Itinerary:  Days 1 – 11

Day 1:  Arriving in San Jose, Costa Rica you will be met individually and escorted to the waiting driver for the transfer to your hotel.  Meet your fellow travellers over pre-dinner drinks. D

Day 2: This morning we’ll explore the city of San Jose, discovering its history, culture and markets. First we’ll visit the splendid and historic Teatro Nacional and the city’s gustatory crossroads, its Central Market.  Not only is the central market a fantastic food and craft market it’s also the place to discover local life.   After lunch there will be time to further explore the delights of the city. BL

Day 3:  We’ll commence our day with a visit to Cartago. When Spanish Governor, Juan Vasquez de Coronado founded the city of Cartago in 1563, he claimed that he’d never seen a more beautiful valley.  To say nothing of the most majestic colonial buildings the Spanish constructed to complement its location. Lush green fields encircle the city, coffee seems to grow everywhere on the steep mountain slopes and in addition it forms the gateway to Lankester Botanical Gardens with its 800 species of orchids.  B

Day 4: Checking out of our hotel  this morning we’ll head to the Northern Plains home to the impressive Arenal Volcano. Keep an eye out for toucans overhead and sloths in the trees. Enjoy seeing how some of your favourite tropical fruits and vegetables are grown as we pass pineapple and banana plantations, fields of papayas, and rows and rows of yucca.

With an early afternoon arrival at our hotel we’ll have ample time to settle in and enjoy the hotel facilities including the mineral hot springs. BL

Day 5: A cable car tour will take us through the rain forest providing endless views.  Uniquely, we can stop the cable car at any time to capture magnificent photographs and observe the bird species which abound in the tropical forest. We’ll take a walk on the wild side via the famous hanging bridges of Costa Rica. This 3km trail has 16 state-of-the-art hanging bridges accessing the forest’s rich biodiversity and looping through the mountainous area.  Here we’ll both hear and see the animals nestling in the tree tops.  BL

Day 6:  After a leisurely breakfast we’ll take a walk to La Fortuna Waterfall Reserve where we can cool off  before lunch in the freshwater of the Fortuna River.  This afternoon, we’ll hike to the Arenal Volcano across recent lava flows into the foothills of this colossus. BL

Day 7: It’s chocolate time with the best chocolate in Costa Rica!  In this 2-hour “hands-on” program, we’ll participate in all the production processes of the traditional drink of Central American ancestors, not to mention, enjoying a tasting of this high quality product.

After lunch we’ll continue our journey into the Monteverde Cloud Forest and our hotel where there will be time to relax before dinner.  BLD

Day 8:  Here in the Monteverde Biological Reserve we’ll discover the 4 distinct eco-systems home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles as well as a variety of plants, vines and trees. Having worked up an appetite we’ll exercise our skills in a cooking class using open-air wood burning ovens to prepare a traditional Tico meal.

After dinner it will be time for a night walk in the Ecological Sanctuary to see fireflies shine and phosphorescent mushrooms. BLD

Day 9:  Travelling back down the mountains we’ll head for the warm Central Pacific Coast and Manual Antonio.  En-route we’ll stop at the famous Tarcola River Bridge to observe the giant crocodiles.  The afternoon is free to enjoy the facilities of the hotel and its surrounds. B

Day 10:   Beautiful beaches and the Manual Antonio National Park with its numerous species of monkeys, anteaters, iguanas resting in the rain forest guarantee a great combination and a relaxing way to enjoy the day. The park was listed by Forbes as one of the 12 most beautiful parks in the world and therefore one to be savoured.  B

Day 11:   Back on the beach we’ll take a catamaran tour not only to go snorkeling but also to head to one of the best locations to spot hunchback whales and many other marine species in this beautiful part of Costa Rica. Lunch is included and dinner tonight will provide a farewell to the first stage of our journey to the eco-paradises of Central America. As they say in Costa Rica, “Pura Vida”.  BLD

Itinerary:  Days 12 – 20

Day 12:  After check-out we’ll head to the airport in San Jose for our short flight to Panama City.  Our local Panamanian guide will meet us at the airport for the transfer to our hotel and the start of our adventures in Panama.  BD

Day 13:  A full day tour will take in the site where the city was built after the destruction of old Panama.  We’ll visit the San Jose church with its golden alter, the Bourdas (jail of the Spanish era) and the old Panama Ruins founded by the Spaniards in 1519 and destroyed in 1671 by English Pirate, Henry Morgan. After enjoying a typical local lunch we’ll head to the famous canal via the Miraflores Locks on the Pacific side of the canal. BL

Day 14: Today we’re heading into Chagres National Park.  It’s home to an abundance of tropical plants and animals with 114 mammal species including whitetail deer, Geoffroy’s spider monkeys and all five species of big cats. The Chagres River was dammed to form the Panama Canal and the water flowing from the Chagres park comprises nearly 40% of the water in the Canal.

At the mouth of the Chagres River we’ll be met and transported by dugout canoes to a traditional village of the indigenous Embera Indians.  A wonderful opportunity to learn more about their culture and share a traditional meal.  BL

Day 15: A drive of 120ks out of the city will have us arriving in El Valle, a beautiful mountain village located on the side of an extinct volcano. It’s the largest inhabited crater in the world. El Valle enjoys a cool climate year round and, as such, has become a weekend retreat for many wealthy Panamanians, who have built beautiful villas and country homes here. Equally, it’s also a land of history and legend. Inhabited for hundreds of years by several Native American tribes, the area is also famous for some rare petroglyphs which have not yet been deciphered.  B

Day 16: Today is a free day to further explore the city of Panama.  This evening we’ll come together to enjoy a folkloric dinner and dance show.  BD

Day 17:  A morning departure for our flight to San Blas Islands. The islands of the San Blas Archipelago are strung out along the Caribbean coast of Panama from the Golfo de San Blas nearly all the way to the Colombian border. San Blas is a series of 378 islands of which only 49 are inhabited by the fiercely independent Kuna Indians. Although only a 20-minute plane ride away from Panama City, a trip to the San Blas islands will transport us 20 centuries into the past.

The Kuna Indians run all the islands as an autonomous province with minimal interference from the national government. They have maintained their own economic system, language, customs and culture, similarly, a distinctive dress, legends, music and dance and thus have avoided traditional tourism development. The economy of the islands is based on coconut sales, fishing and tourism. Facilities are few and simple, as equally is the food.

Our accommodation will be in Yandup Lodge. The rooms are kuna style (wooden cabins over the water or ocean front) and have Orthopedic mattresses, ceiling fans, balcony, solar powered electricity, hammocks, private bathroom, mosquito nets and closets.  BLD

Day 18: San Blas is famous for one of its arts and crafts, the mola. Kuna women make rainbow colored fabrics, emblazoned with fish, birds, jungle animals and geometric designs that would impress Picasso himself. The men still fish from canoes as they did before Columbus came. They still run up to the corner coconut palm trees for something fresh and cool to drink each morning, just as they have for untold centuries.

Today we’ll have an opportunity to visit a neighbouring island and learn more about the Kuna and their traditions. BLD

Day 19:  Time to leave  island life to return to the city.  An early morning departure and the rest of the day free for any last minute shopping or sightseeing before our farewell dinner this evening at one of Panama City’s finest restaurants.  BD

Day 20:  Checking out of the hotel a group transfer will be provided to the international airport for your onward or homeward journey. B

Day 1: Arrive at Guadalajara international airport. Private transfer provided to your accommodation, La Nueva Posada, in Ajijic. Meet your fellow travellers for a welcome cocktail followed by a casual dinner at the hotel.  D Day 2: Guided walking tour of Ajijic. Wandering along the cobble-stoned village streets is the best way to experience Ajijic. In the most unexpected places you will discover things to surprise and delight you. You will find the houses are typical of old Mexico: simple village homes with colourful walls fronting the cobblestone streets as well as the elegant haciendas hidden behind the high walls. Dotted throughout the town are magnificent murals depicting social and historical scenes created by famous Mexican artists – many of whom are based in Ajijic. BL Day 3: Today we head into one of Guadalajara’s oldest village, Tlaquepaque.  It’s  filled with spectacular one-of-a-kind shopping experiences in every medium from Western and eclectic bronze sculptures, functional and traditional ceramics, breathtaking glass blown creations, fine contemporary jewellry and designer casual wear in silk and leather. Just walking around Tlaquepaque is an adventure in discovery. We return to Ajijic late afternoon. Free night – dine around options provided. B Day 4: Today is your special personal day where you have an opportunity to explore the local villages and surrounds, or join one of a selection of guided activities.We offer a specialized photography day trip to surrounding villages to meet local artists, guided by an internationally renowned photographer living in Ajijic. Or you may want to partake in a hands-on cooking class. Lunch is naturally included. Try your hand at a local art class, or go birding. Please inform us at the time of booking if you are interested in any of these personalized activities. Dinner tonight is in the neighbouring village of San Juan Cosala at Viva Mexico, owned and run by Agustin, one of the area’s local heroes due to his charitable work in the community and a master Mexican Chef.  BD Day 5: Today is market day in Ajijic. Located approximately 10 minutes’ walk from our hotel, an excellent place to interact with locals and discover the work of the local artisans. Following the market you will have a unique opportunity to discover what’s “Behind the Walls” with a visit to some of the privately owned magnificent colonial haciendas. This is a unique opportunity to meet local home-owners and gain insight into some of the town’s private art collections. BD Day 6: After breakfast we’ll depart for a full day tour to Tequila – home to a 300 year old distillery still producing the highest quality tequila.  After lunch there will be time to explore the village of Tequila before our return to Ajijic. Dinner at leisure in one of our recommended restaurants. BL Day 7: After breakfast we’ll head to the Maestros del Arte Fair in Chapala which is a unique event and the largest artisan fair in Mexico. Organized by an array of volunteers, artists pay no fees or percentage of sales to attend. They are hosted by local ex-pat families and their participation forms part of a unique community event. For many artists it is their first contact with the outside art world. The Maestros are hand-selected artists from all over Mexico. Many of them are featured in the acclaimed book “Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art” and have practiced their art for generations; others are inspired artists yet to be discovered. All are masters of their mediums; clay, paper, fabric, print, wood, stone, silver, alpaca wool and other traditional materials. Feria Maestros del Arte brings you an opportunity to meet the artists and witness demonstrations of these ancient crafts. Why not explore the lakeside town of Chapala and its Malecon (extensive boardwalk) before heading back to Ajijic. Dinner tonight is in one of Ajijic’s finest restaurants. (NB: The January tour will not include the Feria and will be replaced with another activity) BD Day 8: Your last full day to wander the village, sit in the plaza and watch the world go by or chat to some of the locals, take a walk beside the lake, do some last minute shopping or take a local bus to explore one of the other local towns or villages. Tonight we’ll dine together in one of Ajijic’s finest restaurants to celebrate the end of a memorable tour and our immersion into the life and spirit of this wonderful community.  BD

Days 9 – 12  San Miguel de Allende

Day 9: Checking out of our hotel this morning we’ll depart for our transfer to San Miguel de Allende.  A picnic lunch will be provided.After checking into our charming hotel we will meet for pre-dinner drinks and dine at one of San Miguel de Allende’s finest restaurants. BLD Day 10: Our day will start with an orientation walking tour of San Miguel de Allende, followed by lunch.  The afternoon and evening are at leisure to further explore this fascinating small, walkable city and discover more of its culinary delights.  We highly recommend a visit to the Toy Museum which showcases a wonderful range of antique and current artisan designed toys.  BL Day 11: Today we will drive to nearby Guanajuato, one of the most picturesque cities in Mexico.  With its unique tunnel system, labyrinth cobblestone alleyways, squares, colourful facades, its strange topography, stairways and its lively environment will take you back to a different world.  After an orientation walking tour and lunch you will be free to roam this remarkable city and discover its many treasures. Dinner at leisure. BL Day 12: A day at leisure to further explore this fascinating and stunning town.  BD

Days 13 – 16

Day 13: After an early breakfast we will set out for Mexico City with a stop en-route to explore one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Mexico – the Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacan.  Lunch will be provided and late afternoon we’ll settle into our boutique hotel on the main plaza of Zocalo before enjoying pre-dinner drinks and dinner overlooking this famous square.  BLD Day 14: This morning we’ll walk this historic square with our guide and discover its famous buildings and monuments.  After lunch we’ll visit the stunning Museum of Anthropology arguably one of the world’s finest museums and a fascinating introduction to the richness of Mexico’s history and culture.  BL Day 15: The day is free to further explore independently or join us for a visit to the ‘Blue House’ home to the Frida Kahlo museum or enjoy a culinary walking tour of the old city.  Farewell group dinner tonight.  BD Day 16: A group transfer will be provided to Mexico City International Airport.