Essential Nicaragua: Culture, Island & Beach

Cruise through the tranquil islets of Lake Nicaragua, spotting wildlife and historic island fortresses.
Wander colonial Granada by carriage, admiring pastel façades, lively plazas and sweeping volcano views.
Gaze into the glowing crater of Masaya Volcano as twilight transforms the sky.
Hike through Mombacho’s cloud forest, meeting monkeys, sloths and vibrant frogs amid misty trails.
Unwind on Ometepe and San Juan del Sur, where volcanoes, lagoons and beaches capture Nicaragua’s spirit.

Days

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,317 Reviews

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,317 Reviews

Trip Features

Active Elements

Includes light adventure or movement for added discovery.

Iconic Landmarks

Features renowned sites that capture the essence of each destination.

Wildlife Encounters

Offers chances to observe animals responsibly in their natural habitats.

Private Guided Experiences

Explore in the company of expert private guides.

Active Elements

Includes light adventure or movement for added discovery.

Iconic Landmarks

Features renowned sites that capture the essence of each destination.

Wildlife Encounters

Offers chances to observe animals responsibly in their natural habitats.

Private Guided Experiences

Explore in the company of expert private guides.

Trip Itinerary

At a Glance

DAY

Arrive in Managua and to Granada

DAY

Las Isletas Boat Tour, City Tour, and Volcano Twilight Tour

DAY

Mombacho Crater Trail Tour and to Isla de Ometepe

DAY

Highlights of Ometepe Tour

DAY

Isla de Ometepe to San Juan del Sur

DAY

Day at Leisure in San Juan del Sur

DAY

San Juan del Sur to Managua for Departure

Travel Itinerary

Trip Starts

Trip Stop

Trip Ends

Detailed Itinerary

DAY

Arrive in Managua and to Granada

Transfer

Managua Airport to Nicaragua - Granada

Day Tour

Welcome to Nicaragua!

Your Accommodation

Hotel Patio del Malinche

El Patio del Malinche is more than just another hotel, it's a dream come true. The interest to live in a different culture and to get to know new horizons took the owners to the ancient town of Granada. The sun-dried bricks of Granada's old walls and the hospitality of its people bewitched them. By restoring an old colonial house they have recreated an ambiance of peace and serenity throughout its inner patios full of history.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Las Isletas Boat Tour, City Tour, and Volcano Twilight Tour

Day Tour

Shared Boat Tour of Las Isletas

Explore the picturesque Las Isletas archipelago from the water on this guided boat tour. Formed by a volcanic eruption over 20,000 years ago, these forest-covered islands are now home to fishing communities, luxury homes and resorts, and a wide variety of incredible wildlife. Your guide will point out the exotic flora and fauna as you glide across the clam waters, making stops along the way to visit one of the islands and a former Spanish fortress. It's a great way to experience this wonderful part of Nicaragua.

Day Tour

Shared City Tour of Granada

Explore Granada's gorgeous historic center on foot and by classic horse-drawn carriage. Along with your local guide, like-minded travellers and well-cared-for horses, you'll discover key sites including the San Francisco Convent and La Merced church, where you can climb the bell tower and enjoy spectacular views over the city, Lake Nicaragua, and Mombacho volcano. You'll finish in the oldest part of the city, the area around the Xalteva church and the old city walls. It's a great way to introduce yourself to this magical city. Please note: If you would prefer not to travel by horse-drawn carriage for any reason, we can arrange a tour on foot or by bicycle instead.

Day Tour

Private Masaya Volcano Twilight Tour

Masaya Volcano National Park is one of the most famous volcanoes in the pacific region of Nicaragua due to its constant activity, and was known to the Spanish as the "Mouth of Hell". With a private guide leading the way, you'll enjoy the unique experience of seeing an active volcano up close, and watching as molten lava glows in the crater just meters away. It's an awe-inspiring experience allowing you to experience a phenomenon once sacred to pre-Columbian Nicaraguans, who were inspired by the raw power and beauty of nature.

DAY

Mombacho Crater Trail Tour and to Isla de Ometepe

Transfer

Nicaragua - Granada to Isla de Ometepe

Day Tour

Private Mombacho Crater Trail Tour

Journey into the lush cloud forest around the majestic Mombacho Volcano, spotting wildlife and taking in the incredible panoramic views from the top. After travelling to the Mombacho Nature Reserve, you'll begin to climb the volcano by 4x4 truck, stopping for a delicious local coffee at one of the plantations along the way. Once near the top you'll enjoy a short, guided hike along the trail, passing through a variety of landscapes - keep an eye out for the howler monkeys and white-faced monkeys, sloths, dart frogs, and the endemic Mombacho salamander along the way. Once at the peak, you can enjoy views over Granada, the Las Isletas archipelago and Masaya Volcano.

Your Accommodation

Finca San Juan de la Isla

Located lakeside at Santo Domingo Beach, this laid-back and authentic Nicaraguan hacienda is a beautiful and welcoming base for your time in Ometepe. There are wonderful views of the lake and Concepción Volcano, and plenty of activities on offer such as birdwatching, hiking in nature reserves, mountain biking, horseback riding and volcano climbing (available at additional cost). The comfortable rooms and bungalows are set throughout the lush grounds of this fruit tree plantation, whilst the restaurant serves locally produced and delicious meals.a

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Highlights of Ometepe Tour

Day Tour

Private Highlights of Ometepe Tour

Natural marvels and pre-Columbian relics are Ometepe's key highlights, and you will visit them during this tour. After being picked up by your private guide, you'll make your way to Finca Magdalena, a community farm. In the area around the finca, several rock carvings (petroglyphs) can be found. Set out on a short tour while you learn of the island's history, and soon after, visit the mystical Charco Verde lagoon. Surrounded by abundant flora and fauna, your guide will introduce you to the natural wonders of this reserve, and share the legend of "Chico Largo." Continuing onward to the Ojo de Agua, a water source situated near the lakeside, you are invited to take a swim in the natural water pool here, after which you may visit an interesting museum with Pre-Columbian artifacts and some well-conserved indigenous statues and ceramics. When the time is right, you'll break for lunch a local restaurant, and following the day's adventure, will be returned to your accommodations.

DAY

Isla de Ometepe to San Juan del Sur

Transfer

Isla de Ometepe to San Juan del Sur

Your Accommodation

Black Pearl Inn

Black Pearl Inn is centrally located in San Juan del Sur, a 2-minute walk from San Juan del Sur Beach and 13 minutes by foot from San Juan del Sur Port. This hotel is 3 mi (4.9 km) from Nacascolo Beach and 4.3 mi (6.9 km) from El Remanso Beach. Pamper yourself with onsite massages or enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, a picnic area, and barbecue grills.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

Show on Map

DAY

Day at Leisure in San Juan del Sur

Enjoy the day as you wish. If you would like to arrange an activity, excursion, or other experience, please contact your Goway Destination Specialist.

DAY

San Juan del Sur to Managua for Departure

Transfer

San Juan del Sur to Managua

What to Expect

Explore what moves you.

Isla de Ometepe

Granada

San Juan del Sur

Know when to go.

Place

Conditions

Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall

San Juan Del SurOccasional Showers

32°C / 90°F

79mm / 3.1"

GranadaOccasional Showers

32°C / 90°F

79mm / 3.1"

Weather data is based on monthly averages.

Popularity rating

ExcellentBased on 5,317 Reviews

Verified

We decided to go to France for 3 weeks in September and knew we needed help planning the trip (we made this decision in August so a very short time frame. We had traveled with Goway a few years ago and were hoping they could help. Our specialist, Farnaz Bagheri, was fantastic, she listened to what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go. She literally arranged everything with her French partners. The guides and drivers were wonderful the accommodations were excellent. Communication was easy from the first discussion to the time we got home. Farnaz planned for us an exceptional trip in a very short time frame. Promise next trip we will contact Goway much earlier. Thanks againSue Blake

Verified

Our experience was amazing! The booking process went great. We just had to pack our clothes and everything else was taken care of thanks to Goway Travel… Lori Mezzomo!!! Lori was fantastic. Everything from flights to transfers to excursions was perfect! Can’t wait to go back and i would definitely use Goway Travel again!!!Marie Idol

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Maria Spitman provided exemplary service to us! Her expertise, attention to detail, timely replies and kindness were unmatched. We will definitely recommend her to others who we know are considering travel to Asia. Alice Staniforth

Verified

Michael Keon and his crew did a fine job coordinating our trip to Turkey. His contact in Turkey, Mr. Omer was in contact with us almost daily reminding us of our schedule and pick up info. He was terrific. Very informative and insightful guides. And large comfortable vehicles on every trip. Awesome trip. Tom and Sharon Tom and Sharon, Toronto, Canada

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We loved the trip itinerary and everything was organized so well! Lori was always very responsive and answered our questions promptly. Thank you for an amazing trip!Jelena Poprzen

Verified

As a travel advisor, I recently booked a group of clients on a Goway tour in China following their paddleboat competition, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Christine and Tanya in the groups department were incredibly helpful and made the entire process seamless. Their support was greatly appreciated! The feedback from my clients was overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for the local tour guides, who helped make the trip so memorable. Everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you, Christine, Tanya, and the Goway team, for taking such great care of my clients. I would happily recommend Goway and look forward to working with them again!customer

Verified

I wanna start off by saying that Farnaz our agent was excellent!!! she planned the whole experience from start to finish. We did not have to worry about one thing the entire trip. All the hotels were great. Our transfers from hotels to fairies to airports were all available and always on time. The excursions she planned for us were all top-notch. I was a little skeptical, but just finding GOWAY online stumbling across it. But I’m so glad I made the choice to use them. I hope they definitely using the company again and especially our agent Farnaz!!! Thank you do mych for a wonderful experience! Catherine

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Our goal for this trip was a stress free honeymoon where we did not have to think about anything! Goway made that successful. Everything was planned and ready for us. We just had to show up. Brooke recommended fantastic accommodations that were in great locations, clean and comfortable. The tours were took with Thompson's Africa were incredible as well. Brooke was helpful throughout the entire booking process & we wouldn't have had such an incredible experience without her. We really loved our South African holiday and hope to travel there or other locations again with Goway.Taylor

Verified

October 9, 2026, was our 50th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, I wanted to take my bride to Europe for 50 days. Also, other than the flight over, I wanted to make the trip by train. I contacted Farnaz at Goway. The trip we planned ultimately extended to 60 days. It was absolutely flawless. We had great hotels, great tours. Even though this trip was complex and had a lot of moving parts, there were no problems. Farnaz and the folks at Goway done a great job. I highly recommend them and will definitely use them on any future tripsDaniel Graff

Verified

We had a fabulous Croatia vacation with a cruise from Dubrovnik to Split, followed by land tours on Split and Opatija. Lodging was always comfortable and conveniently located. Tours and activities were perfectly suited to our interests. We have used GoWay for 2 vacations and are currently working on another. Karen

Our Commitment

Why Travel with Goway?

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Travel experiences with up to 5-star accommodations and private guided tours that offers an intimate and exclusive way to see the world.

Authentic Experts

Work with our Destination Specialists who are true experts, having lived, worked, or traveled extensively in the destinations we offer.

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What do the experts say?

Amanda De Oliveira

Destination Specialist

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I love learning about Nicaragua's culture and experiencing its Spanish influence in some cities. I was only there for five days, but I'll never forget how delicious the food was and how welcoming and extremely polite the people were.

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Osvaldo Gonzalez

Destination Specialist

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Nicaragua is well known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, lakes, rainforests, and colonial cities. I love how friendly the people are and how delicious the food is! There is always something fun to do in Nicaragua!

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