Central America’s Best: Guatemala to Nicaragua
Where History Meets Adventure
If you’re interested in the CA-4 countries of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, you’re in for a treat with this tour. You’ll see all four countries in all their splendor. From stunning volcanoes, both active and dormant, to beautiful lakes, islands, and beaches, the nature in all these countries is just stunning.
The culture is what really makes travel worth it though, so get ready to visit ancient Mayan ruins, bustling markets in colonial cities, and rural towns that celebrate flowers. There’s something for everyone on this carefully planned trip. You can expect to do some hiking, walking tours, and still get in some time for a spa treatment. Enjoy one of the best multi-country itineraries you’ve ever seen and learn what Central America is all about.
Guatemala
Land of volcanoes and lakes
Copan
Art and ancient wisdom
Cerro Verde
El Salvador’s hidden gem
Ometepe Island
Where volcanoes touch the sky
Highlights
There are so many amazing things to see and experience in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua that it’s tough to pick out the best place. Each country has its own charm and things to see. From Lake Atitlan and Guatemala City to Antigua and the Tikal ruins, Guatemala has a lot to offer as the first country on our list. But you’re not stopping there.
In Honduras, you’ll visit the ruins of Copan, as well as the modern-day town of Copan and Pico Bonito National Park. Moving on to El Salvador, there’s even more to see. You’ll hike El Boqueron, visit Suchitoto, and take a boat ride on Lake Suchitlan. And our final destination is no less exciting. In Nicaragua, you’ll explore Leon and Leon Viejo, climb a bell tower in Granada and visit Las Isletas de Granada on a boat. This is truly the trip of a lifetime.
Itinerary
Your guide will pick you up when you arrive at the international airport in Guatemala city, ready to take you to your hotel. After you’ve settled in, we’ll take a short walk to a local restaurant where you will enjoy a delicious welcome dinner of traditional Guatemalan cuisine. It’s the perfect way to start your trip off on the right foot.
- One night in Guatemala City.
Enjoy a tasty breakfast before we leave the hotel for the central plaza of Guatemala. The Cathedral and the park were built at the same time, in 1776 and it is the largest square in the country. You’ll have a chance to stroll around the park to get a better look at some of the architecture and the historically important buildings surrounding the plaza. These include:
The Metropolitan Cathedral: This church was built along with the plaza and is designed in a colonial style. It contains gold pieces from the original cathedral in Antigua Guatemala.
Portal del Comercio: This historical building was once a trading center. Today, it’s home to a number of businesses, including shops and restaurants.
The National Library of Guatemala: Libraries aren’t very common in Guatemala, but this cultural landmark is packed with literature. However, it’s also a place to store and keep important historical documents safe. The building itself is more modern than many others in the area.
The National Palace: This beautiful building was originally the presidential palace. It’s now a museum that you can tour, but even from the outside, it’s an impressive place. Be sure to check out the carvings and sculptures integrated into the design.
Next, we’ll drive to Lake Atitlan, stopping for lunch at a popular local restaurant along the way. The lake was formed by a massive volcanic explosion, so it sits down in a crater. This means you’ll catch glimpses of its pristine blue water as the road winds down toward the lake. You’ll be staying in Santa Catarina Palopo, a beautiful town that climbs the side of the crater. The homes here are beautifully painted by a local organization that focuses on improving the touristic value of the town. Villagers are invited to send their children to school and to keep the area around their home clean and tidy. In return, the group paints Mayan textile designs onto the home to make them more attractive.
You’ll take a little stroll around town to admire the paintings before heading to a local family’s home. There, the family will prepare you a traditional meal and give you a true Guatemalan welcome.
- Two nights in Santa Catarina Palopo.
Lake Atitlan is a stunning place to explore and the best way to do that is via boat. We’ll get on a private boat and head across the lake to visit a handful of the Mayan villages located here. Each one has a distinct feel to it, so it’s interesting to see where you feel most at home.
Our first stop is on the far side of the lake, in Santiago Atitlan. From the dock, we’ll walk up the hill and pause to check out the local artisans selling their wares. Depending on the day, you may get a chance to walk through the bustling market and view the town’s beautiful church, which has great historical significance. You’ll spot indigenous symbols inside the church, including ears of corn and the Quetzal bird. You’ll also have a chance to visit the Weaving Center and Museum of Cojolya.
We’ll hop back on the boat to go to the next village, San Juan La Laguna. It’s much smaller than Santiago, but is vibrant and welcoming. San Juan is best known for its female-run weaving cooperatives. These ladies use backstrap looms to weave thread into pieces of art and you can purchase textiles from them, helping the town and the families that live here. You’ll also want to check out the church, which was originally built from adobe in colonial times. During a massive earthquake the church was destroyed and a new one built behind the original adobe facade. It’s quite interesting to see.
Finally, we’re off to San Marcos La Laguna, arguably the prettiest of the lakeside villages. This is a great spot to grab a cup of fresh coffee and take some photos overlooking the lake and its volcanoes. This tiny village was originally in a different location, but moved to its current spot in 1726, after multiple mudslides destroyed the previous location. The San Marcos of today is tranquil and known for its spirituality. It’s also a primarily Mayan town, with most residents speaking Kakchiquel.
Today, we leave the lake and head to one of the most popular destinations in Guatemala . . . Antigua. This colonial town is a charming place to spend some time. It’s often the first destination of tourists and for good reason. Cobblestone streets, colonial style buildings, and friendly people make it a pleasant town to sightsee in.
Antigua Guatemala, was the third capital city of Guatemala, but after a massive earthquake in 1773, people abandoned the city for Guatemala City. Many of the ruins, almost entirely churches, monasteries, and convents) have been partially restored and can be visited now. Beneath the ruins are tunnels connecting the various buildings around town, so see if you can spot the entrances when you enter a ruin. You’ll see plenty of them during a two hour walking tour of the city. Each building has an interesting history. For example, if you look closely at the mosaics in La Merced, you’ll notice they aren’t tiles at all, but tiny cuttings from magazines pasted onto the columns in the church.
You’ll also climb to Antigua’s lookout point, Cerro de la Cruz, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Antigua, as well as three of the volcanoes surrounding it. Fuego Volcano is almost always puffing away and you should be able to see at least one eruption while in Antigua. On the way, we’ll learn about coffee and how it’s grown, processed, and turned into the tasty drink so many people love.
After the walking tour, it’s time to check into your hotel and then enjoy a pleasant dinner out. Get some rest, because the real adventure begins tomorrow!
- One night in Antigua.
Depending on what time your flight is scheduled, you should have some time to explore Antigua on your own for a bit. Get a coffee in one of the many coffee shops, buy some souvenirs from the artisan market, check out the jade museum, or just take advantage of the colorful architecture to get some photos in.
Around noon, you’ll head to the airport in Guatemala City to board a domestic flight to Flores Island. Located in Lake Peten Itza, Flores Island is one of the oldest settlements in the Americas to be continuously inhabited. It was also the last Mayan city to be conquered by the Spanish. Thanks to natural defenses, the island’s people held off the Spanish for almost two centuries. Finally, canons mounted on boats took the island and the original city was destroyed. The current city of Flores is built atop the ruins of that city and you can still see evidence of this in the main square in the form of stelae.
With a laidback charm, Flores is a trading center for Peten and moves timber, rubber, chicle, cacao, and sugarcane from one area to another. It’s also a pleasant place to stay with pretty, pastel buildings and cobblestone streets. It will be our base while visiting nearby sights.
- Two nights on Flores Island.
Have you really visited Guatemala if you haven’t been to Tikal? This ancient Mayan city was once a sprawling metropolis, but after the collapse of the Mayan empire, it was abandoned to the jungle. It wouldn’t resurface for centuries and even now, only a small percentage of the city has been excavated. It’s estimated that around 80-90% of Tikal is still hidden under the verdant growth of the jungle. When you see what has been uncovered already, you’ll get an idea of the scope of this project.
There’s still plenty to explore in Tikal, so get ready for some walking through the jungle. You’ll do a tour and learn about the way the Maya people lived here. The park covers over 350 square miles and just the central area contains nearly 3,000 structures.
In its time, Tikal was a powerful city in the area, with 90,000 residents. Hieroglyphic inscriptions show that the city was involved in warfare and political alliances with other Mayan cities in the area and was an important part. To this day, no one is certain why the city collapsed, though some believe Tikal residents left due to war, drought, depletion of natural resources, or the collapse of the surrounding environment.
It’s an early morning today as we head out on a four-hour drive to Rio Dulce. This area of Guatemala feels like you’ve crossed into a whole other country. It’s warm and tropical, with many Q’eqchi’ Mayans and Garifuna people who are a unique Afro–Caribbean ethnicity. The town of Rio Dulce straddles the river of the same name. The river is a transportation lane that links the coast and Lake Izabal, so it’s a busy waterway. You can spend hours watching the boats here, but you’ll have some time to explore the town, too.
Go ahead and wander a bit. There are plenty of places to try fresh seafood and lots of delicious tropical dishes, as well. This is a good place to taste test some coffee at one of the many little cafes that serve it.
- Two nights in Rio Dulce.
Today is all about being on the water and exploring. We’ll take a boat to San Felipe de Lara, a Spanish fortress that has quite the interesting history.
Originally built in 1652 by the Spanish, the fort was positioned to protect the mouth of the Rio Dulce river. English pirates were a big problem at the time, raiding Spanish cargo ships in Lake Izabal. The fort was destroyed several times by pirates, but was rebuilt each time. It still stands today, ready for visitors to explore.
Set on a large landscaped park, the castle attracts a lot of visitors who enjoy the surroundings. Inside the fortress, you can explore the different sections, including a dungeon where prisoners were kept in tiny cells. There are still a few of the original cannons up on the roof, as well. Overall, the fort is well worth a visit and is a fascinating bit of history.
Next, we’ll get back on the boat and head down Rio Dulce to the town of Livingston. This is a fun boat ride with spectacular scenery. Towering limestone cliffs covered in green vegetation make up much of the view, but there are also mangroves and jungle-lined shores to enjoy. From time to time, you’ll see a house tucked away in the jungle, accessible only by boat. Birds and fish abound and there are usually plenty of other boats out and about.
Once you reach Livingston, you’ll walk up the town’s main street to get a feel for this unique part of Guatemala. Since there are no roads that reach Livingston, it’s completely cut off from the rest of the country. This is where many Garifuna settled and there’s a rich Garifuna culture here, complete with dishes you won’t find anywhere else.
White beaches, incredible food (lots of fresh seafood), and friendly locals make Livingston a great place to hang out. Enjoy the Caribbean vibe before we eat lunch and then hop on the boat back to the hotel.
You’re leaving Guatemala, but not to worry, Honduras has plenty going on that will keep you busy, too. It’s a long drive, but broken up with a stop for the border, where you’ll need to pay a small entrance tax and switch vehicles.
Finally, you’ll arrive at Pico Bonito National Park where you’ll stay at the Lodge Spa, a luxury eco-lodge where you’ll spend the next couple nights. We should arrive late afternoon and you can get settled and enjoy some pool time or go for a walk along a rainforest trail before dinner. The Lodge has a number of options for spa treatments if you want to pamper yourself, or you can visit the onsite butterfly garden or serpentarium. The river deck is a great spot to just relax and watch the water go by.
- Two nights in Pico Bonito.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the lodge before we leave for a nice hike through the jungle. Pico Bonito National Park is over 200 square miles and has a range of ecosystems, including cloud forests, lowland dry forests, and tropical rainforests. In short, it’s an amazing place for biodiversity and you’re bound to see a variety of birds and animals.
Founded in 1987, Pico Bonito is part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, which runs through Central America and is home to around 10% of all species in the world. Here, you can spot a large number of birds from the more than 400 species that live and migrate here. Other wildlife includes a variety of monkeys, jaguars, deer, ocelots, turtles, snakes, and pumas, among many others.
We’ll be hiking, but there are other options for activities that you can enjoy once we return from the hike. Have a pleasant lunch onsite and then decide what you want to do for the afternoon. Take a guided horseback tour, go whitewater rafting, kayaking, or ziplining. The hike itself is a lot of fun and includes waterfalls and crossing a 400-foot suspension bridge. Of course, if you’re tired, there’s a jacuzzi and pool to relax by, as well.
Pack up early, because we’re leaving after breakfast for the trip to Pulhapanzak Waterfall, arriving around noon. We’ll have lunch and fuel up for the short walk to the falls, which are truly stunning. Water plunges 141 feet to the river below, with jungle all around. Parts of the falls tumble over multiple ledges to create an even more impressive effect. The name “Pulhapanzak” means “white river overflow” in Mayan and it’s easy to see why it was called this.
Here, you can take a dip in the calm water above the falls or explore the cave behind the pouring water. There are also other activities, including ziplining right over the falls and river tubing. Have some fun before we get back on the road to head to Panacam Lodge.
- Two nights at Panacam.
The full name of this park is Cerro Azul Meambar National Park and it has been a protected reserve since 1987. Covering over 100 square miles, the park includes several ecosystems and is well maintained. We have three activities today, but your participation is optional.
Morning Tours: If you’re up for it, rise with the sun and we’ll take a stroll with a local expert to do some birdwatching. With more than 300 bird species in the area (more than 760 recorded throughout the whole park), you’re bound to see plenty of them. You may spot some of the unique hummingbirds here, an Iris Toucan, or even a Resplendent Quetzal.
After returning for breakfast, we’ll drive to Lake Yojoa and board a boat, along with a local guide. On our way to the lake, we’ll stop at a roadside market and you can taste-test some local fruits, freshly picked and ready to enjoy.
Lake Yojoa is the biggest freshwater lake in Honduras, settled in a crater from a volcanic explosion, much like Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. It’s a prime destination for birdwatchers and nature lovers. The lake features three forest types, as well as marshes, which make the area quite biodiverse. You will settle into a punt-style boat and enjoy some snacks and a drink as you tour the lake. It’s a neat way to spot some wildlife and also enjoy the sight of some of the small villages that pepper the shoreline.
After our trip around the lake, it’s back to the lodge to enjoy a delicious dinner and get some rest for the rest of our adventure.
Say goodbye to Panacam National Park, because we leave early today for Copan. It’s a decent drive, so we’ll stop along the way for lunch. Upon arrival in the town of Copan, we’ll check into the hotel, then heat out for a little tour.
Copan is a beautiful place to explore, with a colonial vibe. The houses here are painted in fun colors and there are plenty of shops and cafes to visit. We will visit the colonial church and central plaza, as well as the Tea and Chocolate Place. This family-run research station is just the place to learn about teas and cacao that is grown here. You can even try some hot chocolate and some of the medicinal teas. In preparation for tomorrow’s visit to the ruins, you may want to stop by the Sculpture Museum where you’ll learn more about the old city.
- Two nights in Copan.
Mayan ruins are a part of any tour in Central America and not just in Guatemala. Copan is the best known Mayan city in Honduras and today, you get to see it for yourself. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fascinating look at the history of the Maya people. These ruins are called the Paris of the Maya World, thanks to their focus on art. For example, the Hieroglyphic Stairway is the longest Maya text, with over 1,250 individual glyphs etched into 63 steps. The glyphs tell the story of the city’s history and explain its rulers, giving archeologists valuable information about the Mayan society and government.
You’ll walk through the city and see the many stelae, altars, and stone monuments the residents set up and decorated with carvings. It’s fascinating to see, but the real secret lies beneath your feet. Throughout the history of the city, the people built new buildings on top of previous ones. Archeologists discovered multiple constructions stacked one on top of the other, thanks to the Copan River cutting through the soil. They then dug tunnels to get a better view of the older buildings. While there are a number of tunnels, two are open to the public. We’ll take a look at the Rosalila Temple, only visible underground. The temple was perfectly preserved by the soil around it and now you can see what the Mayans built even further back in history.
Something that makes Copan unique is the unusual sculptural style they used. You’ll see ball courts in most of the ruins, but in Copan, you’ll spot different designs on the rings the ball was to pass through. Here, they have parrot heads added, showcasing just how artistic the people here were.
Copan may be smaller than some of the other ruins, like Tikal, but it’s a place where you can feel closer to history. You’ll walk through the ruins, listen to the birds, and commune with nature right here, in the middle of an ancient city. There’s also a museum where you can learn a little more about the construction and lives of the Maya people who once resided here.
Our next stop is the Macaw Mountain Reserve. This 10-acre reserve is both a rescue center and a conservation project. It was started to help the scarlet macaw, which is Honduras’ national bird, but now is home to a variety of feathered creatures. Take some time to sit on a deck and watch the birds fly by, or head into the flight aviary for a closer look. You can learn more about bird conservation here, as well, which is something the organization does for locals and tourists alike.
We’ll return to Copan for lunch and you’re free to wander for the afternoon. Have a coffee or stroll around the cobbled streets to get more of a feel for the place, or just relax in the hotel. Dinner will be at Hacienda San Lucas, a stunning Spanish colonial property that is just 20 minutes from the hotel. It’s a family-run business with a lodge and a restaurant and incredible views of the ruins. Here, you’ll enjoy traditional Mayan dishes that are cooked over a wood fire, using fresh markets. The entire experience is one you won’t forget and you’ll leave for the hotel with your belly full and your heart, too.
It’s time to move into our next country, El Salvador. As with the previous border crossing, you’ll switch vehicles and guides and get ready to see the best parts of this little country. We’ll stop for a couple of nights in Suchitoto, which is your base for the next few days of sightseeing.
Upon arrival, you can get settled in the hotel and then either rest up for the coming adventures or get out and explore a little on your own. It’s a free afternoon, so have fun!
- Two nights in Suchitoto.
Suchitoto is a historical city founded in 1528 and then moved to its current location in 1545. It served as a parish seat, having jurisdiction over the surrounding area and was also one of the main production centers for indigo during the 17th century. It later became a battleground during the civil war in the late 1970’s through the early 1990’s. However, it’s a peaceful place to visit now, though mementos of the war and the conflict that ensued are preserved in the form of monuments and murals. Local museums also feature displays that discuss the war.
Suchitoto, like many other colonial towns, features cobblestone streets and pristine white buildings. It’s quite the beautiful place to wander and it has more recently become a cultural center with art galleries, music festivals, and lively cafes drawing in tourists from around the world.
After walking around the town, you can lunch at the hotel or in a cafe. Then we’re off to Lake Suchitlan, also known as the Cerron Grande Reservoir. It’s the biggest freshwater body in El Salvador, created when the Cerron Grande hydroelectric dam was built on the Lempa River. It may be man-made, but the lake hosts plenty of birds, fish, and other creatures, which encouraged the country to declare it a protected area in 2005.
We’ll take a tour on a boat so you can really see the beauty of the lake. Suchitlan means “place of flowers” in Nahuatl and you’ll quickly see why. In addition to drawing tourists and being a beautiful place to spend a day, the lake is useful. It helps produce electricity using the dam. Unfortunately, there are a number of villages and historical sites that were flooded with the building of the dam, but there are definitely some big benefits for the area.
Finally, we return to Suchitoto for dinner at a local restaurant.
San Salvador is the capital of El Salvador and that’s where we’re headed today. This city is an interesting one, since it has a volcanic park in the center of it. You’ll have a full day tour of the capital, which includes the volcano.
El Boqueron is a natural park atop the San Salvador Volcano. You do need to hike uphill quite a bit, but once you reach the top, you can look down into the volcano’s caldera. It’s not a very active volcano, so the interior is verdant with lush vegetation. A smaller crater inside the main one appeared during an eruption in 1917, which evaporated the crater lake that was there previously. It’s called “El Boqueroncito” or little mouth (Boqueron means big mouth).
After exploring the volcano, it’s time to head back into the city and take a look around the historic downtown area. There’s plenty to see here, including the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador where Archbishop Oscar Romero, now a saint, is laid to rest. It’s the main center for the country’s Catholic faith.
You’ll also see the National Palace, where government offices were used throughout history. The ornate decor is very interesting to see. Nearby is the National Theater, which is equally stunning in its architecture. It’s still used to this day for performances.. The theater represents the artistic side of the country.
We’ll also take a walk through the two main plazas. Plaza Barrios is a square that draws people in. You may be lucky enough to see a concert or performance here, but even if nothing big is happening, the people-watching is fun and the square is surrounded with historical buildings. The second Plaza is Plaza Libertad. It’s one of the oldest squares in the city and features a number of monuments that represent freedom and independence.
You’ll have a chance to shop for souvenirs at the local artisan market. Here, you’ll find a variety of items, mostly made locally, that represent your trip to El Salvador. Take some time to browse before we visit El Rosario Church, if it’s open. This church is simplistic on the outside, but the interior is stunning. Arches and beautiful stained windows create a rainbow effect inside the building.
Finally, it’s time to check into the hotel and have some dinner before resting your feet.
- Three nights in San Salvador.
Ruta de Las Flores or the Flower Route is made up of a number of little villages, each with their own charm. We won’t have time to visit all of the villages, but don’ t worry, we’ll stop at the best ones.
Ataco: Tucked away inside an extinct volcano crater, this town has some very good views of the surrounding area. The rich ash covered soil makes for excellent coffee cultivation, so you can find plenty of fresh coffee in town. It’s also considered an art town, thanks to local artists painting murals on many of the buildings to celebrate the Mayan culture.
Apaneca: If you’re feeling the heat, you’ll love Apaneca with its cool breezes and lush pine forests. It’s a lovely area known for its eco-tourism and has multiple zipline parks and more adventurous activities.
Nahuizalco: Here, you’ll find plenty of artisans where you can purchase souvenirs. The famous Salvadoran poet/singer Alfred Espino, was born in Nahuizalco. It’s also home to the Golondrinera waterfall.
These towns, along with several others, form the Flower Route. It’s a fun look at the local culture and mixes natural beauty with the beauty created by artists. When we’ve finished seeing the towns, it’s time to head back with your newfound appreciation for El Salvador’s small towns.
Tonight is a break from the standard restaurant fare . . . we’ll enjoy some Chinese food from the restaurant across from the hotel.
Today is a big adventure day, so make sure you eat well during breakfast! We will drive an hour and a half to Joya de Ceren in the morning. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is frequently considered to be a replica of Pompei, due to the fact it was covered in volcanic ash from the Caldera Volcano eruption in 590 AD. The ash preserved everything about the town in extreme detail, which means it has a lot to offer archaeologists. Unlike other sites, Joya de Ceren was never a massive, bustling city. Instead, it was a small farming town, so archeologists are salivating over it. This is where they learn about the everyday life of the average Mayan farmer.
A coffee break is a great idea when you are staying in an area known for its coffee. We’ll sip a cup while overlooking Lake Coatepeque. It’s quite the view, particularly if you’re there in the summer months, when algae and minerals turn the water vibrant turquoise.
We’ll drive to Cerro Verde and you can either choose to have lunch here or take a 45-minute hike to the top of the mountain. Depending on the day and the weather, you can often see all the way to the lake and Izalco Volcano, as well as Santa Ana Volcano. On very clear days, you can see the Pacific Ocean. The cloud forest makes for a pleasant hike and you may spot some wildlife while you’re walking, too.
After the hike, we’ll return to the hotel and eat dinner there.
Say adios to El Salvador as you board a plane to fly to Nicaragua. It’s a short flight and you’ll be greeted by a driver and guide who will show you around Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua. Known as “The Bride of Lake Xolotlan,” the city is located on the shores of Lake Managua or Lake Xolotlan, with some beautiful views. Over the years, earthquakes have tumbled many buildings and they were rebuilt, but this meant that city planning was haphazard. As a result, you’ll find the plazas and streets somewhat chaotic, but all the more charming for this reason. Some of the ruins still stand, surrounded by modern structures. Other ruins are part of the Phantom City which is beneath the modern buildings.
After your tour, you’ll move on to Leon in the northern part of the country. Your hotel is a converted 250 year old convent, which is just as interesting as the city it’s located in.
- Two nights in Leon.
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll do a walking tour of the city of Leon. This is actually the second Leon to exist. Leon Viejo, the original city, was founded on the shores of Lake Managua, but after multiple earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the residents chose to move to the new location.
There’s plenty to see in the more modern version of the city, which is still quite colonial in many regards. The main cathedral is a UNESCO Heritage Site and we’ll not only go inside, but head up to the roof. From there, you can look out over the city and get a feel for how it’s laid out. You’ll also visit the Ortiz-Gurdian Arts Museum, widely considered the finest contemporary art museum in Central America. It’s made up of six colonial homes that have been restored and includes art from Europe, Latin America, and Nicaragua specifically. Here you’ll find collections from Picasso to Diego Rivera.
Leon is known for its stunning churches and we’ll stop by three of them in total. Apart from the Cathedral, you’ll see the Church of the Recoleccion, a Baroque church. It’s one of the oldest churches in Leon and is still an active Catholic church. Also active and historically significant is the Calvario Church with the stations of the cross on the grounds. The interior is neoclassical and very elegant.
Also on the tour is the church square in the indigenous Subtiava part of the city. The square is where many locals gather for socializing. It’s also a place for dance and traditional music, as well as food and crafts.
Finally, we’ll head to the local market where you can enjoy the sight of fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs, textiles and many more items for sale. Visiting a busy market is quite the experience and you’ll be more than ready for lunch after you’ve seen it all.
We’ll eat, rest for a little bit, then head to Cerro Negro. If you’re interested, you can climb this active volcano. It’s a bit of a hike, but you’ll get to see the view from the top which includes the entire mountain range of Los Marbios. It takes just under an hour to get up the volcano and if you’re interested in an adrenaline rush, you can sandboard back down the mountain. The volcanic ash/sand is perfect for picking up speed as you race back to the bottom. Then it’s back to Leon for dinner and a free night.
Today we’ll visit Leon Viejo, the original site of Leon that was abandoned after a series of natural disasters. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest Spanish settlement in the Americas. It was the first capital city of Nicaragua and served a very important purpose as the political and economical center of the area. The traditional grid layout with government buildings and a cathedral set on a main square can still be seen in some areas. Lava, ash, and dirt covered the ruins of the city between 1610 and 1967 when it was rediscovered. While many of the buildings were broken down, the foundations and streets were still there, meaning you can see exactly how the city was laid out.
Later, we drive to the Masaya Volcano National Park where you’ll climb to the highest point of the volcano. This volcano is still active, which means it’s not always accessible. If it’s not closed, we’ll drive to the top and you won’t need to hike much to get the full experience. Otherwise, we’ll simply go straight to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon.
The Masaya Volcano National Park includes a volcanic caldera complex. Two volcanos (Masaya and Nindiri) form five craters. The main one is Santiago crater and it’s the only lava lake in the world that can be seen from the rim. It’s a pretty exciting place to visit and was known as the Mouth of Hell by local indigenous people. It was a sacred site for them, but later the Spanish conquistadors put up a cross to try and exorcise the devil.
Throughout the park, there are lava tubes filled with bats. They’re also full of pre-Hispanic artifacts that have been discovered by archeologists. Before we leave, you can visit the visitor center and the museum on-site to learn more about the area and its volcanic activity, as well as its biodiversity.
We’ll drive on to Granada to enjoy a nice dinner and some down time at the hotel.
- Three nights in Granada.
Not far from Granada is the port of San Jorge, the first stop for today’s tour. From this spot, we’ll take a ferry across to Ometepe Island. This unique island is formed by two conical volcanoes, Concepcion and Maderas. A narrow isthmus connects the two volcanoes, making an hourglass shaped island. You can spot stone figures and petroglyphs on many of the boulders around the island, carved by the Maya, but also Chorotega and Nahuatl people.
While the natural beauty of the island is amazing and you’ll get to see plenty of it, we’re going to visit a community of women. They’ve created a village-hotel or sustainable community project aimed at providing tourists an authentic experience. The women manage the entire program and provide homestays. We won’t be taking part in the homestay, but you will visit their garden to see how they provide food for their families. The women grow hibiscus flowers, which they turn into a tasty wine that you can try out. They will also provide a home-cooked meal made with fresh fish and freshly harvested vegetables, all sustainably grown.
After lunch, we’ll head up to the local spring for a dip and you can explore the area as you like. The afternoon will be spent on the island and we’ll return to the hotel before dining at a local restaurant.
Your final full day in Central America begins with a delicious breakfast, then it’s off to explore Granada with a 2 hour walking tour. The tour begins with a visit to the local market. This is where all the locals shop and it can be bustling, but it is a great experience. There are indoor and outdoor sections where you can purchase everything from fresh spices and tropical fruit and vegetables to meat, toiletries, and clothing. Enjoy the sensory chaos that comes from walking these aisles as vendors call out their wares and then head to the much quieter museum nearby.
Museo del Convento de San Francisco was originally a convent, which was built in 1525. It’s one of the oldest churches in Central America and has been partially destroyed multiple times by pirates, William Walker, and natural disasters. Today, it’s a museum filled with art and history. Below the church lie the catacombs where roughly 75,000 people rest, their bones stacked and arranged to create a type of art in itself. While you’re here, you’ll see stone statues, religious art and an inner courtyard that features murals of the city’s history. Head to the nearby La Merced church where you can climb a spiral staircase to the bell tower and enjoy a stunning view of the city.
You can chill or explore for a few hours before we drive to Lake Nicaragua to board a boat. The lake is home to an archipelago of over 300 tiny islands known as Las Isletas de Granada. The islands were formed from debris thrown up by a huge eruption from the Mombacho Volcano. Now, that debris is covered in jungle, making the perfect habitat for a variety of birds like herons, ospreys, and kingfishers, among others. Some of the larger islands are occupied by fishing communities in stilt houses, while others have luxury mansions on them.
We’ll pass by several of the islands laden with birds of all descriptions, as well as Monkey Island, where a large number of monkeys live. Some of them may even hop on the boat. If you’ve worked up an appetite, don’t worry, we’ll stop at a restaurant for lunch before completing the tour. Then it is back to the hotel to pack your bags.
Tonight is our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. It’s been a wonderful trip!
Your incredible journey through the C4 countries of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua has come to an end. We’ll drop you off at the Managua International Airport and you’ll fly home.
map, expenses & price
CA-4 Countries tour
Expenses included:
-Private transportation.
-Hotel accommodations.
-Domestic flights.
-Professional certified guides.
-All park entrance fees.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-Daily breakfasts.
