Overview & Highlights
A medley of Spanish colonial cities, visible wildlife, volcanoes and the continent’s largest freshwater lake. Travel down jungle-fringed Rio San Juan, visit tranquil Ometepe Island, relax on unspoilt beaches on the Pacific Coast and learn about a history of rebellion and innovation.
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.
- Discover Nicaragua's fascinating history from colonial cities to ruined forts
- Explore the lush jungles and waterways
- Take in the countries natural volcano clad beauty
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Managua. Transfer to your hotel in the capital.
Day 2
Drive to San Carlos; by boat along Rio San Juan to El Castillo; caiman spotting.
Day 3
Nature walk in Indo Maíz Biosphere Reserve; guided fortress tour.
Day 4
Return by boat to San Carlos, continue to Granada.
Day 5
Guided tour of colonial Granada, lake boat trip to las Isletas.
Day 6
By ferry to Ometepe island with its twin volcanoes.
Day 7
Guided tour of the island, its nature reserves and pre-Columbian artefacts.
Day 8
Return to the mainland by ferry; Continue by road to San Juan del Sur.
Days 9 & 10
At leisure on the Pacific Coast
Day 11
By road to León.
Day 12
At leisure in León.
Day 13
Road transfer to Managua airport for international flight home.
Things to do
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Accommodation
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Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
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