Colourful Buildings, Salvador, Brazil

El Salvador, Nicaragua & Costa Rica

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

23 Days

Prices Start from

£11,750pp(ex. flights)

This intrepid holiday to Central America journeys overland between the smallest and the largest of the region’s countries. From El Salvador through Nicaragua to Costa Rica, all three destinations are bursting with wildlife, epic volcanic scenery, UNESCO sites, colonial history and remote communities.

El Salvador sets the tone, small in size but mighty in terms of its variety and impact. A watery border crossing leads to the shores of Nicaragua, where the theme of water continues, with lakes, volcanic islands and pacific coastal beaches abound. Conclude your journey in Costa Rica, exploring the jungle canopies in Arenal.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua 1

Become a Vulcanologist

Sandboard down, hike up and peer into the chain of giant volcanos that form the backbone of Central America.

Underwater shot, bright blue water with turtle swimming. 2

Hang out with Hawksbills

Join a team of marine biologists to capture, tag and document giant Pacific sea turtles.

View over Granada City towards Lake Nicaragua, Granada, Nicaragua 3

Be a Cultural Adventurer

Meet survivors of El Salvador’s civil war and visit the unique art communities on Nicaragua’s remote Solentiname Islands.

Chestnut Mandibled Toucan, Nicaragua 4

Go Wild

Meet the larger residents of a wide variety of biospheres and discover a world of insanely colourful birdlife.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    San Salvador

  • Day 2

    San Salvador - Ahuachapan (Casa 1800 Ataco)

  • Day 3

    Ahuachapan (Casa 1800 Ataco)

  • Day 4

    Ahuachapan - Suchitoto (Casa 1800)

  • Day 5

    Suchitoto (Casa 1800)

  • Day 6

    Suchitoto - Perquin (Perkin Lenca Cabins)

  • Day 7

    Perquin - Jiquilisco Bay (Puerto Barillas Marina and Lodge)

  • Day 8

    Jiquilisco Bay (Puerto Barillas Marina and Lodge)

  • Day 9

    Jiquilisco Bay - Leon City (El Convento Leon)

  • Day 10

    Leon City (El Convento Leon)

  • Day 11

    Leon City - Granada (Hotel Plaza Colon)

  • Day 12

    Granada (Hotel Plaza Colon)

  • Day 13

    Granada - Solentiname Archipelago (Cabanas Paraiso)

  • Day 14

    Solentiname Archipelago (Cabanas Paraiso)

  • Day 15

    Solentiname Archipelago - Ometepe Island (San Juan de la Isla)

  • Day 16

    Ometepe Island (San Juan de la Isla)

  • Day 17

    Ometepe Island - San Juan Del Sur (Morgans Rock Hacienda & Eco Lodge)

  • Days 18 - 19

    San Juan Del Sur (Morgans Rock Hacienda & Eco Lodge)

  • Day 20

    San Juan Del Sur - Arenal (Nayara Tented Camp)

  • Days 21 - 22

    Arenal (Nayara Tented Camp)

  • Day 23

    Arenal - San Jose

Day 1

San Salvador

Arrive San Salvador. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 2

San Salvador - Ahuachapan (Casa 1800 Ataco)

Travel around two and a half hours to Parque El Imposible. Take a guided walk along nature trails through lush forest in search of fauna including eagle, hawk, puma, ocelot, anteater and rattlesnake. Continue for two hours to Concepcion de Ataco, just south of Ahuachapan.

Day 3

Ahuachapan (Casa 1800 Ataco)

Spend today exploring the 36 kilometre Flower Route with its picturesque highland towns and villages. Visit local communities and take a coffee process tour.

Day 4

Ahuachapan - Suchitoto (Casa 1800)

Full day transfer to Suchitoto, stopping along the way to visit the UNESCO site at Joya de Ceren, home to a remarkably preserved Maya farming village that was buried under layers of ash following a volcanic eruption around A.D. 600.

Day 5

Suchitoto (Casa 1800)

Full day exploration of Suchitoto, the first capital in El Salvador, founded by the Spanish in 1525.

Day 6

Suchitoto - Perquin (Perkin Lenca Cabins)

Full day transfer to Perquin, stopping enroute for a gentle walk at Tecapa Volcano and a visit to the nearby coffee producing town of Alegria, hometown of famous Salvadoran writer, Alberto Masferrer.

Day 7

Perquin - Jiquilisco Bay (Puerto Barillas Marina and Lodge)

Morning visit to the Revolution Museum which documents the civil war (1980 – 1992) and contains a number of artefacts from the conflict. Later transfer to Jiquilisco Bay.

Day 8

Jiquilisco Bay (Puerto Barillas Marina and Lodge)

This morning, visit Central America’s largest cacao plantation. In the afternoon, dependent on tidal conditions, join marine biologists to help monitor local turtle populations.

Day 9

Jiquilisco Bay - Leon City (El Convento Leon)

An early departure this morning to transfer to Nicaragua. A two-hour drive to the port at La Union is followed by a 90 minute boat trip across the Gulf of Fonseca to Potosi in Nicaragua. Meet with your guide and driver and transfer to Leon.

Day 10

Leon City (El Convento Leon)

Transfer to the base of the active Cerro Negro Volcano and hike to the summit of this young cindercone, before an (optional) exhilarating sand sledding trip down the west face of the cone. This afternoon explore the rich cultural and political history of Leon.

Day 11

Leon City - Granada (Hotel Plaza Colon)

Full day transfer to the colonial city of Granada stopping to visit the UNESCO ruins of Leon Viejo plus the white villages and local artisans of Masaya. This evening, witness the glowing lava lake of Masaya volcano at night.

Day 12

Granada (Hotel Plaza Colon)

Visit Mombacho volcano, one of the most prominent volcanoes in Nicaragua – take a walk around the extinct crater plus a canopy tour of the surrounding cloud forest, keeping an eye out for resident wildlife. This afternoon explore the charming city of Granada.

Day 13

Granada - Solentiname Archipelago (Cabanas Paraiso)

After a boat tour on picturesque Lake Nicaragua, transfer to the Solentiname Islands, a cluster of 36 islands in the south-east corner of Lake Nicaragua.

Day 14

Solentiname Archipelago (Cabanas Paraiso)

This morning, explore Guatuzos Nature reserve, one of the most extensive wetland areas in Central America and home to incredible wildlife. This afternoon visit San Fernando to learn about local village life in this remote region.

Day 15

Solentiname Archipelago - Ometepe Island (San Juan de la Isla)

After a morning visit to Macarron, the main island of the archipelago, transfer by boat to Colon, and onwards to the twin-volcano island of Ometepe.

Day 16

Ometepe Island (San Juan de la Isla)

With your guide, explore and learn about the nature and culture which have shaped this unique island. This afternoon take to the water by row boat along the Istian River and search for wildlife amidst the spectacular volcanic scenery.

Day 17

Ometepe Island - San Juan Del Sur (Morgans Rock Hacienda & Eco Lodge)

Morning at leisure before transferring by boat and land around two hours to the Pacific coast for your stay at Morgan’s Rock.

Days 18 - 19

San Juan Del Sur (Morgans Rock Hacienda & Eco Lodge)

Spend two days relaxing and enjoying some of the activities on offer at this special beachfront hotel.

Day 20

San Juan Del Sur - Arenal (Nayara Tented Camp)

Morning transfer for the 60 – 70 minute journey to the Penas Blancas border crossing with Costa Rica. Continue south for around three-and-a-half-hours to your accommodation in Arenal.

Days 21 - 22

Arenal (Nayara Tented Camp)

Spend two days exploring this region of waterfalls, forests and lakes, all at the foot of the perfectly conical Arenal volcano. Choose from a range of activities including white water rafting, zip lining, canopy walkways, horse riding, canyoning, mountain biking, windsurfing and hiking, all amidst outstanding scenery.

Day 23

Arenal - San Jose

Transfer around two and a half hours to San Jose airport for onward travel.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Hawksbill Turtle, Brazil
Hawksbill Turtle

Turtle Monitoring

Jiquilisco Bay in El Salvador is a natural protected Reserve, boasting the largest area of mangroves in the country along its coastline. If tidal conditions allow, join marine biologists to watch sea turtles in their natural environment and help with the scientific studies. See how local fishermen catch the sea turtles in specially designed nets, causing no harm to the animals. When the turtles are on board, the investigating team will measure, weigh and tag them.

Local Fishing on Lake Nicaragua, Granada, Nicaragua
Lake Nicaragua

Solentiname Archipelago

The Solentiname Archipelago is a cluster of 36 islands in the south-east corner of Lake Nicaragua. Only four of the islands are inhabited and the total population of the archipelago is around 800. These islands were relatively unknown until they were visited by Roman Catholic priest, Ernesto Cardenal, who arrived in the 1960s. He established a parish church and went on to nurture a community of artists, whom he encouraged to express themselves through art. Subsequently, a very distinctive, primitive or naïve art style developed on the islands that manifested itself as highly detailed paintings of idealised rain forests and watery scenes.

How does this holiday make a positive impact?

Over 23 days this holiday travels overland between three countries – with no internal flights and longer spent in each destination, we believe this is a far better way to travel, offering a more in depth experience and a lower carbon footprint.

As a destination, Costa Rica has some of the best principles and commitment to the environment – the army was formally abolished in 1949 and the money saved was put into improving the infrastructure and protecting the environment.

Thanks to a large working farm with cows, chickens, fruit and vegetable gardens, and even a sustainable shrimp farm, Morgan’s Rock sources roughly 60% of its food products from farming activities that take place right on the premises, including an ocean to table concept.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

El Convento, Leon £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • City

Hotel El Convento is one of Leon’s most charming hotels. This was the site of the former San Francisco Convent. The lovingly restored colonial buildings and carefully maintained gardens all add to the ambience and character. All 32 rooms are simple but equipped with modern comforts. Restaurant El Victoriano has a great reputation and there is a good range of local restaurants and bars on your doorstep.

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Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Morgan’s Rock is set in 4,000 acres of jungle, overlooking its own private beach and the Pacific Ocean. Constructed of raw materials the 15 bungalows and three two-bedroom villas dot the hillside, decorated with salvaged items, softened with heritage crafts and textiles. Each accommodation has its own veranda and seating area and five of the bungalows, as well as the villas, have private plunge pools. Choose between a forest or ocean view – positioned at treetop level, it is not uncommon to have monkeys scamper across your balcony or sloth poised in the tree beside you.

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Nayara Tented Camp £££££

  • Costa Rica
  • Tented Camps

Boasting plunge pools fed by natural hot springs, thoughtfully designed tents with eco-friendly touches, and a gourmet eatery with an expansive terrace, Nayara Tented Camp offers nature lovers a unique indoor-outdoor lodging experience within the confines of a National Park.

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A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £11,750 Per person

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