I love to research the multitude of possible places to see when planning to travel. My list is always longer than time allows and that’s OK. I don’t expect to see it all and don’t really want to rush around too much. Just means I’ll have an excuse to return.
I’ve been surfing the web for possible tours in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. I’d really like to start my journey with a guided tour to get a feel for this part of the world. Yet I’ve never been on a tour that lasted longer than an hour, with a Park Ranger. And then there’s the cruise ship idea that would be a first.
Have any of you “been there, done that”? There are quite a few choices for multi-day tour options: Road Scholar, Smithsonian Journeys, Caravan, Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), National Geographic Expeditions (fantasy dream), Intrepid Travel, G adventures. Thinking a tour off the beaten path would be a good idea. I plan to stay longer than an organized 7-14 day tour and then explore on my own.
I’m a National Park junkie so could probably spend years exploring all the possibilities in Costa Rica alone. Considered a world leader in conservation policies with 25% of the land protected, more than any other country in the world, including a variety of ecosystems and habitats like beaches, rainforest, volcanoes, wildlife, tropical dry forests, wetlands, cloud forests, marine areas, rivers and waterfalls.
I’d also like to volunteer somewhere and because I love wildlife, and especially would like to get to know some sloths, I’m considering the Sloth Sanctuary as one possibility. Aren’t they adorable?
Barra Honda National Park
Making a wish list of tours and places. Got totally lost for the last couple of days engrossed in the possibilities with a bit of drool on the keyboard while gazing at images and dreaming of places I want to see.
Please feel free to make suggestions as my list can never be too long.
Pura Vida! Pure Life!
Apologize that none of the these photos are mine, yet.
Haven’t been to Central America yet…I’ve been looking at Costa Rica, but there is interesting country all over! Wherever you go, I’ll be interested in your pics!
Costa Rica is a geological young landscape.
My sons went to Costa Rica 20 years go after graduating from college. They stayed 6 months on $600 and lived on the beach. They told us they were “learning the language” but they came back as great surfers and not so great
speakers of Spanish!
We loved Costa Rica and plan to go back again someday. We were still working at the time we went so only had 10 days. We decided not to spread ourselves too thin and stayed near La Fortuna and the Arenal volcano, which we could see from our cabin. Ziplining was a blast and a trip up the Cano Negro was fascinating, seeing the most beautiful birds and sloths in the trees. The rainforest was a special treat. 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions. I could spending at least a week near La Fortuna/Arenal.
Hi Gaelyn, loved your list of possibilities and look forward to when you tour there then I get to see it too! I just LOVE the idea of the Sloth Sanctuary. Is that a baby sloth on its mother’s chest. Wow! Suggestion: if you return to SA, try touring the Kgalaghadi Tranfrontier Park. It’s huge and wild and you will love it! Have a great weekend. (((Hugs))) Jo
Yes Jo, that’s a sloth baby. Isn’t it adorable. Can’t wait to see these critters live and in person. I’ve put the Kgalaghadi Park on my SA list. I will be back. Looking at 2014.
I have taken both caravan tours of Costa Rica and Panama. I loved both of them but would do Costa Rica over and over. I loved it there.
Nice to hear you liked the Caravan tours. They are one of the possibilities.
I too am a planning trips junkie. It might be my mostest favorite thing in the world. Other than doing the travel itself of course. This sounds so wonderful. Sure wish I could go along.
I’m considering another trip to India in March, so I know how you feel. Never been to where you are going, but I would definitely ‘hit’ the sloth sanctuary.
India is on my list too, one of these years.
Hey gypsy lady, I wrote you back a loooong thingy bobber on that G+. You’ll get guided tours on some of the things you’re looking into…..I’ve been to all the places you’ve mentioned. Costa Rica and Panama are wonderful locations. Panama is very birdy. While Costa Rica has preserved some of the best rain forest of all the countries in Central America. Corcovado National Park is excellent but you would be alone on that hike…..gosh there are so many places to visit. Arenal, Monteverde, the Cloud Forest outside of San Jose, etc etc……
You’ve got a good start on Panama. I’d like to recommend Coiba Island which is like the Galapagos Islands. Very park rangery:), Gamboa and beware of the Darien Gap and Colon. Darien Gap is where you’ll find the Harpy Eagle…..it’s also a no man’s land of government gorillas, indians…the Embera tribe, drug smugglers and park rangers all fighting to keep this last unknow piece of the world safe. There are some spots that are excellent to visit while most of it is unknown and dangerous. It sounds exciting in the books until you reach this wild wild west of cowboys and indians:) Keep me up to date. Maps and guide books….Spanish…..oh gosh….I can’t wait. Tell me more:)
Chris, I really appreciate all you suggestions and excitement. The Panama map I posted shows where Caravan tours takes you so at least I’d be in a group and hope for safety in numbers. Although I love the sound of Corcovado it does seem a bit isolated to go by myself. Did you rent a car in Panama? I haven’t ordered any maps or guide books yet but am creating lots of files on the computer. Also need to work on my Spanish. Hablo un poquito Espanol solamente. See what I mean. I’ll be picking your brain some more in the next couple of months.
I’m so glad for you and planning and checking out the possibilities sounds delightfully fun. Can’t wait to hear what you decide on.
One winter (too long ago) we disembarked from a barefoot cruise in Belize and then spent 2 weeks in that country…loved loved loved that whole trip. Our oldest grandson and his wife have spent quite a bit of time in Central America… I can link you to their blog if you wish (they’re not there now, but they are still blogging about it…they do it for the history I think.) Of course they travel on the cheap since they’re young.
I liked Belize for the 72 hours spent near the Mexican border, had to renew six-month visas. I’m thinking part tour and part on my own. Please do send me your grandson’s blog link. I may not be young but still have a budget.
We’ve been to Costa Rica twice…1st time we rented a car in San Jose and drove to Quepos and Manuel Antonio NP where we rented a reasonably priced house for 10 days; then drove to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano and a few other places, renting cheap accommodations along the way…nothing formal, doing our own local tours along the way. Last year we did our first cruise; a tall sailing ship, from Barbados to Costa Rica, with lots of formal tours along the way…we usually ended up doing our own. There were only 128 people onboard, so very comfortable and informal. We also spend a lot of time in the islands of Belize and Honduras. Would love to go back to Panama for more exploration. Let me know if you need more info. Lynda
Thanks for the input Lynda. I’m thinking organized multi-day tour where I might feel the most uncomfortable traveling alone and if I do that first I’ll hopefully get some street smarts along the way. I like the idea of renting a car/rig that I could sleep in during some National Park visits where there’s camping. But the idea of a long stay is also appealing at some point. Costa Rica isn’t all that big, so maybe if I check it out a little the right longer term place will call my name.
I find your site so helpful. I have not been to South or Central America. But am always making lists and keeping notes…so when that day comes, I am ready!
I won’t be of much help cause its a part of the world I know very little of. I am really looking forward to go on this trip with you through cyberspace.
I go for Costa Rica!