenal, pandanus ©Pepeira, Tom - Iconotec


This morning, you will sail to the landing of Caño Blanco or La Pavona, depending on the water level, before heading back to Guapiles where you will pick up your rental car before driving to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, an important river port since colonial times (1 hour drive).

Encounter with nocturnal animals 

Discover the fauna of the region on a night hike. Your naturalist guide will help you observe snakes, spiders, frogs and other nocturnal species... 

Approximate duration: 1.5 hours.

Night in a lodge in the heart of a wildlife reserve.




Day 5 : Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui - Arenal Volcano

Volcan Arenal. ©Nstanev - iStockphoto


Tour of cocoa

Discover the secrets and wonders of one of man's favorite foods, chocolate. After crossing a suspension bridge that leads you to the cocoa plantation you will discover the natural and cultural history of the cocoa tree. In the plantation, you will learn about the process by which cocoa is transformed into chocolate and you will be able to taste the native chocolate drink, as well as the chocolate bars made from organic cocoa.

Approximate duration: 2 hours.

We will continue our journey towards the region of La Fortuna and the majestic Arenal volcano (1,650 meters), with its perfectly conical shape (1.5 hours drive).

Thermal waters

At the end of the day, you will enjoy a moment of relaxation in the thermal spa of Ecotermales, in an intimate setting. The hot waters come directly from the hot springs of the Arenal volcano without ever coming into contact with the magma.

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

Night in a charming Eco Lodge located on the slopes of the Arenal volcano and near the Fortuna waterfall.




Day 6 : Arenal Volcano

Pont sur le Rio Celeste dans le parc national Tenorio. ©Tanguy de Saint-Cyr


Walk on the suspension bridges

You will enjoy a walk of about 3 kilometers through the primary forest and about fifteen bridges suspended above the canopy, from where you will have a breathtaking view of the tropical vegetation and the Arenal Volcano!

Approximate duration: 2 hours of walk.

Discover the Arenal region.

Enhance your stay by booking one of the following activities: 

   - Thermal baths of Eco Termales or Baldi

   - Arenal Volcano National Park with English/Spanish speaking guide

   - Exploration of the canopy (suspension bridges, cable car)

   - Tour on Lake Arenal (boat, kayak, stand-up paddle, fishing)

   - Hiking and horseback riding

   - Rafting, canoying, canopy, mountain biking

   - Excursion to Caño Negro (swamp - protected area)

   - Exploration of the Venado caves (speleology)

Night in a charming Eco Lodge located on the slopes of the Arenal volcano and near the Fortuna waterfall.




Day 7 : Tenorio Volcano

Catarata Rio Celeste, parc national Tenorio. ©Tanguy de Saint-Cyr


Departure to Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes (2 hours drive).

Tenorio National Park 

You will explore one of the most beautiful trails of the country between jungle, waterfalls and natural hot springs. You will have the opportunity to discover the Rio Celeste famous for its unreal turquoise color (which intensifies with the reflection of light rays) due to the minerals of its waters which contrast with the intense green of the tropical vegetation. 36 km long, the Rio Celeste begins at the meeting point of two rivers, crosses hot volcanic springs, sulfur springs, before forming a magnificent waterfall.

Approximate duration: 2 hours 30.

Night in a wooden bungalow full of charm of a Finca away from the tourist circuits and close to the Tenorio National Park.




Day 8 : Tamarindo and its beaches

Plage de Tamarindo ©ICT (Institut Costaricien de Tourisme)


This morning, departure for the province of Guanacaste, land of Sabaneros, those proud and colorful cowboys. On the way, you will cross varied landscapes and will be able to make a small stage in Liberia, the white city before reaching the seaside resort of Tamarindo, on the Pacific coast (3 hours of road).

Free day to enjoy the beaches of the region.

Consult us for the various aquatic activities not to be missed on site.

Night in a glamping tent in a hotel nestled in a tropical garden between coconut trees and sea. 




Day 9 : Tamarindo and its beaches

Balade équestre le long de la plage de Tamarindo ©JUAN AMIGHETTI - ICT


Free day to enjoy the beaches of the region.

Consult us for the various aquatic activities not to be missed on site.

Night in a glamping tent in a hotel nestled in a tropical garden between coconut trees and sea. 




Day 10 : ¡ Adios Costa Rica, Hola Nicaragua !

San Juan del Sur. ©Milosz Maslanka - Shutterstock.com


This morning, drive to the Nicaraguan border, Peñas Blancas (3 hours drive).

Welcome to Nicaragua !

Arrival at the border post of Peñas Blancas. First contact with the country. Pick up your rental car on the Nicaraguan side of the border and drive to the small seaside resort of San Juan del Sur on the Pacific Ocean (1 hour drive).

Night in a comfortable and charming hotel located directly on the beach.




Day 11 : San Juan del Sur

Coucher de soleil sur la côte pacifique du Nicaragua. ©Mikeblue - iStockphoto


San Juan del Sur

Free day to enjoy the hotel and rest in the small fishing town of San Juan del Sur. From there, you will be able to explore the wild beaches of the Pacific coast, visit a natural reserve for the protection of sea turtles, try your hand at surfingor other aquatic activities, discover the typical dishes in the restaurants ideally located on the seashore and end your day with the sunset in the magnificent bay of San Juan del Sur.

Night in a comfortable and charming hotel located directly on the beach.




Day 12 : Volcanic island of Ometepe

Plage de Santo Domingo, Ile d'Ometepe, le volcan concepcion en fond. ©Rchphoto - iStockphoto


You will leave this morning from San Juan del Sur and make your way to the port of San Jorge, Rivas. Board the ferry to Ometepe Island, the largest island on a freshwater lake. You will be able to observe its two majestic volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, and then you will drive back to your hotel (about 1 hour drive and 1 hour and 15 minutes by boat).

A sunset on the lake!

We suggest you to go at the end of the day to the Punta Jesus Maria to admire the sunset on this advance of land of almost one kilometer long in the middle of the Lake.

Night in a Finca in the heart of a plantation of fruit trees on the slopes of the Maderas volcano.




Day 13 : Volcanic island of Ometepe

Plage de la Côte Pacifique du Nicaragua. ©DmitryNautilus - iStockphoto


Free day to enjoy the many activities available on the island of Ometepe.

We recommend a walk in the footsteps of the petroglyphs, mysterious imprints left in stone by the Chorotega Indians in many parts of the island over 1500 years ago. To discover the local fauna and flora, you can kayak for half a day in the mangroves from the Istian isthmus. For a swim, the ideal way is to go on foot, by bike or by cab to the Ojo de Agua, a natural pool with thermal and transparent waters. For hiking enthusiasts, we recommend going to see the San Ramon waterfall by walking from your hotel, or climbing the slopes of the Maderas volcano to reach the mirador and the panoramic view that it offers.

Night in a Finca in the heart of a plantation of fruit trees on the slopes of the Maderas volcano.




Day 14 : Granada, colonial city

ÉGLISE DE XALTEVA ©milosk50 - Shutterstock.com


This morning, drive to the port of Moyogalpa and board the ferry to reach the continent. Once on the mainland, drive to the city of Granada (1h15 by boat + 1h30 by road).

End of the day free in your hotel.

Night in a comfortable hotel in the center of Granada.




Day 15 : Granada and surroundings

ISLETAS DE GRANADA ©Elena Simona Craciun - Shutterstock.com


Free discovery of Granada

We suggest you discover this colonial jewel on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. You can visit the Cathedral, the church of La Merced and the Xalteva church around which the city of Granada was originally built. You can climb the tower of the church of La Merced to get a bird's eye view of the city and observe the lake from up there. Then, we invite you to immerse yourself in the central market and its colorful stalls. For the cigar lovers, a cigar factory is located in the city center, guided tours and workshops are offered. At the end of the morning, you can enjoy a cocktail made with Flor de Caña on Calle de la Calzada.

Los Pueblos Blancos

Take a stroll through the streets of these small villages known for their handicrafts (pottery, leather goods and hammocks).

The Laguna de Apoyo

Free afternoon to rest and swim in the enchanting setting of the Laguna de Apoyo, an ancient volcanic crater now filled with fresh water. 

Night in a comfortable hotel in the center of Granada. 




Day 16 : Masaya, town and volcano

Masaya Volcan National Park. ©Hbrizard - iStockphoto


Discovery of Masaya

Today, we will stop in Masaya to discover this small city whose artisanal market is famous. You will cross the pleasant central park Julio Cesar and will come across many producers of Nicaraguan hammocks which are then sold in all the country. Then, you will be able to stroll along the belvedere that borders the lagoon Masaya, with a view of the volcano of the same name. Nearby you can enjoy the Catarina lookout which offers a panoramic view of the Laguna de Apoyo. 

The Masaya volcano by night!

The Masaya Volcano National Park is a place that will give you another vision of what is happening under the earth's crust. With its five craters, the Masaya, called "Popogatepe" by the Nahuált natives, is the most accessible active volcano in the world. The tour consists of discovering it at dusk to enjoy the sunset, the lava lake and the observation of the local fauna.

Night in a comfortable hotel in the center of Granada. 




Day 17 : Hasta luego Nicaragua !

Marché central de Masaya. ©Wei Seah - Shutterstock.com


Drive back to Managua International Airport for your international flight (1 hours drive).

Return your rental car to the airport.




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