One Month!

Tentative Itinerary

The thing about Central America that I have learned through my research is to anticipate that things will not go as planned. The pura vida lifestyle down there results in relaxed schedules and flexible rules. I am such a detail-oriented planner, literally timing all of my 28 days worth of trains down to the minute on my first European trip, that the idea of a loose go-with-the-flow trip is quite intimidating; therefore, here is what I'm calling the 'tentative' plan, for the whirlwind tour of 31 days. I expect some serious delays, adventures, and mishaps(!).

TENTATIVE ITINERARY CENTRAL AMERICA

April 29: Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica (CR) at 8PM.
April 30: San Jose, CR to Manuel Antonio, CR.
May 1: Manuel Antonio, CR to San Jose, CR on last bus.
May 2: Leave San Jose, head to Leon, Nicaragua (NC).
May 3: Leon, NI
May 4: Leon, NI to La Cieba, Honduras (HR)
May 5: Take early morning ferry to Utila, HR
May 6: Utila, HR
May 7: Utila, HR
May 8: Utila, HR
May 9: Utila, HR. Leave late afternoon/evening, and stay in La Cieba, HR
May 10: La Cieba, HR to Copan, HR
May 11: Copan, HR
May 12: Copan, HR to Flores, Guatemala (GT)
May 13: Tikal, GT
May 14: Flores, GU – Semuc Champey, GT
May 15: Sempuc Champey, GT
May 16: Sempuc Champey, GTMay 17: Sempuc Champey, GT
May 18: Antigua, GT
May 19: Antigua, GTMay 20: Antigua, GT
May 21: Antigua, GT
May 22: Extra Day
May 23: Extra Day
May 24: Granada, NI
May 25: Granada, NI
May 26: Granada, NI to San Jose, CR; San Jose, CR to Puerto Viejo, CR.
May 27: Puerto Viejo, CR
May 28: Puerto Viejo, CR
May 29: San Jose, CR
May 30: Depart San Jose – shuttle to airport from hostel.

Some interesting potential activities…
◦ Monkey filled beach and surfing in Manuel Antonio
◦ Scuba diving iertification in Utila (hopefully with whale sharks, and maybe dolphins!)
◦ Ancient ruins in Copan and Tikal
◦ Cooking class in Leon or Antigua
◦ Tobogganing down a volcano in Leon
◦ Visiting an indigenous village with Loving Arms in Antigua
◦ Custom leather boots in Antigua
◦ Chocolate making class in Granada
◦ Animal sanctuary with sloths and monkeys in Puerto Viejo
◦ Possibly bungee jumping in San Jose (if we have any money left at the end).
………….and much more!

Departure date is 44 days away!