Self Drive: Complete Nicaragua Discovery
15 days/14 nights
$1456
P/P Double Occupancy
Enjoy Nicaragua at its fullest with our 15 day long self drive tour. You’ll see the best destinations in the central and pacific part of the country: Managua, León, Granada, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur and Punta Tenoste.
Day 01 Arrival to Managua
Upon arrival to Managua airport, you will be transferred to your city hotel. Lodging at the Camino Real in Managua
Day 02 Managua / León (B)
After breakfast, the rental car will be delivered to your hotel. Then, you will drive on your own towards León. Along the way you’ll enjoy impressive views of Lake Managua and Momotombo Volcano. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy this beautiful colonial city! (Approximate driving time from Managua to León is 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the distance is 100 km or 62 miles) Lodging at Los Balcones Hotel in León
Day 03 Cerro Negro / Poneloya (B)
Today is yours to spend at leisure. We recommend a visit to colonial León and then a visit to Cerro Negro (a guide is recommended to visit Cerro Negro). Afterwards, you can visit two famous beach villages: Poneloya and Las Peñitas Lodging at Los Balcones Hotel in León
Day 04 Hervideros San Jacinto / Matagalpa: Selva Negra (B)
Today you’ll head towards Selva Negra Lodge, in the mountains between Matagalpa and Jinotega. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Hervideros los Jacintos (Hot Springs). Afterwards, continue driving up the mountains, until reaching Matagalpa, one of the most important coffee production sites in the country. Upon arrival to the lodge, we suggest you go on a walk in one of the local trails. (Approximate driving time from León to Selva Negra: 3 hours and 30 minutes; distance: 180 km or 112 miles) Lodging at the Selva Negra Lodge in Matagalpa
Day 05 Masaya / Apoyo Lagoon (B)
Today, drive towards Masaya Volcano National Park. In this visit, you can get close to Santiago Crater. Then, continue towards Apoyo Lagoon. (Approximate driving time: 4 hours and 30 minutes; distance: 200 km or 124 miles) Lodging at the San Simian Hotel in Apoyo Lagoon
Day 06 Granada (B)
In the morning, you can take an invigorating bath in the lagoon…it’s the perfect way to start the day! Then, drive to colonial Granada, a beautiful and small colorful city. Many activities are possible here. (Approximate driving time from Apoyo to Granada: 45minutes; distance: 30 km or 19 miles) Lodging at the Alhambra Hotel in Granada
Day 07-08 Granada (B)
These days are yours to spend at leisure. Some optional activities available are Mombacho Volcano and a tour of the “isletas”. Lodging at the Alhambra Hotel in Granada
Day 09 San Jorge / Santo Domingo Beach (Ometepe) (B)
In the morning, drive towards San Jorge Port, following the Pan-American Highway. Upon arrival to the port, you will catch the ferry that departs at 10:30 am. Once you arrive to the Ometepe Island, you’ll drive to Santo Domingo Beach. Along the way you’ll pass by several quaint villages, such as Alta Gracia. (Approximate driving time from Granada to Santo Domingo: 3 hours; distance: 115 km or 72 miles). Lodging at the Finca El Porvenir in Ometepe
Day 10 Ometepe (B)
Today is yours to spend at leisure in Ometepe. We suggest an excursion to Maderas Volcano. During the dry season, is possible to do a rout around the volcano. Lodging at the Finca El Porvenir in Ometepe
Day 11 San Juan del Sur (B)
Today, drive to the port in Moyogalpa, the island’s main town. Once there, take the ferry to mainland, and drive south towards the laidback town of San Juan del Sur. The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the town or visit other nearby beaches. (Approximate driving time: 2 hours; distance: 65 km or 40 miles) Lodging at the Colonial Hotel in San Juan Del Sur
Day 12 San Juan del Sur (B)
Today is yours to spend at leisure. We suggest you visit Playa La Flor Natural Reserve, where turtles come to nest during the rainy season, or further south to El Ostional. Lodging at the Colonial Hotel in San Juan Del Sur
Day 13 Punta Teonoste (B)
Continue along the Pacific Coast towards Tenoste. You will encounter many dirt roads along the way! In Rivas, take the direction of Tola, then Salinas Grandes. (Approximate driving time: 3 hours; distance: 84 miles) Lodging in Punta Tenoste Hotel
Day 14 Punta Tenoste (B)
Today is yours to spend at leisure. We recommend you visit the Chacocente Reserve. The road can be quite tough in the wet season! Lodging in Punta Tenoste Hotel
Day 15 Managua (B)
Today, drive back to Managua and return the car. There are several routes you can choose from, for example, the Ochomogo is a very way to enjoy the landscape. (Approximate driving time: 3 hours; distance: 110 km or 69 miles)
Prices Include
- Daihatsu Terios rental for 10 days, including sales taxes
- Mandatory civil insurance including sales taxes
- Free mileage
- Accommodations at the suggested hotels mentioned or similar (including local taxes)
- Daily Breakfast
- Entrance fee to Masaya Volcano National Park
- Ferry ticket for passengers only (car ticket must be purchased on the spot)
- Travel documentation with useful information
Prices Do Not Include
- Additional insurance
- Fuel
- Tourist Card upon entering Nicaragua ($5 per person)
- Voluntary Tips
- Beverages and meals not mentioned
- All extras and personal expenses
- Drop off fee in Managua airport ($12,50)
- Airport Departure Tax ($35 pp)
- Ferry Ticket for the Vehicle (Approx $11). The ferry reservation is provided by us.
- Air tickets
Notes
- Rates are per person - double occupancy
- -There are bigger car options, for additional price (such as Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota
- Prado). Please ask!
- -All prices are in US$ per Person and valid from December 1st, 2007 until October 31st, 2008
- Car Rental Conditions:
- - The following is required to rent a car:
- A valid driver’s license
- Minimum age of 21 years
- Valid credit card (the rent a car company requires a deposit)
- - A cell phone can be rented for $1,5 per day (does not include a telephone card, which can be purchased in any supermarket, gasoline station or cyber café)
- - Some credit cards include the rent-a-car insurance. Please consult with your credit card company!
