Costa Rica & Nicaragua Highlights

Highlights

• Soak in the hot springs near the base of Arenal, an active volcano!
• Zip line across incredible flora and fauna in Monteverde.
• Relax beachside in the laidback Nicaraguan town of San Juan del Sur.
• Feel history come alive in Granada, Nicaragua's oldest city!
• End your journey in the colonial city of Leon.

What's this trip about?

This two-country vacation will take you through breathtaking natural wonders, charming colonial cities and so much more. Arrive in Costa Rica's capital of San Jose for the night before picking up your rental car and driving to Arenal, home to an impressive active volcano. On the way, stop as much or as little as you'd like. Next, you will head to Monteverde, a sprawling cloud forest home to monkeys, birds of every shade, and a sea of green foliage. Take your pick of exciting outdoor activities, from zip lining to walking across a hanging bridge! The second part of your journey will have you exploring Costa Rica's sister country, Nicaragua. Rest and relax in the beach village of San Juan del Sur on the Pacific Ocean before moving on to Granada, one of Latin America's most beautiful colonial cities. This ancient town on the shores of mighty Lake Nicaragua is full of history and Spanish colonial charm, and is one of the oldest European settlements in the western hemisphere. Further up north you’ll have the chance to visit Leon, Nicaragua's colonial former capital, founded in the early 17th century and home to more than 12 colonial period churches, each one unique in its design - from tiny parish-size chapels to the mighty Cathedral, Central America's largest church.  Important car details: • When traveling from Costa Rica to Nicaragua, you will need to exchange your rental car at the Peñas Blancas Border (between Costa Rica and Nicaragua). You will leave the car rental that you used in Costa Rica and change to another vehicle for use in Nicaragua. The car exchange, border crossing and immigration process takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the season and time of day. • Once at the border point, you will have to return the car rental back to the Costa Rica car rental staff. Then you will proceed on your own through immigration and customs. After the immigration process is completed on the Costa Rican side, then you will have to walk approximately 650 feet (with your luggage) to a point call LA AGUJA. From there, you will need to walk another 900 feet to the Nicaraguan immigration building to get your passport stamped, and here you’ll be asked to pay the local fees. You’ll then proceed to the rental car office, located in front of the Nicaraguan immigration building at Aerocigar Building, another 300 feet away, to pick up your Nicaraguan rental car. Car rental details: • Minimum age to rent a car is 25 • Valid driver’s license and passport required at check-in • Mandatory daily insurance must be paid directly by the traveler at the time of rental, in destination • A mandatory deposit is required to be paid by credit card at time of rental (American Express, Master Card & Visa accepted). Deposit will be refunded when car is returned. • Rates include free mileage, and second driver at no cost • Car must be returned with a full tank of gas Helpful links for travel to Nicaragua: Visa & Passport/Travel Advisory Info Vaccines & Medications Info Helpful links for travel to Costa Rica: Visa & Passport/Travel Advisory Info Vaccines & Medications Info

Accommodation