Day Trips & Excursions in Nicaragua

Explore the towns of Granada and Masaya on this full-day trip from Managua with a local guide. Browse Masaya's extensive crafts market for souvenirs, then visit Masaya Volcano National Park to see an active volcano crater. Spend time in Granada, a colonial city criss-crossed with cobblestone streets and home to many important architectural landmarks. Visit the Cathedral of Granada, Independence Plaza and the Convent and Museum of San Francisco. Round-trip transportation from Managua is included.

Delve into the rich history of León Viejo - the oldest Spanish colonial settlement in the Americas - on a full-day trip from Managua. Alongside your guide, you'll discover the UNESCO-listed site of Leon Viejo and learn of the abandoned settlement's history and culture. Hear of how Spanish settlers built the town and how they left it in fear of the Momotombo volcano's devastating eruptions. Then, capture the vibrant atmosphere of León during a brief tour of its vibrant architecture. Round-trip transport from your Managua hotel and beverages are included.

Explore colonial Granada and take a peaceful boat ride on Lake Granada during this full-day tour from Managua. While visiting Granada, stroll the quaint streets filled with colonial buildings while enjoying informative commentary from your guide. Stop at Central Park and the Convent and Museum of San Francisco. Visit the Tres Mundos cultural center, an organization dedicated to supporting Nicaraguan cultural pursuits and housed in a stately mansion. Board a wooden boat for a cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Nicaragua, weaving in and out of the small islands that dot the water. Learn about the native plant and animal life that inhabit the archipelago of 365 islands. Round-trip transportation from Managua hotels is included. 

By combining two top Leon activities, this Leon volcano boarding and beach tour takes you from pure adrenaline to pure bliss. Reach top speeds flying down Cerro Negro Volcano on a sandboard, and then take a short drive to the beach in time to catch a sunset surf session or chill and watch the sunset from one of the many beachside bars.

Swim, trek and experience the natural beauty of Somoto Canyon during this full-day guided excursion from Managua. Discovered in 2004 by a group of international scientists, this canyon has quickly become a popular destination for those seeking outdoor adventure close to Managua. Enjoy informative commentary about the history of the area from your guide, as well as an authentic Nicaraguan lunch including the legendary local donuts, or rosquillas. Round-trip transportation from Managua hotels is included.

Hit all the major sites on Ometepe in just one day with this guided tour from San Juan del Sur, Granada, or Managua. All-inclusive private transportation takes you the Ojo de Agua springs, Charco Verde reserve, Punta Jesus Maria beach, and more, and a guide is there to answer any of your questions about the volcanic island as you go.

This Mombacho Volcano tour lets you explore the the popular wildlife area in three different ways under one easy booking. Ride an ATV up steep slopes, hike with a guide on the ground, and fly across the canopy on a zipline tour. This tour even includes hotel pickup and drop-off for hassle-free transportation to and from the park.

This tour to Apoyo Lagoon and Masaya Volcano from Managua offers great value by combining two of Granada's most popular activities into a single day trip. Not only does this tour provide seamless transportation between two tricky-to-reach destinations, but it also includes entrance fees - all while keeping costs low for budget-minded travelers.

Explore León, a Nicaraguan colonial city, on this full-day sightseeing trip from Managua. With a knowledgeable local guide, visit the Ruben Darío Museum to learn about Nicaragua's most famous writer and tour the Ortiz Guardian Foundation's art center to further understand Nicaraguan culture and artistry. Stroll through two separate UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Baroque Cathedral of León and León Viejo (León's Old Town). Round-trip transportation from Managua hotels is included. 

Learn how coffee gets to your cup during this 2-hour guided tour of Hacienda El Progreso. The farm is located at the base of the looming Mombacho Volcano amid lush vegetation and produces Caf e Las Flores, one of Nicaragua's finest coffees. Learn about about the growing, harvesting and roasting processes of this Rainforest Alliance coffee farm. Round-trip transportation from Managua is included. 

Grab your passport and head over the border for a whistle-stop tour of Nicaragua's best bits, from Liberia in Costa Rica. Take in the views from Catarina Volcano, haggle over handicrafts at the Masaya Artisan Market and visit the active Masaya Volcano. After a delicious lunch of typical Nicaraguan cuisine, explore the colonial town of Granada, where you can marvel over the historic architecture and admire views of Mombacho Volcano. Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a 1-hour sunset cruise, stopping to meet the friendly monkeys of Monkey Island along the way.

Visit Mayasa Volcano, peruse a handicraft market and learn about Nicaraguan folklore on this 5-hour guided tour from Managua. Travel to Mayasa Volcano National Park, where you'll stand right on the edge of the active volcanic crater. Listen to your guide's informative commentary regarding the history of the volcano and the folklore surrounding its activity. Visit the city of Mayasa to peruse the local marketplace for handicrafts and souvenirs from local craftspeople and artists. Round-trip transportation from Managua hotels is included.

Go sandboarding down Cerro Negro Volcano during this full-day adventure from Managua. Trek to the top of the volcano to admire its views out over San Cristobal and Telica volcanos, then hop on your custom sandboard (opt to sit or stand) and surf down. As you fly over the gravelly volcanic debris that makes up the sides of Central America's youngest volcano, watch the scenery rush by. Opt to stop for lunch (own expense) in nearby León. Round-trip transportation from Managua is included.