Overview & Highlights
Nicaragua and El Salvador are off the beaten track, with fairly rudimentary infrastructure but as such they offer a rewarding experience akin to what travellers enjoyed in other parts of the continent decades ago.
Nicaragua has been developing a discreet, eco-friendly approach to tourism for some years while El Salvador now presents its Mayan sites, colonial cities, delightful rural drives and the El Imposible National Park. On this holiday you'll be among the first to discover their natural beauty and unpretentious charm. The people of both countries are among the most hospitable in Latin America.
The two newcomers on the radar of adventurous travellers, Nicaragua and El Salvador, share gorgeous landscapes of volcanoes, lakes, palm-fringed beaches, fertile slopes smothered in coffee bushes, and a diversity of flora and fauna. Both have only relatively recently emerged from a period of political turbulence: the impressive level of reconciliation between formerly warring factions has resulted in the creation of two of perhaps the most appealing and friendly countries on the continent. They cannot be compared with the big hitters of Mexico, Peru and Brazil in terms of mind-boggling attractions but their scantily populated rural landscapers of chains of volcanoes, coffee plantations, lakes and remote rivers combine to create a captivating destination.
- Granada: Guided city tour and Masaya volcano
- El Castillo: Caiman-spotting by night
- El Castillo: Hike in Indo Maíz Biosphere Reserve
- El Castillo: Kayaking on Rio San Juan
- El Castillo: Guided tour of the fortress
- Perquín: El Mazote and Museo de la Revolución
- Suchitito: Walking tour
- EL Imposible National park: hiking
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Travel Expert
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in the colonial city of Granada and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Guided city tour and visit to Masaya volcano.
Day 3
Fly to San Carlos; travel by boat along Rio San Juan to El Castillo.
Day 4
Hike in Indo Maíz Biosphere Reserve; river kayaking; guided fortress tour.
Day 5
Return by boat to San Carlos, continue to Ometepe Island.
Days 6-7
At leisure to cycle, hike, ride a horse or sit on the beach.
Day 8
By ferry to the mainland, drive to León.
Day 9
At leisure in this University city.
Day 10
Road transfer to Perquín, El Salvador.
Day 11
Visit el Mazote and Museo de la Revolución.
Day 12
By road to Suchitoto.
Day 13
Walking tour of Suchitoto.
Day 14
Drive along Ruta de las Flores to Ataco.
Day 15
Trekking in El Imposible National Park.
Day 16
By road to Costa del Sol on the coast.
Day 17-18
At leisure on the coast.
Day 19
Transfer to San Salvador airport for international flight home.
Things to do
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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’ll relax in utter comfort.
Nicaragua / Granada
Hotel Patio del Malinche
Nicaragua / Rio San Juan
Victoria Hotel
Nicaragua / Ometepe Island
Hotel Villa Paraiso
El Salvador / Gulf of Fonseca and Eastern El Salvador
Perkin Lenca
El Salvador / Suchitoto
La Posada de Suchitlan
El Salvador / Ruta de las Flores
Quinta El Carmen and La Casona
El Salvador / Pacific Coast
Tortuga Village
Nicaragua / Rio San Juan
Luna del Rio
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