100% customisable travel idea
Colonial cities, jungle and the Pacific Ocean Get to know Nicaragua
Nicaragua - Managua - León - Granada - Ometepe - San Juan del Sur
Welcome to Nicaragua
Your trip
To give you as much freedom as possible, we have opted for a road trip with a rental car. The distances are short and the stops flow smoothly, with the help of the Voyageurs app. At each location, we have selected charming places to stay, promising an authentic experience, close to the real Nicaragua and far from soulless resorts and large establishments. In León, your hotel is housed in a former convent that has retained all of its old-world charm. Austerity has given way to great sophistication... and a swimming pool! In your accommodation in Granada, colonial heritage and intimacy come together around a pretty tree-lined patio with a charming fountain. On the island of Ometepe, the fresh waters of Lake Nicaragua are just a stone's throw from your wooden cottage with terrace. And it is oh so peaceful... Finally, your accommodation in San Juan del Sur is a charming little Victorian-style hotel, unpretentious but with a swimming pool, and just a stone's throw from the beach. We have also punctuated your road trip with several highlights: a tour of Managua with a private guide; climbing Cerro Negro, which you then surf down afterwards; a kayak trip around the islets of Lake Nicaragua. And, because unexpected events can arise and things can spontaneously take your fancy when travelling, you will have the details of our on-site Concierge, who you can contact at any time.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
On arrival, private transfer and overnight stay a short distance from the airport. The hotel is comfortable, with spacious rooms, a swimming pool, and professional, attentive service - just what you need for recovering from a long flight.
On your itinerary - A private visit in Managua. Stretching along the southern shore of Lake Xolotlán (or Managua), the Nicaraguan capital was founded at the end of the 19th century, before the departure of the Spanish. Although its urban landscape was permanently shaped by the devastating 1972 earthquake, it still achieves a surprising blend of neoclassical remnants and modern buildings. Accompanied by a guide, you explore the city and the Malecón - a waterfront promenade, discovering its main attractions: the national museum, the Santiago Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the National Palace of Culture.
Pick up your rental car and drive to León, in the west of the country (two hours). You will be staying for two nights in a former convent founded in 1639 - undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hotels in the city. The room decor is clearly understated, but it is far from a rudimentary monastic life. What’s more, the charming inner courtyard even surprises us with a refreshing swimming pool! You find yourself in the historic centre, a stone’s throw away from the main attractions and a superb museum.
Churches, sometimes colourful, sometimes immaculate; pretty pedestrian streets and lively squares; traditional single-storey houses, Roman tiles, cool hidden patios, and more. León is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Nicaragua. Yet the city has come a long way and even had to be relocated and rebuilt 40 km (25 miles) away from its original site after the devastating earthquake of 1610. Less than a century later, pirates attacked León and destroyed many of its monuments. But she is not done yet.
On your itinerary - Climbing Cerro Negro, one of the youngest volcanoes in the world, with frequent eruptions. After climbing for about an hour, you enjoy an incredible view of part of the volcanic range and, at your feet, vast stretches of black volcanic sand - which you use to make your way back down. Here, people go volcano boarding: armed with a surfboard, you race down the 700 metres (0.4 miles) to the base of the volcano at thrilling speeds, reaching up to 65 km/h (40 mph). A unique experience for thrill-seekers - others can, of course, walk back down.
Things to see and do - Stroll through the city streets to admire the many murals (frescoes), symbols of popular expression; visit the 18th-century baroque cathedral, the yellow Recolección Church and Calvario Church with its unusual architecture; cool off with a raspado, shaved ice topped with dulce de leche, or snack on plantain chips; take in the Ortiz Gurdian Foundation, one of the richest contemporary art museums in Central America.
Optional - A private tour of León and the San Jacinto hot springs.
Head to Granada, just under a three-hour drive away, and settle in for three nights beside Plaza Colón and the cathedral. With fewer than ten rooms, this small hotel is decidedly intimate. It is set in a colonial house with colourful walls, arranged around a tree-lined patio where a pretty fountain gently murmurs. The rooms are spacious, with high ceilings and understated, colonial-inspired decor. We love the restaurant’s terrace overlooking the patio, where it’s a real pleasure to enjoy a good local breakfast in peace before heading out to explore the historic centre, just steps away.
Things to see and do - The San Francisco Convent; the Church of La Merced and the Church of Xalteva; the cathedral; the park and the market; the Pólvora Fort and the train station.
Built in the 16th century by the Spanish, the city known as the “gran sultana” proudly displays impressive reminders of its rich colonial past. The beauty of the facades, the coolness of the patios, the enduring spirit of the artists, poets and artisans who grew up here… All this is set on the shore of the largest freshwater lake in Latin America, surrounded by active volcanoes.
On your itinerary - A kayak trip through the Islets, at the heart of this archipelago of 365 islands set on Lake Cocibolca (Lake Nicaragua) - one for each day of the year. You paddle between these small tropical paradises with lush vegetation, where fishing families live. Accompanied by a guide, you enjoy idyllic landscapes inhabited by many species of water birds.
Optional - Walk and ziplining around Mombacho volcano.
Drive to Rivas (1 hour and 30 minutes), where you board a ferry to Ometepe Island (1 hour), bathed by the waters of Lake Cocibolca. After two kilometres or just over a mile on the trail, check in for two nights at a finca set by the water’s edge. You settle into your cabin, a warm wooden cottage with a pleasant terrace. The atmosphere is peaceful, ideal for walks on foot, by bike or on horseback, and for relaxing on the small private beach.
A day to soak up the gentle pace of life on Ometepe, the island of twin volcanoes. In the Nahuatl language, its name means “two (ome) mountains (tepetl)
To see and do - Swim at Ojo de Agua, a natural volcanic pool, which, according to legend, is said to have rejuvenating powers; follow the trails around Charco Verde lagoon to spot turtles, crocodiles, monkeys and water birds; visit Finca El Porvenir, a collective organic farm; search for petroglyphs hidden in the dense forest; kayak along the Istian River; watch the sunset from Punta Jesús María, the island’s westernmost point, and later, the starry sky; for the more active, climb Maderas volcano.
You take the ferry back to the west shore of the lake, then travel on to San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast. You will be staying for four nights in a small hotel built in 1902 that has kept some of its Victorian charm in its architecture and facade. In contrast, the rooms feature bright colours and spacious bathrooms. Only a road separates us from the beach, which stretches almost beneath our windows, and the small pool in front is perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring. At the restaurant, a small menu offers appealing local dishes and breakfasts from here and elsewhere, making each morning a little more unique.
You have a few days to enjoy San Juan del Sur, a surfing and fishing hotspot set on a beautiful bay facing the Pacific. On the heights, the immaculate Christ seems reassuring and protective. In the streets, a festive and friendly resort atmosphere prevails, with many restaurants, bars, shops and nightclubs. All around, mountains and lush tropical vegetation are just waiting to be explored.
Things to see and do - Surf, of course, or lay your towel on Playa Marsella beach; sail around the bay by yacht; watch the sunset with a drink in hand; stroll through the lively market and try a fully local dish; climb up to the Christ statue for one of the best views of the bay; enjoy San Juan’s lively nights.
Return to Managua airport, return the rental car, and take your international flight home. Night on board, arrival the next day.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
A private tour of León and the San Jacinto Hot Springs
Discover León, Nicaragua's former capital, with its charming colonial style, by visiting its main monuments, including the cathedral, the Church of the Recollection and El Calvario Church. Then you will leave the city behind to discover the San Jacinto Hot Springs, a site known for its bubbling mud baths, naturally heated by the Telica volcano. According to locals, the mud has healing properties for certain skin conditions.Granada - A private tour of the cocoa farms
Accompanied by a private guide, you will discover the step-by-step process involved in making chocolate: roasting the cocoa beans, which are organic, separating the beans from the husks, grinding the beans, etc. The overall aim of the trip is to make your own Nicaraguan chocolate bar. The tour also offers an opportunity to discover the secrets of some pre-Columbian and Spanish recipes. Activities for all ages.Granada - Private walks and zip lines around the Mombacho volcano
A visit to the foot of the Mombacho volcano and its wetland nature reserve, which is home to hundreds of animal and plant species. The zip lines are a fun way to explore the rainforest and enjoy superb views of the coffee plantations. You’ll then take the Pueblos Blancos road, stopping briefly at the Mirador de Catarina to admire the view of the Apoyo lagoon, the Mombacho volcano and the city of Granada. Finally, the day ends with a visit to the Masaya Volcano National Park, which boasts more than 20 km (12.4 miles) of trails leading to five impressive craters, including the Santiago crater, which is still active.
Why visit Nicaragua with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Nicaragua
- Globally unique concierge service
- Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
- CO2 absorption
