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The " Centroamérica Viva itinerary offers you an exceptional 18 days / 17 nights journey through the heart of Central America, where every border crossing unveils a new story. From the canals of modern Panama to the ancient Mayan ruins of Guatemala, this itinerary celebrates the natural, cultural, and human diversity of six fascinating countries: Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.

The program offers a comprehensive experience combining tropical landscapes, active volcanoes, Pacific beaches, volcanic lakes, and charming colonial towns filled with history. Each destination has been carefully chosen to showcase the very best of the region, featuring superior tourist-class accommodations, private transfers, and regional flights for maximum comfort and efficiency.

Guided by professional bilingual experts, travelers will enjoy a balanced journey of nature, culture, and tradition. Perfect for those seeking to explore Central America in depth—without rushing—backed by the reliability and experience of destination specialists.

Itineraries

Day 1

Panama City / Arrival:

  • Arrival in Panama City. Private transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at selected hotel.
  • Arrival assistance and free time to rest.

Day 2

Panama City / Canal & Casco Antiguo:

  • Visit to the Panama Canal (locks) and walking tour of the Casco Antiguo. Transfer, guide and entrance fees included.
  • Return to hotel and accommodation.

Day 3

Panama City / Emberá Community:

  • Excursion to the Emberá Indigenous Reserve: river transfer, cultural encounter, traditional performance and typical lunch. Transfer, guide and entrances included.
  • Transfer to airport for regional flight to Costa Rica.

Day 4

San José → La Fortuna (Arenal) / Transfer & Arenal:

  • Arrival in San José and private transfer to La Fortuna. Accommodation at Arenal area hotel.
  • Free time to enjoy thermal facilities (subject to hotel).

Day 5

Arenal / Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Waterfall:

  • Guided visit to Arenal Volcano and hike to La Fortuna Waterfall. Transfer, guide, entrances and lunch as per program.
  • Return and accommodation.

Day 6

La Fortuna → Río Celeste (Tenorio National Park):

  • Private transfer to Río Celeste. Guided visit to Tenorio Volcano National Park and Río Celeste waterfall. Transfer, guide and lunch included as per program. Accommodation in the area.

Day 7

Río Celeste → Peñas Blancas Border → Granada (Nicaragua):

  • Private transfer to Peñas Blancas border and assistance with border crossing. Continue to Granada, arrival and accommodation. Panoramic city tour (horse-drawn carriage).

Day 8

Granada / Isletas, La Calzada and Masaya Market:

  • Boat tour of the Lake Islets, walk along La Calzada and visits to artisan workshops. Evening visit to Masaya Volcano (subject to operation). Transfer, guide and entrances included.

Day 9

Granada → León (Nicaragua)

  • Private transfer to León. Walking tour of the historic center and visit to León Cathedral. Accommodation in León.

Day 10

León → Regional flight → Suchitoto / San Salvador (El Salvador)

  • Transfer to airport and regional flight to El Salvador. Transfer to Suchitoto with a short stop at San Salvador’s historic center. Accommodation in Suchitoto.

Day 11

Suchitoto → Joya de Cerén → Cerro Verde

  • Visit to the archaeological site of Joya de Cerén and tour of Cerro Verde National Park. Entrances and transfers included. Accommodation in the area.

Day 12

Ruta de las Flores: Ataco and Santa Ana → Transfer to Copán (Honduras)

  • Tour of Concepción de Ataco and panoramic stop in Santa Ana. Transfer to Copán Ruinas (Honduras) and accommodation.

Day 13

Copán / Archaeological site

  • Guided visit to the Copán archaeological complex. Transfer, guide and entrances included. Accommodation.

Day 14

Copán → Río Dulce (Guatemala) / Quiriguá

  • Transfer to the Guatemalan Caribbean region. En route visit to the archaeological site of Quiriguá. Arrival to Río Dulce / Livingston and accommodation.

Day 15

Río Dulce → Livingston → Transfer to Petén

  • Boat trip along Río Dulce to Livingston, visit the Garífuna community and land transfer to Petén. Accommodation in the Petén area.

Day 16

Petén / Tikal → Flight to Guatemala City

  • Full day excursion to Tikal National Park. Transfer, guide, entrances and lunch included. Transfer to the airport and flight to Guatemala City; reception and transfer to Antigua. Accommodation in Antigua.

Day 17

Antigua Guatemala / Historical tour

  • Visit to Cerro de la Cruz and historical walking tour of Antigua: plazas, churches and main monuments. Transfer and guide included. Accommodation.

Day 18

Antigua → Transfer to airport / End of program

  • Private transfer to La Aurora International Airport for return flight. End of services.
  • Accommodation for 17 nights in carefully selected superior tourist-class hotels, chosen for their location, comfort, and service quality.
  • Daily breakfast included at all hotels.
  • Private or shared ground transfers between airports, hotels, and international borders as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Regional flights between destinations when required, including checked luggage.
  • Personalized assistance upon arrival and departure in each country.
  • Excursions and guided visits mentioned in the itinerary, led by professional bilingual guides (Spanish and English).
  • Entrance fees to national parks, natural reserves, museums, and archaeological sites as per the program.
  • Comfortable air-conditioned tourist transportation throughout the trip.
  • On-route assistance and customer service provided by Best of Costa Rica DMC and local partners.
  • All hotel taxes and service charges included.
  • Travel insurance and medical expenses.
  • Drinks and meals not specified in the program.
  • Gratuities for local staff (guides, drivers, hotel staff).
  • Optional activities or services not specified in the itinerary.
  • Airport taxes, visa fees or administrative charges not mentioned.
  • Personal expenses and shopping.

Yes, a valid passport is mandatory to enter Costa Rica.

Depending on your country of origin, you may enter Costa Rica without a visa. Citizens of the USA, Canada and most European countries enjoy this privilege.

The colón is Costa Rica’s currency. U.S. dollars are also widely accepted.

All major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are located throughout the country.

No, with a legal driver’s license you can drive for three months in Costa Rica.

Departure tax is US$29.00, which can be paid in U.S. dollars, colones or with a credit card.

Sales tax is 13%.

Outlets are 110 V, with standard U.S. two prong plugs

We’d love it! Anyone getting married here must be 18 or older. Nonresidents need the following documents to get married here: original birth certificates, affidavit of single status, police record, valid passport and a divorce decree (if applicable). These documents must follow the authentication procedure before you bring them to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica’s digital nomad program invites international residents to work remotely from the land of Pura Vida. This program extends a 90-day tourist visa to a full year, with the option to renew for an additional year (conditions apply).

Costa Rica offers different ways to legalize your status: temporary resident, pensioner or foreign government mission. For more legal information, contact the Costa Rican consulate or the Association of Residents of Costa Rica at https://arcr.cr.

Dogs and cats entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, endorsed by a veterinarian service. The examination for the certificate must be conducted within the two weeks prior to traveling to Costa Rica. The required vaccinations are: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and rabies (for animals 4 months or older).

The Tico Times – www.ticotimes.net

Yes, the water is potable in most of the country. We would only recommend bottled water for a few rural areas. Bring your reusable water bottle to decrease your footprint while you’re here. When starting your adventure for the day, fill up your bottle before you leave because refill stations may be a long trek to locate.

Travelers from the following countries must have received a yellow fever vaccination certificate: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and the Republic of Guyana.

• Keep your belongings somewhere safe while enjoying the sea or leave them somewhere they can be watched.
• Always use reef-safe sunscreen to avoid sunburns.
• When possible, don’t swim on your own.
• Consult the authorities about the current beach conditions.
• Be aware of warning flags on the beach.
• Do not enter the ocean if you don’t know how to swim. If you’re surfing as a beginner, stay under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

The main difference is the amount of rain. It doesn’t rain as much in the cloud forest as it does in the rainforest. The species of flora and fauna may also differ.

Be sure to bring insect repellent, a raincoat with a hood and a comfortable pair of hiking boots.

You can practice at Pacuare, Reventazón, Corobici, Sarapiqui, Naranjo and Savegre rivers.

You can see sea turtles in Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast or Las Baulas National Marine Park on the Pacific coast.

Cahuita National Park, Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Santa Rosa National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Irazu Volcano National Park, Poás Volcano National Park, Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, and Caño Negro Mixed National Wildlife Refuge offer wheelchair access.