Complete Nicaragua
Suggested Itinerary
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Overview
The rising star of Central America, Nicaragua offers towering volcanoes, colonial charm and a stunning array of natural and cultural highlights. Although one of the region’s best-kept secrets, the country has more than enough to offer those wanting to spend a bit more time really getting under the skin of this underrated Central American destination.
Beginning in the charming colonial city of Granada, the journey takes you on a tour of some of the country’s finest attractions ...
The rising star of Central America, Nicaragua offers towering volcanoes, colonial charm and a stunning array of natural and cultural highlights. Although one of the region’s best-kept secrets, the country has more than enough to offer those wanting to spend a bit more time really getting under the skin of this underrated Central American destination.
Beginning in the charming colonial city of Granada, the journey takes you on a tour of some of the country’s finest attractions including the volcanoes of Masaya, Telico and Cerro Negro; the stunning natural beauty Lake Nicaragua (the largest freshwater lake in Central America), the twin volcano island of Ometepe and the mountains coffee regions of the north.
Along the way you’ll also have the chance to climb and camp on a volcano, kayak around volcanic islets, stay on a working coffee farm and explore the beautiful colonial gems of Granada and León, before finishing the journey basking in the idyllic charms of the Caribbean Corn Islands.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the colonial cities of Granada and León
- Climb the slopes of the Masaya and Telico Volcanoes
- Discover some of the country’s abundant flora and fauna
- Hike through the impressive canyons of the mountainous northern highlands
- Unwind on the Caribbean beaches of the serene Corn Islands
- Camp on a volcano by its crater and watch the sunset
Suggested Itinerary
This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.
DAY 1: ARRIVE MANAGUA - GRANADA
DAY 1: ARRIVE MANAGUA - GRANADA
After being met on arrival in Managua, your guide will transfer you to Granada.
DAY 2: GRANADA
DAY 2: GRANADA
This morning you'll head out to Cocibolca Lake, from where you can explore by kayak the labyrinthine of volcanic islands that make up 'Las Isletas'. After returning to Granada for lunch, this afternoon then sees you enjoying a walking tour of the cobblestone streets of the charming colonial city. Founded in 1524 and filled with baroque and renaissance architecture, the tour takes in the city's main highlights before ending at La Merced church.
DAY 3: GRANADA
DAY 3: GRANADA
Today you will visit the popular handicraft market at Masaya, before moving on to discover the tranquil beauty of the Masaya Volcano National Park and its active volcanic crater. Continuing on to the 'Pueblos Blancos' (the White Villages), you'll then have an opportunity to discover the gleaming white colonial architecture of these centuries-old villages and wander through stalls of vividly painted handicrafts, before stopping off in Catarina en route back to Granada, to enjoy the panoramic views of the Apoyo Lagoon.
DAY 4: GRANADA - OMETEPE ISLAND
DAY 4: GRANADA - OMETEPE ISLAND
Departing Granada today, the journey takes you to the port of San Jorge to catch the ferry across to the island of Ometepe. Lying amongst the waters of the expansive Lago de Nicaragua, the island is made up of two volcanoes, connected together by an isthmus. Passing between the two volcanic peaks, on arrival at your accommodation the rest of the day is free to enjoy some leisure time around the lake.
DAY 5: OMETEPE ISLAND
DAY 5: OMETEPE ISLAND
After breakfast this morning you'll head to Finca El Porvenir, a small lodge located on the slopes of the Maderas Volcano on the eastern side of the island. With a local guide to accompany you, you'll explore the nearby petroglyphs and dry forest, before climbing up to enjoy some stunning views across the island. Continuing to the green lagoon at Charco Verde, there will then be time to relax in the natural pool of 'Ojo de Agua'.
DAY 6: OMETEPE ISLAND - ESTELI
DAY 6: OMETEPE ISLAND - ESTELI
Take the morning ferry back to San Jorge where your driver will be waiting to transfer you on to Estelí, taking around four hours with a stop for lunch along the way. Located in the rich mountainous northeast of the country, Estelí was historically known as a refuge for Cuban cigar makers; the city doesn’t see much tourism in comparison to the colonial jackpots of León and Granada but has an interesting history that still lives on in the city today. An afternoon arrival gives you the rest of the day at leisure to relax or perhaps explore the city and its Museum of History and Archaeology.
DAY 7: ESTELI
DAY 7: ESTELI
Making your way towards the Honduran border this morning you'll spend the day in Somoto, lying in the northern foothills along the Pan-American Highway. Here you can spend some time enjoying the unique environment of its impressive canyon, with opportunities for swimming, walking and diving. Lunch today will be taken in a nearby town famed for its doughnuts.
DAY 8: ESTELI - CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
DAY 8: ESTELI - CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
Heading around two hours out of the city of Estelí, deeper into the area’s rural mountains famed for their plantations of coffee and tobacco, you’ll make your way to La Bastilla Ecolodge, adjacent to the Datanli El Diablo Nature Reserve. Here, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax amongst the fresh vegetation and mountainous air.
DAY 9: CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
DAY 9: CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
La Bastilla Ecolodge is a working coffee estate, specialising in arabica beans; recognised for its sustainability and certified by the Rainforest Alliance since 2003. Spend this morning hiking the trails around the large estate, sharing the same flora and fauna as the adjoining nature reserve. The lodge’s staff can help you identify and spot local birds that fill the area. Then in the afternoon, you will have an in-depth tour of the plantation, learning all about their progressive processes before enjoying a coffee tasting of the highest quality arabica coffee, being the only lodge in Nicaragua to specialise in this.
DAY 10: CENTRAL HIGHLANDS - LEON
DAY 10: CENTRAL HIGHLANDS - LEON
After breakfast, depart for the beautiful colonial city of León, around 3.5 hours south. The rest of the day is free to independently explore the historic city centre, a short walk from your hotel, and get a feel for the city.
DAY 11: LEON - TELICA VOLCANO
DAY 11: LEON - TELICA VOLCANO
Considered to be the country's cultural capital, León's charming streets are filled with a captivating collection of elegant old buildings, wrought iron balconies and arched colonnades. This morning you will have a chance to discover its resplendent churches and fascinating museums, before enjoying the views from the roof of the city's immense cathedral. Joining a local guide, you will then climb to the summit of the nearby Telica Volcano, following the forested trail to the top in time for sunset. Camp this evening by the crater.
DAY 12: TELICA VOLCANO - LEON
DAY 12: TELICA VOLCANO - LEON
Waking to some truly spectacular views this morning, you'll descend from the crater's rim and head for the hot springs of San Jacinto, where you'll take breakfast with a local family. Continuing on towards the basaltic cinder cone of the Cerro Negro Volcano, there will be an opportunity for a short hike and a chance to sandboard back down the slopes, before ending the day back in Leon.
DAY 13: LEON - CORN ISLANDS
DAY 13: LEON - CORN ISLANDS
Transfer back to Managua today and fly on to the idyllic Corn Islands.
DAY 14: CORN ISLANDS
DAY 14: CORN ISLANDS
Lying amongst the azure waters of the Caribbean and blessed with some three miles of white sand beach, Big Corn Island provides the setting for two days of relaxation and leisure. A fascinating mix of cultures and traditions, the island has opportunities for snorkelling, exploring by bike, or simply relaxing under the palm trees. Sample some of the fresh seafood and enjoy the laid-back charm of the Caribbean.
DAY 15: CORN ISLANDS
DAY 15: CORN ISLANDS
Day to relax or enjoy the activities on offer.
DAY 16: CORN ISLANDS - DEPART MANAGUA
DAY 16: CORN ISLANDS - DEPART MANAGUA
Depart to the airport for your flight to the capital, where you will connect you’re your onward international flight home.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Arenas Beach, Corn Islands
Located right on one of the best swimming beaches along the white sandy coastline with warm turquoise waters and the Caribbean breeze, Arenas Beach offers wood bungalows with private cabins around the main building and comfortable rooms located in the main building. The hotel is popular with Nicaraguans and foreign tourists alike and the restaurant serves a varied menu including lobster, shrimp, fresh local juices and a handpicked selection of wines. There is a bar on the beach, golf cart rental and sun loungers available. Activities around the hotel such as scuba diving, snorkelling and fishing are also offered.
Los Arcos, Estelí
Hotel Los Arcos is a comfortable three star hotel with 32 en suite rooms, located in downtown Esteli. Housed in a typical colonial building, guests can enjoy sitting in the peaceful courtyard or admiring the many paintings and crafts which adorn the interiors, all produced by local artists. There is also a good quality restaurant on site - Vuela Vuela, which offers tasty Spanish-style cuisine. The property is a social enterprise hotel, founded and administered by “Fundacion Familias Unidas”, a non-profit organisation whose aims are to provide vocational training to young adults, as well as funding local youth sports programmes, rural health initiatives and educational workshops for local primary and secondary schools.
Hotel Boutique Adela, Granada
This exclusive Spanish-style home built in the early 19th century houses only four suites and is a great way to experience the charm of Granada. Hotel Boutique Adela is located just steps from the city’s oldest church and finest museum and just two blocks from main street of restaurants making it a great base. With 12,000 square feet shared by just four parties, there is great privacy and calm with a classic interior garden and airy corridors. Included in the stay are cleaning services and a self-service kitchen.
La Bastilla Ecolodge, Jinotega
Deep within the enchanting Datanli el Diablo nature reserve, 1200metres above sea level, is the idyllic La Bastilla Ecolodge against a backdrop of emerald cloud forest. Wake up to the echoes of howler monkeys and spend your days hiking through remote native forests, kayaking on the crystalline waters of the nearby Apanas lake or learn all about award-winning coffee at this working coffee farm. An absolute solid option for anyone committed to sustainable travel, the charming eco-friendly, solar-powered La Bastilla Ecolodge is owned by La Bastilla Technical Centre for Agriculture and Tourism and 100% of the profits generated by the hotel are reinvested back into the education of the students, all of whom come from local, low-income families, thereby providing the future generation of Nicaragua with the tools to lift themselves out of poverty.
El Convento, León
A favourite among travellers, the Hotel El Convento is a ground-up restoration of the 17th century San Francisco Convent. Elegant décor and colonial-style, dark-wood furniture can be found throughout the hotel, rooms and well-manicured gardens. The on-site restaurant, El Victoriano, offers an eclectic international menu available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rooms are simple with tiled flooring, air-conditioning and small touches of stylish furniture pieces. Guests can contemplate the hotel's history in the peaceful, central garden for a bit of down time or make use of the hotel's small outdoor pool and humble fitness room. Ideally located in the heart of the city centre the hotel is just two blocks from the central park amongst a variety of shops, restaurants and wonderful colonial architecture. The owners, the largest private art collectors in Central America, have also converted three colonial homes connected to the San Francisco church across from the hotel into an art museum. Their artistic identity can be seen from the antiques, original colonial art works and native crafts dotted throughout the hotel.
San Juan De La Isla, Ometepe Island
Lakefront on Santo Domingo beach, San Juan de la Isla occupies a place on the sandy isthmus that connects dormant Maderas Volcano with the active Concepción Volcano. The three-star, family-run property offers beachfront, cabin-like accommodation made from wooden logs on stilts, as well as rooms located in the middle of lush tropical forest with views of the imposing volcanoes. The latter are located close to the restaurant, housed in a restored century-old, colonial hacienda and there is the choice between the newer, individual adobe and wooden cabins, or rooms within a central building, converted from a colonial horses’ stables. The Los Naranjos restaurant offers fresh local food, with a lot of it sourced from the property’s own farm. A waterfront location in between the two volcanoes means that a stay here is ideal for both exploring the island and its waters by foot, mountain bike, horseback or kayak, as well as simply relaxing amongst the island’s beauty.
Telica Volcano Camping, Telica Volcano
Camp will be set up just below the crater’s rim. All camping equipment is included and consists of a two-person tent (for each person or couple), a thin mattress and a sleeping bag.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
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This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
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Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
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Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
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