Signature Nicaragua: Fire, water and revolution
13 days from £3,075
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
You will be met at the airport by out local representative who will accompany you on the transfer to your hotel in the capital, Managua.
This tranquil colonial-style hotel comes as a bit of a surprise, situated in a rather smart, upmarket residential district of Managua and close to the modern financial and commercial centre.
The guest rooms aren’t large, but they have plenty of character being individually decorated, with exposed wooden ceilings and antique style beds. A buffet breakfast is served beside the patio and there is a small restaurant offering French cuisine. There are also numerous eateries nearby as well as bars and shops.
The shady garden, replete with tropical foliage, is a nice place to enjoy a cocktail, and there’s a pool accessed through a rather grand arch.
Travel along the shores of Lake Nicaragua, the second largest body of freshwater in the Americas, using the new yet still little-used road through rolling cattle country and small cowboy towns, to San Carlos on the south-eastern shores of the lake.
The liveliest part of quiet and somewhat ramshackle San Carlos is down by the pier: ferries and private launches jostle for space with fishing boats. The roads from the north end here: to travel east to the settlements along Rio San Juan you have to take a boat.
You’ll embark on a 90-minute river journey by river. The banks are initially farmed, with fields of maize and grazing cattle punctuated by small jetties and rural homes. However, as you travel downstream, the vegetation gradually becomes dominated by natural tropical forest. There’s plenty of wildlife to be seen: scores of snowy ibis alight upon the branches overhanging the water and you may spot monkeys swinging through the taller trees or a caiman lazing on naked logs.
You turn a bend in the river to be greeted by a spectacular and unexpected sight: on a rare hilltop a vast, stone-built Spanish fortress glowering over a series of white-water rapids and the squat, wooden stilted houses of the quirky little port El Castillo.
In the evening, go searching for caimans by boat under the moonlight, accompanied only by a specialist guide. As you glide for 90 minutes through the darkness, a journey orchestrated by the nocturnal sounds of the rainforest, the guide will be using a spotlight to reflect the beady red eye of caimans (alligators) at repose in the tropical vegetation along the water’s edge.
Riverside El Castillo is certainly a quirky little place, with its jungle-fringed wooden houses shading vehicle-free lanes and alleys all loomed over by the vast hilltop Spanish fort. You almost have the impression that you are in a Latin American magical realism novel and this feeling is only enhanced if you stay at the Luna del Rio.
This delightful small wooden guesthouse is at the quieter end of town. Perched right on the wide Rio San Juan’s bank, it is managed by its friendly Spanish owner, Margarita, and her husband Miguel. There are just five small rooms with (occasional) hot water and air-conditioning. Two of the rooms have balconies with comfy chairs overlooking the rapids on the river – stay in one of those if you can.
Downstairs is a small bar and you take (an excellent) breakfast on a veranda right at the water’s edge: watch the birds dipping and weaving or villagers fishing according to centuries-old practices. Other meals can be taken in restaurants around town; Margarita will take your order and you turn up there at the pre-agreed time. In spite of the opening of a new bridge crossing the river to Costa Rica, El Castillo is still remote: carry a torch for use in a power cut.
Just 3km downstream from El Castillo you reach the Indio – Maíz Biosphere Reserve, dedicated to the preservation and research of its biological diversity. Set off with your guide on the 2km Bartola Trail, a clear path which winds its way through the forest, which is replete with tall, thick-waisted trees overhanging, outsized tropical plants with huge waxy leaves, and ferns sheltering poison-dart frogs not much larger than a fingernail. You may be lucky and spot a family of monkeys watching you from the safety of a branch; or a battalion of leaf-cutter ants may cross your path. If the weather and river levels allow you can kayak along the San Juan or Bartola river spotting sunbathing turtles and caimans.
El Castillo fortress, the oldest building in Nicaragua, dating back to 1673, was founded by the Spanish to protect the affluent trading city of Granada from what they considered to be European pirates. This location was chosen because the fort could be constructed on the top of a relatively high hill, from which the soldiers could have a 360 degree view of the jungle around and the river approaches: the fort was also protected by the presence of the rapids below. You will be escorted on a tour of the fort, with its silent cannons; you can enjoy the expansive views with a more pacific intent. Illustrated boards relate the story, including the capture and brief tenure of the fort by the British Navy led by Horatio Nelson (aged 22).
Riverside El Castillo is certainly a quirky little place, with its jungle-fringed wooden houses shading vehicle-free lanes and alleys all loomed over by the vast hilltop Spanish fort. You almost have the impression that you are in a Latin American magical realism novel and this feeling is only enhanced if you stay at the Luna del Rio.
This delightful small wooden guesthouse is at the quieter end of town. Perched right on the wide Rio San Juan’s bank, it is managed by its friendly Spanish owner, Margarita, and her husband Miguel. There are just five small rooms with (occasional) hot water and air-conditioning. Two of the rooms have balconies with comfy chairs overlooking the rapids on the river – stay in one of those if you can.
Downstairs is a small bar and you take (an excellent) breakfast on a veranda right at the water’s edge: watch the birds dipping and weaving or villagers fishing according to centuries-old practices. Other meals can be taken in restaurants around town; Margarita will take your order and you turn up there at the pre-agreed time. In spite of the opening of a new bridge crossing the river to Costa Rica, El Castillo is still remote: carry a torch for use in a power cut.
Return by boat to San Carlos, travel by road through the back waters of rural Nicaragua to the beautiful colonial town of Granada, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Here, it appears to the observer as an inland sea, with silky silver waves tipped by white horses when the wind blows.
Founded in 1524, Granada lies at the foot of Mombacho volcano and is the oldest city in the New World. At its height, it became very rich on the back of the gold trade. The city was regularly plundered by pirates and completely razed by American mercenary William Walker at the beginning of the 19th century. However, Granada has since been wonderfully restored and its colourful colonial houses and cobbled streets that run down to the shores of Lake Nicaragua are a delight.
The charmingly pretty Hotel Patio del Malinche in a restored colonial building is just two blocks from Granada’s central park. It’s a popular and much-loved place where you receive a warm welcome from the Spanish owners, who will bend over backwards to help you.
The hotel offers a tranquil stay in what can be a busy city, with plenty of space to relax in the public areas within the adobe walls of the property. The guestrooms are set hacienda-style around two small courtyards, one with a small pool.
Décor is stylishly minimalist and in keeping with the hotel’s architectural style: wood ceilings, terracotta floors and natural wooden doors. Rooms on the second floor have views of Mombacho Volcano, towering over the city’s colonial skyline. Breakfast can be taken either inside in the restaurant or al fresco overlooking the pool area, and there’s a bar serving cocktails.
Take a private guided city tour of Granada, visiting its colonial churches, strolling down the narrow streets and passing graceful colonial houses. Many of the places of interest are within the vicinity of the main square. These include the beautiful, baroque La Merced church, the Casa de Los Tres Mundos – now a cultural centre for local musicians and dancers; and the 16th-century San Francisco convent.
Embark on a small launch for a relaxing boat ride in the sheltered waters around the peaceful Isletas, hundreds of tiny, bright green and thickly forested islands created by eruptions from the bulky Mombacho volcano which looms over the region. Depending on the weather and time of day, you may observe prolific bird life. Small fishing communities live here and some islands host impressive weekend retreats owned by wealthy Nicaraguans.
The charmingly pretty Hotel Patio del Malinche in a restored colonial building is just two blocks from Granada’s central park. It’s a popular and much-loved place where you receive a warm welcome from the Spanish owners, who will bend over backwards to help you.
The hotel offers a tranquil stay in what can be a busy city, with plenty of space to relax in the public areas within the adobe walls of the property. The guestrooms are set hacienda-style around two small courtyards, one with a small pool.
Décor is stylishly minimalist and in keeping with the hotel’s architectural style: wood ceilings, terracotta floors and natural wooden doors. Rooms on the second floor have views of Mombacho Volcano, towering over the city’s colonial skyline. Breakfast can be taken either inside in the restaurant or al fresco overlooking the pool area, and there’s a bar serving cocktails.
Embark a ferry to take you across the lake to Ometepe Island (1hr). The relaxed, tranquil island rises majestically from Lake Nicaragua. It is dominated by twin conical volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas. The island is partially blanketed with lush jungle vegetation populated by monkeys and a plethora of bird species.
The island is also peppered with citrus, banana, watermelon, avocado and cacao plantations – thanks to the island’s fertile volcanic soil. Life here has been unchanging for decades if not centuries, in spite of the upheavals caused by revolution and civil war elsewhere. Only one road has been fully paved, and this, along with the fact that it is only reached by boat, has ensured the enduring feeling of remoteness. Your hotel overlooks the loveliest beach on the islands, fringed by waving palms.
In splendid isolation in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, the dramatic forested island of Ometepe is dominated by the peaks of two volcanoes and fringed by beautiful white-sand beaches.
Accommodation on the island is simple and in our opinion the friendly, family-owned Villa Paraíso is still among the most inviting of Ometepe’s guesthouses. The property enjoys a secluded spot on Playa Santo Domingo, where its cosy cabins sit within a landscaped garden.
Most have private bathrooms with hot water; some also have a kitchen. All come with air-conditioning and a front porch with hammocks and chairs to relax in. There’s also a thatched bar and restaurant serving traditional Nicaraguan fare. A variety of activities can be arranged including volcano hikes, trips to the petroglyphs and bike rental.
Guided tour of the island which only has one proper road, circumnavigating it close to the coast. Among other varied activities, visit the little El Ceibo museum of pre-Columbian art and petroglyphs scattered around the island.
You’ll stroll through an attractive nature reserve, Charco Verde, where palm trees and densely-packed, fruit-bearing tropical vegetation define the lake shore, which is indented with small volcanic beaches. The reserve is enlivened by the presence of over 200 howler monkeys, and by the calls of migratory and indigenous birds.
In splendid isolation in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, the dramatic forested island of Ometepe is dominated by the peaks of two volcanoes and fringed by beautiful white-sand beaches.
Accommodation on the island is simple and in our opinion the friendly, family-owned Villa Paraíso is still among the most inviting of Ometepe’s guesthouses. The property enjoys a secluded spot on Playa Santo Domingo, where its cosy cabins sit within a landscaped garden.
Most have private bathrooms with hot water; some also have a kitchen. All come with air-conditioning and a front porch with hammocks and chairs to relax in. There’s also a thatched bar and restaurant serving traditional Nicaraguan fare. A variety of activities can be arranged including volcano hikes, trips to the petroglyphs and bike rental.
Return to San Jorge and continue by road to San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast. San Juan del Sur is a fishing village at the head of a horseshoe-shaped bay peppered with private yachts and fishing boats. The laid-back, rustic village has clapboard Victorian houses, open air beach-side restaurants and brilliant sunset views from its tiny bays. Understandably, plenty of European and American ex-pats have put down roots here and the village now has a lively tourist scene.
Across the road from the beach, set at one end of San Juan del Sur’s sweeping bay, Hotel Victoriano captures the essence of a traditional Caribbean plantation house. The hotel has an intriguing history (once even playing host to Mark Twain) and a distinct seaside vibe.
Cosy, well-equipped guestrooms lead out onto balconies with ocean views, while teak furniture and hibiscus print curtains add to the tropical ambience.
At the front of the hotel is a small pool and terrace where breakfast is served; opposite is a row of restaurants serving some of the best seafood dishes you’re likely to taste in Nicaragua.
North and south of town you find a clutch of unspoilt crescent-shaped bays harbouring soft golden sand, slapped by surf-tipped rollers and backed by rugged hills and cliffs smothered in emerald rainforest. Surfing, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and mountain biking are all popular pursuits you might have a go at, and between September and April, Olive Ridley turtles hatch on the beaches just south of town – a spectacular sight.
Across the road from the beach, set at one end of San Juan del Sur’s sweeping bay, Hotel Victoriano captures the essence of a traditional Caribbean plantation house. The hotel has an intriguing history (once even playing host to Mark Twain) and a distinct seaside vibe.
Cosy, well-equipped guestrooms lead out onto balconies with ocean views, while teak furniture and hibiscus print curtains add to the tropical ambience.
At the front of the hotel is a small pool and terrace where breakfast is served; opposite is a row of restaurants serving some of the best seafood dishes you’re likely to taste in Nicaragua.
Proceed to the city of León.
León was founded in 1524 and moved to its present site after being devastated by an earthquake in 1610. Formerly Nicaragua’s capital, it has retained much of its ecclesiastical and intellectual heritage. Many of the building walls are daubed with colourful Sandinista and anti-American murals and riddled with bullet holes – a poignant symbol of Nicaragua’s turbulent past.
Hotel El Convento, an atmospheric former convent enjoys a prime location just a stone’s throw from the main square and cathedral. It retains a sense of the city’s colonial past without being stuffy, mixing a carefully chosen collection of antiques with more modern furnishings and works of art.
Room décor is rustic yet contemporary with white or exposed brick walls, wood-beamed ceilings and cool terracotta tiled floors. Many original architectural features of the 17th century building have been retained and the simple white and jade colour scheme allows them to shine.
Landscaped gardens lie within the confines of the large courtyard (once the convent’s cloister), with grand palm trees rising high above the tiled roofs and shady colonnaded walkways. There is a small pool overlooked by tropical greenery, and a pleasant restaurant and bar area.
Explore Nicaragua’s most ebullient city – enlivened by its University and a thriving intellectual and cultural life – and a colonial masterpiece rivaled only by Granada.
Hotel El Convento, an atmospheric former convent enjoys a prime location just a stone’s throw from the main square and cathedral. It retains a sense of the city’s colonial past without being stuffy, mixing a carefully chosen collection of antiques with more modern furnishings and works of art.
Room décor is rustic yet contemporary with white or exposed brick walls, wood-beamed ceilings and cool terracotta tiled floors. Many original architectural features of the 17th century building have been retained and the simple white and jade colour scheme allows them to shine.
Landscaped gardens lie within the confines of the large courtyard (once the convent’s cloister), with grand palm trees rising high above the tiled roofs and shady colonnaded walkways. There is a small pool overlooked by tropical greenery, and a pleasant restaurant and bar area.
By road to Managua airport for your international flight home.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Nicaragua - Rio San Juan
Pirates once sailed the Río San Juan in search of gold, and Horatio Nelson captured its fortress before fever struck his forces. Flowing from Lake Nicaragua to the Caribbean through dense rainforest, the river passes the vast Indio Maíz Reserve. Our Río San Juan holidays explore its jungle waterways, riverside settlements and unspoilt natural surroundings.
Nicaragua - Granada
One of Central America’s most beautiful colonial cities is on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Granada is one of the oldest cities in Central America, and it’s still one of our favourite places to send travellers in Nicaragua – colourful streets, cobbled squares and Mombacho Volcano watching over it all.
Nicaragua - Ometepe Island
Ometepe is one of Central America’s most remarkable landscapes – two volcanic peaks rising dramatically from the waters of Lake Nicaragua to form the world’s largest freshwater island. Relaxed and tranquil, it offers a unique mix of natural beauty, rural life and outdoor adventure.
Nicaragua - Pacific coast
Golden beaches and jungle-covered cliffs set the scene for Nicaragua Pacific Coast holidays. It’s one of the wildest, least developed stretches of shoreline in Central America. Close to the Costa Rican border, the little fishing town of San Juan del Sur draws surfers from all over. Learn to surf, watch pelicans, or simply to unwind.
Nicaragua - Leon
León is Nicaragua’s intellectual and cultural capital – grand colonial architecture, revolutionary history and a thriving artistic community make it one of Central America’s most fascinating cities. It’s known for its red-tiled buildings, elegant plazas and the powerful role it’s played in Nicaragua’s political and cultural identity.
The variety you will discover on your highlights holiday is staggering – the volcanic and jungle-choked scenery, timeless colonial cities, cultures ranging from Spanish to indigenous communities: you could extend your trip to visit its English speaking Caribbean Corn islands.
Nicaragua, following a history of political and economic upheavals is now a peaceful and congenial place which has become impressively reconciled with the conflicts of its past. Visitors are increasingly drawn to its wonderfully unspoilt landscapes, where the bucolic tranquility of countryside little changed over the centuries has as its counterpoint seething volcanoes and the legacy of earthquakes in times gone by.
Here you’ll find a couple of the continent’s finest Spanish colonial cities, Granada and León. Spruced up now, with their central Spanish cores faithfully restored, they have a real historical atmosphere, with lovely old mansions, baroque churches and cobbled lanes.
Beyond, rising from the vast silvery waters of Lake Nicaragua is the dozy island Ometepe, whose isolation has protected it from the political upheavals of the past, and held back modern development. Rio San Juan is too important a river to be called a backwater, but its jungle-fringed banks have a timeless, wilderness feel, and the quaint little port of wooden houses on stilts, El Castillo, will make you feel you are on a real adventure of discovery. San Juan del Sur, a rustic and laid-back fishing village on the Pacific Coast, has a string of yawning, golden sand beaches where turtles hatch between September and April.
Mary Anne Nelson
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
6 road journeys; 2 motor launch river journeys, 2 lake ferry journeys & lake boat journeys.
- Accommodation
In general you will be staying in small, mid-range hotels with reasonable facilities. Some are family run and offer a friendly and homely welcome.
- Meals
Breakfast daily, full board days 2, 3.
- Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.
- Summary Of Nights
13 days, 12 nights: Managua 1; El Castillo 2; Granada 2; Ometepe 2; San Juan del Sur 3; León 2.
- Currency
The unit of currency in Nicaragua is the córdoba.
- How To Take It
Cash machines are available in Managua airport, and in Granada and León: taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip and in the more upmarket shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, or the phone line to the bank may be down, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds. You might authorise your bank first, and withdrawals may be limited.
We recommend that you take a reasonable quantity of dollar notes (no more than is covered by your insurance). Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused.
- Daily Spend
Daily spend It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$35 per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday price, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you will pay considerably more.
- Tipping
Tips are welcomed and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
Tipping guidelines can be found in our Briefing Dossier.
- Insurance
Travel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
- Airport Taxes
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.
- Trip Suitability
Generally this holiday is suitable for all able, reasonably fit travellers including families with children, who accept the sometimes uncertain and rudimentary nature of travel to remote places.
If you have a disability which we should be aware of, please contact us.
- Climate
This itinerary takes you to tropical climes where the sun is strong and temperatures high – often over 30°C. Those travelling between May and October should encounter higher temperatures (around 35°C) and high humidity. The ‘official’ rainy season is May to October.
- Clothing Special Equipment
Bring plenty of light cotton clothing and good, comfortable walking shoes. A waterproof jacket is also advisable. We suggest that you plan to ‘layer’ your clothing; it is easier and more efficient to put on a couple of light layers than one thick jumper, and sensible to have long sleeves for areas where mosquitos may be lurking. Sandals are a good informal option for evenings. Protection against the sun (sunblock, sun hat) and mosquito repellent are essential and you should bring swimwear. A daypack is useful for carrying sunblock, guidebook, water and any extra layers.
Please note Nicaragua prohibits certain items, including binoculars with night vision capability. Whilst it’s our understanding that you can bring a pair of normal binoculars into the country, some travellers have experienced delays upon entry whilst these are checked by customs.
- Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following; typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. For specific requirements you must consult your GP.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
- Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- When is the best time to visit Nicaragua?
Situated well within the tropics, Nicaragua has a typical tropical climate with high temperatures all year round at low altitudes. Temperatures are significantly modified by altitude – higher up it can be very cool at night. May-Nov is rainy season, but places on the eastern coast, the Caribbean side, tend to be rather wetter, and to have a longer rainy season, than those on the Pacific coast to the west. There’s a risk of tropical storms or hurricanes Jun-Nov.
- What is the official language of Nicaragua?
The official language of Nicaragua is Spanish.
- What is the official currency of Nicaragua?
The official currency of Nicaragua is the Córdoba. Notes can be obtained from exchange houses and also from banks which will supply advances on a debit or credit card. There are ATMs in large towns where you can use a UK credit or debit card. You may have to ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave UK, and amounts may be limited. ATMs allow you to choose between dollar or córdoba notes but the latter come in large denominations – try to break them down when you can. There are few ATMs outside of the main cities: bring cash with you for rural areas.
- What is the time difference between the UK and Nicaragua?
The time difference between the UK and Nicaragua is GMT-6 hours.
- Do I need a visa for Nicaragua?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application. - What vaccinations do I need for Nicaragua?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
- What countries does Nicaragua combine well with?
A visit to neighbouring Central America countries, such as tiny, friendly El Salvador and wildlife-rich, slickly organised Costa Rica.
- What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Nicaragua?
Semana Santa, (Easter, throughout Nicaragua). Processions inspired by biblical stories. Popular traditions include “the donkey procession,” on Palm Sunday; a procession of pilgrim carts that come from all parts of Nicaragua and gather in Granada; San Lázaro’s pet dog blessing in Masaya; and San Juan del Sur’s beach party celebration.
Fiestas de Masaya, Masaya, end of Sep for 3 months. A celebration on Sundays of parades and tamarindo music. It includes the Fiesta del Toro and Fiesta de los Aguisotes in late Oct and ends with the Procesión de San Jerónimo on the first Sunday of Dec.
International Poetry Festival, Granada, second week of Feb annually. Over 150 poets from all parts of the world congregate at this week-long event to recite their best poetry.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Explore the historic treasure trove of one of Latin America’s oldest and most beautiful cities.
Drift past the volcanic ‘isletas’ that dot the vast surface of Lake Nicaragua, mirroring the colours of the sunset.
Discover the fascinating history of Nicaragua’s former capital, a city of red-tiled roofs, narrow cobbled streets and crumbling colonial architecture.
Soak up the authentic atmosphere at a colourful Indian market beneath a spectacular volcano.
Hike along a jungle trail to the top of one of Ometepe island’s two volcanoes.
Follow the Puma Trail through cloud-forest clinging to the slopes of an active volcano.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
Beachfront hotel in the style of a traditional Caribbean plantation house, with an intriguing history and a distinct seaside vibe.
Luna del Rio is a quirky family-run guesthouse on the banks of Rio San Juan in El Castillo.
Atmospheric 17th century convent transformed into an enchanting, art-filled hotel with landscaped gardens enclosed by a tranquil courtyard.
Papagaio
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