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HIGLIGHTS OF NICARAGUA

Highlights & Culture Nicaragua

8 DAYS

Soak in the sights, local flavour and culture as you discover the best of Nicaragua. In this trip, you'll have time to enjoy all that Nicaragua has to offer. Visit the ruins of an abandoned city, explore the historic city of Leon with the largest Cathedral in Central America. Continue to the other colonial jewel of the country: Granada, visiting the visiting a handicraft market, the active Masaya volcano and its huge crater and see the local artisans creating beautiful handmade souvenir. Also visit Ometepe Island, in the middle of Lake Nicaragua with its exuberant nature, rustic villages and impressive volcanoes. Your vacation ends in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua's most popular beach destination

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Nicaragua!

On your arrival at the airport in Managua (MGA), a taxi driver will transfer you to the hotel to check-in and rest after your flight. Transfer time 5m approx.~ Overnight at Hotel Camino Real 3* sup for one night – 1 Standard room. Meals: None

Day 2: Transfer to Leon with visit to Leon Viejo Ruins and visit to the City of Leon

Today, we will transfer you to Leon, former capital of the country. Transfer time: 2.5 hours approx. Along the way, we will make a stop visit the ruins of Leon Viejo which will give you the opportunity to see the ruins of the first capital of Nicaragua, founded in 1524 by Spanish captain Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba. Unlike Granada, this city moved to its present location in 1610. The ruins of the original León were declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. On arrival in Leon we will go for an interesting guided tour. We will have the opportunity to visit some of its main churches. The Cathedral of Leon is also known as Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of Leon and its official name is Insigne and Real Basilica Cathedral of the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; here you will be able to take the stairs and reach the cathedrals rooftop for an amazing view of the city and surrounding volcanoes. You will also tour the magnificent Ortiz-Gurdián Art Gallery which features many famous artists painting from Europe and Central America, this gallery is located in 2 colonial homes. Duration: 3 hours approx. ~ Difficulty: Easy Note: Most sightseeing places are closed on Monday in Leon. Overnight at Hotel El Convento 3* sup for two nights – 1 Executive room. Meals: B

Day 3: Transfer to Granada visiting the Masaya areas

This morning, we will transfer you to Granada, the Jewel of Nicaraguan Cities! On the way we will visit the Masaya areas, rich in nature and culture. First, we will visit Nicaragua’s First National Park created in 1979, one of the country’s most interesting and beautiful natural phenomena. Take a peek into the impressive crater currently displays gaseous activity and incandescent lava lake in its interior. After the National park, we will visit the Handicraft Market in Masaya city where you can enjoy the creativity and variety of Nicaraguan art at bargain prices. Then you will visit Catarina to enjoy magnificent views to the Apoyo lagoon and San Juan de Oriente, where we visit a local workshop. Participate in the creation process of the beautiful souvenirs. Overnight at Hotel Plaza Colon 3* sup – 1 Superior room. Meals: B, L

Day 4: Granada City Tour & Boat Tour in Lake Nicaragua

Meet our guide to enjoy a great cultural experience in a guided city tour. Enjoy a ride in a traditional Horse drawn Carriage and visit places like the La Casa de los Tres Mundos: art gallery and cultural academy, the convent of San Francisco church, Iglesia La Merced, from its tower you will have great views of the city and other interesting historic landmarks. Later, continue to Lake Nicaragua and go on a relaxing boat cruise in the water canals of the Islets. See many species of birds and will see monkeys swinging from tree to tree on “Monkey Island”, all this with panoramic views to imposing Mombacho volcano. Duration: 6 hours approx. with one-hour horse drawn carriage and break time between tours. Overnight at Hotel Plaza Colon 3* sup – 1 Superior. Meals: B

Day 5: Ferry to Ometepe Island – Ometepe Island Tour

Early morning transfer to San Jorge dock to take a ferry to Ometepe Island, the world’s largest volcanic island in a freshwater Lake. On arrival, we will go for a day visit of this fabulous island. We visit places like the “El Ceibo” the best archaeological and numismatic museum of Nicaragua. You will also visit the Charco Verde reserve, learn here the legend of Chico Largo and Mama Bucha while admiring the beautiful green puddle lagoon and trying to spot the elusive birds. The next spot on you tour will be Petroglyphs at Finca El Porvenir. These stones, found on the lower slopes of Maderas volcano on Ometepe, still bear the ornate carvings of the first indigenous settlers of Nicaragua. Enjoy the great views that Volcano Concepcion and Volcano Maderas have to offer. On the shores of Santo Domingo beach, you will then enjoy a typical Nicaraguan lunch before continuing to the “El Ojo de Agua”, a natural pool of clear water supplied by a river that originates from Concepcion Volcano, where you can go swimming and relaxing. Overnight at Hotel San Juan de La Isla 3* sup for one night - 1 Front Lake Cabin. Meals: B, L

Day 6: Transfer to San Juan del Sur

Today, we transfer you to the docks in Ometepe Island to take a ferry back to mainland. On arrival, we will transfer you to San Juan del Sur in the Pacific Ocean coast. San Juan del Sur is a small and very nice typical fishermen port located at the south west, placed along a bay that overlooks the Pacific Ocean 90 kms west of Granada and 55 Kms from Costa Rica's frontier. Time at leisure to enjoy the beach! Transfer time to San Juan del Sur: 45 minutes approx. Overnight at Hotel Victoriano 3* sup for two nights - 1 Standard room. Meals: B

Day 7: At leisure in San Juan del Sur

Day at leisure at this beautiful beach town; time to have fun at a relaxing beach! Optional activities such as: Sailing trip, fishing, horseback riding, visit to the nearby beaches can be organized. Please enquire with us for more information! Overnight at Hotel Victoriano 3* sup - 1 Standard room. Meals: B

Day 8: Transfer to Managua Airport

Depending your flight schedule, our driver will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and will transfer you to the international airport in Managua to take your flight back home. Transfer time 2.5 hours approx.~ Come back soon to sunny Nicaragua!

HIGLIGHTS OF NICARAGUA

  • From:

included:

  • Lodging at mentioned hotels or similar.
  • Door to door transportation as per itinerary on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8.
  • Round-trip ferry tickets to Ometepe Island.
  • Tours and activities as per itinerary on days 2, 3, 4 and 5 with bilingual local guide.
  • Lunch on days 3 and 5.
  • Local taxes.

Not Included:

  • International airfare.
  • Additional meals.
  • Passenger taxes at borders/airports.
  • Activities suggested.
  • Discretional tips.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Travel Insurance.

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