9 Day Nicaragua + San Juan Del Sur

Greeting to your arrival at the airport. Transfer and check in at the hotel in Managua.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure.

In the afternoon, Managua City Tour. First we will visit Tiscapa Historic Park. Here you can see the ruins of the former Presidential Palace and prisons that were used during the regime of the Somoza family. Nowadays there’s a statue of the shadow of Sandino, designed by the Nicaraguan poet Ernesto Cardenal, and other objects of historical interest such as the tank sent by Benito Mussolini to Anastasio Somoza. Additionally, you will get a fantastic panoramic view over the city, lake Xolotlan and Tiscapa crater lagoon.

Then, we will go down Bolívar Avenue towards the historic center of the city, where you will find important sites like the Central Park, the ruins of the Cathedral of Santiago, the National Palace of Culture and the National Theater Ruben Dario. We will continue to Paseo Xolotlán, located on the shores of the lake, where you can see a scale model of the buildings located on the historic Roosevelt Avenue, many of which were destroyed by the 1972 earthquake.

Leave Managua and head to the city of León, founded in 1610. We will visit the Cathedral of Leon, one of the most beautiful temples of the continent and the biggest one in Central America, recently declared as a World Heritage Site. This temple is the resting place of great Nicaraguans like Ruben Dario and Salomon de la Selva.

Then we will visit Ortiz Gurdian Art Gallery where you will find an interesting collection that includes works from noted Nicaraguan artists as well as renowned international artists like Picasso, Chagall, Miró; and Latin American masters like Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Fernando Botero and Roberto Matta.

We will also go to Ruben Dario Museum, located in the house where the great poet lived during 14 years.

Before returning to Managua, we will visit the Ruins of Leon Viejo, a World Heritage Site. This first city of Leon, built in 1524, was abandoned by its inhabitants in 1610 due to the constant threat of Momotombo volcano. Here you learn more about the origin and development of one of the most important cities of Nicaragua.

Today we will visit Masaya Volcano National Park, where we can reach the top of the volcano by vehicle, in a paved road that takes us to the edge of the active Santiago crater.

We will continue to Catarina, one the artisan’s town of Nicaragua. From its viewpoint you will have the chance to see the beautiful panoramic view of Apoyo lagoon, Mombacho volcano and Granada.

Finally, we will arrive to Granada, one of the oldest cities in America, founded in 1524 on the shores of Lake Cocibolca. Granada welcomes visitors with its colorful architecture, deep historical roots, mouth-watering cuisine, and friendly people. Check-in at the hotel.

We will visit the museum at San Francisco Convent, which houses an important collection of historical artifacts and paintings, like the 28 pre-Columbian statues from Zapatera Island, dating from the years 800 to 1200 AD. You will also have the chance to enjoy the city from a different perspective at the top of the bell tower of La Merced Church.

After the city tour we will take a boat tour of Granada’s famous Isletas, an archipelago of more than 360 islets formed by an ancient volcanic explosion, just off the shore of Lake Cocibolca. While you listen to your guide’s commentary about the history of Lake Cocibolca, admire views of Mombacho Volcano and keep an eye out for native birds like tanagers, hawks, jays and warblers. (B)

Transfer to Mombacho Volcano, known as the guardian of the colonial city of Granada. Its highest point measures over 1,300 meters, creating a unique microclimate for the region with a thick cloud covered forest. We will drive from the tropical dry forest region, through coffee farms and into the cloud forest humid conditions. Arriving at the top, we will do the 1-Km trail, along which we will observe an unusual collection of orchids, ferns and butterflies. If the weather conditions are clear, we will enjoy fantastic views of Granada, the Isletas and the surrounding countryside.

Then our vehicle will take you to Apoyo lagoon, which is located inside the extinct crater of an ancient volcano. The lagoon is surrounded by dry tropical forest, which is home to Howler monkeys and a variety of tropical birds. Here you can swim or kayak on the pristine waters of the lagoon. Whatever you choose, there is no doubt you will enjoy the tranquility of a very special place. Transfer back to Granada.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to San Juan del Sur, one of the most popular beach towns of Nicaragua. San Juan del Sur became a popular port during the gold rush in the US for people heading to California in the 1850s. Nowadays, its long waterfront is lined with delicious seafood restaurants, markets and decks overlooking the bay.

Check-in at the hotel and time at leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure.