Cycle Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival -- Granada

   Your journey begins in Granada, a colonial architectural gem, situated at the foot of Mombacho volcano on the north-west shore of Lake Nicaragua. Founded in 1524 by the conquistador Hernandez de Cordoba, it was the first colonial city in Nicaragua, as you can see in its many baroque and Renaissance buildings.
   
   The tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at approximately 6pm this evening for the welcome meeting. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you will need to arrive at Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua, which is a 45-minute drive from the hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
   
   If you arrive earlier in the day, you might like to explore the picturesque, cobbled streets and grab a fresh juice or coffee in one of the local cafes or eateries.
   
   

   • Hotel Con Corazon (or similar)
2. Day 2Cycle by Lake Nicaragua. Visit Masaya Volcano National Park (optional)

   This morning, you'll hop on the bikes and set out on a short cycle ride from the hotel to the shores of Lake Nicaragua - giving everyone time to get comfortable with their bikes. After returning to the hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore Granada at your own pace. Its narrow lanes and historic buildings offer a perfect setting for discovery, and you can enjoy lunch at your leisure.
   
   There are optional activities you can get involved with this afternoon. These include a Granada City Tour. The tour leader will give you more information.
   
      
   

   • 6.8 miles
   • Hotel Con Corazon (or similar)
   • Breakfast
3. Day 3Cycle on Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua

   Leaving Granada behind this morning, you'll drive up into the highland villages, famed locally for their ancient beliefs relating to witchcraft. High up in Catarina village, you'll soak in the expansive views across the spectacular, blue Apoyo Lagoon in the volcanic crater before getting on your bike. The route covers 20 kilometres/12.40 miles through the tropical countryside, giving a glimpse of the local villagers' and farmers' lives. Once you reach the Panamericana Highway, you'll continue by bus and drive to the small town of San Jorge, where you'll take the one-hour ferry over to the volcanic island of Ometepe.
   
   On arrival, you'll get back on your bike and ride one hour - 13 kilometres/8.1 miles to the hotel in Charco Verde (or two hours - 26 kilometres/16.2 miles if the hotel is located on Santo Domingo beach), always with the imposing Concepcion volcano in view on your left.
   

   • 20.5 - 28.6 miles
   • 2,559.1 ft
     2,559.1 ft
   • Charco Verde (or similar)
   • Breakfast
4. Day 4Optional ride around Maderas Volcano

   Ometepe is made up of two volcanoes, which rise up from the waters of Lake Nicaragua - the perfect cone of Concepcion and the slightly smaller Maderas Volcano.
   
   Today is free for you to explore solo and the tour leader will explain various optional excursions. Please note, these will vary slightly if you're staying in Charco Verde or Santo Domingo.
   
   You might choose to go off-road and cycle a section around Maderas Island, reaching Finca Merida where you have the possibility of sea kayaking. There are plenty of birds and insects to be spotted in the area and en route you'll see rural Nicaragua at its best, with lush tropical vegetation and small hamlets. Later, you might want to cycle to Alta Gracia village, where you can relax and swim at the fabulous Ojo de Agua lagoon or you may prefer to cycle to Santo Domingo beach for some rest and relaxation.
   

   • Charco Verde (or similar)
   • Breakfast
5. Day 5 Over the border to Costa Rica

   You'll start the day with a cycle ride back to the ferry port. From Charco Verde this is 13 kilometres/8 miles and from Santo Domingo this would be 26 kilometres/16 miles. You'll then cross back to the mainland by ferry and drive the short distance to the Costa Rican border. After border crossing formalities (which can be extremely slow and require a bit of patience) you'll drive three hours to Tilaran where you'll spend the night.
   

   • 8.1 - 16.2 miles
   • Hotel Guadalupe (or similar)
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6Cycle around Arenal Lake and Volcano

   A 45-minute drive this morning brings you to the starting point for your ride around Arenal Lake; a challenging route that takes in the spectacular backdrop of the volcano. Set in an area of a national park covering 9,884 acres, Arenal volcano has been especially active since the massive eruption of 1968. This, along with the impressive manmade Lake Arenal, has helped the area to regenerate through tourism. Since 2010 Arenal's volcanic activity appears to be decreasing.
   
   Your challenging ride ends in the town of La Fortuna where you'll spend the next two nights. For those interested, it is possible to start earlier today and ride a total of 68 kilometres/42.3 miles (total 1,390 metres/4,560 feet accumulated ascent and 1,850 metres/6,069 feet descent).
   

   • 28.6 miles
   • 3,543.3 ft
     3,543.3 ft
   • Arenal Country Inn (or similar)
   • Breakfast
7. Day 7Free Day in La Fortuna

   Today is left free for resting or exploring the tropical rainforest in more depth on either a canopy excursion, a visit to the hot springs or a jungle walk across hanging bridges. Alternatively, you might like to cycle in and around La Fortuna, taking in some of the impressive scenery, agricultural lands, cascading waterfalls and hot springs. This is one of the fertile high plateaux where most of Costa Rica's crops are grown.
   
   
   

   • 31.1 miles
   • 1,968.5 ft
     1,968.5 ft
   • Arenal Country Inn (or similar)
   • Breakfast
8. Day 8Cycle through the stunning Orosi Valley to Turrialba

   You'll start the day with a four-hour drive to the small town of Orosi, set in the impressive Orosi Valley, forged by the meandering course of the powerful Reventazón River. This picturesque valley is the setting for today's ride, as you'll discover the lush green vistas of what many consider to be some of the country's best landscapes. Your destination is the accommodation located outside Turrialba, amid the central valleys, lush tropical gardens and volcanic peaks of Turrialba Volcano National Park.
   

   • 28.6 miles
   • 3,871.4 ft
     3,871.4 ft
   • Turrialtico Hotel (or similar)
   • Breakfast
9. Day 9Cycle to the Panamanian border. On to Bocas del Toro idyllic islands

   Driving up over the nearby mountain ridges this morning, you'll then descend by bus towards the Caribbean coast. After about two hours, you'll reach Penhurst where you'll switch from the bus to bikes and cycle a totally different side of Costa Rica along the beach towns on the coast. You'll finish the ride at Punta Uva, where you will then jump on the bus to transfer to the border. You can then cross the Panamanian border by foot. Once again, the border crossing may be very slow and requires patience. 

   You'll then continue by bus (one hour) to the port of Almirante, from where you can take a boat to the Isla Colon and the small town of Bocas de Toro, your base for exploring the stunning archipelago and the equally spectacular Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos. The archipelago itself is made up of several beautiful, forested islands lying in warm Caribbean waters and the laid-back beaches and dazzling reefs make this the ideal Caribbean paradise to relax or explore.
   

   • 23.6 miles
   • 984.3 ft
     984.3 ft
   • Hotel Swans Cay (or similar)
   • Breakfast
10. Day 10Free day on Bocas del Toro. Optional snorkel, boat trip...

    Today is free to enjoy the Caribbean with several optional activities that you might like to try. The islands boast stunning beaches and coral reefs and there are opportunities to snorkel or dive the rich waters. You may like to take a boat trip around the archipelago and marine park or visit one of the uninhabited outlying islands.
    
    The bikes will not be available today as they cannot be carried across to the island on the ferry.
    
    

    • Hotel Swans Cay (or similar)
    • Breakfast
11. Day 11Drive over the continental divide and ride on to Santiago

    After taking the short ferry ride back to Almirante, you'll drive south and then upwards over the Continental Divide and the cool Panamanian highlands, a journey of two and a half hours. You'll commence today's cycle at Fortuna Lake (1,070 metres/3,510 feet above sea level) and the route offers a few ascents and a long downhill before reaching some fabulous natural pools in the forest for a refreshing dip. You'll continue by bus from Gualaca for three hours to the centre of the country and your stop in Santiago, a busy provincial town and one of the oldest settlements in the country.
    

    • 21.7 miles
    • Hotel Gran David (or similar)
    • Breakfast
12. Day 12Cycle through farmland and ranches. Drive on to Panama City

    Today's cycle ride begins near Santiago and you'll pass farmland and ranches that offer an insight into a traditional and rural Panamanian way of life. After lunch, you'll drive to Panama City (three-and-a-half hours), hopefully with time for a swim in the Pacific Ocean before arriving at your final destination. In the evening, you can explore the neighbourhood around the hotel - full of good restaurants and street life.
    

    • 23.6 miles
    • 1,476.4 ft
      1,476.4 ft
    • Hampton by Hilton Panama (or similar)
    • Breakfast
13. Day 13Visit Panama Canal. Coastal bike path in Panama City

    A short drive out of town takes you to Miraflores Lock, one of the best viewing points on the Panama Canal. You can take time to explore the story of the canal construction in the excellent museum and see huge container ships making their way through this major lock separating the Pacific Ocean from the 26 metres/85 feet higher Gatun Lake in the interior of the Canal zone.

    After a short drive back to Panama City, you will cycle along the short but impressive new cycle path that follows the coastline from the Canal Zone and through Panama Vieja, affording fabulous views of Panama City's impressive skyline. The afternoon is free for you to take a walk through fantastic Panama Vieja - the historic town from colonial times - and you can have your farewell dinner here.
    

    • 4.3 miles
    • Hampton by Hilton Panama (or similar)
    • Breakfast
14. Day 14Trip ends in Panama City

    The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Panama City.
    
    There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at your hotel.
    
    If you'd like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Tocumen International Airport (PTY), which is which is a 45-minute drive away.
    
    

    • Breakfast