7-day Nicaragua Itinerary
Signature trip
Looking for the perfect 7-day Nicaragua itinerary? Look no further. This trip to Nicaragua offers everything you could want in a short period of time. Just one week in this Central American country will have you hiking volcanos, sunbathing on beautiful beaches, studying petroglyphs left behind by the original inhabitants of this land, and walking through ancient cities.
If you’re interested in ruins and natural beauty, this is the tour for you. Watch for monkeys, sloths, and birds as you travel through cloud forests and dwarf forests and relax in natural springs. Nicaragua is a stunningly gorgeous country that far too many people overlook. It’s a yet-undiscovered country, which means you’ll often be one of only a handful of tourists exploring the trails and cities here.
City of Leon
Home to historic Spanish colonial houses and churches
Mombacho Volcano
The volcano holds a wildlife-rich nature reserve
Ometepe Island
The world’s largest island on a freshwater lake
San Juan del Sur
The perfect place to relax on stunning beaches and blue seas
Highlights
From the moment you land in Nicaragua until you’re ready to fly home again, you’ll have our knowledgeable guides on hand. It’s time to experience this 7-day Nicaragua itinerary that will have you wanting to come back. Paddle a kayak on Lake Nicaragua, swim in the Charco Verde lagoon, and take the sun on a stunning beach at San Juan del Sur.
Explore ancient forts on Lake Nicaragua and see everything from tropical dry forests to jungle and cloud forests. You’ll also get to see the differences between Leon Viejo, the ruins of an ancient city, and the stunning modern-day city of Leon. Your Nicaragua itinerary takes you to Ometepe Island, where you’ll soak in Ojo del Agua and then Mombacho Volcano Reserve. In just a week, you can see an awful lot of this lovely country!
Itinerary
Your driver will be waiting for you when your flight lands in Nicaragua and will take you to your hotel in the city of Leon. You’re in the largest country in Central America, ready for a truly unique adventure!
- Two nights in Leon
There are two cities called Leon in Nicaragua. We’ll start at Leon Viejo, the original site of Leon. Founded in 1524, Leon Viejo became the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country in 2000. The city sat undiscovered below the ash for centuries after the Momotombo Volcano erupted. That same ash helped preserve some important architectural details, which archeologists later uncovered. Today, you can explore the Spanish-style grid layout of the streets, the central plaza, and several buildings. The governor’s mansion, royal foundry, and convent are all partially restored and open to the public. You’ll have a chance to experience what life must have been like hundreds of years ago.
Now that you’ve seen the original site of Leon, it’s time to see the more modern city. It’s still the second oldest city in Nicaragua, but people live here even today. The Spanish colonial-style city center is absolutely stunning. You’ll enjoy a tour of the area, which includes the cathedral, Museum Ruben Dario, Gallery Ortiz-Guardian, and the revolution murals. Your guide is available to answer any questions you may have as you peruse the Latin American art set beside paintings by Picasso and other famous artists.
Today’s adventure takes us to the largest freshwater lake island in the world, Ometepe Island. Located in the massive Lake Nicaragua, the island is famous for its dual volcanoes. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a popular place to go birdwatching, but you’ll also find ancient petroglyphs, stone carvings, and more evidence of the Chorotegas and Nahuas who once lived here. The volcanic soil is uniquely suited to growing coffee, so you’ll find plenty of coffee plantations scattered around the volcanos.
We’ll start off with a hike to Charco Verde, a beautiful lagoon nestled in the middle of a 20-hectare ecological reserve. Tropical birds and howler monkeys inhabit the trees around the emerald pool, where you can take a dip or just relax on the gray sands of Santo Domingo Beach.
Next, we’ll visit Ojo de Agua, or the Water Eye. It’s a natural spring on Ometepe Island that heals and rejuvenates the skin. The water is fresh and cool, but the real treat is relaxing in one of the two pools surrounded by stunning nature. Once you’ve had time to explore the trails around the area, we’ll return to the mainland.
- One night in Ometepe
San Juan del Sur is known for its surfing potential and is a beautiful spot to spend a day. San Juan del Sur was discovered by the Spanish in 1522 while searching for a way to reach the Atlantic from the Pacific. It was particularly popular during the California Gold Rush, transferring people to California.
Thanks to its location, San Juan del Sur was also a major hub for international trade, particularly in indigo, coffee, and cacao. Later, it became the birthplace of Nicaragua’s navy forces. Today, it’s a quiet town with plenty of fishing boats and some of the most incredible beaches in the country.
You’ll have the day to spend on one of several tropical beaches, including Maderas, Tamarindo, Remanso, and Yankee Beach. Enjoy the surf and sun, and have a real vacation day!
- One night in San Juan del Sur
Mombacho Reserve is a protected area around Mombacho Volcano, south of Granada and Lake Nicaragua. The reserve is best known for its lush cloud forest, and at the summit of the volcano, you’ll find a unique ecosystem that hosts a fascinating variety of flora and fauna. This is the only place in the world where you can find the Mombacho salamander, for example.
The reserve features three main trails, Crater, Tigrillo, and Puma, each with its own level of difficulty. All three trails give you impressive views of Granada and Lake Nicaragua. You’ll likely spot orchids, sloths, and howler monkeys along your walk. Get your camera out because the photo ops are nonstop. The Mombacho Reserve is run by Fundacion Cocibolca and is one of Nicaragua’s most well-known conservation areas.
Once we’ve thoroughly explored the area and snapped plenty of volcano photos, it’s time to continue on to Granada.
- Two nights in Granada
Founded in 1524, Granada is the oldest colonial city in the Americas, and it’s been continuously inhabited since then. Sitting on the shore of Lake Nicaragua, the city was perfectly placed to handle trade between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in its time. Due to this, it was frequently attacked by pirates as traders traveled up and down the San Juan River.
Granada was mostly destroyed by fire set by the American filibuster William Walker in 1856, but it was rebuilt. Today, it’s on the tentative list for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its cultural and historical significance.
You’ll take a kayak tour on Lake Nicaragua so you can get a closer look at the Granada Isletas, or little islands. The archipelago is made up of 265 little volcanic islands full of birds that sing as you paddle by. Don’t forget to check out San Pablo Fort, a somewhat unsuccessful Spanish fort meant to prevent pirates from attacking Granada.
We’ll also tour the city of Granada, with its stunning colonial architecture. Some of the tombs in the cemetery we pass through are over 400 years old. We’ll also look at some of the most famous churches here, such as La Merced, San Francisco, and Xalteva. There’s also a neoclassical church that you can check out while your guide tells you more details about the city.
Your 7-day itinerary to Nicaragua has come to an end. Your driver will take you to the airport with plenty of time to catch your flight back home. We hope to see you again!
map, expenses & price
7-day Nicaragua Itinerary
Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Six nights of hotel accommodations.
-Professional certified guides.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-All park entrance fees.
-Daily breakfast.
Extensions
add-on
If the beautiful nature of Nicaragua has captured your attention, why not stay a little longer and enjoy visiting Volcano Maderas? This short cone volcano is dormant, with a lovely lagoon filling its crater. Hike to the summit and take a dip in the volcanic lake surrounded by a thick cloud forest. As you hike up the mountain, you’ll spot monkeys, crabs, and a wide variety of bird species. You may even have the chance to see some petroglyphs dating back to prehistoric periods. People have lived in this area for centuries and it’s fascinating to see the evidence of this.
add-on
Horseback riding
For a whole new perspective, consider joining a horseback riding tour on Chilamate Ranch, located near San Juan del Sur. You’ll be assigned a horse and will enjoy a wonderful ride through the town of San Juan del Sur, then on to the mountain trails that give you a view of the river. Here, you’re likely to see monkeys hanging out in the trees as you ride. The scenery is stunning around San Juan del Sur. Your group will ride to a remote beach, where you can dismount to cool your feet, splash some water on your face, and have a refreshment. Then, it’s back in the saddle for a more interesting tour than you’ve ever imagined.
