Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama vacation

Planet

On this trip we travel overland through three captivating countries, Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama. We will be exploring using a minibus for most of the trip – using group transport is a lower carbon option than multiple vehicles or internal flights, and therefore is less polluting than alternate forms of transport. In addition, through certain legs of this trip we, of course, use bicycles to get between points and take in scenic loops.

Added to this, we take a public ferry across Lake Nicaragua to Isla de Ometepe. Once on the island we travel almost entirely by bike. Ometepe is famed for its twin volcanic peaks which dominate the skyline for the lake shore, in 2010 it was named a UNESCO Biosphere Preserve. Cars are few and far between on the island and the Ometepe Sustainability Group works hard to keep the impact of tourism as low as possible.

As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.

In Monteverde proceeds from the entry fees to the cloud forest reserve help to protect the highly endangered habitat of the Resplendant Quetzal, of which only 300 pairs remain in the world. Monteverde houses 2.5% of worldwide biodiversity; income collected through visits are used directly to fund preservation, research and educational programmes to ensure this pristine environment is preserved for future generations.

Our local partner were one of the first tour operators in Costa Rica with the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST), achieving five leaves (level 5) out of a maximum possible of five with all staff given regular training and support to promote environmental best practices including recycling, water and energy conservation.


As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.

People

Enjoying authentic Nicaraguan, Costa Rican and Panamanian cuisine is an opportunity to try something different, but to also support the local economy. The local Tour Leaders make recommendations of dishes to try at locally-run, family-owned restaurants, which also adds an extra spark to your unique tour.

As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.

Two days later, traveling from the Arenal region to Monteverde, we visit El Establo, a family run restaurant and ranch. After a short tour of the ranch, we have a cooking demonstration, then tuck in to a typical Costa Rican dish called "Casado" comprising of rice, beans, beef or chicken or fish and plantain. The money for this all goes directly back to the family.

As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.