8 days / 7 nights – Nicaragua Holiday

This special Nicaragua Holiday travel package is easily combined with a travel to/from Costa Rica as you can start your Nicaragua discovery tour in Peñas Blancas (Costa Rica) or flying in directly to Managua the capital of Nicaragua. You will witness the colonial history and see the unspoiled nature of this little known country.

Day 1 – Nicaragua Holiday – Pick-up at Peñas Blancas, transfer to Granada/Transfer in from Managua Airport

Directly after passing the Costa Rican/Nicaraguan border your driver with private vehicle will welcome you. You will be transferred to the colonial city of Granada (1524 ad).

Overnight in Granada Hotel El Almirante or similar

Day 2 - Nicaragua Holiday - Granada, Las Isletas, City Tour

After breakfast, at 10.00 AM you will be picked up at your hotel and brought to the harbor for the check-in of the Isletas tour, a two hour boat trip. The rich flora and fauna of Las Isletas will impress you while passing through some of the 365 islands of volcanic origin. You will visit a Spanish fortress of the 17th Century and relax on one of the islands where you can watch the many migratory birds while having a complementary drink. Around 12.30 PM you will be transferred back to Granada. Starting from your hotel, at 3:00 pm, you will be shown around the marvelous remnants of old-colonial Granada. You will walk and partially be transported by traditional horse-drawn carriage and visit the following places: San Francisco Convent and Church, founded in 1524 (houses archaeological treasures from Isla Zapatera, a primitive art exhibit and historical display), La Polvora Fort (a warehouse built in 1748 to keep gunpowder). You will visit its old towers, which give you a nice view of the city, Xalteva Church and Walls. This is the most antique part of Granada. Around 5:00 pm you return to your hotel.

Overnight in Granada Hotel El Almirante or similar (B/-/-)

Day 3 - Nicaragua Holiday - Granada, Transfer to Matagalpa, Matagalpa City Tour

Today you leave for the mountainous North of Nicaragua, Matagalpa! You will make a stop at the town of Matagalpa where you will receive a brief City Tour. Next, following the road to Jinotega, after some 15 minutes, you will arrive at Selva Negra. Overnight at Selva Negra.

Overnight at Mountain Hotel Selva Negra (room) (B/-/-)

Day 4 - Nicaragua Holiday - Matagalpa, Coffee Tour, Optional Cloud Forest hike

During the ‘all about coffee tour’ you will be able to visit the coffee plantation of Selva Negra, and learn about the production of this high quality estate coffee. Nicaragua coffee is being exported to the Europe. Afternoon a leasure to discover the Cloudforest of Selva Negra.

Overnight at Hotel Selva Negra (room) (B/-/-)

Day 5 - Nicaragua Holiday - Matagalpa, transfer to Leon passing by Volcanic Fields of San Jacinto. City Tour León

Today you will go to the colonial city of León. Leaving Matagalpa you will pass by the fruit and vegetable turnover of Sebaco, heading for the road to León. On your way to León, you make a stop at the community of San Jacinto to visit the volcanic fields; here you can observe some 20 small craters with boiling mud in many colors and odors, called Los Hervideros de San Jacinto. After this visit it is just a short trip to the city of León, known for its impressive colonial heritage and rich culture and history. After check-in at your hotel, your guide will take you for a brief city-tour. You visit the biggest cathedral of Central America, the many colorful churches, some historic revolutionary murals and a museum of fine arts. After the city tour you return to your hotel or stay in one of the nice restaurants in the city.

Overnight in León in Hotel Los Balcones (B/-/-)

Day 6 - Nicaragua Holiday - León, Cerro Negro, optional tour to Isla Juan Venado (not included)

At 8:00 am your vehicle and guide will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the base of Vulcan Cerro Negro. Climbing up to the top of the Cerro Negro volcano is an impressive experience. This active volcano, the youngest of the Western Hemisphere and one of the smallest (around 650 meters in altitude) in Nicaragua, is totally covered with black sand and rocks. Standing on top of this volcano, you will have an immense view over a great part of the volcanic chain Los Maribios. The volcanic material will give you the opportunity to descend in a ski-like manner (hiking shoes or sports shoes are recommended). The afternoon is at leisure, the following tour is recommended (not included):

 Overnight in León in Hotel Los Balcones (B/-/-)

Day 7  - Nicaragua Holiday - León, Transfer to Laguna de Apoyo passing by Volcan Masaya National Park and Masaya Handicrafts Market

This morning you will be transferred from Leon to Laguna de Apoyo. However, you will first pay a visit to National Park Volcano Masaya, where you drive all the way up to the active crater, where small green parrorts (Chocoyos) nestle. Next you will visit the famous handicrafts market of Masaya, a good moment to buy souvenirs for family and friends back home. After this stop you continue your journey to the beautiful Crater Lake of Apoyo. The scenic and winding road will take you to a lakefront hotel where you will have the entire afternoon do do some hiking or swimming. Optionally (not included) you can go saling, kayaking or scuba diving.

Overnight at Laguna de Apoyo Hotel Ecoposada La Abuela (B/-/-)

Day 8 - Nicaragua Holiday - Laguna de Apoyo. Transfer to Peñas Blancas (border Costa Rica) or transfer out to Managua International Airport

Today you leave Nicaragua again for Costa Rica or the airport in Managua end of your Nicaragua Holiday. On your way south you will make a short stop at the small town of Rivas, with its scenic Central Park. After that you will continue to the border crossing of Peñas Blancas. We wish you a pleasant stay in Costa Rica and/or a safe flight home.

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Rates valid for Double or Triple Occupancy

£  710 per person

Single Occupancy and with stay in Superior Hotels upon request

Rate Includes

•  accommodation at standard hotels as mentioned or similar
•  breakfast
•  private transfers with A/C vehicle
•  tours as mentioned
•  entrance fees
•  English speaking local guide on tours only
•  services of local agent (English spoken)

Not Included

•  international airline ticket
•  migration fees (approx. 15 US$ per person)
•  meals other than mentioned
•  tips nor porters