Duration: 6 days | 5 nights – Location: Managua; Leon and Granada
Discover the capital cities of Nicaragua, the largest country in Central America. It borders Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. Nicaragua is home to two large lakes: Lago de Managua (Xolotlan) and Lago de Nicaragua (Cocibolca). The latter is the largest in Central America and is the only one with freshwater sharks in the world.
• City of Managua, capital of the nation
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua, seat of the gouverment and the powers of the State. It is located in western Nicaragua, on the southwest coast of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, it is the largest city in the country in terms of population and geographic extension. The city originates from a historic pre-Columbian town that was elevated to a town in 1819, then to a city in 1846, declared Capital of the Nation in 1852.
• Colonial City of León, the first capital of the country
The city of León was the first city founded in what is now Nicaragua in the year 1524 by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, in a place that the indigenous people called “Nagarando”. It was located in the middle of the Imabite Province, on a flat terrain next to Lake Xolotlán and in front of the Momotombo volcano. This location is about 30 km from the current city of León and is known as León Viejo, whose ruins have become a tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Colonial City of Granada, tourism capital of Nicaragua
It was founded in 1524 by the Spanish captain Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, which makes it the oldest of the two colonial cities that Nicaragua has and the first city on the American mainland.
Itinerary:
Day 1. | Managua
Meeting at the airport in Managua by our local representative and transfer to the hotel in the capital city of Nicaragua. Accommodation in Managua.
Day 2. | City Tour Managua + Ruins of León Viejo – León
Breakfast. Visit of the capital city of Managua; the Loma de Tiscapa National Park, where much of the country’s history has taken place; tour of Bolívar-Chávez Avenue in the historic center of old Managua and its surroundings; the Rubén Darío National Theater, the Palace of Culture and the Central Park. We will also visit the old Malecón from where we will see Lake Managua through a walk through the new Paseo Xolotlan where there is a replica of what Managua was before the earthquake, followed by visiting the new Puerto Salvador Allende. Free time for lunch not included. Continuation to the city of León, en route we will visit the Ruins of León Viejo, the first city founded by the Spanish, on the shores of Lake Xolotlán and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. Accommodation in León.
Day 3. | Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding & City Tour Leon
Breakfast. This morning, we will make the expedition to the Cerro Negro Volcano. Learn to navigate the volcanic sand of the youngest and one of the most active volcanoes in all of Nicaragua, learning all about the Sandboarding experience. Have fun and enjoy the splendid views of the Marribios volcanic chain in the western part of the country. Free time for lunch not included. Afternoon visit of the current colonial city of León with its main churches, including its imposing Cathedral, the largest in Central America. Accommodation in León.
Day 4. | Leon – Granada
Breakfast. At the indicated time, guided transfer from the colonial city of León to the colonial city of Granada. Rest of the day free. Accommodation in Granada.
Day 5. | City Tour Granada, Lake Nicaragua + Masaya Volcano Lava Lake Night Tour
Breakfast. Transfer from León to Granada and visit the city by horse-drawn carriage: Old Train Station, Fortaleza de la Pólvora; Doña Elba Cigar Factory and La Merced Church. We will also visit the Central Park, Granada Cathedral, Independence Square, the House of the Three Worlds, the San Francisco convent and the famous Calzada street. Later, we will go to the Great Lake of Nicaragua, to navigate its waters and appreciate nature and its beautiful islets of volcanic origin. Free time for lunch not included. At the end of the afternoon visit the Masaya Volcano National Park at night and look inside the active Santiago crater and discover the new Lava Lake and observe the incredible red and glowing lava of the most impressive volcano in the world to visit. Accommodation in Granada.
Day 6 | Granada – Airport.
Breakfast. At the indicated time, departure transfer to the airport.
Package Includes:
- Private transportation with A/C
- English/Spanish speaking national guide
- 01 nights’ accommodation in Managua
- 02 nights’ accommodations in Leon
- 02 nights’ accommodation in Granada
- Full Day: City Tour Managua & Ruins of Leon Viejo
- Full Day: Tour Cerro Negrro Volcano Boarding & City Tour Leon with local guides
- Full Day: Tour Granada, Lake Nicaragua + Volcano Masaya Lava Lake – Night Tour
- Daily breakfast at hotel
- Local taxes
Package Excludes:
- International certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever if applicable
- International airfare and/or domestic airfare and taxes
- Travel insurance and/or Travel assistant
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Visa fees if applicable
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
