zAAA Vacations® - Wonders of Nicaragua

AAA Complimentary Inclusion: Enjoy a free extra night in Lima before your tour at the upscale InterContinental Hotel in the heart of the city.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Managua. Meals B

The capital’s thriving modern districts and the Old City, though heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1972, offer a fascinating look into Managua’s history and future. Your morning sightseeing also includes the National Historic Park of Loma de Tiscapa, home to one of Managua’s most iconic landmarks, the towering silhouette statue of Augusto Nicolas Calderon Sandino. After your city tour, enjoy a scenic drive to the port of San Jorge and then travel across the tranquil lake waters to Ometepe Island. Accessible only by ferry, this remote and unique UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was formed by two volcanoes in the middle of Lake Nicaragua’s vast expanse. Upon arrival, check in to the charming Villa Paraiso Hotel.  Meals B,L

A full and enriching day begins on the slopes of the Maderas Volcano, once the site of an ancient civilization and now home to diverse tropical wildlife including monkeys, anteaters and deer. Enjoy a guided nature walk, examine petroglyphs that bear witness to the island’s ancient civilization and visit the Ometepe Museum to learn more about the region. Your island exploration continues with the forests and lagoons of the Charco Verde Nature Reserve, nestled at the base of the two towering volcanoes and home to a variety of the island’s wildlife including monkeys, armadillos and anteaters. There’ll be time for a relaxing swim before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon.  Meals B,L

A pleasant ferry ride and scenic overland journey bring you to historic Granada, the oldest Colonial city in the Americas. After lunch, your sightseeing features the city’s most significant architectural landmarks including La Merced Church and San Francisco Convent, home to an impressive collection of pre-Columbian sculpture. Enjoy two nights at the charming Plaza Colon Hotel and free time to take in more of Granada’s Colonial charm and friendly ambience.  Meals B,L

This morning’s excursion takes you up the slopes of the nearby Mombacho Volcano in comfortable 4x4 vehicles. Enjoy a guided nature walk around the crater and learn about this unique eco-system, where several micro-climates provide the ideal conditions for more than 90 species of orchids and fumaroles to thrive. Your afternoon is free to explore more of Granada’s at your own pace.   Meals B

Set out this morning for Masaya National Park, home to the Masaya Lagoon – an unusual volcanic lake. Learn about the region’s natural and cultural history at the Museum before exploring Santiago Crater, which has been active for more than half a century. Then experience the rhythms of daily life at the popular Masaya Market, also a great place to browse for artisan handicrafts. In historic Leon, founded in 1524, your tour includes the Colonial-era monuments of the town’s main square and the Cathedral, the largest in Central America.  Overnight at the inviting El Convento Hotel in the heart of Leon.  Meals B,L

Drive to Las Peñitas Beach, just an hour from the city, and board our chartered motorboat to  explore this pristine coastal reserve. The mangrove forests of this Pacific barrier island are an important habitat for abundant animal life including iguanas, crocodiles, numerous marine birds and sea turtles. Return to Leon in the mid-afternoon and enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.  Meals B,L

Our tour program finishes this morning after breakfast.  Meals B

AAA Complimentary Inclusion: Enjoy a free extra night in Lima before your tour at the upscale InterContinental Hotel in the heart of the city.

Check in to the deluxe InterContinental Hotel.

Discover Managua’s Old Town and modern districts and visit the National Historic Park of Loma de Tiscapa. Learn more about the city’s dramatic past and see the ruins of the once grand Presidential Palace. AAA Engaging Experience: Travel across the calm lake waters to Ometepe Island. Accessible only by ferry, this remote and unique UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was formed by two volcanoes in the middle of Lake Nicaragua’s vast expanse. Check in to the Villa Paraiso Hotel. Meals B,L

AAA Engaging Experience: Your day begins on the forested slopes of the Maderas Volcano, once the site of an ancient civilization whose legacy you will encounter in the form of ancient petroglyphs. Then visit the Ometepe Museum and continue into Charco Verde Nature Reserve, nestled at the base of two volcano and home to a variety of the island’s wildlife including monkeys, armadillos and anteaters. Meals B,L

Travel by ferry and over land to Granada, the oldest Colonial city in the Americas. Enjoy a guided tour featuring the town’s most celebrated architectural landmarks including La Merced Church and San Francisco Convent, now home to a fine collection of pre-Columbian sculpture. AAA Engaging Experience: Then set out by boat to explore among the islets that dot the shores of Lake Nicaragua. As the afternoon is winding down, you’ll join rural residents as they go about their daily life, returning from school and running errands by boat. Many of these folks are artisans who have spent their entire lives on these waters. Enjoy two nights at the Plaza Colon Hotel. Meals B,L

AAA Engaging Experience: Enjoy a guided nature walk around the crater of Mombacho Volcano and learn about this unique eco-system, home to more than 90 species of orchids. Then learn about the cultivation and roasting techniques that have been refined at Café Las Flores, a picturesque coffee plantation surrounded by rainforest. Enjoy a sampling of their fine blends before returning to your hotel. The balance of your afternoon is free to explore more of Granada’s Colonial-era ambience at your own pace. Meals B

Explore Santiago Crater, active since 1946, and experience another colorful slice of daily life at the bustling Masaya Market, also a great place to find artisan handicrafts. Continue to the shores of Lake Managua to visit the ruins of Old Leon c, established by the Spanish in the 16th century and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Continue on to the modern-day city of Leon to visit the home of Nicaragua’s beloved poet, Ruben Dario, and tour the Colonial-era Cathedral c, the largest in Central America. Overnight at El Convento Hotel.  Meals B,L

Explore by motorboat in this pristine reserve, where mangrove forests and a barrier island are home to abundant animal life. Return to Leon in the mid-afternoon where the rest of the day is free to explore more of this handsome and captivating town at your own pace. Meals B,L

Our program finishes this morning. Meals B