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TRIP NOTES

The Way To San Jose15 days | Antigua to San Jose

The Way To San Jose - 15 days updated on 30-09-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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Travelling from Antigua to San

Jose, discover the magnificent

Mayan site of Copan and the

idyllic Caribbean island of Roatan

in Honduras, before spending

time in scenic Granada and Leon,

Nicaragua’s charming colonial

cities. Top off your adventure on

the volcanic island of Ometepe.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Antigua - Guatemala's delightful colonial

town• Copan and the ancient Maya Copan Ruins• Roatan Island - one of the idyllic Caribbean

Bay of Islands, beautiful beaches andexcellent coral reefs

• Leon - a charming old Colonial town• Granada - Central America's oldest colonial

city on the shore of Lake Nicaragua• Lake Nicaragua - Central America's largest

lake• Ometepe - an exquisite volcanic island in

the middle of Lake Nicaragua, spectacularscenery, beautiful beaches and jungle.

• San Jose - Costa Rica's cosmopolitan capital

What's Included• 10 breakfasts

• 14 nights simple hotels, hostels andguesthouses

• Economy class flight from Roatan Island toTegucigalpa

• Airport arrival transfer on day 1• Local transportation - public buses, private

van and boats• Guided tour of Copan ruins.• Escorted by a tour leader• Specialist local guides at certain sights of

interest

What's Not Included• International flights, departure and border

taxes and visas.• Tips on all excursions. Tip for your tour

leader - an entirely personal gesture.• Meals - allow US$25-30 spending money

per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks,limited souvenirs and any extras.

• Airport departure transfer - can be bookedat an additional cost upon request.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : AntiguaHola Guatemala! Upon arrival into GuatemalaCity airport you'll be met and transferred to ourjoining hotel in Antigua. The first day of our touris simply an arrival day with no pre-organisedactivities. In order to allow time to relax and seesome of the sights you may wish to add pretour accommodation. On arrival please ask at

the reception for information on when the predeparture meeting will be held.

Antigua is one of the most delightful colonialtowns in Central America. The local indigenouscan be seen throughout the cobbled streets andplazas of the city in their colourful costumes,selling their crafts and textiles. As the culturalcentre of Guatemala, Antigua is an ideal placeto experience the traditional music, architectureand art of the country. Rich in ornate churches,convents, parks, plazas, cafés, restaurants, barsand colourful street markets and surrounded byawe-inspiring volcanoes, Antigua is one placeyou will never forget. Overnight - Antigua

Days 2-3 : Copan ruins

Antigua - Copan. Leaving Guatemala on day 2we cross the border into Honduras and travel tothe picturesque town of Copan, set in the hillsof Western Honduras. Within walking distanceof the town is the country's most famous Mayasite - the Unesco World Heritage Listed Copanruins. The following morning we enjoy a guided

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tour of this ancient site, with its spectacularhieroglyphic staircase, enormous plaza, ballscourts and intricately carved stelaes (carvings/statues) depicting the 16 rulers of this oncepowerful city.

The afternoon is free for you to spend atleisure or choose from a range of optionalactivities. You can enjoy a trip up to hotsprings surrounded by the lush vegetationof the surrounding hills, a horse-trek throughthe countryside, or a coffee tour of a localplantation. Overnight - Copan (B:2)

Days 4-6 : Roatan Island

Copan - Roatan Island. From Copán we takea bus through coffee growing districts for thecoastal town of Tela before moving on to LaCeiba for the trip by ferry across to Roatán.This is the largest of the beautiful sun-soakedCaribbean Bay Islands. Development on theisland means there is plenty to do, but it isalso easy to find a deserted beach lapped bywarm Caribbean waters. Here you will findpalm-fringed lagoons, turquoise water, friendlylocals, lively nightlife and stunning underwaterscenery, with some of the cheapest diving andsnorkelling in the world! You can elect to swimwith dolphins, a truly unforgettable experience,or get into the true Caribbean sprit with a sunsetcruise (optional).

Roatan is one of three islands which form thebeautiful Caribbean Bay Islands archipelago,located 60 kilometres off the northern coast ofHonduras. Roatan is the largest of these idyllicislands which are surrounded by crystal cleartropical waters with extensive coral reefs whichare literally teeming with tropical fish. Here youcan do as much or as little as you like. Soakup the sunshine on a palm-fringed desertedbeach, lapped by warm Caribbean waters in

the daytime and enjoy the lively bars a night.Take advantage of some of the cheapest divingand snorkelling in the world, Enjoy an optionalsunset cruise or opt to swim with dolphins -a truly unforgettable experience! Overnight -Roatan Island (B:1)

Days 7-9 : Colonial LeonRoatan Island - Leon. After spending threeblissful nights on Roatan Island we fly toTegucigalpa and drive on to the charmingcity of Leon in Nicaragua. Leon is one of theoldest colonial cities in Central America andwe have plenty of free time to explore. This isan especially good place to buy leather worksouvenirs. There are various museums, churchesthe cathedral and the Plaza de la Constitutionto explore. The Templo Expiatorio also has acollection of catacombs which are worth seeing.Overnight - Leon (B:2)

Days 10-11 : Scenic Granada

Leon - Granada. After passing through thecapital, Managua, and the tobacco growingregions, we arrive in Granada, on the shoresof Lake Nicaragua. Granada is one of the mostcharacteristic and colourful colonial towns inCentral America. Founded in 1524 at the foot ofthe Mombacho Volcano, due to its Moorish feel,this lovely town will remind many of its Spanishcounterpart. Here there are many optionalexcursions to visit the surrounding countryside,including a visit to the Masaya National Park,with its double-crested active volcano, andthe Masaya handicraft markets nearby (greatfor buying hammocks). Alternatively, you canchoose to go for a boat tour of the islands onthe lake or a trek and/or zipline through theMombacho Volcano Cloud Forest.

With two free days in Granada you also haveplenty of time to take a day trip into Managuato explore the capital. After years of civil war

and the devastating earthquake of 1972, thecity centre was left in shambles. There are stillbuildings with huge cracks and weeds growingthrough them, the strange old Cathedral beingone. This now peaceful city is in the processof rebuilding itself and the recently restoredNational Palace offers a fascinating tour into thepast. Overnight - Granada (B:2)

Days 12-13 : Ometepe Island

Granada - Ometepe Island. Travelling onwards,we cross the vast Lake Nicaragua, the largestlake in Central America. This lake was once alarge ocean bay, but seismic activity caused theland to rise, cutting it off from the sea. This hasleft the lake with fresh water sharks and othersalt-water species. We take a boat to the unspoiltand tranquil island of Ometepe, located in themiddle of the lake. This is the 'true heart ofNicaragua', and is the perfect place to escapefrom the fast-paced normalities of life.

The name of the island means "between twohills" and was formed by the two volcanoes,Concepción and Madera. The fertile volcanicsoil provides the local population with perfectfarming conditions for the many crops grown.You may choose to hire a local guide and spendyour free time touring the island and searchingfor ancient stone statues and petroglyphs whichhave been found all over the island. Thosefeeling athletic can go for volcano hikes orhorseback riding on the black sand beach, whilethe less energetic can spend their time lying inhammocks, or taking a dip in the lake or thenearby freshwater spring. Either way, you can besure that Ometepe Islands beauty, tranquility,and kind-hearted residents will make this ahighlight of your trip. Overnight - OmetepeIsland (B:2)

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Day 14 : San JoseOmetepe Island - San Jose. Bidding farewell toNicaragua and lazy island life, we take a boatback to the mainland, cross the border intoCosta Rica and journey south to San Jose, wherewe spend our final night. The capital city of CostaRica, San José, is nestled in a fertile valley amongcoffee and sugar-cane farms. There is not muchleft of the colonial era architecture, due to thedamage done by earthquakes, but it is certainlyworth seeing the National Theatre, built in 1897and the Gold, Jade and National Museums arealso particularly recommended. Those wishingto explore the capital should book post touraccommodation. There are plenty of interestingoptional day trips that can be undertaken withina close vicinity of San José such as visits to thePoás or Irazú volcano, white water rafting, theTuru BaRi Topical Park or the Rain Forest AerialTram.

Overnight - San Jose

Day 15 : San JoseOur adventure of a lifetime comes to an endtoday, please confirm with the reception thecheck out time.

The itinerary listed above is to be used as aguide only. Occasionally we may need to makechanges prior to departure or tour leaders mayneed to make adjustments due to unforeseencircumstances during the tour.(B)

Arriving into GuatemalaAn arrival transfer from La Aurora InternationalAirport (GUA) to your hotel in Antigua isincluded on day 1 - for all bookings made after10 January 2015.

If you booked your tour before 10 January 2015,an arrival transfer can be booked upon requestat an additional fee. If you are unsure if you havean arrival transfer please check your invoice orcontact On The Go.

To make your own way to your hotel in Antiguaon day 1, taxi services are readily available withinthe immediate vicinity of the airport. Thesetaxi services will be cheaper than the pre-paidtransfer service we offer, however you may haveto face bargaining and language barriers withthe driver. Guatemalan taxis do not have meters,

so you should agree on a price before gettinginto the taxi. A taxi to Antigua should cost US$20-25, but of course they will try to charge youmore. A shuttle bus should cost approx. US$10per person, and they usually need at least threepeople to depart. Public buses are very cheap,but extremely difficult to take if you don’t speakSpanish so this option is not recommended.

Driving time from Guatemala City to Antiguacan take anything from 40mins to 2hrsdepending on traffic and other circumstances.Whichever way you decide to make the journey,you should be prepared for crazy Guatemalandrivers. Even if you have a safe and slow driverfor your vehicle, other drivers on the road mayput you a bit ‘on edge’. Guatemalans tend toovertake on hair-pin curbs, drive at ridiculousspeeds, and honk their horns a lot. Remember,this is all part of the adventure. It is a goodidea to learn how to ask the driver to slowdown in Spanish: Por favor, vaya más despacio(pronounced: por fa-vor, va-ya mas des-pa-cio).

Joining hotel details:Hotel Posada Los Bucaros7a. Avenida Norte No. 94La AntiguaGuatemalaTel: (+502) 7 832 2346

Please note: Occasionally, some tours may stayat an alternative hotel located nearby. If thisis the case, you will meet as normal at HotelPosada Los Bucaros and you will be escorted tothe alternative hotel, which may be Hotel LasCampanas or Hotel Casa Florencia.

The hotel has safe deposit boxes for your use(you will get an itemised receipt). Please leaveall of your important documents, money andtravellers cheques here when you go out butremember to carry some form of ID and aphotocopy of your passport with you.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Our PartnersPlease note that this tour is operated by TucanTravel. Travellers on your trip will have madetheir reservation with On the Go Tours or TucanTravel.

Personal SafetyIt is not advisable to wear chains or expensivelooking watches or jewellery while in manyCentral American cities. You should also keepyour camera concealed when not in use andcarry daypacks on your front for extra safety.Crime in Latin America is not as bad as itsreputation but you must be sensible and alert.

Arrival & Welcome MeetingWhen you arrive on day one of your trip, youshould find some local information in the hotellobby. Your tour leader will be staying in thehotel and should have put up a welcome noteto let you know what room they are in. Apre-departure meeting is usually held in theafternoon or early evening of day one. You willneed to bring the following important items tothe meeting with your tour leader:

• The original and a photocopy of yourpassport

• Vaccination certificates (if required)• Travel voucher• Details of your travel insurance policy

number and their 24hr emergency contactnumber

Missing The Start of YourTourIf you miss the start of your tour, please ask at thereception of the hotel for a message from yourtour leader which will give you instructions onhow to catch up with the group. Any associatedcosts will be at your own expense (although,depending on the reason, you may be able toclaim these from your travel insurance so ensureyou keep all receipts).

If you know in advance that you are unlikely toarrive on time, please contact us immediatelyso we can inform the tour leader. We cannot beheld responsible should your airline/boat/coachbe delayed and we are unable to refund anyunused portion of your tour.

Hotels & TransfersDay 1 of all our tours is simply a joining dayand the tour actually departs the joining cityon day 2. The last day of your tour is theofficial departure day and is free for you topack or sightsee before you depart. All tours arescheduled to arrive at your final destination the

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afternoon/evening before your departure day.Therefore very little time is spent in each of thestarting and finishing cities and you will need toallow a few days at the beginning or end of yourtour if you want to explore them further. We canbook pre and post tour accommodation for youupon request.

Check in time is at 1300 hrs on day 1. If youwish to use the services of a room before or aftercheckout time, or you are arriving very early inthe morning of day 1, you will need to book anextra night, which we can arrange for you. Allrooms are on a bed only basis unless otherwiseindicated.

We include an airport arrival transfer on day 1for all tours departing from Mexico City, Havana,Antigua or San Jose. Airport transfers are notincluded/available in Cancun.

Airport departure transfers are not included inthe tour price but can be booked upon requestat an additional cost (with the exception ofCancun). Please see the tour price page of ourwebsite for information on prices.Important: If your tour includes an arrivaltransfer and you are going to be delayed morethan two hours, you must advise us of the delayat least six hours before arrival. If we are advisedin time, we will make every effort to rescheduleyour transfer and your driver will be asked towait for two hours after your new expectedarrival time. However, if we are not made awareof any change, the driver will only wait for twohours after the original scheduled arrival timeand after this point it will be up to you to arrangetransport to your hotel at your own expense.Please contact us on the emergency number onyour tour voucher.

Optional ExcursionsDuring your tour there will be free time to enjoya range of optional excursions which are listedat the end of this pdf. Your tour leader will beable to make recommendations and bookings inadvance for most of these activities so you havemore flexibility and control over your itinerary.Please note that you may not have time to doall of the optional excursions listed. Should youwish to partake in optional activities in the city

where you tour starts/ends we recommend thatyou book pre/post tour accommodation.

Spending MoneyFor personal spending money you should bringUS dollars or Euros in Cuba to use alongsidethe local currency (where applicable). Whilebank cards provide a very good way to accessfunds overall, it is not recommended to relyon them as your sole source of funds as cashmachines do not always work and may not beavailable in remote locations. We recommendyou bring along a minimum of US$200 cash insmall denominations (no $100 notes). Make sureall notes are the new style, and are not damaged,defaced, rubber stamped or written on, as manyplaces will refuse them if they are not in perfectcondition. It is a good idea to try to maintain asupply of small notes and change in the localcurrency for tipping or small purchases.

Your spending money should cover some meals,optional excursions, souvenirs, drinks, laundry,border and airport taxes and any visas obtainedlocally. We provide guideline prices for optionalexcursions in the itinerary to help you budget,but ultimately the amount you will need tobudget for your trip very much depends onyour individual requirements. We recommendbringing extra money to cover emergencies orunexpected situations.

Style of TripOur Central America tours are designed to suittravellers who love being able to travel on manydifferent forms of transport with local people.There is a certain amount of involvementneeded, which will mean carrying your ownbags to the bus or train station or even helpingthe driver throw everyone’s packs onto the roof.If you enjoy meeting and interacting with localpeople and don’t mind roughing it occasionally,then these tours will be just right for you.

It is important that you are open to travellingwith a range of different age groups. You mustalso satisfy yourself that you are fit enough tocomplete the itinerary as there are no refundsif you choose to leave the tour. Based on thenature of this travel style, our adventurousCentral America tours are generally suitable forpeople aged between 18 and 60 years old. If you

have any questions about this please contact usor speak to your travel consultant.

Our Central America tours suit people whoare fit and active. Although no experience isrequired there are many walks between bus/train terminals and hotels and travellers mustbe able to carry their own luggage over variousterrains as well as lift up luggage onto the topsof buses so do not pack more than you cancomfortably carry.

The average group size is 8 to 12 passengerswith a maximum of 18, however onsome included excursions group sizes mayoccasionally be larger.

MealsMeals are not included on our Central AmericaTours, so you can get out there and experiencethe best local cuisine on offer according to yourown tastes and budget. This gives the flexibilityto choose when and where to dine and enablesyou to maximise your free time and not worryabout set meal times. Our hotels are generallylocated near restaurants with standards thatvary from first class local eateries to street stallsto ensure we cater for all tastes and budgets.

Transport and TravelOn our Central America tours we use a varietyof transport depending on the country inwhich we are travelling and the length ofthe tour. Vehicles can range from buses filledwith local people and their many possessionsto private minibuses and comfortable air-conditioned coaches. Sometimes you could betravelling on boats, taking a taxi or even walking.

Our aim is not simply to get you from A to B,but to help you to experience each destinationas a genuine traveller, not as a first classtourist. A word of warning - please rememberthat travelling conditions can sometimes becramped and seating is not always guaranteedin Central America. This may mean having tostand for some time in cramped conditions orshare a seat with 5 others! This adds to theexperience and is all a part of travelling with thelocals.

Due to the vast distances covered on many ofour Central America Tours, please be prepared

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for occasional long travelling days. This timespent travelling is unavoidable but you will notbe disappointed once you arrive! On the positiveside there are also many short travel days anddays which involve no travelling leaving you freeto explore at your leisure.

AccommodationOur 'simple' accommodation is generally theequivalent in comfort and amenities of a 2star hotel. We stay in small hotels, hostelsand guest houses which are usually situatedclose to the main sights and town centres.They are chosen for their local ambience ratherthan star rating and we look for attributes likecharacter, location, atmosphere, cleanliness andsecurity. Although sometimes quite basic, youwill find clean comfortable rooms with ensuitefacilities (occasionally bathrooms may be sharedbut this is rare), friendly staff and often a barand restaurant attached or nearby. Please beaware that accommodation in Central Americasometimes has erratic services like lack of hotwater or no central heating, staff membersdon’t always speak English and sometimes ourreservations are 'lost'! In general, facilities arevery good but please be prepared for theoccasional mishap, which is all part of thetravelling experience.

All accommodation is included from the arrivalday until check out time on the final day ofthe tour. Travellers will share rooms with othergroup members of the same gender. Mostly thiswill be in twin roomsalthough sometimes in triples depending onthe group composition and hotel roomingstructure.

Electrical SupplyThe power supply in Latin America differs notonly from country to country but sometimesfrom region to region within a country. Ifbringing electrical equipment, make sure that itcan be switched over from 110 volts to 220 voltsand vice versa. If your equipment is 220 volts itwill work on a 110 volt system (albeit slower),but if you use 110 volt equipment in a 220volt system, it will blow the equipment! Bring avoltage converter and travel plug adaptor (mostcountries either have 2 pin flat as in USA or 2round pins).

What to PackYou will have to carry your own bags on thistour so it is important to bring luggage youcan carry and lift comfortably, potentially upseveral flights of stairs in hotels where elevatorsare not available and between bus/train stationsand hotels. There may be times when you haveto get your luggage through crowded streetswhich may be cobbled or store your luggage inlockers. Luggage too large for lockers will haveto be left insecurely or carried for the durationof the day.

We recommend a frameless backpack or a sportstype shoulder bag which fits comfortably onyour shoulders, as they are less bulky andeasier to handle than rigid suitcases or framedbackpacks. Suitcases are not suitable for ourtours and are not recommended. Tucan Traveltakes no responsibility for damage to yourluggage while on tour. If your tour includesregional flights, there may be a weight limit tothe amount of luggage you can take. Please seeyour detailed itinerary for more information.

In addition to your main bag, you will need asmall daypack for your everyday excursions. Tryto keep this bag as light as possible and makesure that all main sections of your bags can bepadlocked. This daypack should have enoughroom to carry food and snacks for long hikesand treks and space to carry belongings forovernight excursions.

Sleeping Sheet:Sleeping bags are not required on this tour, buta sleeping bag liner/sleep sheet is optional if youwish to bring one along. Some passengers liketo use them on long bus journeys and overnighttrains.

Essential for all tours• Tour Voucher and Tour Go Guide• Passport (with 2 photocopies - one keptseparately & the other to give to the tour leaderwith your next of kin details)• Cash/credit & debit cards (with photocopieskept separately)• Travel insurance certificate (with a photocopyto be given to your tour leader)• Spare passport photos (you may need these forobtaining visas)

• International airline ticket(s) (with a photocopykept separately)• International Vaccination Certificate (YellowFever if applicable)• International student card (may get youdiscounts into some sites)• Your travel consultant’s phone number andemail address (it is very important to have thisas it is much easier to confirm/change flights etcvia your agent)• Cotton money belt and/or pouch to store yourvaluables under your clothing

Suggested equipment (some useful, somenecessary - use your discretion• Sunglasses• Small calculator (to help with currencyconversions)• Lockable pouch for your money and valuablesto use in safety deposit boxes• Plastic bags (very useful for wrappingcamera equipment, soap, shampoo bottles, wetclothing etc)• Inflatable pillow• Small collapsible umbrella (also good for sunprotection)• Pegless washing line & travel laundry detergent(bio-degradable preferably)• Universal washbasin plug• Torch / flashlight• Binoculars• Travel alarm clock• Travel plug adaptor• Small medical kit with diarrhoea remedy,rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, steriledressings, plasters, bandages, pain-killers, safetypins etc.• Small sewing kit• Lip balm, sun block with high UV factor (this canbe expensive to buy locally)• Insect repellent (DEET 35% min) and bite cream• Tampons and condoms• Toilet paper (best to carry a roll with you at alltimes) and/or tissues (purchase locally)• Antibacterial hand cleansing gel (the type youcan use without water)• Moistened face tissues (e.g. Wet Ones)• Ear plugs• Travel sickness tablets (these are usually easyto buy over the counter locally)• Cheap plastic wristwatch

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• Spare pair of spectacles or contact lenses andsolution (a lens prescription is also advisable incase of loss or breakage)• Camera / video camera with plenty of film ordigital camera with spare memory cards• Spare rechargeable batteries for camera etc• Writing materials, address book and diary• Pocket size Spanish phrasebook• Travel games, cards & couple of paperbacks• As gifts for local children - pens (withadvertising on them), coloured pencils, smallnotepads. To discourage a begging mentalitywe recommend that you try to give these gifts atschools or childcare centres rather than on thestreet

Clothing & FootwearWe recommend packing lightweight anddurable clothes including at least one pairof warm trousers and thinner sweaters/fleeceswhich you can layer. Nights can be cold in somelocations such as Guatemala and San José atcertain times of year, so it is a good idea to bringat least one pair of warm trousers plus severalthinner sweaters / fleeces which you can layer.Please avoid military or camouflage-patternedclothing as it can cause problems and in somecountries may be illegal.

Good, comfortable walking shoes are essential.These do not need to be expensive boots, butthey should have good ankle support and grip,be worn in and ideally waterproof.

Check the climate and altitude atwww.worldclimate.com to get an idea of whatthe weather will be like on your tour so that youcan pack accordingly.

Essential Items• A lightweight water/windproof jacket with

hood• Easy to pack wide-brimmed hat or cap• Towel - you will need a towel for most

overnight excursions• Swimwear• Sandals/flip flops/thongs

HealthPlease see your doctor or travel clinic for anup to date list of all recommended vaccinationsfor the regions you will be travelling to. Werecommend that you do this at least eight

weeks before you travel, as you may needa course of medications or more than onevaccination. In general we recommend thatyou are vaccinated against Tetanus-diphtheria,polio, hepatitis A and Typhoid and if travellingto a jungle area, yellow fever. Vaccinations aresolely the responsibility of the traveller and notthat of on the go.

The malarial risk varies in the regions ofCentral America and in some areas appropriatepreventive medicines are needed. Measuresshould always be taken to avoid mosquito bites,such as nets and creams. Please check withyour health care professional as to the best andmost up to date remedy for this mosquito bornedisease.

It is not recommended that you drink the tapwater in any of the countries we visit andwe recommend that you carry a First Aid kitas well as any personal medical requirements.Please be aware that quite often we are inremote areas and away from medical facilities,and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibitedfrom administering any type of drug includingheadache tablets, antibiotics, etc.

TippingTipping is a part of the life in Central America,but you should not feel obliged or pressuredto tip if you have not received good service. Agratuity of 10% of the total bill is recommendedin restaurants. Gratuities are usually expectedfor local guides on included and optionalexcursions. Tips are also appreciated by thetour leaders at the end of your tour and werecommend an average of $2-$4 per person perday for the duration of your tour. This is only ifyou feel that their service was up to standardand is completely at your own discretion.

Time KeepingPunctuality is very important and throughoutthe tour your tour leader will give you the timeto meet in reception. Tour leaders will oftenpost notes at reception with meeting times, soremember to always look out for these.

Although rare, delays can occur and wetherefore advise you not to arrange youronward travel too close to the end of the tour.We take no responsibility for any missed flights

or additional expenses If the group arrives lateinto the departure city at the end of the tour.

Costa Rica Country Guide

Costa Rica - Fact File• Official Name: Republic of Costa Rica• Capital: San Jose• Population: 4.2 million• Total Area: 51,100 square kilometres• Official Language: Spanish• Religions: Roman Catholic 76%, Protestant

14%, others 10%• Voltage: 110 volts, US-style two pronged

plugs• Dialling Code: +506• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -6• Airport Departure Tax: US$29 - can be paid

on arrival to avoid queues when departing.

Costa Rica - VisasMost nationals do not need a visa to enter CostaRica, but it is important to check the rules foryour nationality with your nearest embassy orconsulate. Entry is granted on production of apassport valid for more than six months andproof of funds to support yourself (althoughproof not usually requested). As a tourist you areentitled to 30 days, however depending on theimmigration official you may be allocated lessdays. You will probably be asked to fill out animmigration card. A copy of this card should stayin your passport until you exit the country.

Costa Rica - ClimateCosta Rica's weather is influenced by altitude.The Pacific coast is drier while the Atlantic coasthas the most rainfall - about 300 days a year. Thetemperature in San José ranges from a high of27°C to a low of 14°C. The wet season is from Mayto October. The hottest months are March andApril.

Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea ofwhat the weather will be like on your tour.

Costa Rica - MoneyThe monetary unit in Costa Rica is the CostaRican colon. For up-to-date exchange rates withyour own currency visit www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMs

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Often the easiest way to obtain local currency isto use the ATMs (‘cajeros automaticos’) locatedin San José (finding an ATM that will accept yourcard can be very difficult in the rest of CostaRica). Visa, Plus and Cirrus/Maestro are acceptedin most ATMs in San José, as long as you havea four-digit pin. Some ATMs will give you USdollars OR local currency, however you shouldnot rely on this.

Although bank cards are often the easiest wayto go, there are times where they will not workfor you even if your bank at home tells you it will!Do not rely on your card as your only source ofmoney. Always have a few back-ups with you.

Credit cards are accepted in some shops/restaurants/hotels. The most accepted creditcard is Visa, although authorisation cansometimes be denied due to poor computerconnections or other problems. Note theremay sometimes be commission charged whenpaying by credit card (up to 8%) and you willoften get a discount if paying by cash instead.

Traveller’s cheques can be very time-consumingto cash in Costa Rica. If you choose to takethem, make sure they are in US dollars and‘American Express’ cheques (they are by far themost widely accepted).

San José is the easiest place (and sometimes theonly place) for you stock up on money. There isno restriction on the amount of foreign currencythat you may bring into Costa Rica, howeververy large sums should be declared on arrival.

Remember that once out of Costa Rica youwill generally not be able to use or exchangecolones (except at the border towns). Thereforeyou must make sure you spend/exchange/donate any left-over money before leaving thecountry.

Costa Rica - Local TransportTaxis are recommended for most journeys in SanJosé. All taxis should have a meter but it’s a goodidea to be aware of what the approximate priceshould be before getting in the taxi. In otherCosta Rican towns and cities, walking is basicallythe best and cheapest way to see the sights.

Costa Rica - Food & DrinkFoodThere’s a lot of different food to choose fromin Costa Rica and travellers are often surprisedby the quality and variety on offer. This is partlydue to the number of ex-pats who have openedup a range of different international restaurants.There is also local cuisine to suit every budget.

Local cuisine is simple, tasty and not too spicy,but heavy on oil at times. “Gallo pinto”, thenational dish of fried rice and black beans iscommonly served with breakfast. A gallo pintomade in coconut milk (on the Caribbean side) isparticularly good.

At lunch gallo pinto becomes “casado” – riceand beans supplemented with cabbage andtomato salad, fried platains and meat. Othercommon meals include “arroz con pollo” (ricewith chicken) or “arroz con atun” (with tuna).Vegetables do not form a large part of the diet,but there is always salad.

VegetariansIf you are a strict vegetarian you may experiencea distinct lack of variety in the food available,especially in small towns. You might findthat you are eating a lot of omelettes andother egg dishes. Our tour leaders will dotheir best to provide interesting vegetarianalternatives when arranging group meals in thecampsite, but your patience and understandingis requested.

DrinkAll drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinksare at your own expense at all times. Thefollowing is a guideline for drinks bought ina shop in the street. Prices in restaurants andhotels can sometimes be more than double theprices specified below:

• 1 litre of water US$1• 30cl bottle of soft drink US$1• 30cl bottle of beer US$1.50• 50cl bottle of beer US$2

You should be wary of drinking the local tapwater. Bottled water and carbonated soft drinksare widely available and are generally safe todrink.

If you only learn one word in Spanish it’s boundto be “Cerveza.” There are countless lagers, anda few dark beers. The most common are Bavariaand Imperial.

Costa Rica has no national drink, but “horchata”,a cinnamon flavoured cornmeal drink, “chan”, aslimy drink made of seeds, and “fresco de frutas”,a fruit salad floating on a base of cola and waterare very popular. Also popular is “guaro”, a clearspirit distilled from fermented sugarcane whichis almost tasteless, yet very potent.

Cost Rica - BugsIf your tour includes a visit to a jungle/rainforestregion you should be prepared to encounter anarray of wildlife – including many insects andspiders etc. Most creepy crawlies are completelyharmless and will cause you no problems at all– in fact this is all part of the jungle experience.If you find something in your room it certainlydoesn't mean that the room is unclean – ratherthat you are in the jungle and it is completelynormal. If you are uncomfortable with creepycrawlies it is a good idea to bring plenty of insectrepellent spray and coils to place in your roomand of course don't leave any food lying around.

Guatemala Country Guide

Guatemala - Fact File• Official Name: Republic of Guatemala• Capital: Guatemala City (often just called

Guatemala, or even 'Guate')• Population: 14.3 million• Total Area: 108,890 square kilometres• Official Language: Spanish 60%, Amerindian

languages 40% (23 officially recognized,including including Quiche, Cakchiquel,Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)

• Religions: Roman Catholic and indigenousMayan beliefs

• Voltage: 110 volts• Dialling Code: +502• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -6• Airport Departure Tax: US$40 plus US$3

security tax to be paid at airport

Guatemala - VisasMost nationals do not need a visa to enterGuatemala, but it is important to check the rulesfor your nationality with your nearest embassy

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or consulate. Entry is granted on production ofa passport valid for more than 6 months andproof of funds to support yourself (althoughproof not usually requested). As a tourist you areentitled to 90 days, however depending on theimmigration official you may be allocated 30, 60or 90 days.

You will probably be asked to fill out animmigration card. A copy of this card should stayin your passport until you exit the country.

Guatemala is part of the Central America-4(CA-4) Border Control Agreement. As part ofthis agreement eligible foreign nationals cantravel within the four countries (El Salvador,Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua) for a periodof up to 90 days without completing entryand exit formalities at border immigrationcheckpoints. If travellers wish to remain in thisarea for more than 90 days they should researchextensions. Overstayers can expect a fine.

Guatemala - ClimateThere is a rainy season throughout CentralAmerica which starts around May/June andgradually works its way through untilSeptember and even sometimes October. Don'tbe put off by the term rainy season, as thisgenerally only means sporadic downpours acouple of times a day. Of course there aretimes when this is not the case but it is fairlyrare for continual rain to persist. The onlyplace where rain is almost guaranteed is RioDulce, located in the middle of the rainforest.Here the rainy season sometimes continuestill Feb! The temperatures in Guatemala aresimilar to other northern hemisphere countries,where it's warmer in summer (July/August)and cooler in winter (December/January). Inthe Guatemalan Highlands temperatures atnight time are quite cool (Antigua, Lake Atitlanand especially Quetzaltenango). For exampleDecember/January nights in the highlands candrop to zero centigrade. Generally, the hottesttime in Guatemala will be the months of April toMay (before the rain comes!).


Guatemala - CurrencyThe monetary unit in Guatemala is the quetzal.For up-to-date exchange rates with your owncurrency visit www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMsUS dollars are accepted for some purchases inGuatemala, however you will need quetzales formost purchases. Even if you have the choice ofpaying for things in dollars it will be in yourfavour to use local currency. Therefore we adviseyou to obtain a considerable amount of localcurrency as soon as you enter the country.

Remember that once out of Guatemala youwill generally not be able to use or exchangequetzales (except at the border towns).Therefore you must make sure you spend/exchange/donate any left-over money beforeleaving the country.

US dollars and travellers cheques can bechanged at casas de cambio (exchange bureau),banks and border crossings. Your tour leaderwill give you details of when and where best tochange money. Casas de cambio are privatelyowned, usually have longer opening hours andattend to you faster than banks.

Often the easiest way to obtain local currency isto use the ATMs (‘cajeros automaticos’) locatedin every city throughout the country. Visa,Plus, and Cirrus/Maestro are accepted in mostGuatemalan ATMs

Although bank cards are often the easiest wayto go, there are times where they will not workfor you even if your bank at home tells you it will.Do not rely on your card as your only source ofmoney. Always have a few back-ups with you.

In Guatemala you will never be able to use USdollar notes which are torn or marked evenslightly. If your notes are at all damaged youmay use them in Belize, but not in Guatemala orMexico.

Travellers cheques can be very time-consumingto cash in Guatemala and many personal detailsare required. If you choose to take them, makesure they are in US$ and ‘American Express’

cheques (they are by far the most widelyaccepted).

If you do decide to queue in a bank, alwayscheck that what you want to do is going tobe possible before lining up. Different bankshave different rules. For example some banks donot exchange travellers cheques. They may alsohave a limit to the amount of US dollars you canexchange. Always try to exchange as much asyou can at one time and try to ask cashiers forsmall notes “billetes pequeñas” as you will findit very difficult to break large notes throughoutLatin America.

Always make sure you put your cash insideyour money belt before you leave the premises.Pickpockets tend to loiter near banks andchange houses.

Guatemala - TippingA 10% service charge is added on to therestaurant bill throughout most of Guatemala. Ifit is not added on, it is still expected (especially inthe more expensive restaurants). There shouldbe no other charge on top of this. You are notexpected to tip taxi drivers unless they go outof their way for you although you should tipanyone who helps with your luggage, approx50-80cents (Q5). Tipping guides at the end oftours/excursions is always appreciated and yourtour leader will advise you on this.

Guatemala - ShoppingWooden/stone carvings, leather, textiles,hammocks, blankets, wall hangings, gold, silver,jade, typical costumes and ceramic potteries areattractive, cheap and plentiful. The Highlandarea of Guatemala has by far the best bargainsand most variety, due to the strong indigenousinfluence in this area (Antigua, Lake Atitlanand Chichicastenango). Bargaining is expectedwhilst shopping in the markets of Guatemala. Inshops it is considered rude to bargain, but youcan ask for a ‘discount’ (‘descuento’ in Spanish).

Bear in mind that it can be very expensive andnot always reliable to send packages home sotry to buy only what you can carry home

Guatemala - Local TransportTaxis are cheap in Guatemala and werecommend using them at night. Most taxis do

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not have meters, so you will have to agree on aprice before getting in the cab.

The ‘chicken buses’ (locally called camonetas)are in fact old second-hand American schoolbuses which have been painted in all sortsof bright colours and covered with religiousdecorations! They are extremely cheap forgetting around and they go everywhere! They’resafe to use as long as you use common sense -beware of thieves and pickpockets. These busesbecome very crowded, sometimes 6 people toone seat and it’s not uncommon to hear a fewchicks clucking away on market day! Bear inmind that the drivers often drive like lunaticsand sometimes don’t come to a complete stopwhen letting you on or off. These buses areprivately run, so time is money. The more stopsthey make, the more money they make! A boywill come along to collect your money - usuallya few quetzales - after you sit down (if youget a seat!). In most of the places we visit inGuatemala, walking is the best and cheapestway to see the sights.

Guatemala - Local Food & DrinkPeople are often surprised by the quality andvariety on offer in Guatemala This is partlydue to the number of ex-pats who haveopened up a range of different internationalrestaurants. There is also local cuisine to suitevery budget. Chicken, pork and beef areavailable throughout. Most meals come withcorn tortillas and sometimes salad, but oftenlack hot vegetables. Although you might expectthe food to be spicy in this region (‘picante’ inSpanish), this is not usually the case. Your tourleader will be able to recommend restaurants.

FoodCorn (maize), is the staple diet of Guatemala’sindigenous people and you will certainly get alot of it. Mostly in the form of tortillas whichare flat pancake-like things made of corn doughand grilled. The following are a few Guatemalanspecialties:

Guatemalan Enchiladas - Different to theMexican enchiladas, these ones are more likewestern taco shells topped with chichen/pork,salad and cream. Very tasty. You can buy threefor about US$2

Bistec or Pollo Asado - Beef steak or grilledchicken. These are common meals, usuallyserved with tortillas, rice, spring onion, whitecheese, and salad. Prices average from US$3-$5.Note that steak in Guatemala tastes good, butcan be very tough.

Platanos Asados - (roasted bananas) These aretopped either with sugar or cream (or both) forless than US$1 a serving. Keep in mind that thebananas aren't bananas proper...they are a typeof plantain, very sweet tasting and are also oftenserved with savoury meals.

If you have any allergies to foods, please comeprepared with a list to give to your tour leaderwho can then translate it into Spanish for youto show every waiter who takes your order. Ifyou are vegetarian you must always specify ‘nocarne, puerco, pollo, pescado’ etc etc.

In general we do not recommend you buy foodoff the street, however your tour leader will giveadvice, e.g. certain streets in Antigua where thelocal ladies prepare everything well. If you areunsure just try to use common sense and avoidany food that has been sitting around for a longtime (and a word of advice – avoid the brightyellow hot chips sold on every road-side).

VegetariansIf you are a strict vegetarian you may experiencea distinct lack of variety in the food available,especially in small towns. You might findthat you are eating a lot of omelettes andother egg dishes. Our tour leaders will dotheir best to provide interesting vegetarianalternatives when arranging group meals in thecampsite, but your patience and understandingis requested.

DrinkGuatemalan fruit is fresh and cheap. Go to oneof the many juice stands and ask for a “liquadode fruta” (fruit smoothie) or “jugo de naranjay zanahoria” (orange & carrot). Papaya, melon,watermelon, mango, and pineapple are verypopular, but you can also get fun things likecelery, beetroot, & chaya (a spinach-like leaf).Liquados can be made with either water ormilk. Always specify if you don’t want sugar(“sin azucar”). Latin Americans have a very sweettooth and will usually automatically add the

sugar! Coke and Pepsi are everywhere. You willalso find all sorts of orange, grape, lemon, andlime soft drinks (“Gaseosas”). “Agua Mineral” issparkling water.

Generally speaking it’s best not to expect goodcoffee/tea in this part of the world. Be warnedthat Americano (weak black coffee) is the mostcommon, followed by “café con leche” (morelike milk with a bit of coffee), and cappuccino(sometimes good). If you ask for tea (“té negro”)you will get teabags. Always ask for “leche fria aparte” (cold milk on the side) as the alternativeis likely to be a hot cup of milk with a tea baginside.

If you only learn one word in Spanish it’s boundto be “Cerveza”. There are countless lagers, anda few dark beers. A beer will cost you anywherebetween US$1.50 and $3. The most common are‘Gallo’ and ‘Tona’, with the more premium onesbeing ‘Modelo’ and ‘Dorada’.

White rum (ron) are definitely the mostcommonly drunk spirit in Guatemala.Guatemala is not known for its wine and it is bestto order Chilean wine.

Honduras Country Guide

Honduras - Fact File• Official Name: Republic of Honduras• Capital: Tegucigalpa (locals will often refer to

it as simply 'Tegus')• Population: 6.8 million• Total Area: 112,090 square kilometres• Official Language: Spanish. Amerindian

dialects spoken• Religions: Roman Catholic 97%• Voltage: 110 volts• Dialling Code: +504• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -6• Airport Departure Tax: US$30

Honduras - VisasMost nationals do not need a visa to enterHonduras, but it is important to check therules for your nationality with your nearestembassy or consulate. As a tourist you areusually entitled to 30 days, however dependingon the immigration official you can be allocatedless days.

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On entering you may be asked to fill out animmigration card. A copy of this card should stayin your passport until you exit the country.

There is no official fee to enter Honduras, butyou can be charged an unofficial fee of up to US$5. To exit the country, expect to pay anythingfrom $1 to $5. Please note: If you are travellingby coach across borders, your tour leader willcollect your border tax money in advance. Thiswill cost a little more than you’d pay crossingindividually, but it’s worth paying the extra tohave a hassle-free and speedy border crossing)

Honduras is part of the Central America-4(CA-4) Border Control Agreement. As part ofthis agreement eligible foreign nationals cantravel within the four countries (El Salvador,Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua) for a periodof up to 90 days without completing entryand exit formalities at border immigrationcheckpoints. If travellers wish to remain in thisarea for more than 90 days they should researchextensions. Overstayers can expect a fine.

Honduras - ClimateThe climate is split between the centralhighlands (where Tegucigalpa is located), wherethe weather is temperate all year round(and cool in the evenings), and the coastsand flatlands, where it is usually hot andhumid. There is a rainy season throughoutCentral America, which starts around May/June and gradually works its way throughuntil September and even sometimes October/November. Don't be put off by the term rainyseason, as this generally only means sporadicdownpours a couple of times a day. Of course,there are times, when this is not the case butit is fairly rare for continual rain to persist.The temperatures in Honduras are similar toother northern hemisphere countries, where it'swarmer in summer (July/August) and coolerin winter (December/January). Generally, thehottest time in Honduras will be the months ofApril to May.

For divers - water visibility is best from Marchto September, but is still considered good mosttimes of year.

The hurricane season on the Caribbean sideof Central America runs from September to

November. Usually this only means high windsand occasional storms. It is highly unlikely thatthe full force of a hurricane would hit anyof the areas we pass through on our tours,however our tour leaders are fully preparedto take any necessary action and would makeitinerary changes if required to ensure the safetyof clients.


Honduras - MoneyThe monetary unit in Honduras is the lempira.For up-to-date exchange rates with your owncurrency visit www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMsUS dollars are accepted for some purchases inHonduras, however you will need lempiras formost purchases. Even if you have the choice ofpaying for things in dollars it will be in yourinterest to use local currency. Having said that,often if you pay for something in dollars you getyour change in lempiras at a good rate, whichmay save you the hassle of having to exchangeyour money.

US dollars and travellers cheques can bechanged at; banks, border crossings and somehotels/shops/agencies. Your tour leader willgive you details of when and where best tochange money. You will find that banks givethe best rates for changing cash and travellerscheques, but it may be more convenient for youto change at the border or in hotels/agencies.Copan Ruinas is the most convenient place foryou to exchange enough for all your time inHonduras. In the other places it may be eitherinconvenient or simply not possible.

Often the easiest way to obtain local currency isto use the ATMs (‘cajeros automaticos’) locatedin most of the places we travel to. Visa, Plus,MasterCard and Cirrus/Maestro are accepted inmost Honduran ATMs. ATMs will only give youlocal currency. Note: In Honduras ATM machinesare often ‘out of order’. Do not rely on your cardas your only source of money. Always have a fewback-ups with you.

Credit cards are accepted in some shops/restaurants/hotels. The most accepted credit

card is Visa, although authorisation cansometimes be denied due to poor computerconnections or other problems! Note theremay sometimes be commission charged whenpaying by credit card (up to 8%).

In Honduras you will not usually be able to useUS dollar notes which are torn or marked evenslightly. If your notes are at all damaged you mayuse them in Belize.

Remember that once out of Honduras youwill generally not be able to use or exchangelempiras (except at the border towns). Thereforeyou must make sure you spend/exchange/donate any left-over money before leaving thecountry.

Honduras - Tipping & EntranceFeesTippingA 10% service charge is added on to therestaurant bill throughout most of Honduras. Ifit is not added on, it is still expected (especiallyin the more expensive restaurants). There willalso be ‘taxes’ added to your bill, on top of theservice charge. These can vary and sometimesthey are included in the menu price, other timesthey are added at the end. You are not expectedto tip taxi drivers unless they go out of theirway for you although you should tip anyonewho helps with your luggage, approximately US$0.50-$0.80.

Entrance FeesThe entrance fees for most museums inHonduras are from US$1-$5. Some museumshave the entrance fee ‘by donation’. Werecommend that you give at least 20 lempiras orUS$1 in those cases.

The entrance to Copan ruins and guided tour isincluded in your tour, but entrance to the sitemuseum (US$5) and tunnels under the acropolisand temples (U$12) are extra, so you may wantto budget for this.

Most churches are free to enter. Opening hoursvary greatly. There is often a religious festival orevent going on in Honduras (hence the constantexplosion of fireworks) so you may be luckyenough to experience some free entertainment

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on the streets. Your tour leader will give youmore information on this.

Honduras - ShoppingProducts produced in Honduras include hand-made cigars, coffee, leather, wooden carvings,basket handicrafts, ceramics, jade, silver andother jewellery. In Copan you will find a lot ofcolourful textiles, but be aware that most ofthese textiles actually come from Guatemala.You will find a wider selection and better pricesin Guatemala (Antigua and the Highlands). Youcan buy miniature replicas of some of the Mayansculptures found at Copan, some of which areconsidered to be beautiful pieces of art.

Bargaining is expected while shopping in themarkets, but in shops it is usually consideredrude to bargain. You may however ask for a‘discount’ (“descuento” in Spanish).

Honduras - Local TransportTaxis are recommended for all journeyswithin Tegucigalpa (the other places visited inHonduras are easy and safe to walk around).Taxi meters are not normally in evidence, so youwill find yourself engaging in a bit of hagglingwith the driver to agree upon the fare. Thiscan be fun, but it is a good idea to find outin advance, from your tour leader or the hotelreceptionist, approximately how much the fareshould be. It will also help if you can speak a fewwords of Spanish and you will almost certainlyhave to accept that you will pay more than theHondurans do.

An example of a local fare in Tegucigalpa: fromthe city centre to a bus terminal on the outskirtsof city is approximately US$3.

Honduras - Food & DrinkAlthough you might expect the food to be spicyin this region (‘picante’ in Spanish), this is notusually the case. If you have any allergies tofoods, please come prepared with a list to giveto your tour leader who can then translate itinto Spanish for you to show every waiter whotakes your order. If you are vegetarian you mustalways specify ‘no carne, puerco, pollo, pescado’etc etc.

Bistec or Pollo Asado (Beef steak or grilledchiken) are common meals, usually served with

tortillas, rice, spring onion, white cheese, andsalad. Prices average from US$3-5. Your tourleader will be able to recommend restaurants.

FoodExcellent seafood is available along all coastalregions and chicken, pork and beef are availablethroughout. There are plenty of internationalrestaurants to be found on this tour. Italian,Chinese and even Indian foods are availablein many areas. Most Central American mealscome with corn tortillas and sometimes salad,but often lack hot vegetables. Other commonsides are rice and beans (sometimes called ‘GalloPinto’) and sweet fried bananas (‘platanos’). Youcan often get very good and cheap set meals forlunch, as this is their main meal of the day.

DrinkAll drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinksare at your own expense at all times. You shouldbe wary of drinking the local tap water. Bottledwater, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juicesare widely available and are generally safe todrink. Please note however that fruit juices aresometimes made with unboiled tap water andcould upset your stomach.

Nicaragua Country Guide

Nicaragua - Fact File• Official Name: Republic of Nicaragua• Capital: Managua• Population: 5.3 million• Total Area: 129,494 square kilometres• Official Language: Spanish• Religions: Roman Catholic 85%• Voltage: 110 volts, US-style two flat-pinned

sockets• Dialling Code: +505• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -6• Airport Departure Tax: US$25

Nicaragua - VisasMost nationals do not need a visa to enterNicaragua, but it is important to check the rulesfor your nationality with your nearest embassyor consulate. Entry is granted on production ofa passport valid for more than 6 months andproof of funds to support yourself (althoughproof not usually requested). As a tourist youare entitled to 90 days, however depending onthe immigration official you may be allocated

less days (30 days is most common). You willprobably be asked to fill out an immigrationcard. A copy of this card should stay in yourpassport until you exit the country.

We enter and depart Nicaragua by land. Thecurrent border taxes are US$12 for departingHonduras and entering Nicaragua ($5 of that isfor entering Nicaragua) and US$3 for departingNicaragua.

Nicaragua is part of the Central America-4(CA-4) Border Control Agreement. As part ofthis agreement eligible foreign nationals cantravel within the four countries (El Salvador,Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua) for a periodof up to 90 days without completing entryand exit formalities at border immigrationcheckpoints. If travellers wish to remain in thisarea for more than 90 days they should researchextensions. Overstayers can expect a fine.

Nicaragua - ClimateNicaragua is mountainous in the west, withfertile valleys and a plateau slopes eastwardtowards the Caribbean. Lake Nicaragua, about161 kilometres long, and Lake Managua, about61 kilometres long, are connected by theTipitapa River and dominate the south-westernpart of the country. The Pacific coast is volcanicand very fertile. The Caribbean coast, swampyand indented, is aptly called the "MosquitoCoast." Nicaragua can be extremely hot andhumid, particularly in the months of March-May(before most the rains come). The Pacific zone(where our tours visit), is tropical, with relativelylittle precipitation. It is characterized by its hightemperatures between 27ºC and 32ºC in therainy season (May-October) and between 30ºCand 35ºC in the dry season (November-April).


Nicaragua - CurrencyThe monetary unit in Nicaragua is the cordoba.For up-to-date exchange rates with your owncurrency visit www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMsUS dollars (cash) are accepted for somepurchases in Nicaragua, however you will needcordobas for most purchases. Even if you

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have the choice of paying for things in USdollars it will be in your interest to use localcurrency. Therefore we advise you to obtain aconsiderable amount of local currency as soonas you enter the country. You can change dollarsinto cordobas at the border, and your tourleader will point out ATM machines and bankswhere you can change travellers cheques inManagua (this is the first destination we visit inNicaragua).

Often the easiest way to obtain local currency isto use the ATMs (‘cajeros automaticos’) locatedin every city throughout the country. SomeATMs will issue US dollars but this should not berelied on. Do not rely on your card as your onlysource of money. Always have a few back-upswith you.

Nicaragua - TippingIn most restaurants a 10% service charge isincluded on the bill. If not, you are expected toleave a tip of roughly 10%.You do not need to tiptaxi drivers, etc but you should tip people whoassist you with your luggage at hotels (don’tover-tip – 50 cents or so is fine). Tipping guidesat the end of excursions is always appreciatedand your tour leader will advise you on theamount for this.

Nicaragua - ShoppingYou will find hammocks, hand-carved wood,leather and textiles to buy in Nicaragua.The Masaya Arts and Crafts Market (optionalexcursion from Granada) is one of the mostpopular places to shop for souvenirs and gifts.Bargaining is expected while shopping in themarkets, but in shops it is usually consideredrude to bargain. However, you may always askfor a ‘discount’ (‘descuento’ in Spanish).

Nicaragua - Local TransportIn most Nicaraguan towns and cities, walking isthe best and cheapest way to see the sights, butthere will be times when you will want to geta taxi (particularly at night when it’s consideredunsafe to walk the streets). Taxis in Nicaraguado not have meters, so it’s a good idea to havea rough idea of the approximate price beforegetting in the taxi. Having said that taxis areusually very cheap. Approximate fares (all pricesare per taxi) from our hotels to:

Sometimes you might also wish to take localbuses (such as in Managua, or from Granadato Masaya markets). Providing you exercisethe usual common sense/precautions, this canbe a wonderful experience – and extremelyinexpensive. Average cost of bus tickets aroundtown are US$0.20. A two hour journey will costapprox. US$1.00.

Nicaragua - Food & DrinkAs a guideline a simple snack (e.g. a sandwichor pastry) can cost as little as US$0.40, and acheap local meal will cost between US$1.50-$3. Even a meal in one of the best restaurantsin Granada costs very little in comparison towhat you would expect to pay at home (usuallyaround US$10-15). Obviously this depends onwhat you order and if you have wine or otherdrinks which will certainly increase the bill. Incheaper local restaurants you can get meals foras little as US$1. Virtually none of the hotelsin Nicaragua include breakfast, but some ofthem have restaurants where you can expectto pay US$2-5. Your tour leader will be able torecommend restaurants.

The Nicaraguan food as in all Mesoamericancountries is based on corn and is not toohot and spicy. Corn is the main ingredientused in cakes, spirits, confectionery, drinks,desserts, etc. Cassava, beans and chili pepperare also widely used as ingredient in differentNicaraguan dishes. The most popular food inNicaragua is "gallo pinto", which consists of riceand beans and is sometimes combined withchicken, pork or beef and also plantains (sweetcooked bananas), potatoes and salad. Seafood ispopular along the coasts.

Pastries are common snacks, as are:"nacatamales" - made of maize pasta, filled withmeat and vegetables and wrapped in bananaleaves, "quesillos" - a tortilla served with cheeseand sour cream and "vigorón" - a boiled cassavatopped with cabbage salad, chicharron (friedpork skin), cabbage and yucca. "Tortilla" is a thincorn bread involved in almost every Nicaraguandish.

All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinksare at your own expense at all times. Thefollowing is a rough guideline for drinks boughtin a shop in the street. Prices in restaurants and

hotels can sometimes be more than double theprices specified below:

1 litre of water US$0.7030cl bottle of soft drink US$0.6030cl bottle of beer US$1.3050cl bottle of beer US$1.80

Nicaraguan fruit is fresh and cheap. Go to oneof the many juice stands and ask for a “liquadode fruta” (fruit smoothie) or “jugo de naranjay zanahoria” (orange & carrot). Papaya, melon,watermelon, mango, and pineapple are verypopula. Always specify if you don’t want sugar(“sin azucar”). Latin Americans have a very sweettooth and will usually automatically add thesugar.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Below is a list of the optional excursions andactivities you can choose to do on your tour atyour own cost and will help you to budget foryour holiday. Please be aware that you may nothave time to do all the optional excursions listedhere.

All prices are quoted in US dollars. The pricesare subject to change without notice and canalso increase as a result of low participation onsome excursions. Please bear this in mind whenplanning your budget and speak to your tourleader if in any doubt.

Health & Safety: It is sometimes difficult toobtain protective helmets of a reliable standardat some destinations, and unfortunately we arenot able to provide them. If you intend to takepart in optional activities such as bike, horse,donkey or camel rides, and would like to wear ahelmet, consider bringing one with you.

Overnight Excursions: If you choose anovernight excursion you should take your owndaypack as you may be required to leave yourmain luggage at your accommodation.

Costa Rica

San Jose - Jade Museum US$5

San Jose - Museum National US$4

San Jose - Theatro National US$5

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Guatemala

Antigua - Cemetery free

Antigua - Cerro de la Cruz free

Antigua - Cooking school US$50

Antigua - Horse riding US$15 per hour

Antigua - Pacaya volcano climb US$15

Antigua - Walking tour US$25

Honduras

Copan - Butterfly & bird park US$10

Copan - Coffee tour US$30

Copan - Horse riding US$15

Copan - Hot springs & bbq US$25

Roatan - Bike rentals US$10 per day

Roatan - Botanical gardens US$5

Roatan - Butterfly garden US$5

Roatan - Fishing trips US$60 per hour

Roatan - Glass bottom boat US$20

Roatan - Kayak rental US$5 per hour

Roatan - Scuba diving US$30 per dive

Roatan - Scuba diving intro dive US$100

Roatan - Snorkelling with dive boat US$15

Roatan - Swim with dolphins US$68-242

Nicaragua

Granada - Horse & Cart US$2 per hour

Granada - Isletas tour US$25

Granada - Masaya markets & volcano pricedepends on numbers

Granada - Mombacho canopy tour US$45

Ometepe - Horse riding (3 hours) US$17

Ometepe - Volcano Concepcion trek (8-10hrs) US$25

Ometepe - Volcano Maderas trek US$25

detailed itinerary the way to san josecdn.onthegotours.com/resources/documents/goguides/2015 go...

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