Adventure, nature and the beaches

(8 days, 7 nights)

An active package in volcanoes, nature reserves, and a few days in front of a pristine, white sand beach to finish with... Perfect for couples or families!

Day 1: Managua airport-Hotel in Managua (B)

Arrive in Managua. Transfer and accommodation at your hotel Camino Real 3* sup. Night in the hotel.

Day 2: Managua-Leon- Boiling mud and city tour (B)

Drive to Leon. On the way stop in La Paz Centro and try a "quesillo" with "Tiste" (typical food and corn made refreshment).

Accommodation at your hotel la Posada del Doctor 2* or el Convento 3* sup. Visit the city, colonial buildings, Old Spanish churches and largest cathedral in Central America, as well as the boiling mud at San Jacinto. Night in Leon.

Day 3 : Léon- Cerro Negro active volcano-Granada (B, L)

After breakfast go for an adventure day to discover one of Nicaragua’s monsters: Cerro Negro active volcano. Born in 1850, it is one of the most active volcanoes in Nicaragua. Cerro Negro “Black Mount” is the most recent of a group of four very young cinder cones in the central Maribios. Last big eruption was August 1998…
Hiking to the top takes less than an hour, a sort of trail has been made in the rocks and volcanisc ashes. Temperature can be very hot as there is no vegetation at all, ranges between 30 and 42-48 celcius (according to season; once you hike the breeze makes it easier) and the overwhelming view once we reach the active crater will be the reward you had ever imagined, sulfur coming out from many places, crater and also from the shores (many crevaces). From the top, you will also observe the crater of Telica, another active volcano, as well as the Pacific ocean, 20 miles away. After a walk around the crater we will hike down and drive back to the City of Leon. There, after a delicious lunch, we will take our way south to the city of Granada. Accommodation in your hotel Patio del Malinche 2* sup or similar. Free evening. Night in Granada.

Granada: This treasure of architecture was built by the Spanish conquistadors in year 1524. Symbol of the Spanish colonization, the city is ion process of renovation: old monuments, churches and pre-Columbian museum… Horse-drawn carriages are the most romantic way to discover the “Great Sultana”. Many bars are waiting for you, around the Central Park. The city is now widely opened to tourism.

Day 4 : Granada- Lake Nicaragua & the Islands-Natural Reserve of Mombacho volcano- Playa el Coco (B, L)

Early breakfast in your hotel, we will drive to Lake Nicaragua. Go for a Boat Ride and discover some of its 365 islands “isletas”. All these islands are luxuriant, rich in fauna and flora, especially in water birds.

Then we will drive to the shores of the Mombacho volcano. From there, you will reach the top of the mountain, thanks to a special truck. Drive through the coffee plantations, and then arrive at 3 500 ft above see level. There you will enjoy a walk (soft hike) in the tropical forest, around one of the craters. It will take you one and a half hour to circle the crater. Observe this impressive nature, where can be found more than=n 700 species of plants and flowers. The vents will remind you we are hiking in a volcano. Also you will enjoy spectacular views to Lake Nicaragua and the islands.
Optional today: The Canopy Tour (Top Tree Trail).

Then we will drive south to reach the Pacific Ocean in the south pacific side of the country. Arrive in Playas el Coco, a beautiful, pristine beach located 11 miles south of San Juan. Accommodation at hotel Parque Maritimo el Coco 3* situated in front of the beach.

Day 5 : El Coco beach- Isla Bolaños tour (B)

Today you will take a boat tour to Isla Bolaños, a nature reserve that belongs to Costa Rica and a seabirds sanctuary . Depart from the hotel, the journey takes about 45 minutes. Bolaños Island is an oval-shaped rocky mound, 81 meters high, with approximately 25 hectares that lies 1.5 kilometers off Punta Descartes, Salinas Bay, Costa Rica. Once you get in the island, you will hike up to the top of the island. The island is known as a nesting site of the American Oystercatcher and is one of the few places where there are nesting colonies of pelicans. Other species that live on the island are magpie jays, black vultures, and several species of bats and crabs.

There is a white, pristine sandy beach at the eastern tip of the island with mounds of seashells and clams. At low tide it is possible to walk round the island  and gives you a chance to glance at several species of crab that live and mate here, specially the large sized land crab.

Back to your hotel, you can enjoy the beach and fine seafood at the hotel's restaurant.

Night at hotel Parque Maritimo el Coco 3*.

Day 6 : El Coco beach- Horse back riding (B)

At 7am you will start your tour, ride to finca La Esperanza through the forest, on the way you will see howler monkeys, birds, squirrels and other animals. You will go through el Collado a small community oif farmers. Arrive in Finca la Esperanza, where you will be able to collect different kind of fruits (in season) like mangos, lemons, oranges and other tropical fruits. You will be served a sandwich, sodas and purified water. Then you will be transfered back to el Coco in a truck. The tour takes 4 to 6 hours all together.

Free afternoon at leisure, you can enjoy the beach, rent a bike, rent a boat to go fishing, rent a surfboard...

Evening at leiisure, night at the hotel Parque Maritimo el Coco 3*.

Day 7 : El Coco- San Juan del Sur- Managua (B)

Today we will pick you up in San Juan. We will first stop at San Juan del Sur, typical village of fishermen located in the south pacific side of the country.
Located in a 2 kilometers bay in front of the Pacific Ocean, the small village has a population close to 2000, most of them being dedicated to fishing and tourism. The pier is one of the main points of interests; don’t miss the boats coming back from fishing after weeks spent offshore! Many restaurants spread along the coast in front of the beach. Time for lunch on your own, you should try the Ceviche (marinated fish) with a Toña (local bier).

Leave San Juan, stop at San Jorge, from the pier, you can observe from very close the 2 majestic volcanoes: The Concepcion, perfect conic formation, and the Maderas, that hosts a tropical forest.
Contiinue to Managua to spend the last night before boarding your flight back to your country. Arrival in Managua around 5.00. pm. Accommodation in your hotel Camino Real 3* sup. Free night in Managua.

Day 8 : Managua-Airport (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the international airport to board your flight. End of services.

Package includes :

7 hotel nights:

• 2 nights in Managua
• 1 night in Leon
• 1 night in Granada
• 3 nights in San Juan del Sur.

Meals: As specified (One soft drink or bottled water per person per meal included)

Others:

• One drink per person per meal, extra drinks are charged.
• All the transportation and transfers as mentioned in the program, in vehicles in excellent conditions, with air conditioning (days 2 to 4, and 7).
• Transfers operated by the hotel, days 1 and 8
• A specialized guide for the tours, days 2, 3 and 4 (full day tours).
• Local guide, days 5 and 6
• All the activities mentioned and included in the program wiith the entrance fees (Leon, Cerro Negro, Mombacho, boat ride and tourist centers, beach …). Other optional tours are not included.
• Upon arrival day, we will provide with documentation about the country, including a map of the country and information about the areas to be visited.

Not included:

• Taxes at the airport (in and out)
• Optional activities and tours.
• Other meals;
• Other expenses.