9-day Trip to Nicaragua

Signature trip

Nicaragua has so much to offer, but it’s often overlooked in favor of other Central American countries. You’ll find the culture and natural beauty of the place is well worth a trip and we have the best itinerary for your 9-day trip to Nicaragua. If you want to be sure you see all the important sights, sit back and relax, while we handle all the planning for you. 

You’ll see amazing things, from ancient ruins and lost cities to stunning active volcanoes, and unique islands. From nature to civilization, you’ll have a chance to experience the best that Nicaragua has to offer as we take you to the top tourist spots in the country. 

Selva Negra

Leon

Ometepe Island

Granada

Highlights

Are you ready to take a dip in a mineral-laden spring? Hike up Volcano Concepcion and experience the incredible views from the lookout, discover the secrets of Lake Nicaragua, and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the colonial city of Granada.

If it’s an adventure you’re looking for, we’ve got it! You’ll walk the ancient streets of the long-lost city of Leon Viejo after staying in the new Leon, with its beautiful architecture. Try your hand at cooking a traditional Nicaraguan dish and visit with local families to get a real feel for the culture. But the fun doesn’t end there. You’ll visit an organic coffee farm at Selva Negra, learn about the unique style of weaving in El Chile indigenous community, and explore cloud forests where the clouds literally touch the trees. Don’t miss a thing on this wonderful 9-day trip to Nicaragua.

Itinerary

Your driver will meet you at the Managua International Airport (MGA) and drive you to your hotel in Matagalpa. But the adventure has only just begun!

Once you’ve left your luggage, it’s time to take a tour of Matagalpa City. As one of Nicaragua’s largest cities, Matagalpa is well-known for being an ecotourism hub. Its fertile soil means the area is excellent for cultivating coffee, which Nicaragua exports. You’ll also find some stunning architecture dating back to the late 1800’s, including the central Cathedral. 

Return to your hotel to rest up after the tour, since you’ll be off again in the morning.

  • Two nights in Matagalpa.

Today, you’ll learn more about Nicaragua’s culture and natural beauty. To start with, we’ll drive to the Matagalpa Cloud Forest, a true haven for birdwatchers. The stunning forest grows at 4,000 feet above sea level and is home to plenty of wildlife. The unique weather here, cool and humid, means it’s perfect for lush vegetation. 

Keep an eye out for any of the 380 bird species that live here, from the three-wattled bellbird to the resplendent quetzal. There’s plenty to see in the cloud forest, so you’re bound to spot quite a few beautiful creatures, whether in the trees or on the ground. 

Next, we’ll head to the Telares El Chile indigenous community, a short drive from Matagalpa. Here, you’ll see firsthand how the local women weave incredible textiles using Telares de Cintura (waist looms), a technique passed down through generations. These women have become leaders in their community and cultural ambassadors. This is a unique way to connect with the locals and experience what life is like for them.

After seeing the weaving, we’ll hike an hour and a half to the Cerro El Chile lookout where you can see the incredible valley and surrounding mountains. It’s the perfect photo opportunity. Finish up your adventure with a traditional lunch in a local home before looking through the handmade crafts you can purchase directly from the artisans. Then we’re back to the hotel where you can relax for the remainder of the evening.

Selva Negra is a 1,400-acre property founded by German immigrants. These immigrants originally brought coffee growing to the region in the 19th century and Selva Negra is now a popular tourist attraction. 

First, we’ll take a seed-to-cup coffee tour. You’ll learn all about the process of cultivating, processing, and brewing coffee, as well as its useful byproducts. This is a very comprehensive tour and your guide will explain the history and social programs associated with the coffee plantation. Your tour includes visiting the nurseries, coffee fields, and the lab where you’ll learn how the farm remains organic. Finish up the tour with a cup of fresh coffee and ask any questions you might have. 

Next, we’ll travel to the Selva Negra Sustainable Farm where you’ll take a minibus through the farm as you learn about the unique sustainable farming methods used here. The farm includes an organic laboratory, greenhouses, cheese house, stables, chicken coops, and a cattle pasture. As you view everything, your guide will explain how the farm puts the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” methods to work. 

Finally, we’ll head to Leon, where you’ll spend the next couple of nights. 

  • Two nights in Leon.

The city of Leon was founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, a Spanish conquistador. It was relocated from Lake Managua to near the indigenous village, Sutiaba after several earthquakes and volcanic activity made the area too dangerous to inhabit. It was the capital of Nicaragua until 1855 when Managua became the capital city. Today, you’ll take a tour of this stunning city, packed with colonial architecture. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Leon Cathedral is a must-see on the tour. You can even climb to the roof to get a birds-eye view of the city. 

On your city tour, you’ll visit Sutiaba, now an indigenous neighborhood in Leon. You’ll also check out the Museum of Myths and Legends and the Ruben Dario Museum, to get a better feel for the culture and history here.

The culture of any country can be found in its food, so get ready to learn a local dish called Indio Viejo. You’ll start out with a trip to the local market, which is an experience of its own. After experiencing the hustle and bustle of the market, you’ll return to Doña Luisa’s house and prepare the meal with your own hands. You’ll also learn to make tortillas before we sit down to enjoy the taste of Nicaraguan cuisine.

Our adventure today takes us to Leon Viejo, or Old Leon, where the city was originally founded. While it was buried for more than 300 years, it’s now partially excavated and was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nicaragua. You’ll see 17 colonial structures that have been uncovered from the volcanic ash. You can view the ruins and several statues here while enjoying the amazing natural backdrop of Lake Xolotlan and Momotombo Volcano. 

After exploring the ruins, we’ll head to Ometepe Island

  • Two nights on Ometepe Island.

Ometepe Island is made up of two large volcanoes, Concepcion and Maderas, connected by a narrow strip of land. It’s the largest island in the world set in a freshwater lake. Thanks to its diverse ecosystems, Ometepe was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Here, you’ll find tropical rainforests and wetlands, as well as swamps. 

Our tour today is a full-day exploration of the beautiful island. You’ll have a chance to watch the local tribes fishing and farming, as well as some of their heritage in the form of statues and petroglyphs. The natural beauty of the area is bound to enchant you and you have the entire day to wander and learn about it.

Start your morning with a short drive to Volcano Concepcion. We’ll hike up to the lookout, about an hour of hiking, through stunning scenery. From the lookout, you’ll have an incredible panoramic view of the valley below. Enjoy the scenery and see if you can spot some of the birds that make this forested spot their home before we head back down the mountain. 

Next, we’re headed to Ojo de Agua (Eye of Water) where we’ll spend the rest of the morning. Take some time to soak in the natural spring water, which is rumored to have healing properties. There are two pools available, one for relaxing and one for swimming laps. The water is nice and cool and quite refreshing after your earlier hike. 

Ojo de Agua also has a restaurant where you can grab some lunch before we head out at 1 pm. We’ll drive to the Moyogalpa port and take a ferry over to San Jorge. 

  • Two nights in Granada.

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to explore Granada! The city was founded by Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba in 1524 as the first city of the New World. Granada is full of amazing architecture from that time period, including the Convento San Francisco, the oldest church in Central America.

You’ll learn all about the history of the city center, including how it survived attacks from pirates and filibusters. Care has been taken to restore the city to its original look, so it’s quite interesting to stroll around. We’ll finish up the tour with a horse-drawn carriage ride to some of the beautiful tourist spots outside the immediate city center.

After your tour, we’ll head to Lake Nicaragua. This lake is unique in that it is the only lake in the world with freshwater sharks. From the tiny port just outside Granada, we’ll board a motorboat and take a little trip through the islets on the lake

There’s a surprising amount to see on the little islands, including a two-story Spanish fortress that you can climb to get a better view of the lake. A myriad of birds live on the islets and you’ll also spot people who live out here. Our guide will show you all the secrets hidden in the lake before taking us back to shore.

It’s your last day in Nicaragua, so let’s make it count. You’ll take a tour of the Pueblos Blancos (white towns), or villages known for their whitewashed buildings. The twins are best known for their handicrafts and we’ll go to the artisans market where you will find plenty of items to pick up for souvenirs. From leather goods and cigars to wood and ceramic items, there’s something for everyone. 

Next, we’ll drive to Catarina to enjoy the flowers that abound in the many nurseries here. You can also go to the lookout and check out Apoyo Crater Lake. It’s a spectacular view and one you won’t want to miss. Catarina also offers ceramics and pottery items for sale, if you wish to take something home.

Finally, your guide will drop you off at Managua’s international airport to head home.

map, expenses & price

9-day Trip to Nicaragua

Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Eight nights of hotel accommodations.
-Professional certified guides.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-All park entrance fees.
-Daily breakfast.

Similar trips
Fisherman in Lake Atitlan with its volcanoes in the background, Guatemala.
Guatemala

9 days & 8 nights

El Salvador

9 days & 8 nights

Hanging bridge in the jungles of Guatemala.
Honduras

10 days & 9 nights