Highlights
- Explore the Spanish colonial city of Granada
- Visit the San Pablo Fort, built in the 18th century to protect against pirates
- Kayak the pirate routes down the San Juan River
- See amazing flora and fauna in the Bartola Nature Reserve
- Discover Managua, Nicaragua's exciting capital
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in the Spanish colonial city of Granada | Granada |
| Day 2 | Explore Granada & the islands of Las Isletas | Granada |
| Day 3 | Travel to San Carlos and Sabalos | Sabalos |
| Day 4 | Kayak to Bartola Nature Reserve | Bartola |
| Day 5 | Kayak to Boca San Carlos | Campsite |
| Day 6 | Kayak to Sarapiquí | Campsite |
| Day 7 | Kayak to El Jobo | Campsite |
| Day 8 | Kayak to Greytown (San Juan de Nicaragua) | Greytown |
| Day 9 | Free Day | Greytown |
| Day 10 | Explore Managua | Managua |
| Day 11 | Depart Managua |
Detailed Highlights
Day 1: Arrive in the Spanish Colonial City of Granada
Arrive in Managua, from where you will be transferred about 30 miles away to Granada, one of Central America's most beautiful cities. Take a stroll through the city center or stop at one of the bars along the boulevard from the central park to the shores of Lake Nicaragua.
Day 2: Explore Granada & the Islands of Las Isletas
Founded in 1524, Granada is believed to be the second oldest city established by the Spanish in mainland Latin America. Today you will take a guided tour of this city, on foot and in a horse-drawn carriage, exploring key sites such as the San Francisco Convent, Xalteva Church, and Merced Church. Climb the bell tower at Merced and see spectacular views of Lake Nicaragua and Mombacho Volcano. In the afternoon, take a boat tour of Las Isletas, a group of 360 forest-covered islands formed by a volcanic eruption 20,000 years ago. Visit the 18th-century San Pablo Fort, built to protect Granada against English pirates.
Day 3: Travel to San Carlos and Sabalos
Today you will be transferred to Managua Airport for your flight to San Carlos, from where you will take a 1.5-hour boat trip to Sabalos. Sabalos is located halfway between San Carlos and El Castillo and is the last town along the San Juan River accessible by road.
Day 4: Kayak to Bartola Nature Reserve
Start your kayaking adventure with a 6-hour paddle to Bartola. Stop at the charming town of El Castillo, where you can see a fortified castle built to protect Granada against pirates. Tonight you will stay at a lodge inside the Bartola Nature Reserve, which borders the Indio Maiz Reserve. These two reserves are separated by the Bartola River, which has amazing flora and fauna on both sides of the river.
Kayaking Time: 6 hours
Day 5: Kayak to Boca San Carlos
Today you will continue downriver to Boca San Carlos. Immerse yourself in the Indio Maíz Reserve, kayaking to the site where the San Carlos River joins the San Juan River. You will tackle some rapids today. See rainforest on the Nicaraguan side and some remains of a steamboat from the 19th century. You might also see crocodiles on the sandbanks! Overnight at a campsite.
Kayaking Time: 8 hours
Day 6: Kayak to Sarapiquí
Today you will continue kayaking to Sarapiquí. The Sarapiquí River comes from the Turrialba Mountains in the center of Costa Rica. The area is full of history — in the 1850s, this is where William Walker hid when fleeing Granada after he had commandeered the presidency of Nicaragua. It also has dense tropical rainforest and is great for bird watching. See species such as the scarlet tanager, osprey, king vulture, belted kingfisher and rainbow-billed toucan. Overnight at a campsite.
Kayaking Time: 8 hours
Day 7: Kayak to El Jobo
Today you will kayak to El Jobo, a small community founded by refugees who were relocated from Costa Rica to Rio San Juan during the civil war in Nicaragua. Today kayaking will take you to river islands and across the tropical rainforest. You will also visit the local rangers station for a chat with the locals. Overnight at a campsite.
Kayaking Time: 6 hours
Day 8: Kayak to Greytown (San Juan de Nicaragua)
Today you kayak the last part of Rio San Juan to an upscale eco-lodge at Greytown near the Costa Rican border. Now reclaimed by the forest, Old Greytown was once a buzzing British Caribbean outpost and starting point for steamboats carrying tens of thousands of people up the Rio San Juan. Greytown, also known as San Juan de Nicaragua, was once the stomping grounds of European aristocrats. A visit to the Old Greytown Cemetery will reveal the exciting history of this special place. See mystic jungle rivers, pretty lagoons, and deserted Caribbean beaches where the jungle actually meets the beach.
Kayaking Time: 6 hours
Day 9: Explore Greytown and San Juan de Nicaragua
Today is a free day. Relax in the lodge or choose from several optional tours including to the Old Greytown Cemetery or the town of San Juan de Nicaragua. Bird watching and fly fishing are some other the options. Or you can go for a night tour of the river and spot wildlife.
Day 10: Fly to Managua
Today you will fly back to Managua, the capital of Nicaragua and home to almost two million inhabitants. Enjoy this vibrant city's theaters, restaurants, nightclubs, and cinemas. Experience an authentic Nicaraguan street market at Roberto Huembes market. Do a canopy tour of Tiscapa Lagoon (of volcanic origin) or visit the Montibelli Bird and Butterfly Reserve or Chocoyero National Reserve. If you like beaches, Pochomil and Montelimar are located only an hour away.
Day 11: Depart Managua
Today you will be transferred to Managua Airport where you will bid farewell to Nicaragua.
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