Granada, Nicaragua
Location
15 Hours
Duration
English, Spanish
Languages
All Year Availability
Dates

Visit our neighbors to the north in this full day trip to the stunning country of Nicaragua! From your accommodation in Guanacaste, head north and cross the border that separates Costa Rica from Nicaragua. We’ll take you to see the incredible panoramic views from Catarina Volcano. You’ll then make a stop at the Masaya Artisan Market for a spot of lunch, visit the incredible Masaya Volcano and it’s continuous river of lava, followed by a visit to the beautiful city of Granada with it’s vibrant colours and brilliant Spanish colonial style buildings. All of that is then topped off with an hour long boat ride around the islets of Lake Nicaragua!

Your tour begins at your accommodation in Guanacaste, where your guide will pick you up from one of the many beaches and townships that make up the coastline, starting from Tamarindo all the way up to Playas del Coco and Liberia (full list of pick up spots are listed below). You’ll then be taken to Peñas Blancas which sits at the border from Costa Rica and Nicaragua. From here you’ll make the crossing with your driver/guide. Don’t worry about all the admin we will take care of all of the passport paperwork and visas for you. Once we have made the crossing we will travel a short distance to fix you up with a nice breakfast before starting our day packed full of fun and adventures.

Continuing north we will drive past the incredible Lake Nicaragua with it’s vast lake and awe inspiring volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, situated on the island of Ometepe.  We will then arrive at Mirador de Catarina (Catarina Volcano) which has an amazing vantage point, overlooking the dormant volcano crater, the city of Granada, and Lake Nicaragua in the backdrop. Be sure to have your camera ready for some excellent photos. From here we will head down to the Masaya Artisan Market where you can pick yourself up some inexpensive Central American souvenirs before sitting down for a delicious lunch.

Next up is a visit to the active Masaya Volcano. This famous volcano is one of the few places in the world where you can see right down into the crater and witness a lava lake. It is a truly once in a life time experience! Your guide will take you to the entrance to the national park and straight up to the vantage point of the volcano. Experience for yourself the spewing of hot gasses from the crater and the noise of the lava river below your feet. Time up here is limited so make the most of it!

Once transported off the volcano, you will then head straight for the stunning town of Granada, located on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. This town is well known for it’s vibrant colours and beautiful Spanish colonial style buildings. Visit the stunning La Merced Church, considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Granada. Climb the stairs of the church bell towers and see a panoramic view of this amazing town and surrounding lake.

For your last activity in Nicaragua, we will head to the banks of the lake where you will join a one hour boat tour of the small islets of Lake Nicaragua. See the many tiny islands that make up the shores of this vast lake, all while the sun slowly sets in the background. There will also be a visit to Monkey Island, a small islet which is home to a small colony of monkeys who like to come out and take food straight from your guide on the boat.

Finally, you will reunite back with your driver/guide who will transport you back to Costa Rica and your accommodation where your tour will conclude.

PICK UP TIME 4:00 A.M. – 8:00 A.M. (depending on pick up)
END TIME Approximately 9:00 PM – 10:00PM
BRING Passport, flight itinerary (proof of exit), US Dollars for spending, comfortable clothes and shoes.
INCLUDED
Return transportation to and from Nicaragua Bilingual guide
Lunch & Water All listed activites
NOT INCLUDED
Tour guide gratuity (optional)
Food and drinks (unless specified)

When booking this tour, please provide passport name, number, expiry date and country for all travellers on this tour. This can be done on the checkout section under “would you like to leave a message?”. This information must be provided to us at least 48 hours before the tour starts!

Please note that the current entry requirements for Nicaragua is full proof of vaccination for Covid19 or a Negative PCR Test for Covid19 for those who are either partially or not vaccinated. This must be presented to the immigration agents at the border in Peñas Blancas. Failure to provide either of these documents will result in you not being able to enter Nicaragua and you will therefore not be able to join this tour.

It is very important that you bring your passport (do not bring a copy of your passport) and flight itinerary or travel documents for return into Costa Rica. Immigration may want to see proof of exit from Costa Rica before permitting you back into the country. Please also check the visa eligibility for entering Nicaragua for your current passport (please note that U.S and Canada receive an automatic Visa for Nicaragua upon entry). We will not be responsible for any additional visa fees. Please use this link to see if your country is eligible for entry: https://visaguide.world/north-america-caribbean/nicaragua-visa/

It is prohibited to enter Nicaragua with any of the following items: drones, binoculars (including night vision), and any object considered for professional, journalistic and similar audiovisual reproduction.

Pick ups are available from the following hotels, accommodation, and beaches: JW Marriott, Langosta/Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Play Conchal, Playa Flamingo, Potrero, RIU Hotels, Playa Ocotal, Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Playa Panama, Planet Hollywood, Andaz, Four Seasons, and Liberia Hotels, Condos, & Houses. Please state your accommodation when booking this tour. If your accommodation falls outside of the pick up area, then we will help arrange a pick up location where you can meet your driver/guide.

Private tours for groups are available on request – please use the contact form on our contact page to request a quote. Tour is subject to minimum numbers of 2 adult passengers – if numbers are not met, then you will be put on stand by until we can confirm or arrange an alternative date of departure.

Cancellations must be made a full 48 hours prior to the tour embarking, otherwise a penalty of 100% will be applied. Likewise there will also be a 100% penalty for no shows.

1

4.00AM/6.00am

Picked up from your hotel or designated meeting point to travel to Peñas Blancas on the border of Costa Rica and Nicaruaga.

2

7.30AM

Arrive at the border, where you will make the crossing into Nicaragua. We will handle all the passport paperworks and visas you’ll need. This will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

3

9.00AM

Your group will travel a short distance to get a coffee and/or breakfast before we start the day in Nicaragua. Along the way to our first destination, you will be afford wonderful views (weather permitting) of Ometepe and it’s two distinct volcanoes.

4

11.00AM

Arrive at the incredible vantage point of Mirador de Catarina which overlooks the dormant volcano, Masaya, Granada, and Lake Nicaragua.

5

12.00PM

Head back down to the township of Masaya and spend some time at the Masaya Artisan Market where you can buy some cheap souvenirs. This will be followed by an excellent lunch before continuing on.

6

1.00PM

Your guide will take you to the incredible Masaya Volcano – one of the few places in the world where you can view a river of laver inside an active volcano! You can only spend around a short amount of time here so make the most of it.

7

2.00PM

Arrive in the beautiful city of Granada, home to some of the most beautiful colonial buildings in Nicaragua. Here you can walk up the La Merced Church towers where the bells are housed which offer a full panoramic view of the city and lake.

8

3.00PM/4.00PM

Join a one hour boat tour traveling around the islets of Lake Nicaragua, close to the city of Granada. Enjoy seeing some of the houses and small settlements that have made a home on the islets. This will also include a visit to Monkey island where you can see some local monkeys which have made their home here.

9

5.00PM

Make you way back to the border of Costa Rica and then onto Guanacaste.

10

9.00PM/10.00PM

Arrive back at your accommodation where your tour will conclude.

* Please note that all times are approximations

La Merced Nicaragua
Catarina Volcano Lookout
Masaya Artisan Market
Masaya Volcano Crater
Masaya Volcano
Granada Church Nicaragua
La Merced Nicaragua
Granada Nicaragua
Granada Islet Tour

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