Classic Nicaragua

This in depth Classic Nicaragua journey is designed to capture the highlights of one of Central America's friendliest destinations.

Begin with a short tour of Managua and an indtoruction to Nicaraguan cuisine before heading to the former capital city of Nicaragua, “León”, famous for its recent history of settlement and revolution.

Here you will discover its colonial architecture and enjoy a tour of this charming colonial era city.

Head further into northern Nicaragua to visit Estelí city for a couple of days. Here, visit the Tisey nature reserve to learn about sustainable agriculture, Nicaraguan art from the countryside and enjoy breath-taking views of the valleys of Estelí.

Continue to Selva Negra, a historic plantation with a cooler climate and a chance to hike in the cloud forest. It's a beautiful location here and the plantation activities are excellent.

Move on to the tourism capital of Nicaragua “Granada” and enjoy its charming architecture and historical sites.

Witnessing the lava at Masaya volcano is one of the highlights of the trip, after which you'll have a boat trip on Lake Nicarague to explore the Granada Isletas.

You'll also have a guided hike to the volcanic crater at Mombocho.

End your journey by the sea in a great beachfront hacienda where you can relax, enjoy yoga and spa or enjoy further activities as you wish.

This Nicaragua tour can be tailored to suit your exact requirements, so just let us know your ideal trip.

Everything can be adjusted to suit your needs and create your perfect Central American holiday.

Day 1: UK – Nicaragua

Fly from the UK to Nicaragua. On arrival at Managua International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Managua.

Day 2: Managua - Leon

Begin your day with a tour of the highlights of Managua and also get an introduction to the basics of Nicaraguan cuisine and help to create some traditional dishes.

It's a nice way to get introduced to Nicaraguan culture.

After lunch, continue to Leon by private car. On the way you will learn how to make the popular Nicaraguan dish “Quesillo”.

Day 3: León

Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua and is known for its architecture—the neoclassical, gothic, baroque and colonial styles that are reflected in the houses, commercial buildings and its 16 churches. It is home to the largest cathedral in Central America.

Enjoy a walking tour of Leon and visit the Museo de Arte Fundacion Ortiz Guardian, probably the finest contemporary art museum in all Central America.

After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to Flor de Cana Rum, the largest distiller in the Americas. You’ll have a guided visit, followed by a stop in the rum showroom where you'll be invited to taste the different varieties of this internationally acclaimed and award-winning rum.

On return to your hotel, go right to the bar to learn how to prepare Nicaragua’s national drink, the macua, a rum and fruit juice concoction.

Day 4: Estelí - El Tisey Nature Reserve

After breakfast transfer by private car to Estelí. On the way, visit the San Jacinto Mud pools.

El Tisey Nature Reserve is the southernmost point in the Western Hemisphere where you can find pine forest, combined with moss-covered trees, hosts to hundreds of species of orchids.

This area is also home to some inspiring communities, and you will meet many of the local campesinos, starting at La Garnache , one of Nicaragua’s greatest success stories of community tourism and cooperative development.

It was founded in the 1980's by families displaced by the war, and you will learn about many of their successful enterprises including: Swiss cheese production, organic coffee, fertilizer, vegetables and medicinal plants.

This is tobacco country and so it's a good place to discover how the world-famous Nicaraguan puro is made.

Esteli’s plantations were founded by Cuban exiles in search of the perfect tobacco-growing spot and their cigars now rival those of their former homeland.

While tobacco is harvested in March and April, cigars are rolled year-round.

Overnight Estelí. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 5: Selva Negra

Depart after breakfast for Selva Negra, one of Nicaragua’s most famous coffee farms, devoted to sustainable agriculture; the 1,500-acre estate is also home to a well-known mountain-lodge resort.

It's a really beautiful location and a great place to connect with nature, experience the Cloud Forest and also discover this succesful sustainable farming operation.

The afternoon is free for you to do as you wish. We recommend heading out on one of the farm's hiking trails into the Cloud Forest.

You'll be hiking into virgin cloud rain forest where you can experience nature at its purest. It's a great experience and you're sure to be walking to the sound of howler monkeys, with new discoveries around every corner.

The trails are guided and there is a choice of easy, medium and difficult, so you can go at your own pace.

In the evening we've included a guided Night Walk where you can experience how the Cloud Forest comes alive after dark.

Encounter Selva Negra’s nocturnal animals such as possums, bats, frogs, wild cats, and owls in their own environment without being disturbed by artificial lights.

View Itinerary in Detail

To view a sample holiday, click on one of the links below. This will open the itinerary up in a new window.

All of our Nicaragua Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

We have many other options so if you have a particular hotel in mind just let us know and we'll put together a price and itinerary for you.