Summer is the low season in Central America, also known as the rainy season or the "green season." That means it's also the value season. Two weeks ago, we reported on several airfare sales to Costa Rica that are still running. Now, we've found several packages that give you airfare, a car and a week's worth of accommodations for the price you'd pay just to fly to Europe this summer.
How Far Will Flattery Get Them?
Costa Rica is Central America's top tourist destination. The country is peaceful, beautiful, and cheap to get to. It's cheap to stay in, too -- and to prove that point, tour operator Tico Travel (www.ticotravel.com) has set up a special "Frommer's package" for budget travelers.
According to the guys at Tico, their Frommer's package offers the cheapest possible safe and decent lodging in Costa Rica, with an emphasis on ecotourism. With this seven-night package, you fly into Costa Rica's capital of San Jose, get a 4x4 to drive around the Manuel Antonio national park (home to toucans, sloths and monkeys), and stay for six nights in a three-star hotel near the park. Hiking, swimming, windsurfing and wildlife viewing can all be arranged through your hotel.
Tico's rates (all per person, double occupancy, before $40 or so tax) include:
- From Miami: $708
- From Orlando: $740
- From LA: $979
- From New York: $989
If you've nabbed your own cheap airfare, Tico can set up land-only packages at very low rates. Their nine-day "budget package" (www.ticotravel.com/tours/budget.htm) includes a six-day car rental, eight hotel nights and a jungle tour for a mere $469 plus tax (per person, double occupancy as usual).
Tico has a slew of other tours and packages, too, so check out their Website at www.ticotravel.com or call them at 800/493-8426.
Nicaragua the Unspoiled
Nicaragua is so new on the tourist map that we don't have a guide for it yet. But we hear the country is a lot like Costa Rica, but there are fewer tourists, less infrastructure and a more "unspoiled" experience.
So for now, we'd advise going with a tour operator for trips to Nicaragua. We found several interesting trips from Capricorn (www.capricorn.net/AAA_nicaragua.htm), a family-run, New York-based travel agency that's been sending people to South America since 1985. Arthur Frommer himself has plugged these guys, so we know they're on the level.
Their cheapest package is a five-night tour of two colonial-era cities in Nicaragua, Leon and Granada. Leon is a city full of university students, and Granada dates back to the 1500s, so you get lively and quaint in equal measure. Rates start at $649 for June trips from Miami; add-ons are available from most US cities for $6-$200 extra.
We also like the culture/beach balance found in Capricorn's Granada/Montelimar package. You spend two nights in colonial Granada, and then five-nights at the all-inclusive Barcelo Montelimar resort on Nicaragua's Pacific coast. Rates start at $819 for trips from Miami in June.
To book with Capricorn visit www.capricorn.net or give them a call at 800/426-6544.