Cycle Nicaragua to the Panama Canal

This is a full-on tour with bike rides most days. The bus rides are quite long to cover 3 countries in 12 days but i really enjoyed the bus rides. The bike rides are very well planned on interesting, varied and generally not too busy routes. We got the chance to cycle 900metres on the pan american highway in Costa Rica which was fun and crazy. Crossing the intercontinental divide in the Panamanian highlands was a highlight and absolutely stunning. Most of the rides were thro beautiful countryside. There are some hills, but all the group made it up every hill without needing to get off to push bikes or use the bus instead, and there are a lot of downhills that we all enjpyed. Its worth doing some training if you can, but the cyclng was more stunning, better routes and not as hard as i had envisaged. Even the longest ride was finished within about 3 or 4 hours. Food in all 3 countries was lovely and the guide took us to some nice restaurants so we ate together most meals. My only slight criticism would be the itinerary- 2 nights in horrible touristy La Fortuna is more than needed and the hotel there was more or less a backpackers hostel. I would expect more for the hefty price of this holiday. Other hotels were pretty good, though we couldn't enjoy the 2 best ones as we were only staying one night which was a shame. And... another point i havent mentioned is that this is a holiday of Very Early Starts. Often we left the hotels before 7am, with breakfast at 6 or 6.30am. This is both to start rides before it gets very hot, and also to fit in the packed itinerary which, as i said above , is very full on. Very calm and engaging guide Christopher (aka Fez) did a great job with the complicated itinerary and 2 border crossings and was non judgemental and encouraging about us cyclists. All in all, an amazing, thoroughly enjoyable holiday in 3 memorable countries.

Very exciting fast paced trip. Well organised. Opportunity to visit and cycle through 3 different countries. Beautiful scenery and great weather. Excellent leader

All good, great leader in Mike who helped in every facet of tour. Only recommendation I would have is to have freezer box for cold drinks and water along the way, even if paid as part of kitty by riders.

The 3 Central America countries cycling trip could be a logistic nightmare, but Mike managed with aplomb, and the changing of bikes, crossing of borders etc. become part of the fun. Mike was truly excellent and we would thoroughly recommend the trip, despite some wet weather. The contrast between the countries was interesting and Mike was a mine of information. This was our 6th Explore cycling trip, and though they have all been great, this was near the top.

Great varied trip. Tour leader Mike, was fantastic. Some challenging cycle rides and long bus journeys, but made up for by the variety of the trip and amount we saw