How many travellers will be in my group?

Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

How fit do I need to be?

Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

When are the next departures?

The next available departures are 24 November 2026; 23 November 2027. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

What's included in the tour price?

Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; All accommodation; Ground Transportation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

Where exactly does this trip go?

This tour visits Panama and Nicaragua. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Panama24 daysMax 12Solo-friendly

Panama and Nicaragua – The Heart of Central America

Explore Panama's iconic canal and Caribbean archipelago alongside Nicaragua's colonial cities and volcanic landscapes — all in a small group of just 12.

View dates & prices

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About this journey

The story behind the route

Discover two captivating neighbours on one seamless journey, beginning in Panama City’s UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo. With so many things to do in Panama City, from witnessing the ingenuity of the Panama Canal to meeting Emberá communities, you’ll then continue exploring coffee estates, cloud forests, and coral-rich islands from Boquete to Bocas del Toro. Continue to Nicaragua for a rich blend of colonial charm and volcanic drama, taking in Managua’s viewpoints, León’s cathedral rooftops, and Granada’s horse-drawn streets and lake islets. Walk crater rims at Masaya, amble misty trails on Mombacho, and learn the story of coffee and sustainable farming in Selva Negra. Unwind on Ometepe Island beneath twin volcanoes, then finish on the Pacific shores of San Juan del Sur, where golden beaches, marine life, and laid-back evenings round off an itinerary that balances history, nature, and coast with genuine cultural encounters.

The journey

Panama and Nicaragua – The Heart of Central America

Key moments

The moments that define this trip

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route

Indigenous Cultures and Living Traditions
The tour offers two distinct and meaningful encounters with Indigenous communities: a dugout canoe journey to an Emberá village on the Gatun River where music, dance, cosmology, and craftsmanship are shared over a communityprepared lunch, and a visit to a Ngäbe-Buglé community in Bocas del Toro, welcomed with genuine hospitality and pride. These are respectful exchanges that go well beyond the surface, offering real insight into ways of life rarely encountered on mainstream travel itineraries.
Volcanic Landscapes and Geothermal Wonders
Nicaragua's volcanic character is woven throughout the second half of the tour, from the ascent of Cerro Negro — where the trail crosses black lava dunes to reach an active, smoking crater — to the bubbling mud pools and steam vents of Hervideros de San Jacinto. The climax arrives at Masaya Volcano National Park, where the group drives to the very rim of the Santiago crater to observe its gaseous, incandescent lava lake at close quarters.
Cloud Forests, Coffee, and Highland Life
The Chiriquí highlands around Boquete and the Selva Negra estate in Nicaragua offer two deeply immersive encounters with mountain ecosystems and the cultures they sustain. In Boquete, hanging-bridge forest walks, a specialty coffee finca visit, and an artisan rum tasting combine naturally with a guided hike into the UNESCO-listed La Amistad International Park; in Nicaragua, a walking coffee tour at Selva Negra reveals a complete model of sustainable agriculture and social enterprise.
Colonial Cities and Caribbean Coasts
Panama City's dual identity — the atmospheric cobbled lanes of Casco Viejo alongside the ruined grandeur of Panamá Viejo — gives way in Nicaragua to the revolutionary energy of León and the elegant Spanish-colonial splendour of Granada, with a cooking class, a horse-drawn carriage tour, and rooftop cathedral views among the highlights. Between these inland cities, the Bocas del Toro archipelago offers an entirely different register: laid-back Afro-Caribbean island culture, coral reefs, and white-sand beaches on the Caribbean coast.
Island Life and Pacific Wilderness
The tour's final act moves between two contrasting island experiences: Ometepe, the twin-volcano island rising from vast Lake Nicaragua, where pre-Columbian sculpture parks and natural swimming pools invite unhurried exploration, and San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast, where the beach town atmosphere and the remarkable seasonal spectacle of Olive Ridley turtles nesting at Flor Beach provide a memorably gentle close to the journey.

Full itinerary · 24 days

Free — no sign-up

Dates & prices

Pick your departure

Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.

Departs	Returns	Status	Price pp	Single supp.
24 Nov 2026	17 Dec 2026	Guaranteed	£6,095	+£1,340	Book now
23 Nov 2027	16 Dec 2027	Guaranteed	£6,095	+£1,340	Book now

Departure
24 Nov 2026 → 17 Dec 2026
Guaranteed
From
£6,095 pp
Single supp. +£1,340
Book now
Departure
23 Nov 2027 → 16 Dec 2027
Guaranteed
From
£6,095 pp
Single supp. +£1,340
Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Panama journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip

What's included

Everything covered — and what's not

Included in the price

Arrival and departure transfers
All accommodation
Ground Transportation
Services of a driver and English-speaking local guides
Meals as listed
Entrance fees as per the itinerary
Flight Panama City – Managua

Budget separately for

International flights
Items of a personal nature
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visa (if applicable)
Drinks
Tips (discretionary)

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Panama Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Panama that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:

US Department of State — US State Department Panama Travel Advisory
Australian Government — Smartraveller Panama Advice
Government of Canada — Canada Travel Advice for Panama

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Panama and Nicaragua – The Heart of Central America. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

“The trip began in Managua and visited the main places of interest in Nicaragua, including the fine colonial cities of Leon and Granada, two of the most attractive cities in Central America. There was a very interesting visit to the highland coffee-growing area near Matagalpa. We also spent time on Ometepe Island, which has some very attractive scenery and good wildlife. The trip ended in San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast. Their itineraries are always very interesting and well planned.”

Cantab

Nicaragua

“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”

Anna

“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”

Grete

“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”

Frank

“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”

Cathy

“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”

Lynn

“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”

Andy

“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”

Jennie

“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”

Debbie

“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”

Alexis

“The trip began in Managua and visited the main places of interest in Nicaragua, including the fine colonial cities of Leon and Granada, two of the most attractive cities in Central America. There was a very interesting visit to the highland coffee-growing area near Matagalpa. We also spent time on Ometepe Island, which has some very attractive scenery and good wildlife. The trip ended in San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast. Their itineraries are always very interesting and well planned.”

Cantab

Nicaragua

“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”

Anna

“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”

Grete

“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”

Frank

“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”

Cathy

“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”

Lynn

“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”

Andy

“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”

Jennie

“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”

Debbie

“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”

Alexis

Want to customise this tour?

Make Panama and Nicaragua – The Heart of Central America your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

Customise this tour

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