Best of Nicaragua

Best of Nicaragua

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Best of Nicaragua

9 Days Starting and ending in Nicaragua

Visiting: Nicaragua

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

QBSN

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

Tour Overview

With a nickname like the ‘land of lakes and volcanos’, a trip to Nicaragua wouldn’t be complete without plenty of time spent at both. Tick both boxes by visiting Ometepe Island, a lush, rainforest-filled island formed by two volcanos that rose from Lake Nicaragua. Learn about Nicaragua’s revolutionary past in bohemian Leon, stroll the colourful colonial streets of Granada, then head to Nicaragua’s Pacific coast for the sun, surf and laid-back vibes of San Juan del Sur. In Nicaragua, the nature is uninterrupted, the food is delicious and volcano boarding is real slightly-scary-but-thrilling sport. Experience it all on this nine-day adventure.

Highlights

  • Explore two of the oldest colonial towns in Central America – Granada and Leon. Both cities are packed with colourful historic architecture, interesting museums and plenty of vibrant shops, cafes and restaurants

  • Volcanoes, wildlife-rich rainforest, stunning beaches and ancient rock carvings - Ometepe Island has it all. You'll have plenty of free time to explore the island, which is set into beautiful Lake Nicaragua

  • Spend time at Los Ramos, a local indigenous community on Ometepe Island, to experience a slice of local island life. Learn how to make tasty traditional Nicaraguan dishes, then sit down for a meal

  • Chill out in the colourful coastal town of San Juan del Sur, where the beaches are beautiful, the waves are tailor-made for surfing and there’s a hammock with your name on it

Itinerary

Day 1 Granada
Bienvenidos a Nicaragua! This adventure begins in the nation’s laidback capital with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your tour leader and travel group. After this important meeting, you have to choice of going to an optional dinner. Why not use this opportunity to get to know your new travel companions better over a few cold Tonas (a Nicaraguan lager). Otherwise, the city's main drag, Calle la Calzada, is a great place to venture to on your own. A bustling pedestrian-only street, you'll find a slew of great restaurants and cafes here.

Day 2 Granada
Begin the day with a guided walking tour, taking in some of Granada’s best sites. Visit the lively Parque Central and its bright, canary-yellow cathedral; the main market, Mercado Municipal, for a chance to browse some of the handcrafted goods and souvenirs on offer; and the 16th-century La Merced Church, where you can climb its spiral staircase to the bell tower for panoramic city views. Balance your exploration of Granada’s colonial streets, with a visit to Convento y Museo San Francisco, to view its collection of indigenous stone statues and learn about the people who inhabited this place before (and after) Spanish colonisation. After getting a feel for the city on foot, hop in a boat for a two-hour tour of Lake Nicaragua, known colloquially as Cocibolca. Discover Las Isletas, a collection of about 365 small islands that formed after a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. Today, many of these volcanic isles are tree-covered oases, rich with a variety of bird species and wildlife. Continue your exploration of the area’s incredible natural beauty and head west towards Masaya Volcano National Park, stopping at Laguna de Apoyo (Apoyo Lagoon), a pristine crater lake, along the way. Here's your chance to buy lunch (optional) and there’s time to take a dip or rent a kayak and do some paddling before continuing to the national park as the sun begins to set. Have your camera handy as you head to a viewpoint to witness a lake of lava bubbling and glowing from Masaya Volcano.

Day 3 Leon
This morning, travel to Leon by bus. It’s about a three-hour journey to Nicaragua’s second largest city – take the chance to learn some Spanish phrases from your leader during this time. Like Granada, Leon is an old colonial city packed with stunning historic architecture, restaurants and interesting museums, but what sets Leon apart is its bohemian energy. Its political history and role in the revolution can be seen painted on the walls of its streets. Home to the first university in Nicaragua, Leon is an intellectual town with an appreciation for the arts. Upon arrival, embark on an orientation walk with your leader, then the rest of the day is yours to explore.

Day 4 Leon
Enjoy a free day to explore this exciting city. A good place to start is its magnificent, World Heritage-listed cathedral. A combination of baroque and neoclassical architecture, it is the largest cathedral in Central America. The tombs of several prominent poets, including Leon’s favourite son, Ruben Dario are found within. If it’s a clear day, head to the roof for a view of the city and nearby volcanoes. Another option is to delve into Nicaraguan culture and spend time at its intriguing museums like the Museum of Legends and Traditions or the Ortiz-Gurdian Foundation Art Museum. For a more thrilling option, head to Cerro Negro, an active volcano just outside Leon, and try your hand at sandboarding. Your tour leader can help you organise this activity.

Day 5 Ometepe Island
After breakfast, travel by private minivan to the ferry port in Rivas (about three to four hours), then catch a one-hour ferry to the island of Ometepe. Hourglass-shaped Ometepe Island is formed by two volcanoes rising out of Lake Nicaragua ('Ometepe' literally means 'two volcanoes' in the Nahuatl language). The island is home to fruit plantations, deep jungle and exotic wildlife such as monkeys and parrots. Get acquainted with the island on an orientation walk with your leader, then head to Los Ramos, an indigenous community situated right in the middle of the island’s volcanos, for a cooking class. Learn traditional techniques used to make Nicaraguan dishes like nacatamalies (a type of tamale) or guacales, before sitting down to a meal together.

Day 6 Ometepe Island
Today you have a free day to discover the island. Perhaps take a hike up to the summit of either the Concepcion or Maderas Volcanoes. Be warned - at 1700 and 1340 metres above sea level respectively, these treks are no walk in the park. You might prefer to splash around in the natural springs, soak up the sun on the beach or check out the island's petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings).

Day 7 San Juan del Sur
After breakfast, begin the two-hour journey (by ferry and public bus) to San Juan del Sur, a laidback surf town on Nicaragua’s south-west coast. Though the beach that lines the town’s horseshoe bay itself isn’t particularly great for swimming, you don’t need to travel far to find beautiful golden beaches with year-round waves. Go on an orientation walk with your leader and then enjoy free time to acquaint yourself with this fun little town.

Day 8 San Juan del Sur
Today is free to further explore the colourful coastal scenery. If you’re feeling active, San Juan del Sur has plenty to offer. Perhaps rent a surfboard and spend the day riding the waves at nearby beaches like Playa Maderas or Playa Marsella. Alternatively, head south to La Flor beach reserve, where it’s possible to see olive ridley, hawksbill, leatherback and green sea turtles nesting between July and November. A huge statue of Christ (the largest in Central America) sits atop a cliff above the bay. Hike to the top for spectacular views of the town and Pacific. In the evening, the city boasts a variety of greats bars and restaurants where you can share one final meal with the group.

Day 9 San Juan del Sur
Today after breakfast, your adventure comes to an end. But if you don’t think you had enough me-time in a hammock by the beach and would like to extend your visit, our reservations team would be happy to help you find further accommodation (subject to availability).

What's Included

  • San Juan del Sur - Leader-led orientation walk

  • Meals

    4 breakfasts, 1 dinners

  • Accommodation

    Hotel (8 nights)

Transport

  • Private vehicle , Public bus , Taxi , Ferry

Accommodation

  • Hotel (8 nights)

Included Activities

  • Granada - Guided City Tour including Monkey Island Boat Tour and Apoyo Lagoon Natural Reserve (Guide, Transport & Entrance fees)
  • Granada - Masaya Volcano at night (Viewpoint for the Lava Lake at Santiago Crater)
  • Leon - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Ometepe Island - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Los Ramos Community - Cooking Class
  • San Juan del Sur - Leader-led orientation walk

Check out our Q&As

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

John Appleby (Google Reviewer)  

The Intrepid tour to Everest...

13-Mar-2025

The Intrepid tour to Everest Base camp is the best tour I have ever done. The itinerary was perfect and the guides were incredible. They look after the participants constantly and are constantly on the look out for any issues with altitude. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this trip it was amazing

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

john whelan (Google Reviewer)  

We booked the 10 day...

28-Feb-2025

We booked the 10 day Group Explorer package with them for Vietnam and Wow !!! . It was fantastic. We were initially a bit anxious, but that all settled after day one. There is a fair bit of travelling and moving involved, but we'll woth it as you get to see and experience loads .Our Guide Huy was brilliant and looked after us really well from local knowledge to restaurants and tour information and activities . It's worth doing folks with intrepid . Well done, keep up that standard of service.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

North American Adventure

12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Declan Curry (Google Reviewer)  

I have recently completed the...

07-Feb-2025

I have recently completed the Premium India In Depth tour. A most wonderful introduction to this amazing continent. From the Taj Mahal to Tigers 🐅 in the wild , dining whe the locals eat and a couple of meals with families was a great way to embrace the people and their culture. Magnificent architecture,be it Forts or Shrines. The most informative and inspiring of guides was great to have with us. Mumbai to Delhi and 6 more cities plus A Safari included. Best trip to experience India 🇮🇳. Prepare to have all your senses assaulted . Go for it.

D' ARTICULATE (Google Reviewer)  

They offer some great deals...

11-Jan-2025

They offer some great deals and group travel itineraries without the flights but will include them if needed by the traveller ; leaving one to choose a more personal holiday stance or exploration & time schedule too. Neat!

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit for future tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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