Full Nicaragua Trip Guide & Itinerary
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Nicaragua was a country I had never heard of until a friend invited me to join her travels in early 2023. At the time I had a roadtrip overlapping her dates so I declined, but I was curious about this country I hadn’t known existed.
Fast forward a few months, I was road tripping through the States and she had flown down to Nicaragua. Within days of her being there and seeing the places she was visiting, I knew I had to go. I was running slightly ahead on the schedule for the road trip and with some careful replanning, I was able to finish everything a week early.
In a spontaneous decision, I hopped on a flight in Seattle and flew down to meet her in Nicaragua. With only my flights booked and one night of accommodation secured, I decided to figure out the rest once I got there.
While I flew down to meet my friend, she had also been in the country for an extra 10 days prior to my arrival and I wanted to see some of the things she had already done. So I started travelling on my own; first visiting Granada then I met up with her in San Juan Del Sur, left again to see Ometepe myself and rejoined her once more in Popoyo. It was a messy but perfect trip. Filled with spontaneous decisions, amazing people and the best 10 days I could have asked for.
Nicaragua was a country I fell in love with and I want to share the perfect itinerary options with you so you can experience it at its best as well. Below you will find 7, 10 and 14-day itinerary options so that you can mix and match activities based on your budget and timeframe.
The 7-day itinerary will allow you to see most of the key sights in Nicaragua, albeit very quickly. The 10 or 14-day itinerary will provide a more thorough tour of the country if you have the time!
I found 10 days to be a good amount of time but if I had allowed a couple of extra days to travel slower, that would have been ideal!
Please note, that this itinerary is heading south to Costa Rica. If you are coming from Costa Rica and moving north, you may simply do it in reverse.
Currency: Nicaragua has the currency of cordobas. USD is also widely accepted but change will often be given in the local currency. It's a good idea to have both currencies on you whilst travelling.
$ below are in USD
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Day 1: Fly into Managua and travel to Granada
Welcome to Nicaragua, today is your arrival day! Managua is the international airport of Nicaragua and where you will most likely enter the country. When you land you will need $10 cash for your tourist card. Once you have made it through customs, the first thing to do is purchase a SIM card for your phone. There are plenty of providers here and I spent $10 on a SIM for 10 days.
Granada is 45 minutes away from Managua International Airport (MGA) and the easiest way to get from the airport to Granada is by organising a shuttle in advance or hailing a taxi when you arrive. You can expect to pay between $35 - $50 for this service and be prepared to barter.
Alternatively, you can get a chicken bus which is the local form of transport. This will be your cheapest option, but it will take the longest and may require you to pay in cordobas.
There are plenty of hostels around Granada but if you haven't decided on one yet I would recommend Hostel Oasis. This open top hostel has a lovely vibe, happy hour with free drinks and an outdoor pool. Dorms start from $15 a night.
You can find other awesome options on https://hostelworld.tp.st/BRAjWjd9Hostelworld
Once you arrive at the hostel, check in and enjoy your night. Either join happy hour, wander around town or go grab dinner at the famous Garden Cafe.
Don't forget to sign up for your day trips tomorrow!
Day 2: Laguna De Apoyo day trip & Masaya Volcano sunset hike
Today is excursion day!
If you are staying at Hostel Oasis, you should have signed up for the Laguna De Apoyo and the Masaya Volcano excursions yesterday. Both these locations are incredible, must see spots when in Granada.
When completing these tours with the hostel, everything will be organised for you! Around 10am you will board a bus and get driven up to the lagoon.
Laguna De Apoyo is a nature reserve located between Granada and Massaya. It is a beautiful lagoon nestled in the crater of an old volcano! The water is a gorgeous blue colour and the lagoon has some of the cleanest water in Central America. The whole area is stunning and it’s a perfect place to go swimming and relax by the shore.
Once you arrive, staff will explain everything and you will have until 4pm to enjoy all the facilities. You can spend the day relaxing on the beach, swimming and even take a free pottery class if your heart desires.
You will be picked up at 4pm and shuttled to Masaya Volcano for your evening excursion.
Volcano Masaya is found in Nicaraguas, first and largest National Park. Your local guide will drive you to the National Park, cover your entrance fees and lead you on a short hike up to a nearby ridge for sunset. After sunset you will hike back down and be able to get a glimpse of the glowing lava from the lookout points below.
You'll arrive back at the hostel after dark. Speak with the hostel staff about organising a shuttle to Rivas which is where you will catch the ferry to Ometepe tomorrow.
Cook some food for dinner or head out to a restaurant, then get some rest!
Cost for both tours: $34 total
PACKING LIST: Today I would pack a bathing suit, summer cover up, a book, sunscreen and sunglasses for the lagoon. Also take a change of clothes with you for the sunset hike. You will want a pair or sturdy shoes if possible and clothes to hike in and change out of your wet bathing suit.
Day 3: Granada - Ometepe
Today you are heading to Ometepe but before you leave Granada you have more of the city to go see!
Wake up early and head out to explore the city of Granada. Walk down to Granada’s Central Park to see the beautiful yellow Cathedral. Here you will find plenty of market stalls, cafes and even horse drawn carriages. Once you are done in the square, make your way to the Tower La Merced Church, head inside to see the beautiful architecture. Near the church entrance you will find a spiral staircase heading up. It will cost you $1 USD to climb the bell tower and it's very worth it for the beautiful views of the city.
Around midday, get a shuttle to the ferry port in Rivas. The shuttle will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes and will drop you at the entrance to the port. You’ll purchase your ferry tickets to Ometepe once you arrive. This will cost you 35 cordobas for entry to the port, then 50 cordobas for your ticket.
Once the boat arrives, catch the one hour ferry over to the island and then get a tuk tuk to Hostel Life is Good. I recommend staying on the port side of the island (near Moyogalpa) on this itinerary to save yourself unnecessary travel time!
Check in and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the nearby town.
About an hour before sunset, get the hostel to call you a tuk tuk and go to Punta Jesus Maria. This beautiful beach area has spectacular views of both Volcano Concepcion and Volcano Maderas. You can take your bathing suit and go for a swim or just enjoy the sunset from the shore. Your tuk tuk driver will wait around and drive you back after the sun goes down.
Organise a scooter rental for tomorrow with the hostel staff. You want to get it dropped off as early as possible.
Day 4: Explore Ometepe
This is your only day to explore Ometepe so you are going to want to make the most of it! Ometepe is a small infinity shaped island and the best way to get around is by renting a scooter or atv for the day. You can also get someone to drive you around in a tuk tuk if you choose but cars are practically nonexistent on the island.
I would recommend renting a scooter for the day so you have the freedom to explore at your own pace. I was pretty nervous about this initially but it ended up being the best decision! My scooter rental cost 650 cordobas or approximately $17 USD for the day (and an extra $2 for fuel). If you organised it last night, your scooter should be dropped off for you this morning. You will need to sign some paperwork and leave a $100 USD deposit (or your passport), they will give this back provided you return the scooter in good condition.
Note: I would highly advise against giving your passport, worst case, it's better to lose $100 than lose your passport.
The plan for today is to visit (in order):
Playa Mangos - A beautiful beach with a bar, restaurant facilities and mango trees everywhere. Relax here, go out on a guided kayak tour (15 USD) and eat fresh mango. You can rent kayaks and go on a self guided tour but going with a guide is much more valuable as they will point out all the animals you might otherwise miss.
Ojo De Agua - A wooded natural swimming hole of volcanic-origin water amid native plants & wildlife. Entry here costs $10 but includes a $5 food voucher
Charco Verde Park & Butterfly Aviary - A beautiful Reserve, with swimming, wildlife, hiking trails, a butterfly apiary, and more!
I recommend driving to the furthest site first which is Playa Mangos and working your way back towards the hostel throughout the day! We left at 9:30am and ran out of time for the park and butterfly aviary so I would recommend leaving as early as you can in the morning to get a headstart on the day. It takes some time to do the scooter rental paperwork so keep this in mind.
PS. Don't forget to take sunscreen for your bike ride…
Day 5: Ometepe - San Juan Del Sur
Have breakfast in Ometepe then catch the ferry back to the mainland. You can load the return ferry of your choice and someone will come around once you're on the boat to collect money for your ticket this time.
Once you land in Rivas, get a taxi or chicken bus to San Juan Del Sur. The journey will take approximately 30 minutes via taxi and a little longer via chicken bus. The bus is super cheap and costs around $2 for the journey.
Once you arrive in San Juan Del Sur, walk a few blocks to Surf Town Hostel and check in for your stay. Once you're settled, enjoy the afternoon swimming in the nearby beach and exploring the small town. I found San Juan Del Sur to be slightly more tourism focused and most of the stores are all one the main street or two. It's very easy to get around so go explore and enjoy the sunset by the water.
For dinner, I have two recommendations for my favourite places:
Nacho - a great Mexican restaurant with the best fried avocado tacos you've ever had! The pina coladas here were also incredible, highly recommended
La Reina del Sur - This buffet is widely spoken about among the backpacker community. The family run restaurant has great food and you can get a whole plate for just 100 cordobas (approximately $3). The fried plantains were my favourite
I would finish the night by getting ice cream at Kiss Me, they made my waffle cone fresh to order and the salted caramel was delicious!
Day 6: San Juan Del Sur
Today is your day to see the best of San Juan Del Sur.
Wake up early and head up to the Christ of Mercy Statue. This statue overlooks the coast and town of San Juan Del Sur and has incredible views. The journey there will get you breaking a sweat but the views are worth it. Make sure you have cash on you as it costs $2 to enter the area.
Head back into town and spend the day visiting a nearby beach, exploring the town or just relaxing in this vibrant area. If you want to visit a beach, Playa Maderias is one of the most popular beaches in the area and it's a great place to take a surf lesson if you're up for it! Surf Town hostel have pre arranged shuttle/taxi rates for a range of nearby beaches so they can help you get there if you choose.
If you visit Playa Maderas, make your way to Hush Hostel for sunset. This upscale hostel has an incredible infinity pool overlooking the ocean and watching the sunset here with a strawberry daiquiri in hand is just divine.
Note: San Juan Del Sur is widely known for ‘Sunday Funday’. This once a week party is an organised bar crawl between three of the hostels and one bar in the area. If you like to drink, dance and have fun this event will be for you! The ticket costs $35 and it gets you entry, covers transportation for the day and includes some free drinks and a souvenir tank top. If you want to take part, make sure to be in the area on a Sunday.
Day 7: Last Day!
Have breakfast in San Juan Del Sur, I recommend Olha if you are looking for an incredible and healthy breakfast spot. They have a beautiful outdoor garden where you can enjoy your food for the perfect start to the day.
From here you can cross over into Costa Rica and fly out of Liberia or continue exploring the other amazing countries nearby.
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This itinerary begins in Leon. If you are flying into Managua you will need to organise transport to Leon.
Getting from Managua to Leon
The cheapest way to get from Managua to Leon is to get a taxi from Managua airport to the UCA Bus Station in Managua. This will cost between 10-15 from inside the airport, or a fraction of that if you venture out of the airport and onto the street.
Once you arrive at the bus station, keep your belongings close and your guard high. This area is known for robbing travellers. Only speak to the drivers to organise your transport. You will be looking for a 16 passenger mini van/bus and it will cost 51 cordobas ($2) for the 1.5 hour ride.
Once you arrive at the bus terminal in Leon, you can catch a taxi or tuk tuk for around 20-30 cordobas to your hostel.
See the 7 day itinerary for information about landing at the airport and your tourist visa.
Day 1: Leon
Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua and it is full of history and culture.
Start your travels with a free walking tour of the city. Starting at 9am and lasting for around 2 hours, they are truly the best way to learn about a new place! I recommend booking through Guru Walk and book a day or two in advance.
Once your tour is finished, have lunch in the city. The local indoor market is one of the best places to eat like a local!
After lunch, you will then spend the afternoon doing one of the most unique activities in Leon, volcano boarding! Think of it like tobogganing or snowboarding but instead of snow, you'll be flying down the side of a volcano on a wooden board.
Bigfoot Hostel are the best company to do this with! The tour leaves at 1pm and costs $35 which includes your transportation, a shirt, a sunset bonfire, dinner, drinks and a killer afterparty and party bus! If there is one activity not to miss while you are in Leon, it's this one!
Day 2: Leon to Granada
This morning head to the Plaza Central for breakfast at Leon's leading smoothie bar and health conscious cafe. Batidos Pitaya is the perfect stop to cool off before your morning of exploration
Next you will head to the Cathedral. The Cathedral Basilica is one of the most popular sites in the city because of its stunning views and construction. If you walk around to the back of the building, you can buy a ticket and access the roof which is where all the iconic photos are taken! Sunset is also an amazing time to visit if it fits in your schedule.
Spend the morning exploring the rest of the city and if you have extra time you can consider some of the optional activities below:
Other optional activities include:
Flor De Cana distillery tour (4h)
Visit Plaza San Martin - Spanish inspired neighbourhood with nice coloured homes, bars and restaurants
Plaza Del Grano - A beautiful square with old buildings, a fountain and plenty of bars
Mangroves and turtle hatchery tour
Valporquero Cave Excursion (5h)
Hike Telica Volcano
Check out tours here!
Once you’ve explored the city, it's time to head to Granada. You have some travel options from chicken bus to tourist shuttles. Chicken bus routes will require a transfer in Managua so the tourist shuttle will be your most direct option. This 2.5-3h drive will be one of your longest journeys in Nicaragua so settle in as you head to your next destination.
There are plenty of hostels around Granada but if you haven't decided on one yet I recommend Hostel Oasis. This open top hostel had a lovely vibe, happy hour with free drinks and an outdoor pool. Dorms start from $15 a night.
Once you arrive at the hostel, check in and enjoy your night. Either join happy hour, wander around town or go grab dinner at the famous Garden Cafe.
Don't forget to sign up for your Laguna De Apoyo day trip tomorrow and Volcano Masaya the following day! Cost for both tours: $34 total
Day 3: Laguna De Apoyo Day Trip
Today you will head out on to the Laguna De Apoyo on an excursion with Hostel Oasis.
Laguna De Apoyo is a nature reserve located between Granada and Massaya. It is a beautiful lagoon nestled in the crater of an old volcano! The water is a gorgeous blue colour and the lagoon has some of the cleanest water in Central America. The whole area is stunning and it’s a perfect place to go swimming and relax by the shore.
Around 10am you will board a bus and get driven up to the Lagoon. Once you arrive, staff will explain everything and you will have until 4pm to enjoy all the facilities. You can spend the day relaxing on the beach, swimming and even take a free pottery class if your heart desires. You will be picked up at 4pm and shuttled back to Hostel Oasis.
PACKING LIST: Today I would pack a bathing suit, summer cover up, a book, portable charger, camera, sunscreen and sunglasses for the lagoon.
Enjoy happy hour at the hostel on your return and grab dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Central Granada & Masaya Volcano
Spend the morning exploring the city of Granada. Walk down to Granada’s Central Park to see the beautiful yellow Cathedral. Here you will find plenty of market stalls, cafes and even horse drawn carriages. Once you are done in the square, make your way to the Tower La Merced Church, head inside to see the beautiful architecture. Near the church entrance you will find a spiral staircase heading up. It will cost you $1 USD to climb the bell tower and it's very worth it for the beautiful views of the city.
Find somewhere in the city to have lunch and relax by the hostel pool before your evening activity.
This afternoon you will head on your volcano sunset hike. Around 4pm you will head to Volcano Masaya, which is found in Nicaraguas, first and largest National Park. Your local guide will drive you to the National Park, cover your entrance fees and lead you on a short hike up to a nearby ridge for sunset. After sunset you will hike back down and be able to get a glimpse of the glowing lava from the lookout points below.
You'll arrive back at the hostel after dark. Speak with the hostel staff about organising a shuttle to Rivas which is where you will catch the ferry to Ometepe tomorrow.
Cook some food for dinner or head out to a restaurant, then get some rest!
Day 5: Granada - Ometepe
Use this morning in Granada to finish up anything else you wanted to see then it's time to travel to Ometepe.
Around midday, get a shuttle to the ferry port in Rivas. The shuttle will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes and will drop you at the entrance to the port. You’ll purchase your ferry tickets to Ometepe once you arrive. This will cost you 35 cordobas for entry to the port, then 50 cordobas for your ticket.
Once the boat arrives, catch the one hour ferry over to the island and then get a tuk tuk to your hostel.
For hostels, I recommend either:
Hostel Life is Good - this hostel is on the port side of the island (near Moyogalpa) which is great if you want to save travel time but attractions may be further away
El Pital Chocolate Paradise Hostel - This hostel is on the other side of the island but it is an amazing paradise if you're into yoga, vegan food and stunning views. If time permits (and that's your vibe) I would recommend travelling around to this hostel. Adding in an extra day here just to relax and do yoga would be amazing too!
Check in and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the area.
If you arrive before sunset, get the hostel to call you a tuk tuk and go to Punta Jesus Maria. This beautiful beach area has spectacular views of both Volcano Concepcion and Volcano Maderas. You can take your bathing suit and go for a swim or just enjoy the sunset from the shore. Your tuk tuk driver will wait around and drive you back after the sun goes down. If you don't have time, don't worry you can do it another day!
Organise a scooter rental for tomorrow with the hostel staff.
Day 6: Ometepe
Ometepe is a small infinity shaped island and the best way to get around is by renting a scooter or atv for the day. You can also get someone to drive you around in a tuk tuk if you choose but cars are practically nonexistent on the island.
I would recommend renting a scooter for two days so you have the freedom to explore at your own pace. I was pretty nervous about this initially but it ended up being the best decision! My scooter rental cost 650 cordobas or approximately $17 USD for the day (and an extra $2 for fuel). If you organised it last night, your scooter should be dropped off for you this morning. You will need to sign some paperwork and leave a $100 USD deposit (or your passport), they will give this back provided you return the scooter in good condition.
Note: I would highly advise against giving your passport, worst case, it's better to lose $100 than lose your passport.
The plan for today is to visit Playa Mangos. A beautiful beach with a bar, restaurant facilities and mango trees everywhere. Relax here, go out on a guided kayak tour (15 USD) and eat fresh mango. You can rent kayaks and go on a self guided tour but going with a guide is much more valuable as they will point out all the animals you might otherwise miss. The guided tour takes about an hour and is fantastic, we saw so many different animals!
Day 7: Ometepe
This morning you will head to the Charco Verde Park & Butterfly Aviary. A beautiful Reserve, with swimming, wildlife, hiking trails, a butterfly apiary, and more!
Enjoy the reserve by walking around the green crater lake located right next to one of the nicest, black sand bays on Ometepe Island. It takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours to circle around the lagoon and hike up to a gorgeous lookout, which has a great view of the green lagoon, Isla Quiste about 300 metres off shore and the mainland. If hiking isn’t your thing, just have a swim in the calm waters of the bay. Charco Verde Hotel is next to the beach and offers drinks and food to complete your beach experience.
Once you are finished at the park, make your way to Ojo De Agua for the afternoon. This is a wooded natural swimming hole of volcanic-origin water amid native plants & wildlife. Entry here costs $10 but includes a $5 food voucher.
Optional extra activities:
Guided volcano hike
Yoga at El Pital Chocolate Paradise
Chocolate factory tour at El Pital Chocolate Paradise
Cacao ceremony at El Pital Chocolate Paradise
Hike to San Ramon waterfall
Join a full day island tour
Day 8: Ometepe to San Juan Del Sur
Have breakfast in Ometepe then catch the ferry back to the mainland. You can load the return ferry of your choice and someone will come around once you're on the boat to collect money for your ticket this time.
Once you land in Rivas, get a taxi or chicken bus to San Juan Del Sur. The journey will take approximately 30 minutes via taxi and a little longer via chicken bus. The bus is super cheap and costs around $2 for the journey.
Once you arrive in San Juan Del Sur, walk a few blocks to Surf Town Hostel and check in for your stay.
Spend the afternoon hiking up to the Christ of Mercy Statue. This statue overlooks the coast and town of San Juan Del Sur and has incredible views. The journey there will get you breaking a sweat but the views are worth it. Make sure you have cash on you as it costs $2 to enter the area. Either stay at the top for sunset or head down to the beach for an ocean swim under the changing light.
For dinner, I have two recommendations for my favourite places:
Nacho - a great Mexican restaurant with the best fried avocado tacos you've ever had! The pina coladas here were also incredible, highly recommended
La Reina del Sur - This buffet is widely spoken about among the backpacker community. The family run restaurant has great food and you can get a whole plate for just 100 cordobas (approximately $3). The fried plantains were my favourite
I would finish the night by getting ice cream at Kiss Me, they made my waffle cone fresh to order and the salted caramel was delicious!
Day 9: San Juan Del Sur
Spend the morning exploring the town then visit a nearby beach. San Juan Del Sur is known for its amazing beaches but most of them are surprisingly far away. The local beach is more of a bay and the rest of the surf beaches require a taxi to get there.
We chose to visit Playa Maderas which is one of the most well known beaches in the area, approximately 30 minutes from San Juan Del Sur. Surf Town Hostel organised a shuttle there for us. Once you arrive, it's worth paying for a daybed here and organising a surf lesson to make the most of your day! There are a handful of beachside restaurants to enjoy lunch at, grab a drink and enjoy the shade in.
Towards the end of the day, head up to the nearby Hush Hostel for sunset. You can either walk up or grab a taxi for the short ride. This hostel has a stunning infinity pool and great drinks to enjoy as the sun sets. The strawberry daiquiris were incredible!
Note: San Juan Del Sur is widely known for ‘Sunday Funday’. This once a week party is an organised bar crawl between three of the hostels and one bar in the area. If you like to drink, dance and have fun this event will be for you! The ticket costs $35 and it gets you entry, covers transportation for the day and includes some free drinks and a souvenir tank top. If you want to take part, make sure to be in the area on a Sunday.
Day 10: Last Day
Have breakfast in San Juan Del Sur, I recommend Olha if you are looking for an incredible and healthy breakfast spot. They have a beautiful outdoor garden where you can enjoy your food for the perfect start to the day.
From here you can cross over into Costa Rica and fly out of Liberia or continue exploring the other amazing countries nearby.
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This itinerary begins in Leon. If you are flying into Managua you will need to organise transport to Leon.
Getting from Managua to Leon
The cheapest way to get from Managua to Leon is to get a taxi from Managua airport to the UCA Bus Station in Managua. This will cost between 10-15 from inside the airport, or a fraction of that if you venture out of the airport and onto the street.
Once you arrive at the bus station, keep your belongings close and your guard high. This area is known for robbing travellers. Only speak to the drivers to organise your transport. You will be looking for a 16 passenger mini van/bus and it will cost 51 cordobas ($2) for the 1.5 hour ride.
Once you arrive at the bus terminal in Leon, you can catch a taxi or tuk tuk for around 20-30 cordobas to your hostel.
See the 7 day itinerary for information about landing at the airport and your tourist visa.
Day 1: Travel to Leon
Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua and it is full of history and culture.
Start your travels with a free walking tour of the city. Starting at 9am and lasting for around 2 hours, they are truly the best way to learn about a new place! I recommend booking through Guru Walk and book a day or two in advance.
Once your tour is finished, have lunch in the city. The local indoor market is one of the best places to eat like a local!
After lunch, you will then spend the afternoon doing one of the most unique activities in Leon, volcano boarding! Think of it like tobogganing or snowboarding but instead of snow, you'll be flying down the side of a volcano on a wooden board.
Bigfoot Hostel are the best company to do this with! The tour leaves at 1pm and costs $35 which includes your transportation, a shirt, a sunset bonfire, dinner, drinks and a killer afterparty and party bus! If there is one activity not to miss while you are in Leon, it's this one!
Day 2: Leon to Granada
This morning head to the Plaza Central for breakfast at Leon's leading smoothie bar and health conscious cafe. Batidos Pitaya is the perfect stop to cool off before your morning of exploration.
Next you will head to the Cathedral. The Cathedral Basilica is one of the most popular sites in the city because of its stunning views and construction. If you walk around to the back of the building, you can buy a ticket and access the roof which is where all the iconic photos are taken! Sunset is also an amazing time to visit if it fits in your schedule.
Spend the morning exploring the rest of the city and if you have extra time you can consider some of the optional activities below:
Other optional activities include:
Flor De Cana distillery tour (4h)
Visit Plaza San Martin - Spanish inspired neighbourhood with nice coloured homes, bars and restaurants
Plaza Del Grano - A beautiful square with old buildings, a fountain and plenty of bars
Mangroves and turtle hatchery tour
Valporquero Cave Excursion (5h)
Hike Telica Volcano
Once you’ve explored the city, it's time to head to Granada. You have some travel options from chicken bus to tourist shuttles. Chicken bus routes will require a transfer in Managua so the tourist shuttle will be your most direct option. This 2.5-3h drive will be one of your longest journeys in Nicaragua so settle in as you head to your next destination.
There are plenty of hostels around Granada but if you haven't decided on one yet I recommend Hostel Oasis. This open top hostel had a lovely vibe, happy hour with free drinks and an outdoor pool. Dorms start from $15 a night.
Once you arrive at the hostel, check in and enjoy your night. Either join happy hour, wander around town or go grab dinner at the famous Garden Cafe.
Don't forget to sign up for your Laguna De Apoyo day trip tomorrow and Volcano Masaya the following day! Cost for both tours: $34 total
Day 3: Laguna De Apoyo Day Trip
Today you will head out on to the Laguna De Apoyo on an excursion with Hostel Oasis.
Laguna De Apoyo is a nature reserve located between Granada and Massaya. It is a beautiful lagoon nestled in the crater of an old volcano! The water is a gorgeous blue colour and the lagoon has some of the cleanest water in Central America. The whole area is stunning and it’s a perfect place to go swimming and relax by the shore.
Around 10am you will board a bus and get driven up to the Lagoon. Once you arrive, staff will explain everything and you will have until 4pm to enjoy all the facilities. You can spend the day relaxing on the beach, swimming and even take a free pottery class if your heart desires. You will be picked up at 4pm and shuttled back to Hostel Oasis.
PACKING LIST: Today I would pack a bathing suit, summer cover up, a book, portable charger, camera, sunscreen and sunglasses for the lagoon.
Enjoy happy hour at the hostel on your return and grab dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Central Granada & Masaya Volcano
Spend the morning exploring the city of Granada. Walk down to Granada’s Central Park to see the beautiful yellow Cathedral. Here you will find plenty of market stalls, cafes and even horse drawn carriages. Once you are done in the square, make your way to the Tower La Merced Church, head inside to see the beautiful architecture. Near the church entrance you will find a spiral staircase heading up. It will cost you $1 USD to climb the bell tower and it's very worth it for the beautiful views of the city.
Find somewhere in the city to have lunch and relax by the hostel pool before your evening activity.
This afternoon you will head on your volcano sunset hike. Around 4pm you will head to Volcano Masaya, which is found in Nicaraguas, first and largest National Park. Your local guide will drive you to the National Park, cover your entrance fees and lead you on a short hike up to a nearby ridge for sunset. After sunset you will hike back down and be able to get a glimpse of the glowing lava from the lookout points below.
You'll arrive back at the hostel after dark. Speak with the hostel staff about organising a shuttle to Rivas which is where you will catch the ferry to Ometepe tomorrow.
Cook some food for dinner or head out to a restaurant, then get some rest!
Day 5: Granada to Popoyo
Today we are heading to Popoyo. Popoyo is a very small beach town about an hour and a half from Granada. Hostel Oasis should be able to help you organise a shuttle there which will be your best travel option. Popoyo is quite remote and taxi or shuttles seemed to be the only option for travel.
For hostels, I recommend staying at either:
AmaHula - This beautiful hostel is not on hostelworld and instead only takes direct bookings. The rooms here book up quickly and rooms are a little pricier but the stunning beach front location, sunrise yoga lessons and relaxing vibe is worth it if you can get in
Barrel Hostel - Alternatively the Barrel Hostel is located just a few doors down and this is where I stayed last time. Still in an excellent beach front location, this hostel is nice and the upgrade to a private room with air conditioning is worth it.
Organise a surf lesson for tomorrow and enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the beach or in some nearby hammocks.
Enjoy dinner in one of the hostels or head down the road to have dinner at the local market. I'm not sure how things were organised here but there was a communal outdoor dining space and a few local ladies cooked up a huge feast every night. We had the choice of chicken, fish, beef or vegetarian plates and it was such a delicious, family style meal not to be missed. Just head down the road the market is on (and which your hostel backs onto) and you should find them cooking down the end!
Day 6: Popoyo
This morning you must go visit Cafe Mediterraneo. Next door to the Barrel Hostel, this incredible beachfront cafe was just divine. The owner would cook fresh custard croissants each morning and there were also smoothies, paninis and more!
Today you will take the surf lesson you signed up for yesterday! Popoyo is known for its incredible waves so make the most of it and go experience them.
After your lesson you have the rest of the day to relax.
Day 7: Popoyo to Ometepe
Travel from Popoyo to the ferry port in Rivas. The best way to get there will be via taxi given the remote nature of Popoyo. Sharing the cost with other travellers will be your best option! When I visited it cost $35 for two of us for the taxi.
Once you arrive at the ferry port in Rivas, you’ll purchase your ferry tickets to Ometepe. This will cost you 35 cordobas for entry to the port, then 50 cordobas for your ticket.
Once the boat arrives, catch the one hour ferry over to the island and then get a tuk tuk to your hostel.
For hostels, I recommend either:
Hostel Life is Good - this hostel is on the port side of the island (near Moyogalpa) which is great if you want to save travel time but attractions may be further away
El Pital Chocolate Paradise Hostel - This hostel is on the other side of the island but it is an amazing paradise if you're into yoga, vegan food and stunning views. If time permits (and that's your vibe) I would recommend travelling around to this hostel. Adding in an extra day here just to relax and do yoga would be amazing too!
Check in and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the area.
If you arrive before sunset, get the hostel to call you a tuk tuk and go to Punta Jesus Maria. This beautiful beach area has spectacular views of both Volcano Concepcion and Volcano Maderas. You can take your bathing suit and go for a swim or just enjoy the sunset from the shore. Your tuk tuk driver will wait around and drive you back after the sun goes down. If you don't have time, don't worry you can do it another day!
Organise a scooter rental for tomorrow with the hostel staff.
Day 8: Ometepe
Ometepe is a small infinity shaped island and the best way to get around is by renting a scooter or atv for the day. You can also get someone to drive you around in a tuk tuk if you choose but cars are practically nonexistent on the island.
I would recommend renting a scooter for two-three days so you have the freedom to explore at your own pace. I was pretty nervous about this initially but it ended up being the best decision! My scooter rental cost 650 cordobas or approximately $17 USD for the day (and an extra $2 for fuel). If you organised it last night, your scooter should be dropped off for you this morning. You will need to sign some paperwork and leave a $100 USD deposit (or your passport), they will give this back provided you return the scooter in good condition.
Note: I would highly advise against giving your passport, worst case, it's better to lose $100 than lose your passport.
The plan for today is to visit Playa Mangos. A beautiful beach with a bar, restaurant facilities and mango trees everywhere. Relax here, go out on a guided kayak tour (15 USD) and eat fresh mango. You can rent kayaks and go on a self guided tour but going with a guide is much more valuable as they will point out all the animals you might otherwise miss. The guided tour takes about an hour and is fantastic, we saw so many different animals!
Day 9: Ometepe
This morning you will head to the Charco Verde Park & Butterfly Aviary. A beautiful Reserve, with swimming, wildlife, hiking trails, a butterfly apiary, and more!
Enjoy the reserve by walking around the green crater lake located right next to one of the nicest, black sand bays on Ometepe Island. It takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours to circle around the lagoon and hike up to a gorgeous lookout, which has a great view of the green lagoon, Isla Quiste about 300 metres off shore and the mainland. If hiking isn’t your thing, just have a swim in the calm waters of the bay. Charco Verde Hotel is next to the beach and offers drinks and food to complete your beach experience.
Once you are finished at the park, make your way to Ojo De Agua for the afternoon. This is a wooded natural swimming hole of volcanic-origin water amid native plants & wildlife. Entry here costs $10 but includes a $5 food voucher.
Day 10: Ometepe
With one final day in Ometepe, enjoy the island, relax and see any final things you have not explored yet. Some suggestions include:
Guided volcano hike
Yoga at El Pital Chocolate Paradise
Chocolate factory tour at El Pital Chocolate Paradise
Cacao ceremony at El Pital Chocolate Paradise
Hike to San Ramon waterfall
Join a full day island tour
Day 11: Ometepe to San Juan Del Sur
Have breakfast in Ometepe then catch the ferry back to the mainland. You can load the return ferry of your choice and someone will come around once you're on the boat to collect money for your ticket this time.
Once you land in Rivas, get a taxi or chicken bus to San Juan Del Sur. The journey will take approximately 30 minutes via taxi and a little longer via chicken bus. The bus is super cheap and costs around $2 for the journey.
Once you arrive in San Juan Del Sur, walk a few blocks to Surf Town Hostel and check in for your stay.
Once you're settled, enjoy the afternoon swimming in the nearby beach and exploring the small town. I found San Juan Del Sur to be slightly more tourism focused and most of the stores are all one the main street or two. It's very easy to get around so go explore and enjoy the sunset by the water.
For dinner, I have two recommendations for my favourite places:
Nacho - a great Mexican restaurant with the best fried avocado tacos you've ever had! The pina coladas here were also incredible, highly recommended
La Reina del Sur - This buffet is widely spoken about among the backpacker community. The family run restaurant has great food and you can get a whole plate for just 100 cordobas (approximately $3). The fried plantains were my favourite and we went back to this buffet multiple times during our stay!
Note: San Juan Del Sur is widely known for ‘Sunday Funday’. This once a week party is an organised bar crawl between three of the hostels and one bar in the area. If you like to drink, dance and have fun this event will be for you! The ticket costs $35 and it gets you entry, covers transportation for the day and includes some free drinks and a souvenir tank top. If you want to take part, make sure to be in the area on a Sunday.
Day 12: San Juan Del Sur
Today is for the beaches!
San Juan Del Sur is known for its amazing beaches but most of them are surprisingly far away. The local beach is more of a bay and the rest of the surf beaches require a taxi to get there.
We chose to visit Playa Maderas which is one of the most well known beaches in the area, approximately 30 minutes from San Juan Del Sur. Surf Town Hostel organised a shuttle there for us. Once you arrive, it's worth paying for a daybed here and organising a surf lesson to make the most of your day! There are a handful of beachside restaurants to enjoy lunch at, grab a drink and enjoy the shade in.
Towards the end of the day, head up to the nearby Hush Hostel for sunset. You can either walk up or grab a taxi for the short ride. This hostel has a stunning infinity pool and great drinks to enjoy as the sun sets. The strawberry daiquiris were incredible!
I would finish the night by getting ice cream at Kiss Me, they made my waffle cone fresh to order and the salted caramel was delicious!
Day 13: San Juan Del Sur
This morning, head to Simon Says for breakfast and some incredible iced coffees!
Once breakfast is over, head up to the Christ of Mercy Statue.
This statue overlooks the coast and town of San Juan Del Sur and has incredible views. The journey there will get you breaking a sweat but the views are worth it. Make sure you have cash on you as it costs $2 to enter the area.
Use the rest of the day to see any final things before you finish your trip
Day 14: Last Day
Have breakfast in San Juan Del Sur, I recommend Olha if you are looking for an incredible and healthy breakfast spot. They have a beautiful outdoor garden where you can enjoy your food for the perfect start to the day.
From here you can cross over into Costa Rica and fly out of Liberia or continue exploring the other amazing countries nearby.
Accommodation
Here are some of my favourite options for accommodation while travelling Nicaragua!
The pool at Hostel Oasis, Granada
Granada
Hostel Oasis - This is a beautiful hostel with an open top roof, daily happy hour and pool right in the heart of Granada.
Selina Granada - The Selina Granada also looks like a beautiful option with private and dorm-style accommodation. The hostel sits in a very central location and has a beautiful pool to cool off in.
Leon
Bigfoot Hostels and Volcano Boarding - This is a great choice while staying in Leon and the perfect way to organise your volcano boarding tour and accommodation in one go
Poco a Poco Hostel - This hostel has won the best hostel in Nicaragua for three years in a row! With a beautiful property, rooftop areas, stunning pool and cheep breakfasts - you’re set while you are in Leon
Ometepe
El Pital Chocolate Hostel - This beach hostel has both dorms and private cabins that are set in the jungle. The hostel organises plenty of yoga classes, workshops and chocolate tours! This hostel would be best to stay at if you have more than two nights on the island!
Hostel Life is Good - If you only have a short amount of time on the island and want to stay near the ferry port - this is the hostel for you. I stayed at a nearby hostel but had friends here so I spent a lot of time here with them and it was great. The owners were so caring and helped us organise transport around the island. The food served was incredible and they were very welcoming. The only downside is it does not have a pool to cool off and there isn’t much around.
Popoyo
Barrel Hostel - A small, beachfront hostel with an onsite restaurant. If you are travelling with friends we found the private room to be a great deal and it even had its own AC!
Big Surf House - This hostel is another great option in the area. Also just steps from the beach, this property has on site yoga classes, an outdoor picnic area and full kitchen.
Amahula - Many people raved about this hostel during my travels and while I didn’t stay here, I visited and can confirm its beautiful. This hostel is one of the pricier options in the area and often books out further in advance.
Hush Maderas
San Juan Del Sur
Surf Town Hostel - This hostel was just a few blocks back from the main street and was a great option. The central pool and bar were awesome, as was the large kitchen. The rooms weren’t anything special but it was fine for the price!
Hola Ola Hostel - This is another great choice for your time in San Juan Del Sur. With super friendly staff and a beautiful pool you can’t really go wrong.
Hush Maderas - This hostel is not in the heart of San Juan Del Sur but if you are looking for a relaxed beach escape - this is the place to do it. We visited this hostel purely because of the hype surrounding the infinity pool over the ocean and it lives up to expectations. Picture a warm evening in the pool, a delicious strawberry daiquiri in hand and a dj playing behind you - Yes please!
Check out the gallery for more inspiration
Nicaragua is truly one of my favourite countries and I hope the itinerary suggestions have helped you plan your next visit!
Happy travels :)
