Classic Nicaragua
05 days / 04 nights
Begins and ends at Managua Airport.
Visit Managua, León, Masaya, Granada, Mombacho Volcano and Catarina.
With this tour you will have the opportunity to visit the must-see destinations of the pacific of Nicaragua, like the colonial cities of León and Granada and their nearby attractions.
- Explore two World Heritage sites, the ruins of León Viejo and the incredible Cathedral of León.
- Go to the edge of an active crater by vehicle at Masaya Volcano National Park.
- Discover the colonial city of Granada, one of the oldest cities in America.
DAY 01 Airport – Managua
Reception on arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Managua.
DAY 02 Managua – León
Breakfast at the hotel. First, we will visit the ruins of Leon Viejo, declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The first city of Leon, built in 1524, was abandoned by its inhabitants in 1610 due to the constant threat of Momotombo volcano. Here you learn more about the origin and development of one of the most important cities of Nicaragua.
Then we will go to Leon, founded in 1610. The city functioned as capital of the country on multiple times after the independence in 1821, alternating the title with Granada, until Managua was declared the only and permanent capital of Nicaragua
We will visit the Cathedral of Leon, one of the most beautiful temples of the continent and the biggest one in Central America, recently declared as a World Heritage Site. This temple is the resting place of great Nicaraguans like the poets Ruben Dario and Salomon de la Selva. From the roof of the Cathedral you will get an extraordinary panoramic view of this charming city and the Maribios volcano range.
Then we will visit Ortiz Gurdian Art Gallery where you will find an interesting collection that includes works from noted Nicaraguan artists as well as renowned international artists like Picasso, Chagall, Miró; and Latin American masters like Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Fernando Botero and Roberto Matta.
We will also go to Ruben Dario Museum, located in the house where the great poet lived during 14 years.
DAY 03 León – Masaya – Granada
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Granada. On our way, we will visit Masaya Volcano National Park, where a paved road takes us to the edge of the active Santiago crater.
We will continue to the Handicraft Market where you can find great souvenirs and beautiful crafts made of wood and ceramics, embroidery, hammocks, clothes and jewelry.
Finally, we will arrive in Granada, the oldest colonial city in the western hemisphere of the Americas that still remains in its original place of construction. The city was founded in 1524 on the shores of Lake Cocibolca.
We will visit La Merced Church. From the top of the bell tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Then, we will continue our tour to Convento San Francisco Museum, which houses an important collection of historical artifacts and paintings. One of its most interesting collections are 28 pre-Columbian Zapatera Island statues dating from the years 800 to 1200 AD. During the city tour, you will also get to see Calle Atravesada, Xalteva Church, the Cathedral and the Church of Guadalupe.
DAY 04 Granada – Mombacho – Catarina – Granada
Breakfast at the hotel. We will start the day with a boat tour of Granada’s famous Isletas, an archipelago of more than 360 islets formed by an ancient volcanic explosion, just off the shore of Lake Cocibolca. While you listen to your guide’s commentary about the history of Lake Cocibolca, admire views of Mombacho Volcano and keep an eye out for native birds like tanagers, hawks, jays and warblers.
Then, we will go to Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve. We will drive from the tropical dry forest region, through coffee farms and into the cloud forest humid conditions. Arriving at the top, we will do the 1-km trail, along which we will observe an unusual collection of orchids, ferns and butterflies. If the weather conditions are clear, we will enjoy fantastic views of Granada, the Isletas and the surrounding countryside.
We will continue to Catarina, a popular artisan’s town that stands out for the gardens with ornamental plants and for its incredible viewpoint from where you can see Apoyo Lagoon, Mombacho Volcano and Granada.
DAY 05 Granada – Airport
Transfer to Managua International Airport according to your flight’s departure time. We recommend being at the airport 02 hours earlier.
Package Includes
- Private transportation in vehicle with A/C.
- 01 night in Managua.
- 01 night in León.
- 02 nights in Granada.
- Visit to the Ruins of Leon Viejo.
- City tour of Leon.
- Visit to Masaya Volcano National Park.
- Visit to Handicraft Market.
- City tour of Granada.
- Boat tour of Las Isletas.
- Visit to Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve.
- Visit to Catarina.
Contact us for more information