Central America Discovery

Leave London Heathrow in the morning by British Airways to Miami (9 hours 45 minutes), continuing by American Airlines to Guatemala City (2 hours 55 minutes). On arrival in the evening, transfer to Antigua (journey time 1 hour) staying at the Casa Santo Domingo Hotel.

Antigua, Guatemala is one of the most important tourist centres in the country. It was founded in 1541, and since then it has kept its architectural form, character and its monuments. The city is an example of planning and colonial architecture and has been awarded World Heritage Status by UNESCO. You will have a morning walking tour of Antigua followed by lunch. The afternoon is free to explore this charming town.

Drive to Lake Atitlan (186 kms / approximately 6 hours with stops) for our stay at the Hotel Atitlan (or similar).

The novelist Aldous Huxley, travelling in the 1930’s called Atitlan, “the most beautiful lake in the world” and this morning we take a boat trip on the lake to Santiago de Atitlan. Return to the hotel, and depart for the town of Chichicastenango to visit the colourful indigenous market which is attended by Indians from the surrounding areas.

Leave Atitlan in the morning and drive to Guatemala City (148 kms / approximately 4 hours) to catch the short flight (55 minutes) to Flores. Transfer to the Camino Real Hotel (or similar).

The day is spent exploring the fabulous Mayan ruins of Tikal which is dominated by five enormous granite pyramids. Tikal is the largest excavated site on the American continent.

At leisure. An optional excursion across the border into Belize to see the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich can be booked locally.

Fly to Guatemala City where you will have time for a brief panoramic tour of the city before the mid-afternoon flight to Managua (1 hour 10 minutes). On arrival, we transfer to Granada on the shores of Lake Nicaragua (50 kms / approximately 1 hour 15 minutes), the tenth largest lake in the world. Stay at the Hotel Dario.

Granada is a charming city full of colonial-style buildings and monuments, and we spend these days visiting the highlights of this town and surrounding area including the Masaya Volcano.

Granada is a charming city full of colonial-style buildings and monuments, and we spend these days visiting the highlights of this town and surrounding area including the Masaya Volcano.

Drive across the border into the world famous Monteverde region in Costa Rica for our stay at El Establo Mountain Hotel (286 kms / approximately 8 to 9 hours with stops).

In the morning, we explore the Monteverde Reserve which is home to over 400 bird species including 30 types of hummingbird. The afternoon is free to either relax at your hotel or visit some of Monteverde’s many attractions.

Morning visit to the Butterfly Garden, established in 1991, before continuing via Lake Arenal to the Arenal area. (Please note, the boat journey on Lake Arenal will not necessarily be private to the Bales group). Stay at the Montana de Fuego Resort and Spa.

Spend a tranquil morning sailing in rubber zodiacs on the Penas Blancas River, hoping to see monkeys, sloths, iguanas and crocodiles. Late afternoon visit to one of the many natural hot springs of the area.

Drive to San Jose airport (approximate journey time 6 hours with stops). On the way, stops will be made at Zarcero Park, noted for its topiary; Sarchi, Costa Rica’s main artisan town, which also has a pretty church and Grecia, which has an unusual metallic church. Lunch is included on this journey. Late afternoon flight on COPA Airlines to Panama City (1 hour 10 minutes). Stay at the InterContinental Miramar Hotel overlooking Panama Bay.

Morning tour of Panama City including the delightful old colonial districts, and a visit to the excellent Museum of the Panama Canal.

A day to remember and a highlight for many, as we sail from the Pacific to the Caribbean on a full transit of the Panama Canal. Built in the early years of the 20th century, this masterpiece of engineering links the Pacific to the Atlantic by a series of double locks, whereby ships are raised then lowered 26 metres as they cross the Continental Divide. For almost half of its 80 kilometre length, the Canal crosses the artificial Gatun Lake. The scenery is surprisingly beautiful, and there is much birdlife to see during the transit, as well as the interest of the actual logistics of the passage. Shipping movements in the canal are strictly controlled by the Panama Canal Authority, so the overall duration of this excursion varies from tour to tour. Please note, the ship is not exclusive to Bales Worldwide.

Fly with American Airlines to Miami (2 hours 50 minutes), connecting with a British Airways flight to London (8 hours 20 minutes).

Arrive in the morning at London Heathrow.