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Costa Rica, Nicaragua & Panama

Costa Rica is a nature lovers paradise - a country of breathtakingly beautiful scenery, a wide variety of climates and a rich diversity of plants and animals. Costa Rica’s capital San Jose is the main hub for exploration. Its proximity to several volcanoes, rainforests, cloud forest national parks and the Pacific Ocean, make it the perfect base to explore the many attractions.

Tortuguero National Park, located on the Caribbean Coast is home to nearly 30,000 green turtles – the largest breeding population in the world. The park also has extensive waterways leading inland, which are home to a variety of other animals. Monteverde Cloud Forest has gained international renown as one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the tropics.

Nicaragua, the largest country in Central America is full of Colonial cities, mountain villages, pristine islands and jungle hamlets. Nicaragua contains a system of Protected Areas that shelter a wide range of ecosystems including a great variety of flora and fauna and offers beautiful and secluded beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Virtually untouched, the Caribbean coast is a haven for nature lovers.

Panama is instantly recognised for its famous canal. A natural land bridge that links Central and South America the wildlife and terrain of the two continents meld to form the striking contrasts of Panama. Blessed by nature, with more than 940 bird species, 10,000 plant species and 125 animal species found no where else in the world.
 
When to go:
 
Costa Rica has two distinct seasons per year - the dry season from December to April; and rainy season from May to November.  Avoid September and October due to the rain. Temperatures are influenced by altitude, San Jose 15ºC to 26ºC; Caribbean side 21ºC at night and 30ºC during the day.
 
 

Special Offers: South & Central America

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Staff Experience

Jane, Machu Picchu
The experience that I had at Machu Picchu was something that is hard to put into words...
 
I personally recommend taking the 4 hour train ride from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes and staying overnight to make the most from your time in Machu Picchu. The train ride is very scenic and comfortable and you can relax knowing you don’t have to rush your visit.
 
The following morning from Aguas Calientes you take a bus up to the ruins. It’s best to go early when there are fewer tourists. The ride is 30 minutes and follows a zig-zag path to the top of a steep cliff and from here it is a short walk to beautiful vistas and unbelievable ancient construction work.
 
An early morning visit allows you to view this spectacular site only interrupted by the waking birds and the grazing llamas eating their breakfast of grass grown in ancient soil!
 
Jane Bittman, Adventure World
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Adventure World