The Best of Nicaragua

Like other countries in the region, Nicaragua [1] has a popular, carved-out tourist route based on its principal, most-developed attractions. Nicaragua’s beaten path is made up of the Granada [2]–Ometepe [3]–San Juan del Sur [4] circuit, which can be done in about one week; save another week for tackling the northwestern lowlands and a third week for the Atlantic coast or Río San Juan [5].

Wherever you head, Granada is a good place to ease into things, with colorful surroundings, wonderful cuisine, and more creature comforts than elsewhere in the country.

Day 1

Arrive in the afternoon at Managua [6]’s International Airport. Transfer to a hotel in town, catch a performance, enjoy some of the local restaurants, and above all, get accustomed to the heat and relax after your flight.

Days 2–3

Hop a bus to Granada [2] and spend at least two or three days there. Tour the city the first day, visit museums and enjoy the languid waterfront [7]. Your second day, paddle to the nearby isletas [8] or go hiking on Volcán Mombacho [9], whose heights above the city make for a cool day.

Day 4

Using Granada as your base, make a day trip to the city of Masaya [10] and its the active volcano of the same name. Start early at Volcán Masaya National Park [11], then browse the handicrafts in the Old Market [12]. Return to Granada that evening.

Days 5–7

Pack up and head south. Catch the boat at San Jorge [13] to Ometepe [3]. Spend 2–3 days exploring the island’s unique getaways, or arrange a guide to take you to the top of one of the volcanoes for more adventurous travel.

Days 8–9

Catch the boat back to San Jorge and bus it south through Rivas [14] to the beach at San Juan del Sur [4]. Spend at least one night there, but tag on a few more if the surf’s up or the turtles are laying.

Days 10–11

Catch the early express bus to Managua [6]. Transfer directly to León [15]. It’s been a long trip, so relax, walk around the hot town, check out a few museums, and save time for ice cream in the park.

Days 12–13

Catch a ride to Matagalpa, then continue east to the village of San Ramón. It will take you the better part of a day to get here, so enjoy the afternoon and that plate of gallo pinto waiting for you in the mountains. Spend the next two days hiking to the mines and touring a coffee farm or two.

Days 14–19

Return to Managua and take the afternoon flight to Corn Island. Spend two days on Corn Island and two days on Little Corn, soaking up sun, fresh lobster, island vibes, and perhaps a dive on the reef.

Day 20

Take the morning flight back to Managua to see a few more of the city’s sights before last-minute shopping at the Mercado Roberto Huembes [16].

Day 21

¡Adios, jodido! ¡Feliz viaje!