Best of Nicaragua
6 days/5 nights
$545
P/P Double Occupancy
In this short trip you’ll see Nicaragua’s essential destinations: Leon, Granada and Ometepe. You’ll love the feel of the colonial cities and traditional towns. This unique combination of colonial sightseeing and natural beauty will leave you longing for more!
Day 01 Tuesday: Arrival to Managua
Upon arrival to Managua International Airport, take a short transfer with the shuttle bus to your Hotel, located 2 kilometers away. Overnight at Hotel Camino Real
Day 02 Wednesday: Managua / Leon Viejo / Leon (B)
In the morning you will have a city tour of Managua, Nicaragua’s largest city, where one third of the whole population lives. We will visit the old city center as well as the “new” Managua. Then, we will drive North along Lake Managua, enjoying the impressive views of the volcanic chain, especially the Momotombo volcano. Along the way, we will stop at Leon Viejo ruins and learn about the rich colonial history of the country. Then, continue your drive to modern Leon, Nicaragua’s former capital. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a cultural walking tour in the historic center of Leon. You will visit the famous Cathedral, the bishop Palace and Ruben Dario Museum. Overnight at Hotel Los Balcones
Day 03 Thursday: Leon / Masaya Volcano & Market / Catarina / Granada (B)
Today, you will continue the visit to Leon. Then, you will head towards Masaya Volcano National Park. Here, you will drive up hill and will arrive just at the border of Santiago crater, where you will observe the impressive activity of this volcano. At the visitor’s center, you will learn about volcanoes and seismology in Central America. Continue to the town of Masaya, where you will have the opportunity to visit its popular market. Shopping is fantastic here. You can find all traditional Nicaraguan handicrafts at very reasonable prices. On the way to the colonial town of Granada, we will stop by the town of Catarina, best known for specializing in growing ornamental plants. You will also enjoy the unique view over Apoyo Lagoon and the whole region. Overnight at Hotel Patio El Malinche
Day 04 Friday: Granada City tour and Isletas (B)
Today, you will have a walking tour through the historic center of Granada, one of the oldest cities in the American continent. You will visit the most important monuments like the Cathedral, San Francisco convent and its Pre-Columbian statue collection, the Merced Church and the famous "Casa de Los Leones". In the afternoon, you will drive to the Great Lake Nicaragua, where you will enjoy our excursion to the natural and romantic "Isletas": an archipelago of 350 little islands just offshore Granada. After this boat tour, you will return to Granada. Overnight at Hotel Patio El Malinche
Day 05 Saturday: Granada / San Jorge / Ometepe Island (B, L)
After breakfast, you will drive to San Jorge port, located south of Lake Nicaragua. From here, you will take the ferry to the volcanic island of Ometepe. After about one hour drive, we will reach Ometepe’s main town: Moyogalpa. From here, we will drive along a unique route, passing several villages until reaching Playa Santo Domingo where we take our rooms for the coming night. Then, we will continue driving through several banana plantations and traditional villages to Finca El Porvenir located on the flanks of Maderas volcano. Here, we will enjoy our lunch with view on Lake Nicaragua and the impressive Concepcion volcano forming part of the island. After, we will start for a walk through the Finca and discover some of the Petro Glyphs testimony of the strong Indio activities in the past. Return to Playa Santo Domingo. Overnight at Villa Paraiso Lodge
Day 06 Sunday: Finca El Porvenir / Moyogalpa / San Jorge / “Los Pueblos“/ Managua (B)
Today you’ll have breakfast while enjoying beautiful views of Lake Nicaragua. Then, we depart early and continue until we reach the island’s main town: Moyogalpa. Back in the mainland, you will drive on the Pan-American Highway towards Managua passing the road of “Pueblos”: Jinotepe, San Marcos and Masatepe.
Prices Include
- All transfers and transportation during the roundtrip in comfortable vehicles with a/c, and by boat according to program (Note: NO a/c vehicle available in Ometepe Island)
- Accommodations at the 2 and 3 star hotels mentioned
- English speaking tour guide during the whole roundtrip
- Meals as per description
- All entrance fees as per description
- Travel documentation with useful information
Prices Do Not Include
- Tourist Card upon entering Nicaragua ($5 per person)
- Border fee Nicaragua/Costa Rica ($ 8 per person) (if applicable)
- Voluntary Tips
- Beverages
- Additional meals
- All extras and personal expenses
- Airport Departure Tax
Notes
- Rates are per person - double occupancy
- All prices are in US$ per person and valid from November 01st, 2008 until October 31st, 2009
- For larger parties, please ask for discounts!
- A minimum of 2 people is required
- Seat in Bus basis (shared tours) depart on Tuesdays. Private tours depart daily
