Nicaragua Colonial and Caribbean Twist
This trip is the ultimate way to experience everything Nicaragua has to offer. Starting your trip in the colonial town of Leon, a town which once the capital of Nicaragua until 1821, you will experience the rich history of the country and its Spanish colonial influences. You will then travel the nation and witness some natural sites such as volcanoes, forests, islands and of course see some incredible wildlife along the way.
- Leon
- Mombacho
- Ometepe
- Granada
- Masaya and Isletas Bout Tour
- Little Corn Island
- Managua
This trip offers you the chance to live and experience Nicaragua from its Spanish colonial roots to its carribbean influences and tropical scenery. You will be offered a variety of tours which will provide in-depth information about the nation, its cities and town, its history, and the wildlife which call the nation home. Over 11 days you will experience what it is that makes Nicaragua such a unique destination and become immersed in the nation’s culture.
Welcome to Nicaragua, Land of Lakes and Volcanoes! You arrive at Managua Airport, and after customs procedures you will be met at the airport, you will be provided with the information you need for your trip, then you are transferred to your hotel in the colonial city of León.
The colonial town of Leon was founded in its current location in 1610 and was the colonial capital of Nicaragua until independence from Spain in 1821. It has always been the political and intellectual centre of the nation, and home to the second oldest university in Central America. The historic centre with its colourful colonial buildings, baroque- and neoclassical churches, cultural venues and museums, and its large cathedral that has been declared UNESCO heritage, are only some of Leon’s many attractions. The privileged location provides easy access to nearby Pacific beaches, to the Ruins of León Viejo where the city was originally founded in the year 1524, and to the many active volcanoes which are popular with outdoors adventure- and nature enthusiasts.
The following day, a guide picks you up at the hotel for a visit to the colonial city of León.
Your guide takes you on a walking tour through the historic part of town, home to more than 12 colonial period churches, each one unique in its design from tiny parish size chapels to the mighty Cathedral, Central America’s largest church. On route you visit murals dating back to the revolution, baroque and neoclassical churches and an art museum with works of internationally renowned artists, both classic and contemporary. You are invited to explore the local fruit and vegetable market, before the tour ends with remarkable vistas from the cathedral´s picturesque rooftop.
In the afternoon you can choose to tour to the beach or a hike an active volcano. Some suggestions:
- León – Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding
- León Viejo – Walking Tour
- León – Juan Venado Island Motorboat Tour
- León – El Hoyo Volcano Hike
- León – San Jacinto Mudfields
You will be picked up at 7:30am. Following this you will head south to the port of San Jorge where you get on the ferry to Isla de Ometepe, a beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua. Along the way, you stop at Mombacho volcano for a short crater hike. The island of Ometepe is situated in one of the world´s largest fresh water lakes, Lake Nicaragua. Ometepe has served as home to indigenous tribes and cultures for many centuries, of which the many pre-Columbian petroglyphs are silent witnesses.
The two volcanoes on the island, Concepción and Maderas, offer stunning views when approaching Ometepe by boat from the mainland. Both volcanoes have their own climate and unique vegetation and hiking either of them is a great way to enjoy spectacular views of the surroundings. Concepción is the larger of the two, with 1610 meters above sea level it is Nicaragua´s second largest volcano. The volcano has tropical dry forest and can be climbed during a guided full day tour. The largest villages Altagracia and Moyogalpa and the island´s main ports are all on the Concepción half of the island.
Experience the mystical cloud forest of this lush Nature Reserve atop a majestic volcano which boasts a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife. Enjoy a variety of landscapes during a guided hike along the one-mile long trail around the crater, while enjoying the views of Granada, the Las Isletas archipelago and Masaya volcano. Keep an eye out for the howler monkeys and white-faced monkeys, sloths, dart frogs, and the endemic Mombacho salamander.
The next day, a local guide will meet you at your hotel for a visit to the unique and wonderful Ometepe Island. Today you explore the abundant nature and wildlife of this majestic site.
Your Ometepe nature experience starts at the Peña Inculta nature reserve where you see lava rocks overgrown by primary forest, home to white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrels, iguanas, bats and many birds. After hiking the reserve for approximately 45 minutes, you visit Hacienda Finca Magdalena, a community-run farm founded in 1888, where you get insight into the process of organic coffee cultivation. A short hike brings you to a site with remnants of pre-Columbian times. Your last stop is Ojo de Agua, a pristine natural spring surrounded by dense forest.
Picked up at 7:30am, you take the ferry back to San Jorge and continue to Granada. The guide will pick you up at the hotel and explore the city of Granada to learn about the city history and culture on a guided tour.
Granada or the “Gran Sultana” is one of Latin America’s most beautiful colonial cities. This ancient town founded in 1524 on the shores of vast Lake Nicaragua is full of history and Spanish colonial charm and is famed as one of the oldest European settlements in the western hemisphere. The city’s precious architecture and history is unforgettable as is lodging in a beautifully restored colonial home at one of its fine hotels, allowing visitors to enjoy its timeless beauty and quiet charm. Granada is also a great base to visit pristine nature reserves, active- and dormant volcanoes, and the artisan villages in the region.
No visit to Granada is complete without exploring the city’s historic center on foot and in a classic horse-drawn carriage. On this tour, you discover key sites including the San Francisco Convent, founded in 1529, and La Merced church where you can climb the bell tower and enjoy spectacular views over the city, Lake Nicaragua, and Mombacho volcano. The last stop is the oldest sector of the town, the area around the Xalteva church and the old city walls.
The following day, being picked up at 9am, you explore the first National Park, Masaya volcano and the artisanal market. Return to Granada and in the afternoon take a boat tour to Las Isletas de Granada. The tour starts at Masaya Volcano National Park. Your driver will bring you to the summit of the volcano, where you can peek inside the active crater. Your next stop is Masaya’s artisan market, where you can purchase quality Nicaraguan handicrafts.
Situated at the foot of Mombacho volcano, the Las Isletas archipelago consists of small forest-covered islands, formed by a volcanic eruption over twenty thousand years ago. You are transferred to the harbor where you meet the captain and board a motorboat. During the tour, your guide points out exotic local flora and fauna before making a stop at one of the islands. Next you visit San Pablo fort, built in the 18th century to protect Granada against English pirates. Altogether a recommended experience, providing valuable insight in the natural habitat and history of the Las Isletas archipelago.
The first day, you are transferred to Managua Airport for your domestic flight to the Corn Islands. Time at leisure at the Caribbean!
The Corn Islands are one of Nicaragua’s many secrets. Located about 80 kilometres away from the Atlantic coast, the two Corn Islands, Big Corn and Little Corn can be found. Big Corn is about 10 square kilometres, and three times bigger than Little Corn. The island is home to many hotels and restaurants and the beautiful beaches give the visitor many opportunities to spend his or her time. Fishing, snorkelling and diving are only some of the activities that are offers here. Many people just come here to relax, but there is also some nightlife happening. Also, the local baseball matches on Sundays are worth a visit.
The following two days are at leisure on Little Corn Island. You can relax at the beach, go diving or snorkelling, or explore the small island. There many activities you could partake in such as: Corn Island – Cooking Tour, Corn Islands – Snorkelling Tour, Corn Island – Full Tour, Pearl Lagoon – Cays and Communities Tour (Camping), Little Corn Island – Snorkelling Yemaya (shared).
Pick up at 13:30pm. You take the boat back to Big Corn and fly back to Managua.
Managua is the capital of Nicaragua, home to almost two million inhabitants and is easily the largest city in Nicaragua. The city has a lot to offer its visitors: theatres, restaurants, clubs, bars, and cinemas, to name a few. The hotel infrastructure and service levels are on a par of what you would expect in any capital city. At Roberto Huembes market, you can experience an authentic Nicaraguan street market and find high quality handicraft. Just outside Managua, the Montibelli bird and butterfly reserve and the Chocoyero nature reserve provide the perfect environment for birdwatchers, hikers and nature enthusiasts.
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Managua International Airport.
Dates are flexible so please make an enquiry and tell us a range of dates you are considering so we can check availability.
León – Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding
Have you ever boarded down an active volcano? The experience starts with an off-road transfer from Leon city, followed by a one-hour hike to the top of the Cerro Negro volcano. On the way up, short informative stops are contemplated, shedding light on the history of the volcano, geology, the main crater and lava rock fields. Once at the top, safety instructions and a short practical training is given before starting the descent. An exciting and educational adventure altogether, and a thrilling Volcano Boarding experience!
León Viejo – Walking Tour
The first capital of Nicaragua, León Viejo (Old León), was founded in 1524 by the Spanish conquistadores, south of the Momotombo volcano. The area suffered under frequent volcanic activity and the earthquakes of 1594 and 1610. Due to the damage caused to the infrastructure and the seismic activity, the city was relocated to its present location, about 20 miles to the west. The old city was gradually buried by the continuous expulsions of ash and volcanic stone coming from Momotombo and by lake sediments.
The ruins of León Viejo were discovered in 1967 and it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. During the tour the foundations of some of the houses and partially restored buildings, such as the original church, can be seen. We take you up a hill inside León Viejo from where you have great views over Lake Managua and the impressive Momotombo volcano and its little brother, Momotombito.
León – Juan Venado Island Motorboat Tour
You will be transferred from León to the Pacific bay of Las Peñitas, where you can find wetland, famous for its turtle and bird nesting. Your guide will find the best way to cut through the inlet to the Pacific Ocean, where you can walk or swim.
León – El Hoyo Volcano Hike
El Hoyo (The Hole) volcano is a little known volcanic complex consisting of numerous volcanic structures including the impressive small circular crater that gives the site its name. The tour begins with a 4×4 trip to the base of the volcano from where you will hike and climb through the impressive “Los Maribios” volcanic chain; during the hike, you will stop to admire excellent views of the surrounding volcanic formations, Lake Xolotán, and surrounding farmlands.
León – San Jacinto Mudfields
Visitors are sure to be impressed by the incredible forces of nature present at the boiling volcanic mud fields of San Jacinto. San Jacinto is a little town about 20 kilometers northeast of León; behind the village are fumaroles, boiling mud holes, connected to the Telica volcano. These volcanic fields serve as breathing holes for the nearby volcanoes, giving the area the appearance of a Martian landscape (and, in turn, help to prevent future eruptions).
Your guide takes you for a walk around the holes, which differ in size and colour, and you can see the mud boiling fiercely. The mud sometimes throws little rocks in the air and steam is continuously emitted from the holes. Local people (especially children) are keen to sell you indigenous ceramics and handmade figurines, made fresh from the hot volcanic mud.
Corn Island – Cooking Tour
This is a tour where you will learn how to cook a typical Nicaraguan dish that you can find on the Caribbean coast. Many of the dishes are coconut based and many varieties of seafood dishes can be arranged. The tour will start at the local market to select fresh ingredients. At the end of the tour you will have a meal, cooked and served local style.
Duration: 4 hours
Pick up: Your hotel on Corn Island
Note: A minimum of 2 people is needed
Corn Islands – Snorkeling Tour
The reefs around the Corn Islands offer excellent snorkeling. The Corn Islands are surrounded by a barrier reef system which is a unique underwater ecosystem for snorkeling and scuba diving. Whether snorkeling from the beach or on a dive excursion with one of the local dive operators, one can expect to see a wide variety of corals, sponges, tropical fish, rays, schools of snapper, turtles and even dolphins. With the expert local guides, you will be taken to the places where there are the most colorful fish and coral. Let the guide know what you want, and he will set up a great tour for you!
Corn Island – Full Tour
Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island offer visitors a great opportunity to explore Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast in a beautiful and rather remote environment; turquoise waters, white sand beaches, palm trees, and stunning reefs await you.
Historically a haven for pirates and buccaneers, numerous shipwrecks lay scattered throughout the turquoise shores of these beautiful islands. Many of the local islanders are descendants from the original British prospectors and freed slaves who made their way from other nearby Caribbean islands.
Hence, during this tour you will get to see the traditions of the island. Your local guide will show you around some of the important sites. In addition to this, you will get the opportunity to have a drink amongst some of the most colorful inhabitants on the island. This tour will show you why Corn Island is more than just a beach destination.
Duration: 4 hours
Pick up: Your hotel on Corn Island
Note: A minimum of 2 people is needed
Pearl Lagoon – Cays and Communities Tour (Camping)
Visiting the Pearl Cays during the day is special…but spending the night there to experience a beautiful sunset (and sunrise) and a sky full of stars is something you will never forget. Spending the evening from May to October also gives you the special chance of encountering a nesting hawksbill turtle, while July to December is turtle hatchling season.
Tour Includes: Round trip boat transportation from Pearl Lagoon to the Pearl Cays, all meals, snorkel gear and towels, camping gear, permits/fees, bilingual guide, thrills.
Little Corn Island – Snorkeling Yemaya (shared)
The reefs around the Corn Islands offer excellent snorkeling. The Corn Islands are surrounded by a barrier reef system which is a unique underwater ecosystem for snorkeling and scuba diving. Whether snorkeling from the beach or on a dive excursion with one of the local dive operators, one can expect to see a wide variety of corals, sponges, tropical fish, rays, schools of snapper, turtles and even dolphins. With the expert local guides, you will be taken to the places where there are the most colorful fish and coral. Let the guide know what you want, and he will set up a great tour for you!
- Meet & greet at Managua Airport & San Jorge Port
- Information package with maps and a detailed itinerary
- Reusable water bottle
- Lodgement at hotels as mentioned or similar
- All Breakfasts
- Flight Managua – Corn Island (Round Trip)
- Transfers with snack and Ferry tickets
- Tours mentioned with an English-speaking guide + entrance fees.
- VAT / taxes
- Extras at hotels (telephone calls, room service, porterage, laundry, alcoholic drinks, etc.)
- Meals or drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Any additional/extra tours or park fees
- Personal and/or medical expenses
- Any incidentals out of pocket or medical expenses. Please ensure you carry appropriate insurance, which covers all the activities in this itinerary, inherited risks, luggage protection and holiday cancellation.
- Late check-out or early check-in
- International flights
- Departure taxes or immigration fees (to be paid at some airports or land borders)
- Costs associated with changes to your itinerary for reasons beyond our control
- Any other service not mentioned in the “included” list or the itinerary
- Migration fees