Essential Nicaragua: Culture, Island & Beach

Cruise through the tranquil islets of Lake Nicaragua, spotting wildlife and historic island fortresses.
Wander colonial Granada by carriage, admiring pastel façades, lively plazas and sweeping volcano views.
Gaze into the glowing crater of Masaya Volcano as twilight transforms the sky.
Hike through Mombacho’s cloud forest, meeting monkeys, sloths and vibrant frogs amid misty trails.
Unwind on Ometepe and San Juan del Sur, where volcanoes, lagoons and beaches capture Nicaragua’s spirit.

Days

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,306 Reviews

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,306 Reviews

Trip Features

Active Elements

Includes light adventure or movement for added discovery.

Iconic Landmarks

Features renowned sites that capture the essence of each destination.

Wildlife Encounters

Offers chances to observe animals responsibly in their natural habitats.

Private Guided Experiences

Explore in the company of expert private guides.

Active Elements

Includes light adventure or movement for added discovery.

Iconic Landmarks

Features renowned sites that capture the essence of each destination.

Wildlife Encounters

Offers chances to observe animals responsibly in their natural habitats.

Private Guided Experiences

Explore in the company of expert private guides.

Trip Itinerary

At a Glance

DAY

Arrive in Managua and to Granada

DAY

Las Isletas Boat Tour, City Tour, and Volcano Twilight Tour

DAY

Mombacho Crater Trail Tour and to Isla de Ometepe

DAY

Highlights of Ometepe Tour

DAY

Isla de Ometepe to San Juan del Sur

DAY

Day at Leisure in San Juan del Sur

DAY

San Juan del Sur to Managua for Departure

Travel Itinerary

Trip Starts

Trip Stop

Trip Ends

Detailed Itinerary

DAY

Arrive in Managua and to Granada

Transfer

Managua Airport to Nicaragua - Granada

Day Tour

Welcome to Nicaragua!

Your Accommodation

Hotel Patio del Malinche

El Patio del Malinche is more than just another hotel, it's a dream come true. The interest to live in a different culture and to get to know new horizons took the owners to the ancient town of Granada. The sun-dried bricks of Granada's old walls and the hospitality of its people bewitched them. By restoring an old colonial house they have recreated an ambiance of peace and serenity throughout its inner patios full of history.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Las Isletas Boat Tour, City Tour, and Volcano Twilight Tour

Day Tour

Shared Boat Tour of Las Isletas

Explore the picturesque Las Isletas archipelago from the water on this guided boat tour. Formed by a volcanic eruption over 20,000 years ago, these forest-covered islands are now home to fishing communities, luxury homes and resorts, and a wide variety of incredible wildlife. Your guide will point out the exotic flora and fauna as you glide across the clam waters, making stops along the way to visit one of the islands and a former Spanish fortress. It's a great way to experience this wonderful part of Nicaragua.

Day Tour

Shared City Tour of Granada

Explore Granada's gorgeous historic center on foot and by classic horse-drawn carriage. Along with your local guide, like-minded travellers and well-cared-for horses, you'll discover key sites including the San Francisco Convent and La Merced church, where you can climb the bell tower and enjoy spectacular views over the city, Lake Nicaragua, and Mombacho volcano. You'll finish in the oldest part of the city, the area around the Xalteva church and the old city walls. It's a great way to introduce yourself to this magical city. Please note: If you would prefer not to travel by horse-drawn carriage for any reason, we can arrange a tour on foot or by bicycle instead.

Day Tour

Private Masaya Volcano Twilight Tour

Masaya Volcano National Park is one of the most famous volcanoes in the pacific region of Nicaragua due to its constant activity, and was known to the Spanish as the "Mouth of Hell". With a private guide leading the way, you'll enjoy the unique experience of seeing an active volcano up close, and watching as molten lava glows in the crater just meters away. It's an awe-inspiring experience allowing you to experience a phenomenon once sacred to pre-Columbian Nicaraguans, who were inspired by the raw power and beauty of nature.

DAY

Mombacho Crater Trail Tour and to Isla de Ometepe

Transfer

Nicaragua - Granada to Isla de Ometepe

Day Tour

Private Mombacho Crater Trail Tour

Journey into the lush cloud forest around the majestic Mombacho Volcano, spotting wildlife and taking in the incredible panoramic views from the top. After travelling to the Mombacho Nature Reserve, you'll begin to climb the volcano by 4x4 truck, stopping for a delicious local coffee at one of the plantations along the way. Once near the top you'll enjoy a short, guided hike along the trail, passing through a variety of landscapes - keep an eye out for the howler monkeys and white-faced monkeys, sloths, dart frogs, and the endemic Mombacho salamander along the way. Once at the peak, you can enjoy views over Granada, the Las Isletas archipelago and Masaya Volcano.

Your Accommodation

Finca San Juan de la Isla

Located lakeside at Santo Domingo Beach, this laid-back and authentic Nicaraguan hacienda is a beautiful and welcoming base for your time in Ometepe. There are wonderful views of the lake and Concepción Volcano, and plenty of activities on offer such as birdwatching, hiking in nature reserves, mountain biking, horseback riding and volcano climbing (available at additional cost). The comfortable rooms and bungalows are set throughout the lush grounds of this fruit tree plantation, whilst the restaurant serves locally produced and delicious meals.a

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Highlights of Ometepe Tour

Day Tour

Private Highlights of Ometepe Tour

Natural marvels and pre-Columbian relics are Ometepe's key highlights, and you will visit them during this tour. After being picked up by your private guide, you'll make your way to Finca Magdalena, a community farm. In the area around the finca, several rock carvings (petroglyphs) can be found. Set out on a short tour while you learn of the island's history, and soon after, visit the mystical Charco Verde lagoon. Surrounded by abundant flora and fauna, your guide will introduce you to the natural wonders of this reserve, and share the legend of "Chico Largo." Continuing onward to the Ojo de Agua, a water source situated near the lakeside, you are invited to take a swim in the natural water pool here, after which you may visit an interesting museum with Pre-Columbian artifacts and some well-conserved indigenous statues and ceramics. When the time is right, you'll break for lunch a local restaurant, and following the day's adventure, will be returned to your accommodations.

DAY

Isla de Ometepe to San Juan del Sur

Transfer

Isla de Ometepe to San Juan del Sur

Your Accommodation

Black Pearl Inn

Black Pearl Inn is centrally located in San Juan del Sur, a 2-minute walk from San Juan del Sur Beach and 13 minutes by foot from San Juan del Sur Port. This hotel is 3 mi (4.9 km) from Nacascolo Beach and 4.3 mi (6.9 km) from El Remanso Beach. Pamper yourself with onsite massages or enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, a picnic area, and barbecue grills.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Day at Leisure in San Juan del Sur

Enjoy the day as you wish. If you would like to arrange an activity, excursion, or other experience, please contact your Goway Destination Specialist.

DAY

San Juan del Sur to Managua for Departure

Transfer

San Juan del Sur to Managua

What to Expect

Explore what moves you.

Isla de Ometepe

Granada

San Juan del Sur

Know when to go.

Place

Conditions

Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall

San Juan Del SurOccasional Showers

32°C / 90°F

79mm / 3.1"

GranadaOccasional Showers

32°C / 90°F

79mm / 3.1"

Weather data is based on monthly averages.

Popularity rating

ExcellentBased on 5,306 Reviews

Verified

We have used Goway several times to plan simple & more complicated trips. The last 2 trips we worked with Brooke Theron who is extremely customer focused. She listens well & is alway flexible to look at alternatives. We will continue using this representative & Goway. Our only criticism is that they do not break down the various costs of a trip which makes tipping very awkward. It can also create a sense of " mistrust" when all the costs are not transparent. Cheryl Hayes

Verified

Our trip to Switzerland was an amazing experience. Our travel agent at GoWay, Bo was so helpful in helping my husband Louie plan just what we wanted to do on this trip. Taking the trains thru the county was easy by the many hours Louie and Bo worked on this. Also our helicopter ride in Zermatt on my birthday was just unbelievable. Flying around the Matterhorn and the Alps is one flight we will never forget. Thanks Bo for setting this up. The trip was one incredible adventure that we will never forget. Thanks again Bo, Lynn Gerber. Lynn Gerber

Verified

We booked a Goway tour to Botswana and Zimbabwe and it was excellent. We worked with Brooke, the Goway represntative, to set up the tour and she was an outstanding agent who answered any questions we had very quickly and completely. Her hotel recommendation for the additional night we stayed was pefect. Goway hires a local tour group, Jenman Safaris, to lead the safari in the 2 countries. The tour itself was amazing...the lodges that we stayed at were very nice and the food was great (except for one lodge's food). The Goway itinerary was slightly different than the actual Jenman Safari itinerary but most of the sites that we went to were the same as listed on the Goway itinerary. I would use Goway again because their choice of a local tour group was very good...nice lodges/camps and good food and knowledgeable tour guides.Ma Fa

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Our GoWay tour representative, Michael Keon, was on top of all of our concerns and questions in a professional manner and we look forward to working with him in the future. Michael was very easy to work with and treated us like family.Thomas

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Matthew handled my honeymoon couple's very specific African itinerary like a pro! My clients went to four different travel agents who only wanted to send them on safaris. My clients had already done safaris and were specific on what they wanted to do and see. Matthew hit the nail on the head! Highly recommend!Amanda Schott

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Seamless prompt excellent communication from our first query about a possible destination to follow-up after the trip ended. Shalini’s knowledge, advice and enthusiasm were invaluable. Jane

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Jacqueline Fagioli from Goaway Travel is excellent and very helpful and supportive. Venessa

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Our travel agent, Melissa Moses, created the perfect itinerary for our recent holiday to Portugal. Melissa had also planned our previous trip to England/Scotland. We have a great deal of confidence in her ability as she really listens to what we are looking for and she caters the plans according to our comfort levels and interests. customer

Verified

Jacqueline F. made our trip exceptional. Everything she planned or reserved worked out as it was supposed to. Croatia was amazing and I feel we were able to explore a lot of it because of Jacqueline.Allen

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This was the first time we had utilized Goway. We wanted a custom itinerary for a 3 week Italy, Athens and Greek Island adventure. Edwina Brislane was receptive to our goals for the trip, had helpful suggestions and reacted well to our requested revisions. Lisa Dachuk helped "tie a ribbon" on the trip and ensured we had considered all aspects of the experience. Lisa dealt quickly with a couple of requests while on the trip and celebrated a successful trip with us. We enjoyed working with both Edwina and Lisa. Their knowledge and enthusiasm contributed to our very memorable trip.Dan & Gail

Our Commitment

Why Travel with Goway?

Personalized Trips

Every vacation with Goway is tailored to your exact travel needs. Our vacations are as unique as you are.

Elevated Experiences

Travel experiences with up to 5-star accommodations and private guided tours that offers an intimate and exclusive way to see the world.

Authentic Experts

Work with our Destination Specialists who are true experts, having lived, worked, or traveled extensively in the destinations we offer.

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Enjoy great value on vacations to over 115 destinations on all seven continents. Explore the whole world in the way and style you choose.

What do the experts say?

Amanda De Oliveira

Destination Specialist

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I love learning about Nicaragua's culture and experiencing its Spanish influence in some cities. I was only there for five days, but I'll never forget how delicious the food was and how welcoming and extremely polite the people were.

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Osvaldo Gonzalez

Destination Specialist

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Nicaragua is well known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, lakes, rainforests, and colonial cities. I love how friendly the people are and how delicious the food is! There is always something fun to do in Nicaragua!

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