COSTA RICA & NICARAGUA'S EMERALD COAST

Day 1 Arrive in San José

On arrival into San Jose, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Grano de Oro. A traditional and homely hotel, converted from a grand mansion, no two rooms are the same but all have charm, immaculate white linen and characteristics from a bygone era - hard to find in this part of Central America.

Overnight: Grano de Oro

Day 2 Tortuguero

You will be collected and driven to the airport for the 20 minute flight to Tortuguero. The national park covers 51,870 acres bordering the Caribbean Sea, incorporating the region's major Atlantic Green Turtle nesting site. Tortuga Lodge has a wonderful riverside restaurant and pool, and the rooms are sensitively constructed, light and very spacious. Boat trips will take you along the waterways and provide opportunities to see an incredible variety of birds, as well as monkeys, sloths, river otters and reptiles.

Overnight: Tortuga Lodge

Day 3 Tortuguero

An early morning departure is offered to view the rainforest at one of the most active times of the day, as its residents hunt and feed. After around 3 hours, you'll return to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon siesta.

Overnight: Tortuga Lodge

Day 4 Siquirres

After breakfast, take a speed boat ride through the channels and canals for approximately an hour to your next rendezvous point at La Pavona. From there, a 2-3 hour drive through banana plantations, pastureland and forested mountains will bring you to Santa Marta, where your 4WD will be waiting to escort you to the magnificent Pacuare Lodge.

Overnight: Pacuare Lodge

Day 5 Siquirres

The beautiful, peaceful rainforest and river setting of Pacuare is hard to beat. The casitas and villas are nestled beneath the canopy, and the owners, Roberto and Luz Fernandez, spend a considerable amount of time at the lodge, making sure everything runs smoothly and that their eco standards are maintained. There is plenty to enjoy during your stay, from strolling through the grounds with your bird guide to easy hikes and thrilling zip wire rides through the canopy. There is no electricity in the casitas so once night falls light comes from lanterns and fire flies.

Overnight: Pacuare Lodge

Day 6 San Jose

Today, if you choose, there's the chance for a white water rafting adventure on one of the world's most scenic and pristine rivers. Class III-IV rapids will carry you through tropical Atlantic rainforest and spectacular canyons rising sheer on either side. The river is constantly monitored for safety by expert guides, and all equipment is provided. Showers and changing facilities await you at the end of your journey, before you continue on to San Jose.

Overnight: Grano de Oro

Day 7 Rio Perdido

You will be collected from your hotel in time for your short flight north to the second largest city of Costa Rica, Liberia in Guanacaste province. The drive to Rio Perdido Lodge will take around an hour, as you journey into an isolated region of tropical dry forest. The terrain is a complete contrast to the southern region of tropical rainforest and it is at this latitude and elevation that the vegetation changes quite dramatically. The recently-opened lodge has quickly established a reputation as a secret hidden gem.

Overnight: Rio Perdido

Day 8 Rio Perdido

Spend a day enjoying an array of activities that may include high adrenalin zip wiring and canyoning, tubing, biking or relaxing in the natural hot river springs, extensive spa and pools of varying temperatures. The rooms are individual cabins on stilts situated in the woods away from the main building which houses the reception, restaurant and spa. It can be a hot stroll once the sun gets high.

Overnight: Rio Perdido

Day 9 Morgan's Rock, Nicaragua

A private driver and vehicle will collect you after breakfast for the journey into Nicaragua - to the beautiful Morgan's Rock (around 3 hours), which has put Nicaragua's Emerald Coast firmly on the map. Set in a stunning natural setting where the rainforest meets the Pacific, Morgan's Rock is Nicaragua's original eco-lodge. The property's mile-long private beach is backed by 4,000 acres of lush greenery, with 15 thatched-roofed bungalows pitched into the steep hillside.

Overnight: Morgan's Rock

Day 10 - 13 Morgan's Rock, Nicaragua

Local artisans and artists were involved in the design to create an unpretentious and relaxed resort combining modern elegance with Nicaraguan roots. There is a strong commitment to sustainability with the use of rainwater catchments, regional materials and timber from sustainable forests. Your days can be spent entirely at the resort or venturing to the impressive colonial city of Granada or Cerro Negro volcano.

Overnight: Morgan's Rock

Day 14 Depart

You will be transferred to the international airport at Managua for the overnight flight back to the UK via the USA.