Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to choose from....The trip to the top of the Masaya volcano and seeing inside the crater (thankfully the wind was blowing away from us so we didn't get engulfed by the smelly gases).The 2 hour river rafting trip where we saw everything from iguanas, crocodiles, snakes, monkeys and all kinds of exotic birds.Cycling from the most beautiful resort of Mystica through the rain forests, along Lake Arenal seeing Monkeys in the trees at the side of the road and a Coati strolling around in front of us without a care in the world.Having a beer in the hot springs (everyone else had the best pina colada's apparently!). Our guide spotting a very well camouflaged sloth in a tree...and there after a few more sloths spotted!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kevin was excellent.  He was faced with a few challenges throughout the trip, in particular and issue with a boat trip and the Nicaragua/Costa Rica border crossing, which he dealt with as well as he could do - sheer tenacity and a very dry sense  of humour seemed to serve him well!  He was very conscientious, regularly checking how everyone was and if they were having a good time.  His knowledge of all the areas was fantastic and he talked us through our routes, showing us detailed maps every day we cycled. The whole team was extremely helpful, good humoured and very organised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are two or three opportunities to do laundry, the main one being in La Fortuna where you stay for two days.  The laundry service is quick and cheap.  Make sure you get some hill training in, you can be extremely fit but still struggle if you aren't bike fit (spinning classes help if you haven't got any big hills near you). Take plenty of insect repellent...they are everywhere!Finally, the only downside to this trip was the border crossing between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It took us 7 hours. The group were all very patient and Kevin managed everyone's expectations very well.  We all soon forgot about this little blip the following day when we floated down the river for two hours spotting wildlife!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many inspirational moments - white water rafting, seeing & hearing the howler monkeys, giggling all the way down a very long descent in hot rain on my bike, visting the hot springs near Fortuna, relaxing at Mystica (very beautiful), snorkelling around Bocas, cocktails with my travelling companions, going for a swim in an Olympic Size Pool in the middle of no here on my own @ 5:30am with palm trees gently swaying and deer watching beside the pool ........amazing................The Hacienda Hotel is undoubtedly the most colourful place I have ever stayed at in my entire life!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rob our group leader was a fantastic guide, as were his colleagues Paul, Brit & Ronaldo. Rob, Paul & Brit are all very keen experienced cyclists and knew exactly how to pace our group. They were all great company all of the time, not just when we were on the bikes. We did not want for anything. Ronaldo was just wonderful - always appearing at just the right time with sliced pineapple & melon whenever we needed it!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take lots of quick drying cycling clothes that you can wash out while you are moving from hotel to hotel. There is a laundry service available but not at every location.Baby wipes are handy when you are hot and sweaty..........

Most Inspirational Moment

Panama has to be the big surprise. What a beautiful country. The 2 nights on the Carribean island of Bocas Torres has to be the highlight. As a group we chose to go dolphin watching, snorkeling and swimming off fantastic Red Crab Bay. Pina Colladas dressed in flowery shirts or tinsel topped it off!Drinking Pina Colladas in the hot springs with all the group in La Fortuna was also a pretty special evening. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rob looked after us extremely well with the help of Britt, and back up of Luis and Ronald. Somebody was always  there to escort me in at the back! They also let me do a bit of social organising!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The standard of accommodation and food was higher than I expected. I was pleasntly surprised about the standard of hotels and restaurants in which we ate most nights.Be prepared for early starts before it gets hot. Also it goes dark at 5pm in Nicaragua.Download the words to 'Escape- if you like pina colladas' to play on the bus!Be prepared for 2 3hour bus transfers- Panama is a long country and you wouldn't get to Panama City on time otherwise. Have a good selection of sing along music on your mp3s to ease the journey.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sailing across Lake Nicaragua to Ometepe Island, then cycling round its edge to a natural spring pool to cool off...cycling round Lake Arenal...baby crocs on the river bank in Costa Rica...snorkelling and dolphin spotting in Boca Del Toro ....mmm, ceviche

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rob was a great leader - laid back but hands on.  I always felt like I could ride at my own pace without getting left behind or holding anyone else up.

Most Inspirational Moment

There is so much to see, I wasn't prepared for the amount of animal spotting and guides were always on the lookout for a monkey in a tree or iguana etc. Finally spotting the volcano at Fortuna (it had hidden behind a cloud for 2 days), Mystica hotel an oasis of calm (and excellent pizza), wandering deer in Canas, border crossings (Nic - Cos, take some cards / book and the time will pass quickly), Panama Canal was fascinating, cycling through rainforests, cycling to the Panama border crossing - it was just a brilliant trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was very well organised and made sure everyone was happy with their accommodation, congratulated everyone when they finished their ride for the day whether they were first or last to the end.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You get two days in Fortuna, its not technically a day off but you can choose not to do the ride that day, I'd recommend planning to do something as the town is small and you can cover that off in a couple of hours. I wish I'd had a plan before I got there as there was loads to do. Others in the group went white water rafting, horseriding and both were highly recommended by them. If you like your holiday trinkets buy when you can don't wait - I left Nicaragua with nothing to remind me not even a fridge magnet ! Bocas del Tora was another highlight, recommend sticking with your group if you have a good one and hiring a boat yourselves rather than an organised tour. Oh and gel seat :D and clothes that are dry almost as soon as you've washed themWashing day in Fortuna excellent service and they also do trainers

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycle from Ometape island over the ferry and along the chocolate road to the Pacific coast was wonderful but all the cycling had its place on this trip. Rafting down the river a brilliant extra.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rob, Brit, Pol and Ronald worked well as a team, this took any of the stress out of the trip, allowing all of us to just get on our bikes and enjoy it. Thanks guys, faultless.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be put off by the thought of cycling in heat and humidity, just enjoy where you are and the surroundings and you'll forget about the hills, heat and the aching muscles. It's a great feeling knowing you did it.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many. First day of full riding, boat over to Ometepe Island and just diving in the lake right next to our hotel, completely fully clothed, just to cool off, before enjoying a beer watching the sunset over lake Nicaragua. Going Zip lining at the base of Arenal Volcano and then remembering that actually I was terrified of heights (at this point about 430metres from the rainforest floor!!) Pushing myself as hard as I could on the penultimate day of cycling and getting a well earned high five from Paul... too many to choose from

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Very organised but without ever making the group feel rushed. Knowledgeable about the areas and very attentitive to the group's needs. Along with the cycle support team they made the whole trip extremely enjoyable, took away the need to plan and think, which I found so refreshing! On hand to provide moral support along with many fruit stops en route, and always up for a beer and a dance in the evenings!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Lots of sunscreen, it's very hot. The padded shorts were lifesavers!! I didn't take any specific cycling gear and found the bikes to be perfectly adequate. Don't worry too much about fitness levels - I am not a cycling fanatic and managed to ride all the way (including the optional cycle ride!) Be prepared to be on the move a lot. The trip doesn't give you very much time to explore the places we stop at - for me this was fine as I loved the cycling, but I felt cycling was definitely the main point of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult question - was it the vulture migration - amazing; was it finishing a 45-mile hilly cycle ride in the windiest conditions possibly ever known to a cyclist; or was it standing at the bar at the Hot Springs looking in wonder at the sight of 10 Pina Coladas lined up in a row!!!   (Not all mine I'd add!) Have to say the River Raft Trip was also brilliant, as was the long, fast, downhill ride in Panama around Day 12 or 13 with such spectacular views, and spending 2-weeks trying to spot Toucans was great fun!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rob was excellent - organised, knowledgable, professional and got us where we needed to be at exactly the right times.  Made the need for 'thinking' a very limited requirement for 2 weeks, as he very efficiently seemed to do all my thinking for me!!! Perfect if you want to give your personal decision making skills a good rest, go with the flow and have fun!!! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip is rated moderate/challenging - which is probably about right.   We had 3 days of particularly windy weather - windier than any normal person would choose to cycle in at home - so it was a bit of a challenge for most of our group!!   I'm a 50 year old female, fairly fit and active - did 2 RPM classes a week through the winter prior to the trip in March - getting out in the winter in the UK and going for some longish hilly road rides would have probably been a sensible pre-holiday plan!!     Also taking time to really sort out your own saddle if you have a preference, your gel cover and good cycling shorts before you go might be a good idea!!!   

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting in the volcanic hot pools drinking cocktails.....  And of course some of the cycling....!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rob was great.  Always aware of the needs of the group and always approachable.  The trip passed flawlessly.  The local guides provided sound support throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some moisture if your trip is anything like our second week.  It might be worth having an extra set of gear over what you might expect.