Sample Itinerary:
Day 1, Monday - Miami/San Jose
Depart Miami via Taca Airlines flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. Transfer to your hotel. (Melia Cariari Hotel/Real InterContinental Hotel)
Day 2, Tuesday - San Jose/Arenal Volcano
After breakfast, transfer by coach to the Arenal Volcano area. On arrival in the afternoon, visit the surroundings. Then arrive at the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort for a bath and dinner. (Montana de Fuego Hotel/Arenal Kioro Hotel) (B/D)
Day 3, Wednesday - Arenal Volcano/Monteverde
Transfer by shuttle and boat to Monteverde area. (Fonda Vela Hotel/El Establo Hotel) (B)
Day 4, Thursday - Monteverde
A half-day tour includes an educational trail walk through Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.
Day 5, Friday - Monteverde/San Jose
Morning return to San Jose. Transfer to hotel. (Melia Cariari Hotel/Real InterContinental Hotel) (B)
Day 6, Saturday - San Jose/Panama City
Fly Taca Airlines to Panama City. On arrival, transfer to hotel. (Crowne Plaza Hotel/InterContinental Miramar) (B)
Day 7, Sunday - Panama City
Visit the historic cities of Old Panama and Casco Viejo. Tour the Panama Canal's Miraflores locks and its visitors center. Visit a local handicraft market. (B)
Day 8, Monday - Panama Canal Transit
Today board a boat at the Pacific entrance of the Canal. Sail to Lake Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. After reaching Gailard Cut, the most difficult part of excavation, your journey ends at the Dredging Division. The transit through the Canal includes entertainment, cocktails and lunch aboard. Return to hotel by coach. (B/L)
Day 9, Tuesday - Panama City/ Guatemala City
Depart Panama City by air for Guatemala City. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel. (Marriott/ Quinta Real Hotel) (B)
Day 10, Wednesday - Guatemala City/ Chichicastenango
Travel to the south coast of Guatemala to visit two important archaeological sites, El Baul and La Democracia. In the afternoon journey northwest through the highlands to Chichicastenango. (Mayan Inn/Hotel Santo Tomas) (B)
Day 11, Thursday - Chichicastenango/ Quetzaltenango
In the morning, tour the famous market at Chichicastenango, where artisans display a wide array of local crafts. At the Church of Santo Tomas you may see Maya rituals being performed. In the afternoon travel to Quetzaltenango. (Pension Bonifaz) (B)
Day12, Friday - Quetzaltenango/ Lake Atitlan
In the morning participate in the colorful open-air animal market at San Francisco El Alto. Then visit the Church of San Andres Xecul and scenic Valley of Almolonga. Afternoon, travel to Panajachel at Lake Atitlan. (Hotel del Lago/Atitlan Hotel) (B)
Day 13, Saturday - Lake Atitlan/ Santiago Atitlan/Antigua
After breakfast, take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan to the village of Santiago Atitlan and marvel at the surrounding volcanoes. Visit the village and see an effigy of the Maya God Maximon. Arrive in Antigua in the late afternoon. (Hotel Antigua/ Hotel Casa Santo Domingo) (B)
Day 14, Sunday - Antigua/ Guatemala City
Morning city tour covers the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city. Afternoon is at leisure to explore Antigua on your own or shop for Guatemala's famous arts and crafts. Transfer overland to Guatemala City. (Marriott/Quinta Real Hotel) (B) Day 15, Monday - Guatemala City/ Miami
Transfer to the airport for your Taca Airlines flight home, arriving in Miami the same day. (B)
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