Stay : Nicaragua from the Pacific to the Caribbean

Treat yourself to a great exploration of Nicaragua: go for at least three weeks. This small country offers a wide variety of landscapes and experiences. This trip begins and ends in Managua, the capital. It also begins and ends with the gentle sound of the waves, from the Pacific to the Caribbean islands. In between: volcanoes, colonial cities, coffee plantations, cigar factories..

Summary of the stay

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20 days

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Detail of the stay : Nicaragua from the Pacific to the Caribbean - 20 days

  • Managua
  • San Juan Del Sur
  • Playa Popoyo
  • Rivas
  • San Juan Del Sur
  • San Juan Del Sur
  • Altagracia
  • Altagracia
  • Balgüe
  • Balgüe
  • Granada
  • Granada
  • León
  • León
  • Granada
  • Reserva Nacional Volcán Mombacho
  • Laguna De Apoyo
  • Granada
  • Reserva Nacional Volcán Mombacho
  • Granada
  • Granada
  • León
  • León Viejo
  • Volcán Cerro Negro
  • Las Peñitas
  • Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado
  • Estelí
  • Estelí
  • Estelí
  • Estelí
  • Estelí
  • Reserva Natural Miraflor
  • Somoto
  • Somoto
  • Matagalpa
  • Jinotega
  • Managua
  • El Rama
  • Bluefields
  • Big Corn Island
  • Big Corn Island
  • Little Corn Island
  • Little Corn Island
  • Managua
  • Big Corn Island

Day 1: Slowly but surely

Steps: Managua, San Juan Del Sur, Playa Popoyo

Barely arrived in Managua, on the Pacific coast. After this long trip, you will certainly feel very comfortable to rest a little. Nothing like beautiful waves, a great sun and long beaches with lost sight to make the energy. San Juan del Sur or Popoyo? These two small towns are the main centers of surf culture. While the reputation of the festivities of San del Sur is no longer to be done, the area of Popoyo is in full development. We let you decide, but in both cases it will be a beautiful entry into the matter to start properly your holidays!

Day 2: Direction the Pacific Coast

Steps: Rivas, San Juan Del Sur

San Juan del Sur or Popoyo. Farniente or slip sports? Take advantage of this first day to get to the rhythm of Central America where the watchword is usually "quiet". Please note that it is not easy to travel from the Popoyo area to San Juan del Sur, there is no road along the coast. If you have a bouquet and want to know both cities, you will need to revisit Rivas.

Day 3: Surf and fancy

Steps: San Juan Del Sur

San Juan del Sur or Popoyo. Enjoy this last day with the gentle sound of waves!

Day 4: Between the two volcanoes of Ometepe

Steps: Altagracia, Balgüe

Ometepe. Leave the ocean to reach Lake Nicaragua, direction the island of Ometepe, one of the most beautiful islands in the world with its two volcanoes (La Concepcion and Maderas) which can be asleep. Beware, it's quite sporty! Be sure, many other activities are also possible, from the quieter (sipping a cocktail on the beach) to the most adventurous (kayak at the mouth of the river to try to watch Caymans).

Day 5: Exploration of the Island

Ometepe. To explore the island, we advise you to rent a scooter. There are many fantastic sites to discover: archeology, natural pools, rural tourism... 

Day 6: Large Colonial Town

Steps: Granada, León, Reserva Nacional Volcán Mombacho

Granada. Leave the island to head to Granada, one of the country's two major colonial cities. Long-awaited by pirates, who went back to the Rio San Juan to come to plunder it, the majestic Granada returned several times from its ashes. Stroll through its small streets to the central square and its colorful cathedral. Climb up the bell tower of the church of La Merced for a stunning 360 ° view of the city, its tile roofs, Mombacho volcano and Lake Nicaragua.

Places of interest :
IGLESIA LA MERCED

Day 7: Around Granada

Steps: Laguna De Apoyo, Granada, Reserva Nacional Volcán Mombacho

Granada. Many excursions to the day are possible around Granada: boat tour on the lake in the middle of the isletas, walks in the volcano reserve Mombacho volcano (it is still active, at night you can admire its flamboyant lava), stuffing on the edge of the Apoyo lagoon, crafts villages of blancos.

Day 8: Around Granada, next

Steps: Granada

Granada. Choose a second excursion to the day as described above.

Day 9: Northern Direction

Steps: Granada, León

León. Another city, even decor (at last not quite, but even mindset). León is Nicaragua's second largest colonial city. The architecture is perhaps a little less well maintained than in Granada, but the atmosphere, more student, is also more festive (and certainly also less tourism).

Day 10: Around León

Steps: León Viejo, Volcán Cerro Negro

León. In the vicinity of León is the great Cordillera of the Maribios. Fans of thrills will certainly be tempted by surfing on the black sand of the volcano Cerro Negro. Many hikes are possible on the slopes of the surrounding volcanoes. History and archeology lovers can visit the site of León Viejo located just over one hour bus from León.

Day 11: In the vicinity of León,

Steps: Las Peñitas, Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado

León. Did the beach miss you? Find the relaxed atmosphere and surf attitude on the beaches of Las Peñitas, less than an hour from León. For nature lovers, explore Juan Venado Island Natural Reserve. It extends 22 kilometers long and 250 meters wide. From July to January, you may even have the chance to observe turtles...

Day 12: Coffee Region

Steps: Estelí

Estelí. Go back to the land and get cool at the altitude. Esteli is a small colonial town where you can immerse yourself in the memories of the Revolution, admire many wall frescoes and visit a cigar factory (Honduras is one of the world's leading cigars exporters). 

Day 13: Many natural reserves

Steps: Estelí, Reserva Natural Miraflor

Estelí. Very orientated excursions around the corner: in the Miraflor nature reserve, in Tisey's. You can also visit coffee plantations.

Day 14: Somoto Canyon

Steps: Somoto

Estelí. 1 hour north, you can go to Somoto canyon. With its 6 km long, this canyon gives birth to the Rio Coco, the longest river in Central America. These waters are pretty cool, calm and shallow (no rafting possible). It hides water, that is to say, you walk down the river and swim and swim. It is open to visitors all year round, but its access is sometimes restricted in case of heavy rains (in September and October). There is no need to be very sporty to go there and many well trained guides accompany you.

Places of interest :
CAÑON DE SOMOTO

Day 15: Around Esteli

Steps: Matagalpa, Jinotega

. You can also take a day excursion in the cities of Matagalpa or Jinotega. These two small towns are in the same spirit as Esteli, with colonial architecture, central square and beautiful churches.

Day 16: In transit by the capital

Steps: Managua, El Rama, Bluefields, Big Corn Island

Managua. Return to the capital to fly to Big Corn Island, a paradise island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. There is also a possibility to walk along the coast, to spend some very festive evenings on the weekend, but especially to make beautiful dives.

For travellers with a small budget, it is possible to travel to Bluefields by bus (via El Rama) and take a boat to Corn Island. However, the boat (which also delivers goods) is only once or twice a week.

Day 17: Directorate Caribbean Islands

Steps: Big Corn Island

Big Corn Island. Relax and diving on this beautiful Caribbean island.

Day 18: Small sister island

Steps: Little Corn Island

Little Corn Island. Take a boat to visit the smallest of the two islands, one of the most peaceful places in the country: no cars, no roads, no shoes, no stress! Perfect for relaxing... Pay attention to the days that scroll...

Day 19: Sunshine

Steps: Little Corn Island

Little Corn Island. Continue this beautiful moment of relaxation well deserved...

Day 20: Return express

Steps: Managua, Big Corn Island

Big Corn Island. Return to the main island and take a flight to Managua: final destination of the trip.

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