Volcano route of Nicaragua and Costa Rica
Self guided tour

Welcome to Nicaragua!

Welcome at Managua international airport and transfer to your hotel in Managua.

night in a charming hotel

Pick-up of your rental car

Depart Managua for Leon, the former capital of Nicaragua.

This dynamic colonial town is the ideal starting point for discovering the region, its many volcanoes and Pacific beaches.

Note: 100kms – 2 hours drive.

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. Then 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’s walls.

Museums are closed on Mondays in Nicaragua.

Ruben Dario Museum open Tuesday to Sunday 08:00 to 17:00 and Sunday 08:00 to 12:00 pm.

overnight in a charming colonial-style hotel

Hiking on the Cerro Negro volcano.

This morning, your driver will pick you up from your hotel in a 4×4 vehicle and drive you to the famous Cerro Negro volcano.

Born 150 years ago, Cerro Negro is the most active volcano in Nicaragua, having last erupted in 1999. At an altitude of 725m, it lives up to its name « Black Mountain » and has a lunar appearance. Its surface is covered with black volcanic rock all the way to the summit. Fumaroles and sulphur fumes add to the scenery. You’ll reach the summit from where you can observe the crater, then descend either on foot or by sledge, sitting on your sandboard.

Thrills and spills guaranteed! Return to your hotel in the early afternoon.

Note: Moderate hike, approx. 1h30 walking time

Total duration of excursion: approx. 5 hours.

Elevation gain: +150 – 240 m. Moderate difficulty. – 3 kms. –

overnight in a charming colonial-style hotel

Telica Volcano ascent and overnight in tents (1/2)

Mid-day departure for the Telica volcano, one of the most active in the region. Start your ascent from the Quimera community on the volcano’s slopes. You hike at your own pace, as the slopes become increasingly difficult.

Once at the top, you’ll set up camp on the crater’s flanks. As night falls, you can approach the crater to observe its dizzying depths and smell the sulphur and heat of the volcanic rocks. At night, you can even see some of the molten lava vents.

You’ll return to your camp for dinner under the stars, before settling into your tent.

Note 1: Approx. 3/4 hour walk up – 410 m ascent

Note 2 : Night and dinner on the slopes of the volcano.

overnight in a tent

At the crack of dawn, you’ll have the chance to head back to the crater rim.

The sunrise over the valley and the Maribios chain of volcanoes is breathtaking when the sky is clear!

Then it’s back to camp for breakfast, before heading back down the hiking trails.

Return to León.

You’ll head for the town of Granada.

Note: 140 km – 2h30 approx.

Self-guided day tour of Masaya Volcano National Park.

With its 54km2 and 20km of wilderness trails, Masaya Volcano National Park offers the opportunity to explore a spectacular landscape shaped by volcanic activity. The volcano, called « Popogatepe » by the indigenous Nahuált people, has five craters

Well-marked trails take you through fields of solidified lava, steaming craters and impressive views of the spectacular, active Santiago crater. You can see fumaroles rising from the ground.

overnight in a charming colonial-style hotel

Tigrillo hike on the Mombacho volcano.

We invite you to discover the wetlands of Volcan Mombacho, overlooking Granada. The volcano is made up of four volcanic craters, with the highest peak reaching 1,345 metres. Meet us at the entrance to Volcan Mombacho and take a 4×4 truck to the easily accessible hiking trails through the only rainforest on Central America’s Pacific coast.

Let’s go for a walk in the heart of this atypical ecosystem along the Trigillo trail!

Guided hikes

The hike will take you to various panoramic viewpoints over the isletas, Lake Cocibolca, and also to the highest point of the Mombacho volcano.

Note: 2.5km and 3h walk. Accompanied by a certified English-speaking guide (included).

You’ll be climbing to an altitude of 1000m, and the weather is cooler, so be prepared.

Difficulty – medium. +250 m ascent.

accrobrancheDeparture 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.Note: approx. 1h30 excursion.Overnight in a charming colonial-style hotel.

Guided tour of Granada « La Gran Sultana » is a colonial jewel that we suggest you discover on foot. You’ll start this guided tour with the Church of San Francisco, the oldest in the city. You’ll finish with the Xalteva Church, the Cathedral and the Central Park, before crossing the central market and its colorful stalls. For lunch, we suggest you try a « vigoron » (a typical Nicaraguan dish) in the central square under the shade of the trees

Afternoon free to enjoy the Laguna de Apoyo, an ancient volcanic crater now filled with fresh water.

It’s a lake formed in the submerged volcanic crater of the now-extinct Volcán de Apoyo, with a depth of 200 meters – the lowest point in all of Central America!

The volcano is largely considered dormant, and a thick green forest has developed on its flanks over the years. It’s here that you can take a nature hike and observe toucans, hummingbirds, blue jays, howler and white-faced monkeys and exotic butterflies.

Enjoy a swim, a kayak outing, or simply a nap in a hammock on the edge of this relaxing setting.

overnight in a charming colonial-style hotel

Departing from Granada, you will make your way to the port of San Jorge. Board the ferry to the island ofOmetepe.

Note: approx. 1h30 drive and 1h15 ferry crossing.

horseback ride to the San Ramon waterfallMeet your guide and horses at the entrance to the San Ramon waterfall for a ride to the foot of this impressive cascade. Before descending, take time for a swim and enjoy this unique Nicaraguan experience! An active horseback ride along narrow, rocky paths.Note: approx. 3h30 ride.Overnight in a cabin facing the lake

Climbing the Concepción volcano

Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll begin your ascent of the volcano via its mirador, which offers a superb view of the island of Ometepe and the Maderas volcano. You’ll then climb its 1,610-metre vertical drop to reach its conical crater.

Volcan Concepción is an active stratovolcano. Since 1883, it has erupted at least 25 times, most recently on March 9, 2010. Its eruptions are characterized by frequent, moderate explosions. Active fumaroles are present just north of the summit crater.

Note: 9-hour trek, difficult level, ascent 1,340 m

overnight in a hut facing the lake

Drive to the port of Moyogalpa to take the ferry to San Jorge, Rivas. Continue on to the Costa Rican border at the village of Peñas Blancas.Note 1: approx. 1h boat ride and 1h30 drive.Return your rental car at the Peñas Blancas border in Nicaragua. Pick up your vehicle in Costa Rica.

drive from Peñas Blancas to Rincon de la Vieja Upon arrival in Costa Rica, drive on to Rincon de la Vieja, a volcanic region renowned for its vast national park and tropical dry forest landscapes.Approximate driving time: two hours Overnightin a hotel with access to thermal waters

Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Today, you’ll explore one of the three sectors of Rincon de la Vieja National Park: the Las Pailas sector, famous for observing volcanic activity in this lunar setting.

At the heart of this park is the massive Rincon de la Vieja volcano. Spectacularly beautiful and studded with nine craters, it is the source of the geothermal activity you’ll see on your hikes in the Las Pailas sector.

The park is home to capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, anteaters, sloths and over 300 species of birds. The park, created in 1973, is home to a huge concentration of orchids, including the local flower, the « Guaria morada » (Guarianthe Skinneri).

Info: National Park closed on Mondays.

Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Explore one of the three sectors of Rincon de la Vieja: Santa Maria.

From the Santa María entrance, take the 500 m Colibrí trail . You’ll have the chance to observe a variety of local birds and mammals, including the agouti, coati and peacock. Fancy seeing a pretty waterfall? Head for the 1 km Catarata Bosque Encantado trail. It features a small waterfall in the middle of the forest. You can go for a swim, but be warned: the water is cold! Around 3km from the entrance, you’ll find the park’s famous hot thermal springs, one of the area’s most popular attractions. More authentic than the thermal waters of Rio Negro, they have the advantage of being completely natural. Finally, if you’re looking for a nice viewpoint, climb up to the Mirador (only 600 m, but it’s uphill!). You’ll have a splendid panorama of the whole region, from the plains of Guanacaste to the Miravalles volcano

Info: National Park closed on Mondays.

overnight in a hotel with access to thermal waters

Route from Rincon de la Vieja to Tenorio, via Liberia.

Departure for Tenorio volcano (1,916 m).

Approximate driving time: 2.5 hours.

Guided tour of Tenorio National Park

Morning departure from your hotel with a local naturalist guide for a hike into the heart of Volcan Tenorios National Park onone of the country’s most beautiful trails through jungle, waterfalls and natural hot springs.

You’ll have the opportunity to discover the Rio Celeste, renowned for its unreal turquoise-blue color (which intensifies with the reflection of light rays) due to the minerals in its waters, which contrast with the intense green of the tropical vegetation.

Approximate duration: 3 to 4 hours, easy to moderate level.

overnight in a family-run Finca

Tenorio to Arenal road .

Departure for the La Fortuna region and the majestic Arenal volcano (1,635 metres).

Approximate driving time: 2 hours.

Discover Arenal National Park

Half-day to discover Arenal National Park on a guided hike near the volcano of the same name, on trails (El Mirador or Los Tucanes) covered in volcanic ash.

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

overnight in a charming hotel overlooking the Arenal volcano

Hanging bridge walk in the primary forest of the Arenal volcano

Set off on a 3 km hike through the heart of the primary forest, discovering its different levels of vegetation. Some fifteen suspension bridges line the route, offering magnificent views of the canopy and, on a clear day, the majestic Arenal volcano.

The walk is self-guided. However, for a richer experience and a better chance of spotting animals (sloths, monkeys, tropical birds…), it is possible to take it on with a local or French-speaking naturalist guide, in a small group or privately.

Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Relax in Arenal’s warm waters

Immerse yourself in an interlude of well-being in the heart of nature: the thermal waters, naturally heated by the nearby volcano, offer you a moment of absolute relaxation in soothing surroundings.

This experience can be enjoyed during the day, to take full advantage of the lush landscape, or at night, for a more intimate and romantic atmosphere.

It’s also possible to include a delicious meal prepared using fresh produce from our hosts’ garden.

Approximate duration: 3 hours.

overnight in a charming hotel overlooking the Arenal volcano

Road fromArenal to Poas.

Departure for Poas Volcano, which, at 1.6 km in diameter and 300 m deep, is reputed to have the world’s largest active crater.

Approximate driving time: 3 hours.

Poas National Park

You’ll visit the Poas Volcano National Park, which, at 1.6 km in diameter and 300 m deep, is reputed to have one of the world’s largest active craters.

Then visit the small vulcanology center and the National Park. A vast terrace offers a breathtaking view of a caldera (collapsed crater) from which sulphurous fumaroles escape.

Approximate duration: 1? hours.

Road from Poas to Alajuela.

Approximate driving time: 45 minutes.

Return your vehicle to our local service provider , who will then take care of your transfer to the airport.

thank you and see you soon!