8-day must-see Nicaragua self-drive

Managua - Granada

Day 1: Arrival in Managua

Arrive at the international airport and collect your rental car and continue onward to Granada. Today, you'll be driving for around 65k – about an hour and a half. 

En route, stop to visit the National Park of Masaya to see the immense crater of the still-active volcano, the boca del infierno. Take a walk through the market of the town of Masaya (one of the most important in the country, and renowned for its craft industry) or head to the belvedere of Catarina and its impressive panoramic views of the lagoon of Apoyo.

Check into your accommodation and spend the remainder of the day in Granada.

Note: You'll need to carry $13 in cash per person to pay territory entry tax.

Granada - Masaya Volcano - Granada

Day 2: Granada and the Masaya Volcano

Today, you can discover Granada on foot or take a carriage ride around this colonial jewel. Visit the Cathedral, the church of Merced and the church of Xalteva, around which the city of Granada was originally built. Dive into the central market and its brightly coloured stalls and savour a vigoron in the central square, under the shade of trees.

In the afternoon, continue up to the fortress of the Polvora and enjoy a magnificent view over the Calle Real. Later, enjoy sipping cocktails with Flor de Caña on the Calle de Calzada.

Book an optional trip to discover the Masaya volcano by night. This is a great way to enjoy the sunset, the lava lake and to observe local fauna at dusk, including parrots and bats, among others. Approach the crater by vehicle to enjoy the view.

Granada - Laguna De Apoyo - Granada

Day 3: Hike the Mombacho volcano and explore local villages

Take advantage of the cooler morning air by going for a hike on the slopes of the Mombacho volcano. Reached from the Masaya road, the volcano park has hiking trails of varying levels of difficulty available, with or without a guide.

Later on, spend time discovering the Pueblos Blancos, the small villages around Masaya, famous for their handicrafts. Between pottery, leather goods and hammocks, a huge variety of products are made here. Wander between Catarina and San Juan de Oriente, looking out for the small shops – often installed on the porches of people's homes. Stop to visit a black ceramic workshop, the speciality of the region.

From Catarina, enjoy the panoramic view of the Laguna de Apoyo from the belvedere, then walk along the side of the lagoon to reach the restaurant El Paso del Tren part-way down.

Spend the afternoon at leisure by the lagoon, an old volcanic crater lake.

Granada - Ometepe Island

Day 4: Charco Verde nature park

This morning, you'll depart your accommodation in Granada and head to the port of San Jorge where you'll board the ferry to Ometepe Island (1h30 drive; 1h15 ferry crossing).

You'll arrive in the park of Charco Verde, located near the lake of Nicaragua. Take advantage of the fresh climate here for a walk during the afternoon.

Throughout the park, there are panoramic viewpoints overlooking the volcanoes of Concepción and Maderas. Look out for the many monkeys and the wide variety of bird species that live here.

As the day draws to a close, make a stop along Punta Jesus Maria. About a kilometre long and reaching across the middle of the lake, it's an ideal place to admire the sunset.

Spend the rest of the night relaxing in your lodge. 

Ometepe Island

Day 5: Ometepe Island life

Spend today enjoying the many activities available on Ometepe Island.

Take a stroll in the footsteps of petroglyphs, mysterious footprints in stone made over 1,500 years ago by the Chorotega Indians. Hire a kayak for a half-day to explore the mangroves from the Istian isthmus. Walk, cycle or take a taxi to the Ojo de Agua, a natural swimming pool with clear, thermal waters. Hiking enthusiasts will love the route to the San Ramon waterfall or can take one of the routes up to the Madras and San Ramon volcanoes. For a more restful afternoon, relax in Playa Santo Domingo.

Ometepe Island - San Juan Del Sur

Day 6: San Juan del Sur

THis morning, it's time to follow the road to the port of Moyogalpa to join the ferry to San Jorge, Rivas. Take the Pacific coast road to San Juan del Sur (approx 1hr ferry crossing, 1hr drive).

When you've checked into your accommodation, the afternoon is free to relax in the small fishing town of San Juan del Sur. Now is the time to take the opportunity to do one of the many activities in the area: join a tour to discover the wild beaches of the Pacific coast; visit the turtle beach at Ostional (Jul-Jan); explore the Punta La Flor Forest Reserve: take part in a wide variety of watersports and other activities.

Later on, enjoy typical dishes in local restaurants in idyllic seafront locations and end your day watching the sun go down over the beautiful bay of San Juan del Sur.

San Juan Del Sur

Day 7: San Juan Del Sur

Today is a free day to enjoy all that San Juan del Sur has to offer, including the beautiful beaches where you can swim or ride a horse along the sands, try out a surfing lesson or simply lie back and relax.

San Juan Del Sur - Managua

Day 8: Departure day

Spend the morning in San Juan Del Sur before driving back to Managua International Airport (approximately 3hrs drive).

Arrive in time to return the hire car, check in and catch the connection for your international flight.