Tour Overview
| Duration | 13 Days / 12 Nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Nicaragua — Managua, León, Granada, Masaya, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur |
| Price From | $2,730 per person (twin share, small group) |
| Tour Style | Small Group Comprehensive — Max 16 travelers |
| Data Source | TourRadar / Explore! — 2026 verified (7% off from $2,940) |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Managua
Airport transfer. Orientation walk. Overnight in Managua.
Day 2: León — Revolutionary City
Transfer to León, Nicaragua’s intellectual heart. Walking tour of this UNESCO-listed city: the immense Cathedral of León (largest in Central America, burial site of poet Rubén Darío), the Ortiz-Gurdián Art Foundation’s world-class Latin American collection, and the Museo de la Revolución in the former palace where Sandinista fighters held court. Rooftop sunset at the cathedral — climb to the white domes for panoramic views. Overnight in León.
Day 3: Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding
Transfer to Cerro Negro — Central America’s youngest volcano. Hike 45 minutes to the crater rim (728m) of this active cinder cone. Then the adrenaline: volcano boarding! Slide down the black volcanic ash slope on a wooden board at speeds up to 70km/h — one of the world’s most unique adventure sports. Afternoon: visit San Jacinto hot springs with bubbling mud pools. Overnight in León.
Day 4: Juan Venado Island Nature Reserve
Boat through the mangrove channels of Juan Venado Reserve — spot crocodiles, iguanas, and over 100 bird species including roseate spoonbills and herons. Visit a community-run sea turtle hatchery (seasonal). Overnight in León.
Day 5: León — San Ramón — Matagalpa
Journey into the northern highlands. Stop at San Ramón waterfall. Arrive Matagalpa — heart of Nicaraguan coffee country. Visit a shade-grown coffee finca and learn the bean-to-cup process. Overnight in Matagalpa.
Day 6: Selva Negra Cloud Forest
Full day at Selva Negra, a German-Nicaraguan coffee estate turned cloud forest reserve. Hike trails through misty oak forests alive with orchids, bromeliads, and howler monkeys. Visit the organic farm. Overnight in Matagalpa.
Day 7: Matagalpa — Masaya Volcano — Granada
Drive to Masaya Volcano National Park. Arrive at dusk: peer into the Santiago crater — one of the world’s few continuously active lava lakes. The glow of molten rock illuminates the crater walls in an otherworldly display. This is Nicaragua’s most dramatic natural wonder. Transfer to Granada for overnight.
Day 8: Granada — Colonial Jewel
Full day in Granada. Colonial architecture tour, Las Isletas boat tour, and the Mi Museo private collection of pre-Columbian ceramics. Evening: horse-drawn carriage ride through the illuminated streets. Overnight in Granada.
Day 9: Mombacho Volcano Cloud Forest
4×4 ascent of Mombacho Volcano (1,344m). Hike the Puma Trail through dwarf cloud forest — the crater’s unique microclimate hosts endemic orchids, salamanders, and the Mombacho butterfly. Zipline over coffee plantations (optional). Views across Lake Nicaragua and the islets. Overnight in Granada.
Days 10-11: Ometepe Island
Ferry to Ometepe. Two days exploring the twin volcanoes: hike Maderas to the crater lagoon, explore Charco Verde Reserve, visit petroglyph sites, and swim at Ojo de Agua. Visit a local cacao farm to learn chocolate-making from bean to bar. Overnight in Ometepe eco-lodge.
Day 12: Ometepe — San Juan del Sur
Return ferry. Drive to San Juan del Sur. Afternoon beach time. Farewell dinner at a cliff-top restaurant watching sunset over the Pacific. Overnight in San Juan del Sur.
Day 13: Depart
Transfer to Managua Airport.
Inclusions
- 12 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast + 4 dinners
- All transfers
- Volcano boarding equipment
- Ferry tickets
- Masaya Volcano night entry
- All park & site fees
- Expert bilingual guide
