Nicaragua
Feb. 8 - 12, 2018 (5D5N): The perfect getaway itinerary from the brutal winter in the Northeast. Nicaragua is what Costa Rica was like 15 years ago....so many unspoiled territories to explore. It is also a great place to meet people around the world given it is a popular backpacker destination. We visited 3 cities during our 5-day journey: Granada - San Juan Del Sur - Ometepe Island. I will admit, it is a bit jammed, but we got to see it all. For your itinerary, I’d suggest making it 2 nights at each of the city above and visit Popoyo beach for an ultimate relaxation.
*Highly Recommended
Day 1 (Granada)
- 2am: Arrive at MGA and pick up via hotel shuttle ($5 per room)
- Check-in @ Airport X Managua Hotel
- Pick-up from Peter @ Armadillo Nicaragua* ($38 for 2 pp)
- Check-in @ Selina Granada
- Tour of city center
- Parque Centre
- Catedral de Granada
- Cathedral San Francisco ($1)
- Guadalupe Church
- View of the lake
- Lunch @ Café de las Sonrisas (my coworker’s daughter wrote an article)
- Iglesia de Xalteva
Hang out by pool + relax
- Ride the chicken bus to Masaya (C$15) and back
- Dinner @ Garden Café*
- Drink @ Nectar* (get Macua)
Day 2 (Granada)
- Breakfast @ Selina Granada (C$130)
- 10am-1pm: Las Islets - boat tour with Pachmama Travel & Adventure* (with Wilfredo) + rest stop @ Correviento Bar (get Coco Loco)
- 2pm: Take taxi to The Monkey Hut*(entrance is $6+tax) @ Laguna de Apoyo ($18)
If time allows, head to the cliff side village of Catarina for a relaxing stroll - adorable restaurants and shops and features a lookout point with an incredible view of the lake.
- 4:45pm: Pick-up ($15) from Adeventour Nicaragua* (with Manuel) to Masaya Night Tour to see lava ($20pp)
- Dinner @ Nectar
- Fiesta Friday @ Selina Granada
- Dancing @ Encuentros Club
Day 3 (San Juan Del Sur)
- 9am: Chocolate massage @ Choco Spa ($37). Read my experience here.
- Climb to the top of Iglesia La Merced’s bell tower and marvel at the view of the yellow and red postcard-perfect Granada Cathedral ($1)
- 12:30-3pm: Shuttle to San Juan Del Sur ($14pp)
- Check-in @ HC Liri Hotel*
- Mirador del Cristo de la Misericordia (Be ready to hike for 1/2 mile uphill, the view is spectacular!)
- Walk along the beach
- Happy hour @ The Beach House* ($1 drink, 12-6pm)
- Grab quick bite @ Taco Spot
- Dinner @ La Lancha* (get the fried fish)
- Drinks @ The Loose Moose Canadian Bar
Day 4 (Ometepe Island)
- Breakfast @ HC Liri Hotel
- Enjoy pool/beach
- Taxi to San Jorge ferry port (45 mins; $20)
- 12:30pm: Take the boat from San Jorge (60 mins: C$35)
- Taxi from Moyogalpa ferry port to hotel ($20)
- Check in @ Xalli, Ometepe Beach Hotel*
- Rent bike ($1/hr) to Ojo de Agua (waterhole; 7am-6pm; $5)
- Dinner @ Comedor Julias* (get fried fish)
Day 5 (Ometepe Island)
- Breakfast @ Hotel
- Rent ATV from the hotel ($80 for 8 hours)
- 8:30-4pm: ATV around the island:
- San Ramon Waterfall ($3/person +$2/ATV; ~6 miles hike each way)
- 12:30-1:30pm: Lunch @ hotel
- Punta Jesus Maria ($1)
- Taxi ride to Moyogalpa ($20)
- 5:30pm: Ferry from Moyogalpa (1 hr; C$50)
- Private transfer to Granada with Ometepe Tour (1 hr 11 mins; $35)
- Dinner @ Pita Pita*
- 11pm: Pick-up from Granada to MGA with Peter ($37)
Other points of interest
Granada
- La Capilla María Auxiliadora (opens after 3pm)
- Climb to the top of Iglesia La Merced’s bell tower to watch sunset
- See Folklore performance & craft market at Masaya (do check the schedule before going, it was closed when we went at 6pm)
- Imagine – Beatles bar with live music
- Kelly’s – fun music – club like – very local!
- Breakfast @ Kathy's Waffle House
San Juan Del Sur
- Grab a boat to a more chill beach – Playa Maderas
- Food from the night stands
Ometepe Island
- Laguna Charco Verde - Accessible from a short hiking trail that begins at Hotel Charco Verde. This is a beautiful spot for swimming, hiking and wildlife-watching
- Eat @ Nectar in Santa Cruz
Tips
- If possible, board the FERRY to Ometepe Island instead of the boat. The ferry is larger with more amentites (snack bar, TV, viewing deck) where the boat is tiny and crammed. The cost is only C$15 difference ($0.5)
- Do bring USD with you, it is widely accepted among tour operators and taxis. Also, you would need to pay $10 tourist card when arriving at MGA.
- Staying at a hostel in Nicaragua could be a fun experience. But do lower your expectation.
