Costa Rica & Nicaragua round trip - Beautiful Central America

We recommend a trip to Nicaragua and Costa Rica between December and April. There’s little rainfall during this time, and temperatures are pleasantly warm. However, there’s a difference between the temperatures in the lowlands, at high altitudes, and on the coasts. Although there’s a chance of short but heavier showers every day during the rainy season between May and November, the months are ideal for exploring the lush rainforest.

Bienvenidos in Central America! When you land at Managua International Airport, a representative from our partner agency will greet you and take you to your transfer vehicle. After about a 30-minute drive, you’ll reach your first hotel in the Nicaraguan capital’s city center. Freshen up in your room and relax with a cool drink by the outdoor pool.

The capital is the largest city in the country, with one million inhabitants. But it doesn’t feel like you’re in a big metropolis when you’re here. Soak in the Latin American spirit in the Mercado Oriental, where you can find everything your heart desires. Our tip: you’ll find the best souvenirs at Mercado Central (Mercado Roberto Huembes). You can find wooden art, pictures, and colorful textiles at low prices.

Travel time Managua Airport - Hotel Managua: approx. 30 minutes / approx. 13 km

2 nights with breakfast in Managua, Nicaragua

Start the morning with a hearty breakfast before you head out in your rental car and explore the wonders of Nicaragua. Take a detour to the former capital, León. Drive through beautiful panoramic roads and soak in fantastic views of the two volcanoes, Momotombo and Momotombito. Make a quick stop and capture these breathtaking sights. Once you arrive in León, discover the major sights.

León Cathedral: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest and oldest cathedral in Central America (constructed between the 18th and 19th centuries) and is known as Basilica de la Asunción. We recommend going to the cathedral’s viewing platform and experiencing an unforgettable view of the city and surrounding volcanoes.

Hervideros de San Jacinto: About 15 minutes from León is the small town of San Jacinto, a geothermal area that bubbles, steams, and smells strongly of sulfur. See how the white steam emerges from the cracks.

Rum factory in Chichigalpa: Welcome to Chichigalpa, Nicaragua's sugar and rum capital. It is approximately 45 kilometers north of León and is home to its most award-winning rum brand, Flor de Caña. Learn about the rum production in the distillery and taste the product at the end of the tour.

Juan Venado Nature Reserve: Discover Nicaragua’s best-kept secret! The 22-kilometer-long island offers unique beauty boasting spectacular flor and fauna. You can look forward to seeing more than 106 bird species, turtles, and crocodiles.

Travel time Managua - León: approx. 1.5 hours / approx. 90 km

After a replenishing breakfast in your hotel, pack your bags and continue the adventure to Granada, an old colonial city in the south. It nestles on Lake Nicaragua’s west coast and is a popular excursion destination. You can experience spectacular nature, cultural heritage, and endless adventures in its colorful center. The charming and relaxed atmosphere of the city exudes through its colorful houses and Latin American warmth.

Do you fancy an epic adrenaline rush? Do you dare to climb an active volcano?

Have your camera at hand because this journey feels like it’s straight out of a picture book. Meander through the streets beside a stunning volcanic landscape, and follow its path past lush green trees and small villages. Around noon, you’ll arrive at your hotel.

Travel time Managua - Granada: approx. 1 hour / approx. 45 km

3 nights with breakfast in Granada, Nicaragua

Rise and shine in Granada! Prepare yourself for the day with a delicious breakfast before setting off for your discovery tour through the city.

La Pólvora Fortress: The 1749 fortress was an ammunition depot for Granada’s defense, later used as barracks and a prison. Nowadays, it’s a military museum of modern weapons. Let your gaze wander over the city and the surrounding nature from one of the watchtowers.

Isletas de Granada: Around 360 small islands make up Lake Nicaragua. Go on a 40-minute boat trip and visit the inhabited mini-islands of volcanic origin.

La Merced Church: The beautiful, magnificent church, decorated with statues, dates from the 18th century and offers a great view.

Ascent to the Mombacho Volcano: This experience is not for the faint of heart! The 1345 meter volcano is about 10 kilometers from Granada and offers an unforgettable adventure. Via an incredibly steep road, you’ll pass through coffee plantations and the cloud forest. Here is where you can choose between three different hiking trail difficulties. Hike along huge craters and soak in the lush flora and fauna views. At the top of the summit, you’ll find an unforgettable sight, an information center, and a café with delicious cakes and pastries.

Canopy tour in Mombacho Volcano: Feel like Tarzan as you swing from platform to platform in the middle of a coffee plantation in the cloud forest. Here you’ll not only feel the wind but also get up close and personal with Nicaragua’s lush flora and fauna.

Masaya Volcano: Masaya is about 20 kilometers from Granada with Nicaragua’s first national park, established in 1979. The visitor center welcomes you at the entrance and informs you about the volcano and surrounding flora and fauna. Did you know that Masaya Volcano is one of the most easily accessible volcanoes in the world?

And if you’re now in the mood for the best cake and delicious coffee, then we recommend Café de Los Suenos. It’s the café of dreams because of its homemade cake and tasty paninis.

After three beautiful days in Granada, you’ll say goodbye to Nicaragua and make your way to Costa Rica!

In your rental car, drive to the Peñas Blancas border, and drop off your rental car at the station. After you’ve gone through passport control and completed all border formalities, you’ll receive your new rental car on Costa Rican soil. Now it’s time to set off for the natural paradise of Rincon de la Vieja! During the two-hour drive, pass the two national parks of Santa Rosa and Guanacaste. The vast dry forest reserve is home to a wide variety of animals, so with a bit of luck, you might see coatis, pumas, sloths, and jaguars!

When you reach Rincon de la Vieja, check into your hotel that resides at the foot of a volcano.

Travel time Granada - Rincon de la Vieja: approx. 3 hours / approx. 200 km

2 nights with breakfast in Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica

The hotel’s activities offer a wide range of opportunities to discover the beauties of the surrounding nature. Explore the beautiful flora and fauna on horseback!

Make a detour to the 14,000 hectares Rincon de la Vieja National Park. You will discover the bubbling mud holes and spectacular waterfalls in the middle of the 1895 meter high Rincon de la Vieja volcano. Walk on a narrow, almost invisible path through nature, searching for curious monkeys and 257 bird species!

Our recommendation: go on a discovery tour with an experienced guide. As they tell you the secrets of the forest, they will take you to the best places for amazing photos of Costa Rica’s wildlife! What do you think of a picture with a cute sloth?

In the early morning, continue the trip to Tenorio. This destination nestles between two volcanoes: Tenorio and Miravalles. An eco-friendly lodge welcomes you to its three-hectare garden, which offers protection for Costa Rica’s abundant wildlife. The lodge’s unique louver window design makes you feel like you’re sitting directly amongst nature! Observe the playful monkeys in the trees and let your gaze wander over the landscape’s endless expanse.

Don’t forget your hiking shoes because we recommend a trek through the Tenorio National Park to the turquoise-colored Rio Celeste. Because of the accommodation’s ideal location, you can easily reach the national park’s entrance in just a few minutes. The well-equipped small paths show you the way into the rainforest. Since two rivers meet here, the turquoise color forms like a chemical reaction. Can you hear the sound of the majestic waterfall? Although the descent is a bit slippery, the sight is worth it.

Travel time Rincon de la Vieja - Tenorio / Bijagua: approx. 1.5 hours / approx. 100 km

2 nights with breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Tenorio, Costa Rica

After breakfast in your modern lodge, a scenic road leads you to Arenal Volcano. You can already see how the volcano’s summit rises toward the sky from a distance.

A hike through the Arenal Volcano National Park is a must. Choose your difficulty level and hike through lush nature and cooled lava fields. On a suspension bridge tour (optional), you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Costa Rica’s rich flora and fauna. You can see monkeys relaxing high up in the trees or hanging out with their little ones from time to time. With your binoculars, look across the treetops and watch colorful birds and cute sloths. Do you hear the trees rustling? Listen to the local birds sing, and with a bit of luck, you might even catch a glimpse of the colorful toucan.

Travel time Tenorio / Bijagua - Arenal: approx. 2.5 hours / approx. 80 km

2 nights with breakfast, Arenal, Costa Rica

Today you’ll drive into the Costa Rican jungle into the Maquenque National Park. In the middle of the rainforest, on a riverbank of the San Carlos River, you’ll find your eco-friendly accommodation for the next two nights.

With your rental car, drive on gravel roads past pineapple plantations and across the river in a boat. Let the adventure begin!

How about some optional excursions today? We have a few suggestions for you. Enjoy Costa Rica’s unspoiled nature during a canoe tour. We recommend bringing binoculars because there’s a lot to see! Where else will you have the chance to see crocodiles and iguanas so closely?

On a guided day or night hike through the rainforest, you’ll experience Costa Rica from its most beautiful side. Soak in the silence, listen to the birdsong, and discover the roar of the monkeys.

Travel time Arenal - Boca Tapada: approx. 2 hours / approx. 120 km

2 nights with breakfast in Boca Tapada, Costa Rica

After breakfast in your secluded, ecological lodge, set off for the last stop on your journey. Today’s destination is the Costa Rican capital San José. Follow the road to the south, which will spoil you with countless impressions. Pass magnificent pineapple, banana, and papaya plantations until you reach the country’s cultural center in the afternoon.

Check into your hotel and get used to the lively big-city flair. The metropolis is on a plateau surrounded by numerous green mountains and offers exciting exploration tours to the Poas Volcano and the Braulio Carillo National Park.

Travel time Boca Tapada - San José: approx. 3.5 hours / approx. 200 km

1 night with breakfast in San José, Costa Rica

The last day of your tour begins today. After a hearty breakfast, return your rental car and head to the international airport. Would you like to extend your trip? Contact us!

itravel - for that moment.

Hotel Los Robles***, Managua, Nicaragua (2 nights)

Welcome to the small boutique hotel with colonial charm, not far from the hustle and bustle of the city center. They offer 16 lovingly furnished rooms, all of which have a private bathroom, air conditioning, and a safe. The delicious breakfast ensures a good start to the day, and at the hotel’s restaurant Le Café de Paris, they’ll spoil you with French specialties. At the outdoor pool, unwind amongst the beautiful garden.

Hotel Real La Merced***, Granada, Nicaragua (3 nights)

The hotel’s world-class service and attentive staff will make you feel at home immediately upon check-in. This charming hotel nestles in the old town of Granada and has an outdoor swimming pool and gym. You can look forward to 18 comfortably furnished rooms with all amenities. Lake Nicaragua is only a five-minute drive away, and the Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve is only 15 minutes away.

Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin***, Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica (2 nights)

The ecological hotel welcomes you at the foot of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. A lush garden surrounds the ranch-style hotel and offers 54 rooms with a terrace. Hot springs, bubbling mud holes, and exciting hiking trails await you in the nearby Rincon de la Vieja National Park. With the hotel concierge, you can book exciting activities such as horseback riding, trekking, bird watching, and canopy tours. At the in-house restaurant, they serve international dishes alongside local dishes. Make yourself comfortable at the spacious outdoor pool and relax after an eventful day in the national park.

Celeste Mountain Lodge***, Tenorio, Costa Rica (2 nights)

The environmentally friendly lodge awaits you in a vast natural garden between the two volcanoes, Tenorio and Miravalles. For up-close experiences with Costa Rica’s wildlife, this accommodation is the place for you. They offer 18 spacious and modern rooms in a minimalist style with spectacular panoramic views of the lush mountains. All rooms have a bedside lamp, a private bathroom, a shower, a hairdryer, and shelves.

You will feel like you are sitting in the middle of nature because the rooms have no windows, only mosquito nets and wooden panels. Celeste Mountain Lodge attaches great importance to their food: every day, they will pamper you at large tables with three included meals of local cuisine.

Arenal Lodge***, Arenal, Costa Rica (2 nights)

Arenal Lodge welcomes you just two kilometers from the famous Arenal Volcano. Its ideal location makes it the perfect starting point to explore the national park’s flora and fauna. You can look forward to geothermal areas, exciting hiking trails through the rainforest, and adventure activities such as canopy tours. After an eventful day, the fabulous outdoor pool is the perfect refuge for relaxation. The 50 spacious rooms pamper you with fascinating views of the volcano and come equipped with a small refrigerator and a microwave. A varied menu awaits you in the in-house restaurant.

Maquenque Ecolodge***, Boca Tapada, Costa Rica (2 nights)

The lodge nestles in the heart of the national park and extends over 60 hectares north of Boca Tapada. You can only reach the accommodation by boat because the San Carlos River surrounds it. In the 14 bungalows, guests can enjoy ample space, balcony furniture with a fantastic view of the lagoon, and a private bathroom.

For the food lovers, you are in good hands at El Paso de la Lapa. You can enjoy delicious dishes from the lodge’s vegetable garden in the form of a buffet.

Country Inn & Suites***, San José, Costa Rica (1 night)

The modern Country Inn & Suites awaits you with two fantastic outdoor pools and friendly service. In the 92 rooms, you can enjoy comfortable furnishings, a microwave, tea/coffee making equipment, a minibar, and a safe. In the Mambi Restaurant, you can try delicious dishes of international and local cuisine, and it’s only a few minutes drive to the famous Poas Volcano.

Duration of the trip: 15 days / 14 nights

Including

• 5 nights in the mentioned hotels in Nicaragua with breakfast

• 9 nights in the mentioned hotels in Costa Rica with 9x breakfast, 1x lunch, and 2x dinner

• Private transfer with a Spanish-speaking driver from Managua Airport to Hotel Los Robles

• 5 days rental car in Nicaragua (Hyundai Tuscon 4x2 or similar)

• 9 days rental car in Costa Rica (Hyundai Tuscon 4x2 or similar)

Excluding

• International flights

• Entrance fees to national parks or similar

• Prices for optional tours

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the scope of services

• Rental car: gasoline, GPS, deposit, insurance, additional driver to be paid on-site

• Tourist Card (about 10 USD)

• Airport tax upon departure (approx 29 USD per person)

• Fees at the Nicaragua-Costa Rica border (around 3 USD)

• Personal expenses

• Visa, if required

Notes

• Prices based on occupancy in a double room

Rental car:

• Rental cars charged according to a strict 24-hour cycle

• Driver must be at least 25 years old

• You must present a valid credit card to rent a car (AMEX, VISA, or Master Card)

• You must return the rental cars with a full tank of fuel

• The general terms and conditions of the rental company apply