Travel to Nicaragua
via Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica!Your driver will meet you at Juan Santamaria International Airport near San José, at an altitude of 1,150 m in the heart of the Central Valley, to take you to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Villa San Ignacio.

Transfer from your hotel in San Jose to the land border with Nicaragua at Peñas Blancas (approx. 5 hrs drive).Arrive at the Peñas Blancas border post foryour first contact with the country. Pick up your rental car on the Nicaraguan side of the border, then drive to the small seaside resort of San Juan del Sur on the Pacific Ocean (approx. 45 min drive). Overnight at Hotel Posada Azul.

A day at leisure to relax in the small fishing town of San Juan del Sur, from where you can explore the wild beaches of the Pacific coast, sample typical dishes in seaside restaurants and end the day with a sunset in the magnificent bay of San Juan del Sur.

Suggested activities – please contact us:– San Juan del Sur beach – Discover the wild beaches of the north: Playa Marsella, Maderas and Majagual – Discover the wild beaches of the south: Playa Hermosa, Yankee and Coco – Turtle nesting on the beaches of Ostional (July to January) – Punta La Flor wildlife reserve – Zip-lining – Surfing lessons – Yoga lessons, Massage – Kayak or sailboat trips – Diving or snorkeling – Horseback riding on the beach – Buggy excursion – Accrobranche Overnight at Hotel Posada Azul.

Depart San Juan del Sur this morning and make your way to the port of San Jorge, Rivas. Board the ferry forOmetepe Island, the largest island on a freshwater lake. You’ll be able to see its two majestic volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, before heading back to the island to your hotel (approx. 1h drive and 1h15 ferry crossing). Welcome to the Charco Verde park, at the foot of the Concepción volcano. Enjoy a stroll along the Charco Verde lagoon and Lake Nicaragua. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Concepción volcano, as well as the Maderas volcano. On your return, you’ll discover the open-air butterfly reserve covering more than 1,200 m², which can accommodate up to 3,000 butterflies, including the famous « mariposa » in the colors of the national flag.suggestion: Sunset on the lake! At the end of the day, we suggest you head for Punta Jesus Maria to admire the sunset over this kilometre-long outcrop of land in the middle of the lake. Overnight at Finca San Juan de la Isla.

Horseback ride to the San Ramon waterfallMeet your guide and horses at the entrance to the San Ramon waterfall. You’ll set off on a ride to the foot of this impressive waterfall. Before heading back down, take time for a swim and enjoy this unique Nicaraguan spot! An active horseback ride along narrow, rocky paths.Kayaking on the Rio Istian.You’ll kayak with your guide on the Rio Istian, a special ecosystem located between the island’s two volcanoes. You’ll start your trip by paddling out onto Nicaragua’s largest lake to observe the various properties that litter the shoreline. Then you’ll approach the isthmus and enter a small stream of water with lush vegetation. On the way back, you’ll be surrounded by two majestic volcanoes and enjoy a panoramic view of the lake. Overnight at Finca San Juan de la Isla.

Mirador Maderas volcano hikeAccompanied by an experienced hiker, you’ll set off along the slopes of the Maderas volcano towards a mirador offering one of the best views on the island. You’ll pass through different types of vegetation, from the beige of the dry plain dotted with black volcanic rock, to the greens of the banana plantations on the heights. Along the way, you’ll come across oxen and horses, as well as the locals who cultivate this highly fertile land.

Once you reach the mirador, if the weather is clear, you’ll have the chance to observe this spectacular view of the 8-shape of the island of Ometepe and an unobstructed view of the cone of the Concepcion volcano just opposite. You’ll return down the hiking trails, then leave Ometepe for the small port of San Jorge, near Rivas. From there, you’ll head for the capital of the north-west, Leon (1h by boat and 3h20 by road).Free time to explore León. Former capital of Nicaragua until 1851, León is a must-see city in the north of the country. Seductive for its colonial style, fascinating for its rich historical and religious past, we invite you to discover this city through the places that have marked its history. We suggest you start your visit with the indigenous district of Sutiaba, followed by a visit to the museum of Ruben Dario, the mythical child of Nicaraguan literature. Next, take time to discover the imposing cathedral on the Parc Central, and admire the panoramic view from its roof. Finally, you can end your visit with a look at the revolutionary murals that decorate the city walls. Overnight at the Hotel Flor de Sarta.

Toboggan down the slopes of the Cerro Negro volcano.At 7.30 a.m., your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you by 4×4 to the famous Cerro Negro volcano. Born 150 years ago, the Cerro Negro volcano is the most active volcano in Nicaragua, having last erupted in 1999. At an altitude of 725m, it lives up to its name, the Black Mountain, with its lunar-like appearance. Its surface is covered with black volcanic rock all the way to the summit. Fumaroles and other sulphur fumes add to the disorientation. You’ll reach the summit from where you can observe the crater, then descend the slope on a sandboard. Thrills guaranteed, whether you’re standing or sitting on your board! Afterwards, return to your hotel.Isla Juan Venado nature reserveIn the afternoon, you meet your local guide in the small village of Las Peñitas. The Isla Juan Venado nature reserve is 22km long and 250m wide. We’ll take you by boat to explore the mangroves in search of turtles, caimans and iguanas. Located opposite Las Peñitas beach, the island is also home to many species of birds. You can finish the excursion with a swim or a stroll on the beach.Overnight at the Flor de Sarta hotel.

Free time to enjoy the colonial city of León. Then on to the northern lands and the Matagalpa region, renowned for its freshness and coffee plantations. On the way, you can stop off in Estelí to visit this traditional northern village specializing in cigar production. Check-in at your accommodation and end of the day free to enjoy the surrounding area (approx. 3-hour drive). Overnight at the Selva Negra hotel.

Free day to enjoy the Selva Negra reserve, or activities from the lodge (to be paid locally or on request): – Visit to the coffee plantation – Birdwatching (over 220 species in the reserve, including the Quetzal) – Self-guided or guided hikes of all levels – Horseback riding – Visit to the Ecological Farm – Visit to the Cacao plantation – Night hikes and birdwatching – Visit to the coffee museum Overnight at the Selva Negra hotel.

Free time to enjoy the Matagalpa region as you stroll through the coffee plantations, then on to the colonial town of Granada, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua (approx. 3 hrs. drive). Guided tour of Granada (half-day)La Gran Sultana is a colonial jewel that we suggest you discover on foot. You’ll start your guided tour at the Church of San Francisco, the city’s oldest, and then make your way to the cemetery, with its 400-year-old marble tombs. Then on to the Polvora fortress. Finally, you’ll visit the Xalteva Church, the Cathedral and the Central Park. Then you’ll cross the central market and its colorful stalls. Overnight at Casa Bubu Guesthouse

El Crater self-guided hike on the Mombacho volcanoWe invite you to discover the wetlands of the Mombacho volcano overlooking Granada. The volcano is made up of four volcanic craters, the highest of which rises to 1,345 m. Meet us at the entrance to Volcan Mombacho, and we’ll take you by 4×4 truck to the easily accessible hiking trails through the only rainforest on the Pacific coast of Central America. Let’s go for a walk in the heart of this atypical ecosystem! Nearly 150 species of orchid, 50 types of mammal and 120 species of butterfly have been recorded here. You’ll also visit a museum depicting the volcano’s major telluric events.AccrobrancheDepart for an accrobranche session. With 17 stations, 11 zip lines and 3 suspension bridges, this 2 km-long excursion allows you to appreciate the environment of the Mombacho volcano. This dormant volcano is also a nature reserve with some 700 plant species, 173 bird species, 36 reptile species, 10 amphibian species and 47 mammal species. Plus several thousand species of insect, some of them endemic. Discover the secrets of artisanal chocolate-making with Donald in a community on the slopes of the Mombacho volcano. From the cocoa beans to the chocolate we’re used to tasting, you’ll learn about and witness all the stages of transformation.Suggestion: Discover the Masaya volcano by night!With its 54km² and 20km of wilderness trails, the Masaya Volcano National Park is a place that will give you another view of what goes on beneath the earth’s crust. With its five craters, Masaya, called Popogatepe by the indigenous Nahuált, is the most accessible active volcano in the world, and the tour consists of discovering it at dusk to enjoy the sunset, the lava lake and observe the local fauna: parrots and bats among others. You’ll drive up to the crater to enjoy the view, then return to your hotel for the night at Casa Bubu Guesthouse

Discovering Las IsletasHalf-day trip to discover the Las Isletas archipelago, a group of islands off the coast of Granada. You’ll set off by boat to sail between these islets, where today’s Nicaraguans have established their vacation homes. There are almost 400 basalt islands, and you’re sure to enjoy excellent views of the proud Mombacho volcano, as well as spotting numerous animals.Mombacho cigarsDiscover one of the best cigar factories in the world! You’ll learn about the different stages tobacco leaves go through to create a cigar. You’ll also learn all the details of how to make the best cigars: how to choose the leaf, work it, then roll it into the perfect cigar. Mombacho cigars are handmade from the finest tobacco leaves, grown in the exuberant fields of volcanic soil. The result of this nutrient-rich volcanic soil is the hallmark of quality: incredible smoothness. Once elaborated, they are then stored for six months before being sold in totally hermetically sealed glass tubes and packaged in elegant handmade cedar boxes.Discover the Pueblos Blancos, the small villages around Masaya, renowned for their handicrafts. From pottery to leather goods and hammocks, the colors of local craftsmanship will fill your eyes! Wander between Catarina and San Juan de Oriente to observe these small stores often set up on the porches of houses. If you wish, you can also stop off to visit a workshop specializing in black ceramics, the region’s specialty. Once in Catarina, you can take in the panoramic view of the Laguna de Apoyo from the belvedere, and walk down the lagoon’s slopes to reach the El Paso del Tren restaurant halfway up. Afternoon free to enjoy the Laguna de Apoyo, an ancient volcanic crater now filled with fresh water. You can choose to hike, swim or kayak, or simply relax in this enchanting setting. Overnight at Casa Bubu Guesthouse

Free time to enjoy your hotel. Then drive to Peñas Blancas, the Costa Rican border in southern Nicaragua (approx. 2 hrs drive). Return your rental car on the Nicaraguan side. Cross the border and pick up your rental car on the Costa Rican side.

Continuing on towards the Arenal volcano, you’ll follow the Panamericana and pass through the capital of Guanacaste, Liberia, nicknamed the White City. Check-in at the hotel and end of the day at leisure (approx. 4 hours’ drive). Overnight at Hotel Lomas del Volcán.

Hanging bridge walkYou’ll enjoy a 3-kilometre walk through primary rainforest and over 15 hanging bridges above the canopy, with a breathtaking view of tropical vegetation and the Arenal Volcano!

Thermal watersAt the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a moment of relaxation at the Ecotermales thermal spa, in an intimate setting. The hot waters come directly from the hot springs of the Arenal volcano, without ever coming into contact with the magma. Night at the Lomas del Volcán hotel.

Discover the Arenal region.

Enhance your stay by booking one of the following activities:

– Eco Termales or Baldi thermal baths (dinner on site possible) – Volcan Arenal National Park with English/Spanish-speaking guide – Canopy exploration (suspension bridges, cable car) – Tour of Lake Arenal (boat, kayak, stand-up paddle, fishing) – Hiking and horseback riding – Rafting, canoying, canopy, mountain biking – Excursion to Caño Negro (swamp – protected area) – Exploration of Venado caves (caving) Route from Arenal to San José.

Departure to San José airport (3-hour drive) for your international flight. Return of your vehicle to our local service provider.