Tour overview

This 13-day small-group tour explores Nicaragua, the land of lakes and volcanoes, from its colonial cities to its cloud forest and crater lakes. Groups have 4 to 16 travellers aged 16 and over, led by a tour leader throughout with local guides for specialist activities. You travel by private bus and ferry, and stay in characterful hotels and lodges, including an ecolodge in the cloud forest and a lodge above Laguna de Apoyo. Breakfast is included daily, along with a home-cooked lunch in a rural community. The trip is land-only, starting in Granada and ending at Laguna de Apoyo, about an hour from Managua airport.

Granada, Nicaragua's oldest city, is the first base, with three nights among its brightly painted colonial buildings. You visit the rural community of Nicaragua Libre for a walk, a chocolate-making workshop and lunch with local families, and a walking tour of the city includes the San Francisco Church and the bell tower of La Merced, with its views over the rooftops to Lake Nicaragua. From San Jorge a ferry crosses the lake to Ometepe, an island formed by two volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, where a free day gives you time to explore, hike or simply relax by the water.

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León, with its grand cathedral and murals, tells the story of Nicaragua's revolution and has three nights to explore. A free day allows for museums, cafés or an optional hike up Cerro Negro, a young volcano you can climb and then descend at speed on the scree. A boat trip through the mangroves of the Juan Venado Nature Reserve looks for caiman, crocodiles, iguanas and water birds, followed by time on the beach at Las Peñitas.

The route then climbs into the cooler northern highlands, passing the steaming mud fields of San Jacinto, to the Selva Negra cloud forest. Over two nights you tour a coffee farm and take a guided two-hour walk through the forest, rich in birdlife and howler monkeys. The final stop is Laguna de Apoyo, a vast crater lake formed by an eruption 23,000 years ago, reached via Masaya's artisan market. From here you hike the 1.5 km loop around the Mombacho crater, with views across Lake Nicaragua and Granada, and have time to swim in the lake.

The pace is moderate, with walking on cobbled streets and a few short hikes. This trip suits travellers who want a varied, good-value introduction to one of Central America's least crowded countries.

Trip highlights

  • A rural community visit and chocolate workshop near Granada (Day 2)
  • Ometepe, an island of two volcanoes in Lake Nicaragua (Days 4–5)
  • León's cathedral and revolutionary history (Day 6)
  • A mangrove boat trip in the Juan Venado Nature Reserve (Day 8)
  • A coffee farm and cloud forest walk at Selva Negra (Days 9–10)
  • Laguna de Apoyo and the Mombacho crater trail (Days 11–12)

Your route

10 stops from Granada to Mombacho Volcano

13-day route: Granada – Ometepe – León – Selva Negra – Masaya – Laguna de Apoyo
  1. Granada Days 1–3
  2. San Jorge Day 4
  3. Ometepe Island Days 4–5
  4. León Days 6–8
  5. Las Peñitas Beach Day 8
  6. San Jacinto Day 9
  7. Selva Negra Ecolodge Days 9–10
  8. Masaya Day 11
  9. Laguna de Apoyo Days 11–12
  10. Mombacho Volcano Day 12

Why choose this tour

Covers Nicaragua's colonial cities, lake island, Pacific coast, highlands and crater lakes in under two weeks. Plenty of free time for optional volcano hikes, kayaking and swimming, at a good-value price.

Best suited to

  • Travellers looking for a less-visited Central American country
  • Active travellers who enjoy short hikes and nature
  • Anyone interested in colonial architecture and recent history
  • Travellers who like free time to choose their own activities
Concepción Volcano above Lake Nicaragua

Day-by-day itinerary

13 days from Granada, Nicaragua to Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua

  1. Day 1 · Granada Arrive in Granada

    Arrive at any time in Granada, Nicaragua's oldest town, with its colourful colonial buildings, churches and lively cafés. The welcome meeting takes place on the morning of Day 2. The nearest airport is Managua, about an hour away.

    Hotel
    Hotel El Almirante or similar
  2. Day 2 · Nicaragua Libre, Granada Rural community and chocolate workshop

    Travel to the rural community of Nicaragua Libre to walk around the village and meet the people who live there. Join a chocolate-making workshop, then sit down to a home-cooked lunch before returning to Granada.

    Hotel
    Hotel El Almirante or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Granada, La Merced Church, Lake Nicaragua Discover Granada

    A walking tour takes in the San Francisco Church and Convent, built in 1529, and La Merced Church, where you can climb the bell tower for views over the city. In the afternoon, perhaps take an optional boat trip among the islets of Lake Nicaragua.

    Hotel
    Hotel El Almirante or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · San Jorge, Ometepe Island Ferry to Ometepe Island

    Drive to San Jorge and take the ferry across Lake Nicaragua, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, to Ometepe, an island formed by the volcanoes Concepción and Maderas.

    Hotel
    Playa Venecia or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Ometepe Island Free day on Ometepe

    A free day on this laid-back island. Options include a hike to a viewpoint on Maderas Volcano, an island tour with a traditional lunch, or a visit to a women's cooperative running community tourism. Or simply relax by the lake.

    Hotel
    Playa Venecia or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · León León

    Return to the mainland and drive to León, arriving after lunch. An orientation tour introduces one of Nicaragua's oldest and most influential cities, with its cathedral, colonial streets and murals telling the story of the revolution.

    Hotel
    Hotel Los Balcones or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · León, Cerro Negro Free day in León

    Explore León's museums and cafés at your own pace, or join an optional hike up Cerro Negro, one of the youngest volcanoes in Central America, with a fast descent down its slopes of black scree.

    Hotel
    Hotel Los Balcones or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Juan Venado Nature Reserve, Las Peñitas Beach Juan Venado and Las Peñitas

    An early start for a boat trip through the mangroves of the Juan Venado Nature Reserve, looking for crocodiles, caiman, iguanas and many species of birds. Then spend time at Las Peñitas, a beach popular with Nicaraguans.

    Hotel
    Hotel Los Balcones or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · San Jacinto, Selva Negra San Jacinto to Selva Negra

    Visit the bubbling mud fields of San Jacinto, linked to the Telica Volcano, where the ground is hot and steam rises constantly. Continue into the northern highlands to the Selva Negra Ecolodge for a coffee and farm tour.

    Hotel
    Selva Negra Ecolodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Selva Negra Selva Negra cloud forest

    Take a two-hour guided walk through the cloud forest, learning about its plants and wildlife, from birds to howler monkeys. In the afternoon your leader can take you on a further hike, or you can relax at the lodge.

    Hotel
    Selva Negra Ecolodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Masaya, Laguna de Apoyo Masaya market and Laguna de Apoyo

    Stop at Masaya's artisan market, known for its crafts, hammocks and pottery, then continue to Laguna de Apoyo, the largest crater lake in the country, formed by an eruption more than 23,000 years ago. Your lodge looks out over the water.

    Hotel
    Pacaya Lodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Mombacho Volcano, Laguna de Apoyo Mombacho crater

    Hike the 1.5 km crater loop on Mombacho Volcano with a local guide, with views over Lake Nicaragua and Granada and a chance to see monkeys, sloths and the endemic Mombacho salamander. Back at the lagoon, there is time to swim or kayak.

    Hotel
    Pacaya Lodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Laguna de Apoyo Trip ends at Laguna de Apoyo

    The trip ends after breakfast. Managua's Augusto C. Sandino International Airport is about an hour's drive away, and a transfer can be arranged in advance.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Two boys paddling a wooden boat near Granada, Nicaragua

Where you stay

  • Granada (3 nights) Hotel El Almirante or similar
  • Ometepe Island (2 nights) Playa Venecia or similar
  • León (3 nights) Hotel Los Balcones or similar
  • Selva Negra (2 nights) Selva Negra Ecolodge or similar
  • Laguna de Apoyo (2 nights) Pacaya Lodge or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 12 nights in hotels and lodges
  • Meals 12 breakfasts and 1 lunch during the community visit near Granada
  • Transport private bus and the ferry to Ometepe Island
  • Guided visits the Nicaragua Libre community and chocolate workshop, Granada and León walking tours, a Juan Venado boat trip, San Jacinto, a Selva Negra coffee farm tour and cloud forest walk, Masaya market and the Mombacho crater trail
  • Tour leader throughout, with local guides

Not included

  • International flights to and from Managua
  • Airport transfers, available on request
  • Nicaragua entry fees and any visa
  • Lunches, dinners and optional activities such as the Cerro Negro hike
  • Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Mombacho Volcano wrapped in cloud forest and mist

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want flights included — they are not
  • You want lunches and dinners included — only breakfasts and one lunch
  • You need air-conditioned luxury throughout — some lodges are simple
  • You want airport transfers included — they are extra

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Nicaragua
The islets of Lake Nicaragua with Mombacho Volcano behind

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,970 per person, twin share, tour only. 9 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

How active is the trip?

The pace is moderate. Expect walking on cobbled streets, a two-hour cloud forest walk and the Mombacho crater loop of about 1.5 km with a 200 m climb, which takes around three hours. The Cerro Negro hike is optional.

Do we visit Masaya Volcano?

Masaya’s crater trails were closed to visitors after a landslide in 2024. The Mombacho crater hike is included instead, with views over Lake Nicaragua and Granada.

What wildlife might I see?

Crocodiles, caiman, iguanas and water birds in the Juan Venado mangroves; howler and white-faced monkeys, sloths and birds around Mombacho and Selva Negra.

What meals are included?

Breakfast every day and a home-cooked lunch during the community visit on Day 2. Other meals are not included, leaving you free to try local restaurants.

Are airport transfers included?

No, but they can be arranged. Fly into Managua's Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, about an hour from Granada and from Laguna de Apoyo.

What is the weather like?

Hot and tropical, with little change in temperature through the year. The rainy season runs from May to October, and the Selva Negra highlands are cooler, so bring a warm layer.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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