Granada and the Pacific Coast

Two of Nicaragua's most enjoyable places to visit are the beautiful 16th century colonial city of Granada and the spectacular Pacific coast. Granada is one of Central America's most delightful colonial cities, and spending more than just a couple of days in here will allow you to really get the feel for the city and become familiar with its intricacies. Granada is conveniently located in a part of Nicaragua full of natural and cultural attractions that make easy day-trips from the city, returning each afternoon or evening to your centrally located hotel to enjoy this lovely city at your own leisure. We know the city and its surrounding area well and would be happy to recommend local restaurants and bars for your entertainment, or you can do as the locals do and stroll around the city center in the evening and decide where to dine based on your whim. The last three days of this tour are spent on the Pacific coast, where there is plenty do, including surfing lessons, cruising the undeveloped coastline, canopy tours, jungle walks and depending on the time of year, the opportunity to witness thousands of turtles nesting on a beach. Alternatively, you can pass the time relaxing with a good book in your luxury boutique beach hotel.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Nicaragua (-)

Upon arrival at Managua airport, you will be warmly welcomed by one of our representatives and escorted to the beautiful colonial city of Granada, approximately one hour away, where you will check in to your hotel for a four-night stay.

Day 2 - granada city tour, afternoon at leisure (B)

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast in your hotel, you will be given a private horse-drawn carriage tour of Granada - Nicaragua’s finest colonial city. Granada, founded in 1524, is a wonderful place to spend the next few days. Full of colonial splendor, it boasts beautiful architecture, a network of narrow cobbled streets, red tiled roofs and a lovely lakeside setting on the shores of Lake Cocibolca. You will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful La Merced church, where you can climb the bell tower for the best view over the city before visiting the Casa de los Leones, a colonial era home whose lush interior has been transformed into an interesting international cultural center. The San Francisco Convent is set around open courtyards festooned with palm trees and centuries’ worth of priceless artwork is another fascinating stop on this morning’s tour. Granada is a very picturesque city that has been painstakingly restored and the colorful building facades practically glow in the sultry and tropical late afternoon sun. This afternoon will be at your leisure to enjoy the delights of this lovely city.

Day 3 - Masaya, the Pueblos Blancos (B,L)

The nearby town of Masaya is Nicaragua’s epicenter of handicrafts. Its clean, neat, sprawling marketplace is the best place in the country to shop for excellent quality hammocks, painted, carved gourds typical of this region, woven mats, ceramics and pottery, wood carvings, leather and textile goods and colorful woven basketry. You will have plenty of time here to practice your haggling skills. Even if you don’t buy anything here, it’s still an enjoyable experience. Your afternoon will be spent visiting the delightful Pueblos Blancos, a series of pretty villages, each known for something in particular - wickerwork, bamboo craftwork, folk dancing, black magic, or simply one of the best views in all of Nicaragua from the cliffside walkway in the town of Catarina.

Day 4 - Las Isletas, Mombacho Volcano (B)

Las Isletas is an archipelago in Lake Cocibolca, close to Granada comprised of over 100 islands of varying size. The best way to experience this fascinating archipelago is on a private boat tour of the area where you can appreciate the many beautiful islands and pristine landscapes of this region, meeting local islanders, watching children paddling dugout canoes to school on a neighboring island and stopping off for a refreshing drink at one of the mellow island bars before continuing your tour. For the more active, this tour can easily be accomplished by kayak instead of by motorboat. Following lunch, you will be driven the short distance to the Mombacho Volcano. Towering over Granada, this beautiful park has well maintained hiking trails and is overgrown with hundreds of orchid species. There are over 1000 howler monkeys here that you will see from two well maintained, one mile and two and a half mile long easy hiking trails with an amazing view over the lake and city. You can also enjoy a bird’s eye

view of the forest on a 1-mile long canopy tour or try your hand at horseback riding or walking an easy bird watching trail.

Day 5 - Transfer to the Pacific Coast (B or B,D depending on hotel)

After enjoying breakfast in your hotel, you will transfer by private car to the beach town of San Juan Del Sur, on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast. This is a quiet, peaceful town on one of Nicaragua’s finest beaches, known for its amazing sunsets and easy pace of life. There is a distinct international feel around town due to the small, but growing number of mainly North American ex-pats who have come to enjoy the good life here. You will have the afternoon free here to visit the town, enjoy the pretty beach or simply relax by your hotel’s pool.

Day 6, 7- San Juan Del Sur (B or B,D depending on hotel)

San Juan Del Sur is known for its great surf. We can arrange an introductory surfing lesson for you, or perhaps a 1.5 mile long, 17-platform tree canopy tour would be more to your liking. A half or full day sailing tour along the coast stopping for swimming and beachcombing in hidden coastal bays is a great way to spend the day, enjoying a delicious lunch on a deserted beach and cheese and wine while you watch the sun go down before returning to port. No visit to Pacific Nicaragua would be complete without experiencing the La Flor Wildlife Refuge.

Here, the Olive Ridley turtle, known for its massive synchronous nesting emergences number up to 20,000 between the July and February nesting season and is an unforgettable experience to witness. Even if you visit outside the nesting season, a simple walk along this protected beach and up the forested river is remarkable and well worth a visit. Back in town, San Juan Del Sur offers some excellent dining, including really authentic Italian pizza, deliciously fresh seafood and al-fresco dining under the stars savoring excellent fresh Mediterranean cuisine.

Day 8 - Farewell to Nicaragua (B)

This morning you will be driven by private vehicle to Managua airport to check in for your international flight home.

Granada - Luxury - Plaza Colón (Superior Room)

Granada - Deluxe - Plaza Colón (Suite)

The elegant and luxurious Hotel Plaza Colón is a beautifully refurbished colonial house overlooking Parque Central (Central Park). Combining modern amenities with colonial architecture, all rooms have air-conditioning, cable TV, fans, wifi and minibar. Suites feature a large terrace, offering great views of Granada’s main plaza and the colorful cathedral. The hotel has a fantastic location right in the center of Granada, where guests can experience life in in the city’s main square. In the shaded evergreen patio located in one of the hotel’s beautiful internal courtyards, guests can enjoy a refreshing swim in the hotel’s beautiful pool.

San Juan Del Sur - Luxury - Pelican Eyes Resort

Perched on a lush hilltop on Nicaragua’s pacific coast, this San Juan Del Sur hotel overlooks a stunning, crescent-shaped bay and breathtaking sunsets. Romance and relaxation greet you the instant you arrive at this truly unique resort. They proudly offer a distinctive blend of gracious “Nica” hospitality, luxurious hotel accommodations, international cuisine, local charm and panoramic views of San Juan del Sur - Nicaragua’s premier destination beach town. Come view paradise - from paradise itself. All rooms and suites feature air conditioning and flow-through natural ventilation with ceiling fans, satellite TV and stereo, and DVD, as well as a convenience kitchen (including a small microwave, mini-refrigerator, and coffee maker). Relax in the hotel’s beautiful infinity pool overlooking the town and beach, or enjoy the gourmet delights of one of two restaurants on the property.

San Juan Del Sur - Deluxe - Morgan's Rock

Twenty minutes north of San Juan del Sur, Morgan’s Rock is situated on a hidden bay located within a nature reserve. This is more than just a hotel or luxury resort; it is one of the most amazing, unique places Nicaragua has to offer. Visitors cross a suspension bridge over a lush, jungle filled canyon to get to the rustic, but luxurious wood and stone bungalows overlooking miles of private, Pacific coast beach, each open to ocean breezes on three sides. As part of its eco-mission, Morgan’s Rock has its own farm providing much of the food for the hotel’s gourmet restaurant. It is a unique and natural haven for the discerning traveler who is looking to enjoy the adventure and excitement of a unique, exotic and tropical destination without sacrificing luxury. Most importantly, it is a project of nature conservation, community development and reforestation offering Agro- and Ecotourism at its best. The grounds and beach are home to howler monkeys, sloths, giant sea turtles and a variety of birds native to the region. It is a beautiful resort, unlike any other we have seen anywhere.

Pricing

From $3195 per person (Luxury Hotels) or $3930 per person (Deluxe Hotels), for a private tour based on two people traveling in low season sharing a room.

Hotels listed on the Hotels Tab are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used. 

Price Includes:

All hotels as described in the itinerary
Services of Blue World Journeys’s representatives while in Nicaragua
All transportation as described in the itinerary in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver / guide
Private sightseeing and entrance fees
Meals as described in the itinerary
Bottled water in the vehicle during all transfers 

Price Excludes:

International flights
Travel insurance
Meals other than those listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Sightseeing other than described in the itinerary
Additional room charges of a personal nature in hotels (eg: room service, laundry, phone calls, etc.).