Colonial Cities, Volcanoes and Rainforests

On arriving in Managua, you’ll be driven to the intimate Hotel Contempo, a foodie haven that’s home to the highly-acclaimed Restaurante Azul. Spend a peaceful day in the capital taking in the views over the stunning Tiscapa Lagoon or exploring the bustling handicrafts market.

The following morning you’ll be taken to the colonial city of Leon, where you’ll take a tour of one of Nicaragua's oldest cities. As well as paying a visit to the intriguing museum of Nicaraguan legends, arts and poetry, you’ll discover the Baroque churches and fascinating revolutionary murals hidden down the city’s narrow streets. The ‘high point’ of the tour is the climb to the rooftop of Central America’s largest cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll be treated to fantastic views over the city and beyond.

While in Leon, you’ll also head out into wildest Nicaragua to hike the active Cerro Negro volcano and venture into the heart of the Juan Venado reserve. Keep an eye out for crocodiles and turtles as you wind your way through mangroves by motor boat before arriving at a tiny secluded island, where you’ll relax a few hours away on the deserted beach. You’ll be staying at the wonderful Hotel El Convento, an elegant hotel rebuilt on the grounds of an ancient convent.

Leaving Leon behind, you’ll head to its fiercest colonial rival, Granada. Along the way, you’ll drop in on the traditional villages of Masaya and Catarina and stop to peer down into the smoking crater of the Masaya volcano, a favourite hangout for green parakeets. 

In Granada, you’ll explore the city on a guided tour, which will take you through the historic centre. Climbing the church tower, you’ll have magical views of the Mombacho volcano - and you can enjoy a hike in the heart of the cloud forest on its slopes. Eagle-eyed visitors may even spot white-faced monkeys and endemic Mombacho salamanders.

You’ll take a short, scenic boat trip to the charming Jicaro Island Lodge, which perches on a private island on Lake Nicaragua, where you'll stay for three nights.

The following day, you’ll leave the colonial splendour behind for unspoilt natural beauty. Hidden in a crescent-shaped bay just outside San Juan del Sur, you’ll cross a suspension bridge over a canyon to get to the villas and bungalows at Morgan’s Rock, which overlooks miles of private beach - wake up to gorgeous views in the morning. 

While here, watch sea turtles lay their eggs on the shore, horse ride along the beach, relax on the pristine shores, scuba dive, snorkel, sail or surf in the Pacific or zip through the canopy of the pristine forest, where howler monkeys and sloths loiter in the treetops.