.Panama CityGranadaOmetepe IslandBoquete.San JoséPANAMA..Monteverde..Tortuguero.San Salvador.A.panecaAntiguaLake Atitlán.Tikal..San PedroCOSTA RICANICARAGUAEL SALVADORGUATEMALABELIZEBELIZE TOURIST BOARDSARAH BEARDISTOCKPHOTO.COM020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information 173We present a comprehensive exploration of a Central America of volcanoes, jungles, and sweeping beaches. We reveal the many contrasts fashioned by the region's tumultuous history, but also the captivating unspoilt charm which unites these republics bordered by the Caribbean Sea and, or, the Pacific Ocean.The Isthmus Crossing 34 days, 32 nights Panama City 2 nights, Boquete 3n, San José 1n, Tortuguero 2n, Monteverde 2n, Arenal 2n, Granada 2n, Ometepe 2n, Managua 1n, San Salvador 2n, Apaneca 2n, Antigua 2n, Lake Atitlán 2n, Guatemala City 1n, Tikal 2n, San Pedro (Belize) 4n.Day 1 Fly from the UK to Panama City, arriving same evening. Day 2 Half day partial crossing of the Panama Canal (p46). Day 3 Fly to David and on by road to Boquete. Days 4-5 Full-day excursion to Finca Lérida; bird-watching and tour of coffee farm on the slopes of Barú Volcano. Day 6 Fly to San José, capital of Costa Rica. Overnight. Days 7&8 By road and boat to Tortuguero, among the lagoons and mangroves of the Caribbean coast. Stay at the renowned Tortuga Lodge, with guided wildlife excursions (pp36-37). Days 9&10 By light aircraft and road up to Monteverde Lodge with an escorted hike in the wildlife-filled cloud forest (p37). Days 11&12 On by road to the wooded countryside close to lively Arenal Volcano. Visit the hotel's dairy farm or go horse-riding or river rafting (optional). Days 13&14 Fly to Managua. Transfer to colonial Granada on Lake Nicaragua. Tour of the city and Masaya craft market, a boat trip, and drive to the summit of Masaya Volcano. Days 15&16 Across the water to Ometepe Island (p48) to relax in unspoilt countryside. Day 17 Fly to Managua, overnight. Days 18&19 Fly to San Salvador, capital of El Salvador. Transfer to atmospheric Suchitoto, a friendly Spanish-style ridge-top town with lake and forest walks and views. Days 20&21 Travel the enchanting Ruta de las Flores in the coffee and flower cultivation region. Enjoy an escorted hike. Days 22&23 By road over the border to Antigua, Guatemala (p26) with time to explore the volcano-framed colonial city. Days 24&25 Drive to Lake Atitlán via the craft and livestock market of highland Chichicastenango. Excursion across the lake to Santiago de Atitlán. Day 26 Drive to Guatemala City, overnight. Days 27&28 Fly to Flores and transfer to Tikal (pp26-27), the Mayans' greatest city where temples and pyramids poke through the jungle canopy. Overnight at Jungle Lodge at the entrance to the site. Guided tour of the ruins. Days 29-32 Fly to Belize City and continue to San Pedro for 4 nights at Sun Breeze, a laid-back beach resort offering water sports including diving: a chance to wind down and relax! Day 33 Transfer to Belize airport for your flight back to the UK, arriving day 34.Prices from £4,960pp based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights. Regular departures from the UK

DENTAL PROJECT PERUCODESTA Offsetting flightsWith air travel constituting between 2-5% of all global carbon emissions, we recognise the need to minimise our impact and we encourage clients to offset their flights, as we do for our members of staff. In the last year, we have had a 63% uptake on offsets, which funds our chosen TICOS (Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Scheme) project in Latin America. Every TICOS project aims to alleviate poverty and reduce carbon emissions locally. Our first project funded the installation of solar panels in 21 rural communities in Panama. Now we support a native tree project in Guatemala, helping alleviate deforestation, poverty and malnutrition. For more information on the projects and what has been achieved visit journeylatinamerica.co.ukCarefully chosen suppliers and servicesEver since we started in 1980, we have believed that it's our responsibility to do all we can to protect the places to which we send you and to ensure that as much as possible of the money you spend filters through to local economies. We, and everyone we ask to deliver services to you, take pride in offering responsible holidays - with minimal impact on the environment, support for community development and ensuring good working conditions.Giving something backWe support a number of small local charities in Latin America, where our financial contributions and on-going support help to make a real difference. In addition, we are quick to act in times of disaster. In the last year we have made contributions to relief work, such as in Peru following the devastating floods leaving many communities without basic provisions, and even homes. Please contact us if you too would like to get involved and support these worthwhile causes.174Responsible Tourism Flights To reach and return from Latin America, you have to spend at least 12 hours in the air: but you'll usually have a choice of airline, class, price and route.Is it worth upgrading to premium economy, business or first class?We all know that economy class is where the cheapest and smallest seats are. Carriers vary, but the higher classes give you priority check-in and a larger baggage allowance, a comfortable airport lounge and better service if there are any delays. There's a bigger seat, and a better angle of recline (many go completely flat), better food, and complimentary alcoholic beverages. You do arrive in better shape?but no earlier than the people in economy class.Internal domestic flightsIn the UK, some carriers offer services from regional airports. We have negotiated special arrangements so that you may fly, often at no additional cost, from you local airport. All domestic flights in Latin America in this brochure's holidays are priced in economy class. Smaller aircraft operating to remote airstrips often impose reduced baggage allowances.Strategic alliances and code-sharing?Airlines have joined forces. You may find that you've booked with Iberia but you travel with British Airways. This practice is known as code-sharing. Where we know about it in advance, we will advise you.Airlines The UK airfares market is highly volatile. There are several different airlines serving Latin America and we have very competitive tariffs with all of them. Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Your choice of airline will also depend on your destination and how quickly you want to get there. Some flights to Latin America are non-stop e.g. British Airways to Brazil, others are direct?stops may be made on route but there is no need to change 'planes ?and some require an intermediate change of 'plane, usually at the 'home' airport of that carrier e.g. Air France involves a change in Paris. Special fares, booking classes and seating classesLong haul flights usually have economy, business and first class seats. Shorter domestic flights may have only economy. Within economy, there are often different rates according to varying restrictions and booking conditions. We'll book you the best fare available in your chosen class which will suit your holiday itinerary.Bought your flights elsewhere?If you have already booked your flights when you come to us, we're happy to dovetail your holiday to suit your existing plans. However, our liability is reduced if we are not responsible for all your travel arrangements, or where your itinerary is discontinuous. We won't just wash our hands of the matter, and usually a 'phone call is sufficient to rearrange services if you arrive late. But we can accept liability only for the elements of the itinerary that we are contracted to provide.Appointed Operator Below One of 21 Kuna indian communities in Panama receives solar panels, funded solely by Journey Latin America carbon offset contributions.Below Volunteer dentists get to work in the rural Apurimac Valley, Peru. Dental Project Peru is just one of the charities we support on an ongoing basis in order to help them plan for long term development.