Highlights
- Walk the white-sand beaches of Cayos de Perlas
- Kayak around the volcanic islets of Lago de Nicaragua
- Go swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and diving
- Witness the raw power of the still-active Masaya volcano
- Learn to cook Nicaraguan food in beautiful Granada
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival; transfer to Managua | Managua |
| Day 2 | Cayos de Perlas | Cayos de Perlas |
| Day 3 | Calala Island | Cayos de Perlas |
| Day 4 | Free day in the Nicaraguan Caribbean | Cayos de Perlas |
| Day 5 | Lago de Nicaragua | Granada |
| Day 6 | Granada tour and Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya | Granada |
| Day 7 | Reserva Natural Volcán Mombacho; San Juan del Sur | San Juan del Sur |
| Day 8 | Free day at Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge | San Juan del Sur |
| Day 9 | Free day at Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge; private sunset boat tour | San Juan del Sur |
| Day 10 | Departure |
Day 1: Arrive in Managua
Welcome to beautiful Nicaragua! Upon arrival in Managua, meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
Managua is the capital of Nicaragua, home to almost two million residents, and is easily the largest city in the country. The city has a lot to offer: theatres, restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and cinemas. Check out Mercado Roberto Huembes (Roberto Huembes Market) for an authentic Nicaraguan street market or enjoy the views of Laguna Tiscapa — a crater lake formed from a pre-existing volcano.
Day 2: Cayos de Perlas
After breakfast, catch a brief domestic flight (45 minutes) to Bluefields, followed by a private boat transfer (1.5 hours) to Cayos de Perlas (Pearl Cays). Cayos de Perlas is a group of 18 cays located about 9 miles off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. Home to an important nesting site for turtles, the cays feature dazzling turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and palm trees. Spend the rest of the day basking in the sun, snorkeling, or simply taking a swim in the clear crystal water.
Day 3: Calala Island
Spend the day at your leisure and explore the islands of Cayos de Perlas. Kayak to an uninhabited island, and explore the shipwreck off the shore of the small Calala Island. Afterwards, indulge yourself further with a relaxing massage and unwind by the outdoor swimming pool.
Day 4: Free Day in the Nicaraguan Caribbean
Spend the day as you choose. Take advantage of the magnificent environment and go snorkeling around the reefs, have a private picnic to while away the afternoon, or try traditional Nicaraguan line fishing.
Day 5: Lago de Nicaragua
After breakfast, make your way to Lago de Nicaragua (Lake Nicaragua), the largest body of water in Central America. Here you'll experience a different kind of beach on this massive, freshwater lake. To get there, your private boat will take you back to Bluefields for your domestic flight to Managua. Drive a short distance to Granada and take another private boat to the lake and Las Isletas de Granada (The Islets of Granada).
Lago de Nicaragua is home to 365 small islets of volcanic origin, which dot the lake with greenery. Check in to your accommodation and if time allows, go for a boat ride or rent a kayak and marvel at the variety of flora and fauna on the islets.
Day 6: Granada Tour & Parque Nacional Volcan Masaya
Start your day early and return to the mainland to go on a cultural tour of Granada, a colorful colonial-era city. Begin the tour by visiting Granada's local market to gather fresh ingredients for a cooking class. Explore the marketplace and gain insights into the rich tradition of Nicaraguan cuisine in this vibrant bazaar before learning to prepare your lunch with a local chef. In the afternoon, visit a local cigar factory where a master blender will introduce you to the world of tobacco and cigars.
End the day with a three-hour visit to the Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya (Masaya Volcano National Park) for a twilight tour. Immerse your senses in the sights and smells of the roiling lava in this active volcano.
Day 7: Reserva Natural Volcán Mombacho & San Juan del Sur
Drive to the Reserva Natural Volcán Mombacho (Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve) and go on a guided tour of the impressive cloud forest. Visit a coffee plantation, Hacienda El Progreso, located on the slopes of the inactive Mombacho, and participate in a coffee tasting at Café Las Flores.
Continue on towards the Pacific Coast to the once quiet fishing village of San Juan del Sur, now a major beach destination. The beaches offer nearly year-round surfing, as well as other activities like snorkeling, diving, sailing, and whale watching. Make sure you visit the Refugio De Vida Silvestre La Flor (La Flor Refuge) to see the important nesting grounds of many sea turtle species, and if you're lucky, to see the turtles themselves! Check in to your accommodation at Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge.
Day 8: Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge
Explore the 6.25 square miles of private property and its sprawling ocean views. Spend the day as you choose, perhaps horseback riding through the tropical dry forest in and around the hacienda. Or spend a half-day on a fishing tour trying your hand at catching saltwater fish.
Day 9: Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge
Spend the day at your leisure and enjoy the Ecolodge's Pacific beach. In the late afternoon take a private boat tour to enjoy incredible views with the setting sun as a romantic backdrop. Keep your eyes open for some of the local marine wildlife, like dolphins and whales!
Day 10: Departure from Managua
After a farm-to-table breakfast, your private transfer will bring you to Managua International Airport for your return flight home.
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