This trip exceeded our expectations! The cycling was often challenging with some biggish hills in hot weather but also great fun (what goes up has to come down) and mostly on well made roads without too much traffic. Two longish sections on dirt roads challenge the suspension but are fine in the weather that we had for those sections. At the end of the trip we felt we had achieved something worthwhile. But it was not all cycling with trips to an active volcano, hot and cold springs and and wildlife spotting during river rafting among the notable highlights. The trip accommodation and food ranged from good to adequate. The hotel at Las Lajas and the last meal in Old Panama being particular highlights.
The trip was well organised and well run with Roberto (Chino) and his team doing a great job. They responded very well to the issues of our delayed luggage and very poor weather in the Caribbean. The latter meant that we had an extra night at Las Lajas which was more than welcome. Chino, Paul and Ronal had become great friends with the group by the end of the trip.
If you enjoy a bit of a challange and doing something a bit different from the usual holiday routine then this trip is for you - overall a superb experience which is going to take some beating!
Great mix of history and hiking Great walking in a dramatic and historic landscape which isn't as well known as it deserves to be. This trip has a variety of different walks with lots of different aspects to keep your interest. The scenery is dramatic - lots of crags and gorges with views of the snow topped mountains, but there is also the history and culture of the area. The villages are scenic but not twee, this is a working agricultural landscape after all, and the terraces and ancient moorish irrigation system give the landscape a distinctive character.
Cycling across Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama A great trip offering a real variety of landscapes, wildlife, accommodation and experiences. The cycling was sufficiently challenging to feel we earned our pre-dinner cocktails and was a really enjoyable way to appreciate the rain forests, lakes and volcanoes. Plenty of time to relax as well. It was fun to feel part of a team and we were well supported by our guides and driver. 300 miles and 3 countries in 2 weeks feels like a real achievement with lots of good memories.
