Rundreise "Costa Rica & Nicaragua"

About the destination: San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, has a very different vibe than most of Latin America with a lot more American influenced architecture and a Mediterranean climate. San Jose is a town in the middle of nature. Located in the Central Valley, the city is surrounded by the most varied forms of wildlife as well as the volcanos, Poás and Irazú. It is also the central point from where you can reach the country’s rich National Parks, its gorgeous beaches, its amazing rivers and its pristine mountains.San José has certain attraction on its own like the National Theatre, the Central Market, the National Museum or the Metropolitan Cathedral. Moreover, its friendly people give a lively vibe to the city, something you can appreciate in the city’s many restaurants and bars. Some museums and buildings give away their colonial past and European artistic influences. San Jose also has much to offer and it is a city of great historical and cultural significance.

About the destination: Managua is the capital and the commercial, industrial and cultural centre of Nicaragua. The city is located at the shores of the Managua Lake. One of the best features of the city is its surroundings, lakes, mountains and volcanoes can be seen from all over the city, especially from the viewpoint of the Laguna Tiscapa.Tiscapa Lagoon is a volcanic lagoon formed in the crater of the old Tiscapa Volcano and it is one of the city most important sights. It´s located in the middle of the Old and New Managua. The old town centre, on the lakeshore, is the site of the city’s tourist attractions, including impressive colonial-style buildings, The Concha Acustica, a beautiful designed stage used for music festivals and pubic concentrations and the National Palace, an impressive neoclassical building located at the Plaza de la Revolución. Nearby, we find one of the signature landmarks of Managua, now a ruin, is the impressive Old Cathedral, built in 1929. The shell of the neoclassical edifice still stands in the heart of the Area Monumental. Across from the Old Managua Cathedral, and facing the National Palace is the Museo Nacional displaying numerous artefacts, which tell the story of Nicaragua from pre-historic times to the present day as well as a display of contemporary Nicaraguan art. The city’s main landmark, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, whose white form, reminiscent of a Maya pyramid, sails above the city. Chaotic and fascinating, Managua is a perfect base to explore the nearby lagoons, the nature reserves of Montebelli and Chocoyero-El Brujo, some fun beaches like Pochomil, and the hot springs at El Trapiche.