This tour takes us cycling through some of the most beautiful scenery in Central America. We ride past smoking volcanoes, through cloud forest and around national parks. We also cycle by lakes and along the Panama Canal. En route we visit the volcanic island of Ometepe and the tropical islands of Bocas del Toro for a little relaxation.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour in Granada
Our journey begins in Granada, a colonial gem, situated at the foot of Mombacho volcano on the north-west shore of Lake Nicaragua. Founded in 1524 by the conquistador Hernandez de Cordoba it was the first colonial city in Nicaragua, and the baroque and renaissance buildings of the old town complement this wonderful setting.
Overnight Standard Hotel
2
Lake Nicaragua; visit Masaya Volcano National Park
This morning we take to our bikes and cycle from the hotel down to the shore of Lake Nicaragua and on to Asese Peninsula, covered with lush tropical forest, passing local villages on our way. After lunch by the lake (not included) we drive into the tranquil setting of the Masaya Volcano National Park, Nicaragua’s first and largest protected reserve. The views from Masaya Volcano provide us with a great panorama of the wider setting and we can explore the crater rim by foot. We return to Granada by bus later this afternoon for some free time. The city's narrow lanes and historic buildings are ideal to discover on foot.
Total cycling distance approximately 27 km. +50m/-50m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
3
Cross to Ometepe Island on Lake Nicaragua and cycle to Santo Domingo
Leaving Granada behind this morning we drive to the famous white villages, known for their importance in ancient beliefs relating to witchcraft. We spend some time at Catarina village affording the best views across a wonderful lagoon in the volcanic crater before cycling until we reach the Panamericana Highway. Continuing from here by bus, we drive to the small town of San Jorge where we board a ferry and make the one hour crossing to the volcanic island of Ometepe - set in the expansive waters of Lake Nicaragua, the largest freshwater lake in Central America. On arrival we continue cycling for another two hours or so across to Santo Domingo, where we spend the evening.
Total cycling distance approximately 35 km. +200/-200m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
4
Ride around Maderas Volcano on Ometepe Island
Ometepe is made up of two volcanoes - the perfect cone of Concepción, which soars from the depths of Lake Nicaragua, and the slightly smaller Maderas Volcano. Today we go off road and cycle a section around Maderas island until reaching the small village San Ramon for a rest or swim. There are plenty of birds and insects to be spotted in the area. En route we see rural Nicaragua at its best, with lovely vegetation and small hamlets. Later you might want to walk to San Ramon waterfall, the highest on the island or do some optional sea kayaking. The rest of the afternoon is left free to relax by the lake shore or take a dip.
Total cycling distance approximately 27 km. +200m /-200m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
5
Cross over the border to Costa Rica
Cycling to the ferry this morning (25 kilometres), we then cross back to the mainland and, depending on timings, might cycle a quieter section of the Panamericana before driving the short distance to the Costa Rican border. After border crossing formalities (which may be extremely slow and require patience!) we drive 2.5 hrs to Cañas where we spend the night.
Total cycling distance approximately 31-67km. +250 /-250m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
6
Cycle from Tilaran village, around Lake Arenal and past Arenal Volcano, to La Fortuna
Driving up into the mountains this morning we head first for the village of Tilaran and continue a few miles to the starting point for our ride around Arenal Lake; a challenging route that takes in the spectacular backdrop of one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Set in an area of national park covering some 9,884 acres, the volcano has been constantly active since the late 1960s and this, along with the impressive manmade Lake Arenal, has helped the area to regenerate through tourism. Our challenging ride ends in the rural town of La Fortuna.
Total cycling distance approximately 68 km. +1000m/-1600m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
7
Cycle around La Fortuna
This morning we cycle around La Fortuna, enjoying scenic landscapes that include agriculture land, cascading waterfalls and hot springs. This is one of the fertile high plateaux where most of the Nicaragua's crops are grown. After lunch at a local restaurant we drive back to La Fortuna by bus and the afternoon is left free for a bathe in hot springs or a wander around the village.
Total cycling distance approximately 50 km. +350/-600m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
8
Cycle from Paraiso to Turrialba, past the coffee plantations of the Orosi Valley
We start the day with a four hour drive to the small town of Paraiso, set above the impressive Orosi Valley, forged by the meandering course of the Reventazón River. This picturesque valley is the setting for today’s ride, as we discover the lush green vistas of what many consider to be some of the country’s best landscapes. Our destination is Turrialba, a charming town set amid the central valleys and volcanic peaks of Turrialba Volcano National Park.
Total cycling distance approximately 53 km. +800m/-1300m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
9
Cycle to the Panama border. Drive to Almirante and take the ferry to Bocas del Toro
Driving up onto the nearby mountain ridges this morning we then descend by bus towards the Caribbean coast. Passing Puerto Limon and Penhurst we then get the bikes out and cycle through a totally different Costa Rica; the Caribbean tropical coast, past enormous banana planations, until reaching the Panama border. We cross the border by way of an old railway bridge across which we push our bikes. Once again the border crossing may be very slow and require patience. We then continue by bus to the port of Almirante, from where we take a ferry to Isla Colon and the small town of Bocas de Toro.
Total cycling distance approximately 41 km. +250m /-250m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
10
Free day on Bocas del Toro
Today is left free to enjoy the Caribbean with a number of optional activities that you might like to try. The island is ringed with stunning beaches and there are opportunities to snorkel or dive the rich waters. You may like to take a boat trip around the archipelago and marine park, or visit one of the unpopulated outlying islands. The bikes will not be available today as they cannot be carried across to the island on the ferry.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
11
Drive over the continental divide to Santiago; Cycle the foothills
Taking the ferry back to Almirante (30 minutes) we then head south, towards the Continental Divide and the cool Panamanian highlands. We commence todays cycle at Fortuna lake (1070 metres above sea level) and the route offers us a few ascents and a long downhill. We continue by bus to the centre of the country and our night stop in Santiago, a busy provincial town and one of the oldest settlements in the country.
Total cycling distance approximately 53 km. +600m/-1700m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
12
Cycle through farmland and ranches, drive to Panama City
Today’s cycle ride begins near Santiago and on the bikes we pass farmland and ranches that offer an insight into a traditional Panamanian rural way of life. After lunch we drive to Panama City (3 hours) and have time for a stroll along the attractive waterfront.
Total cycling distance approximately 55 km. +500 /-500m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
13
Cycle along the Panama Canal and through the Soberania National Park
A short transfer out of town takes us to Miraflores lock, one of the best viewing points on the Panama Canal. We can take time to explore the story of the canal construction in the excellent museum and see huge container ships making their way through this major lock separating the Pacific Ocean from the 26m higher Gatun lake in the interior of the Canal zone. Later we take our bikes and explore some of the ancient rainforest that lines the canal, passing through the Soberania National Park, an important wildlife refuge that is home to over 500 species of birds. Weather allowing we might continue the ride into the jungle along the old pipeline road, an abandoned service road dating back to WW2 where fuel supplies for the Allied forces were brought over to the Caribbean. Once back in the hotel we get ready for a walk through fantastic Panama Vieja – the historic town from colonial times – and can have our farewell dinner here.
Total cycling distance approximately 15 km. +100m /-100m.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
14
Tour ends Panama City
The tour ends in Panama City this morning after breakfast.
Included meals: Breakfast
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