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The famed Cathedral of Granada

Best of Nicaragua

Example 8 Day Tour
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Explore Nicaragua’s diverse wonders on this Best of Nicaragua 8-day tour. Begin in Managua, exploring its history and vibrant culture. In León, admire the colonial architecture, the UNESCO-listed Old León Ruins, and experience volcanic adventures at Cerro Negro or Juan Venado Reserve. Visit San Jacinto Hot Springs and Selva Negra to learn about sustainable farming. Discover Granada's colonial charm, pre-Columbian art, and Lake Nicaragua’s Isletas. Conclude with a choice between hiking Mombacho Volcano or visiting Masaya Volcano National Park and its artisan market. This exciting itinerary showcases breathtaking views, cultural treasures, and Nicaragua’s natural beauty.
San Jacinto MudpotsMombacho Reserve viewpointCerro Negro SandboardingRooftop views of Iglesia de le Merced in GranadaGranadaJuan Venado ReseveSan Jacinto bubbling mud potsCoffee tour at Selva NegraNature guideLa Merced Church, Granada, NicaraguaOld Managua CathedralMombacho Reserve Crater TrailSandino Statue in ManaguaMombacho ReserveManagua aerial viewManagua National PalaceRed coffee beans at Selva NegraThe famed Cathedral of Granada
Highlights
  • Visit UNESCO-listed Old León Ruins with stunning Momotombo Volcano views
  • Tour Selva Negra coffee farms, discovering sustainable farming practices
  • Hike Masaya Volcano trails and shop local crafts at the artisan market
  • Experience San Jacinto Hot Springs and its fascinating geothermal activity
  • Explore the colorful city of colonial Granada
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Easy Active
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Managua

Arrive to the Managua airport where you are met and transferred to your hotel. The drive takes 45 minutes.

Managua has been Nicaragua's capital since 1852. The northern area holds remnants of the old city center, damaged by a 1972 earthquake, while the southern part thrives as a cultural and commercial hub.

Day 2: Managua Sightseeing | Old León Ruins

After breakfast, meet your driver and begin your journey to Leon City. In Managua, explore the capital’s history, starting in the northern sector, heavily affected by a 1972 earthquake. Head south to the cultural and commercial center to visit National Historic Park Loma de Tiscapa, where you learn about national hero Augusto Cesar Sandino and the Somoza dictatorship. Take in a panoramic view of key historical landmarks.

On the way to León, stop at the Old León Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 1967. Discover the early history of Nicaragua’s first capital and admire views of Momotombo Volcano and Lake Xolotlan from a hilltop vantage point.

In León, explore this colonial city at your own pace. Known as the artistic and intellectual heart of Nicaragua, León has served as a former capital for over three centuries and the home of iconic poets like Ruben Dario. Originally located near the Momotombo Volcano, León was relocated after an earthquake in 1609 to its current location 90 kilometers north of Managua. Spend the rest of the day as you wish.

Day 3: Choose Your Adventure in León

In the morning, choose one of the following full-day tour options:

Option 1: Juan Venado Nature Reserve
Juan Venado Nature Reserve features a stunning mangrove ecosystem, often overlooked by visitors. This 2-hour boat tour takes you through the island’s estuary, offering excellent wildlife-spotting opportunities. Navigate through the winding mangrove channels while observing various bird species, caimans, and iguanas. If visiting between August and February, you may even spot the remarkable Paslama Sea Turtle.

OR

Option 2: Cerro Negro Volcano Sandboarding 
Head to Cerro Negro, a young active volcano standing 2,381 feet (726 meters) tall, entirely covered in black sand and rock. The full experience lasts around 3–4 hours, depending on the group’s pace. Enjoy sweeping views of the volcanic chain and lush landscapes from the summit. Sandboard down the loose volcanic slope for a thrilling descent through the rugged terrain, and admire the striking contrast of black sand against the green scenery.

In the afternoon, take a walking tour through the colonial heart of León. Visit the Cathedral, the largest in Central America, and the Main Plaza. Explore the city's historic murals and learn about León's role in Nicaragua's development.

Note: Museums are closed on Mondays; many churches close to visitors on Sundays.

Day 4: Transfer to Selva Negra | Visit San Jacinto Hot Spring

After breakfast, depart from the hotel and travel to Matagalpa, approximately 3 hours, including a visit to San Jacinto Hot Springs.

Make a stop at San Jacinto Hot Springs to experience the natural geothermal activity up close. Witness the impressive spectacle of boiling mud and steam rising from the earth's interior, showcasing the region's geological wonders.

Upon arrival at Selva Negra, join a guided farm tour to discover innovative and sustainable farming methods that have earned Selva Negra its reputation. Explore the organic laboratory, worker housing, greenhouses, cheese houses, chicken coops, and stables. Learn about the farm-to-table concept, seeing how local produce contributes to the restaurant's menu. Visit the cattle pasture, coffee plantation, and composting areas to understand the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle in practice at Selva Negra.

Day 5: Selva Negra Ecolodge | Coffee Tour

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day guided coffee tour at the lodge’s Hacienda, offering a comprehensive journey from seed to cup. Explore coffee nurseries and learn about shade coffee cultivation and sustainable organic farming methods at the organic laboratory. Witness the process from picking and weighing beans to their journey through the wet mill. Wrap up the tour in the museum with a freshly brewed cup of coffee, where questions are welcomed. Along the way, discover insights into the history, climate, topography, and social programs tied to coffee production in Nicaragua.


 

Day 6: Granada | Isletas

After breakfast, transfer to Granada City. Granada, Nicaragua’s most visited city, was founded in 1524. Known for its colonial and neoclassical architecture, colorful cobblestone streets, and relaxed atmosphere, Granada is a key destination for both locals and travelers.

Take a guided walking tour of the city, including stops at La Merced Church, the Cathedral, and the San Francisco Convent, which houses a collection of pre-Columbian sculptures. Continue to Lake Nicaragua for a boat trip to the Isletas, a chain of 354 islands formed by a volcanic eruption from Mombacho Volcano. The islands are home to rich birdlife, including egrets, cormorants, ospreys, kingfishers, and oropendulas.. Granada, Nicaragua’s most visited city, was founded in 1524. Known for its colonial and neoclassical architecture, colorful cobblestone streets, and relaxed atmosphere, Granada is a key destination for both locals and travelers.

Take a guided walking tour of the city, including stops at La Merced Church, the Cathedral, and the San Francisco Convent, which houses a collection of pre-Columbian sculptures. Continue to Lake Nicaragua for a boat trip to the Isletas, a chain of 354 islands formed by a volcanic eruption from Mombacho Volcano. The islands are home to rich birdlife, including egrets, cormorants, ospreys, kingfishers, and oropendulas.

Day 7: Masaya Volcano or Mombacho Volcano

Today, choose one of the following half-day tour options:

Option 1: Masaya Volcano & Artisan Market
Begin at the Masaya Volcano National Park, Nicaragua's first national park established in 1979. Start your visit at the Environment Interpretation Center, where a guide will provide insights into the volcano's history, including its cultural significance to indigenous peoples and the geological events that shaped it. Although access to the Santiago crater viewpoint is restricted, explore the "Comalito" trail, which meanders through lush forests and past active fumaroles. This trail allows for observation of diverse plant and animal life. Enjoy scenic views from a lookout point, where Mombacho Volcano and the city of Granada can be seen, along with the culturally significant Masaya Lagoon, a volcanic lake formed by ancient eruptions.

After the volcano, visit the Masaya arts and crafts market to shop for local ceramics, hammocks, woodwork, and leather souvenirs.

Option 2: Mombacho Volcano Crater Trail
This tour begins with a hotel pickup, followed by a drive to the base of Mombacho Volcano. Switch to a four-wheel-drive vehicle for the ascent, surrounded by the rich biodiversity of the reserve and stunning vistas.

Follow the Crater Trail, a 1.5-kilometer (0.9-mile) round-trip hike that takes approximately 1 hour to complete. With an elevation gain of 100 meters (328 feet), the well-maintained trail features some stepped sections and winds through lush cloud forest, offering scenic viewpoints of the crater and surrounding landscapes. This easy to moderate hike is suitable for most visitors, including families and those with a moderate fitness level. Learn about the area's flora, fauna, and the ancient civilizations that once thrived here, along with insights into the volcanology of Mombacho. This hike is classified as moderate.

After the hike, return to Granada and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure to explore the area independently.

Day 8: Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your international flight home or talk to your Adventure Life Trip Planner about extending your stay! 

Accommodations

Hotel Los Robles

Hotel Los Robles

Hotel Los Robles

Hotel Los Robles is a small intimate hotel featuring attention to detail and handcrafted touches. Each of the 14 rooms offer furniture from tropical woods, hand-crocheted bedspreads, and forged ironworks throughout. Experience the hospitality of Nicaragua at its finest.
Hotel Los Robles
Outdoor Pool & Lounge
Hotel Los Robles

Hotel El Convento

Hotel grounds

Hotel El Convento

Hotel El Convento is located in the heart of the city, a 5-minute walk from León Cathedral, where the San Francisco Convent formerly operated. The hotel has plenty of art and religious exhibitions and an elegant restaurant next to the enormous indoor patio awaits their guests.
Hotel El Convento
Hotel Swimming Pool
Hotel El Convento

Selva Negra Lodge

Selva Negra Eco-Lodge

Selva Negra Lodge

Selva Negra is a full service sustainable eco-lodge and coffee plantation that welcomes guests. Located in the highlands of central Nicaragua, this retreat into the cloudforest offers a wide range of activities, numerous accommodation options and full service dining produced organically on the grounds.
Horseback riding
Selva Negra Eco-Lodge
View of lake and garden

Patio del Malinche

Pool

Patio del Malinche

Hotel Patio del Malinche is a restored colonial house, lovingly designed to combine modern comfort with traditional old Granada charm.
Exterior
Reception
Lush grounds at Patio del Malinche

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Available departures
Selected departure
May 16, 2025 Per person starting at
$2,020

Notes

$349 Single Supplement
Additional Cost for Private Room when traveling with others. Traveling Solo? Contact us for a custom quote.

Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Hotel Taxes
  • Private ground transportation services with a Spanish-speaking driver and an English-speaking guide 
  • Certified bilingual guide on the mentioned days (Spanish – English)
  • 2 nights lodging in Leon
  • 2 nights lodging in Selva Negra
  • 2 nights lodging in Granada
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Services not detailed in the itinerary
  • Airport arrival/departure taxes (if any)

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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