Nicaragua's Cuisine and Culture | Trip Itinerary

Note:  This tour is a suggested, customized itinerary that is very flexible. We can make changes in hotels, excursions and destinations to suit your travel dates, style and budget.

Day 1:  Arrive Managua
Meet at the Airport & Guided Transfer to your select hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2:  Managua City tour; Transfer to Granada; Las Isletas boat ride
Managua has been the capital of Nicaragua since 1852.  Managua has a very warm and sunny climate. To the north, one can find the old city center. This area was destroyed by an earthquake in 1972. The southern part of the city is now called the future downtown of Managua and is where most of the investments are being made.  We will get acquainted with both areas.

Among the places to visit are the: “National Historic Park Loma de Tiscapa”. In this location we’ll get to know an important part of the city’s history. We’ll also get to know in much detail, the story behind national hero Augusto Cesar Sandino and the Somoza dictatorship. We will see the ruins of the old presidential palace, also destroyed by the earthquake that leveled the city. Then we will drive down to the old city center to visit the “Park of Peace”, a very important symbol of the peace Nicaraguans are now enjoying. In this historic place, the guns which took so many lives are now burned and buried forever.

Your tour will visit “El Malecon”, for a closer look at Lake Managua and the surrounding areas.  We will see the monument to Simon Bolivar, in the avenue of the same name and also the National Theater Ruben Dario, New Presidential House, Palace of Culture and other buildings. You will also see the future center of the city with its modern and new metropolitan cathedral. Here you will notice the growth of the city and the new investments in hotels, bars and restaurants, modern gas stations, casinos, banks, supermarkets, shopping malls and residential areas.

Your city tour ends with a stop at Huembes Market, showcasing Nicaragua's local handicrafts and souvenirs.   After exploring the market (and a little shopping!) you will stop for lunch at Cusina Doña Haydee for your first experience with the typical Nicaraguan cuisine.  After lunch you’ll transfer approximately one hour to the lovely colonial city of Granada. Proceed to the shores of Lake Nicaragua for your afternoon excursion—a lovely boat ride through the “Isletas de Granada,” rich in bird life, local residents and offering splendid view of Mombacho Volcano.  After this scenic excursion you’ll check-in to your select hotel for a 3-night stay, with the remainder of the evening free to explore Granada’s restaurant scene on your own.  (B, L)

Day 3: Colonial Granada City Tour and Chocolate workshop.
After Breakfast you will enjoy a city tour of Granada. Founded in 1524, Granada is the oldest European settlement in the Americas. You will tour the city by horse drawn carriage.  This experience will transport you 500 years back to the past. After your carriage experience, you’ll walk around the main square and admire La Merced church, the famed convent of San Francisco where you’ll have the opportunity to see the mysterious stone idols, made by our Indian ancestors, as well as an impressive collection of genuine pre-Columbian sculptures.

Enjoy lunch at the Garden Cafe restaurant, followed by your afternoon “Chocolate Cooking Class”
Everybody knows about Belgian, Swiss or French chocolate but have you ever heard about Nicaraguan chocolate? Originally from Central America, the cacao plant has an extraordinary history; it was one of the most important products for the Mayan and Aztec cultures, as well as other Central American cultures. The discovery of America led to the introduction of chocolate in Europe, transforming it into the product we all know today. At Choco Museum we will follow all the processes to make chocolate from fermented organic cacao beans. We will learn how to roast, winnow, grind, mix, conch, refine and mold. At the end of the 2 hours’ workshop you will leave with a sample of your very own handmade Nicaraguan chocolate.

Remainder of the day free to explore Granada—perhaps take a stroll through the city plaza or along the Calle la Calzada—a pedestrian walkway lined with brightly colored buildings, shops and restaurants. (B, L)

Day 4: Cooking Workshop, Pueblos Blancos, Masaya Market & Volcano and folk show.
After a relaxing breakfast at your hotel, you’ll meet your guide for day of Masaya “experiences”.  Your first activity is a cooking class at the El Filete Restaurant near the town of Masaya. First, you’ll meet your chef and proceed to the local market to purchase the local ingredients for your lunch. Return to the restaurant to learn how to cook the Vigoron—a traditional Nicaragua’s dish, which you will enjoy for lunch. Afterwards you’ll visit the nearby Pueblos Blancos (White towns) famous for their local handicrafts—the most popular being ceramics. Visit the workshop of Valentin Lopez for a demonstration of this skill, and enjoy his many unique creations displayed in his studio/shop.
Next you will visit the Masaya Market where you will have the chance to see and buy some art craft at the local market before taking a drive up to the top of the Masaya Volcano—where just a short walk brings you to the Santiago crater--active since 1946. We will also have time to explore the surrounding area and see more volcanic formations. You then return to Masaya where you will be part of the ‘Jueves de Verbena'--a cultural event that takes place here every Thursday. You will enjoy folkloric dances, music, and traditional Nicaraguan food.

In this center professional or amateur folkloric dancing groups from throughout Nicaragua present different types of traditional Nicaraguan dances: mazurka, palo de mayo, the güegüense dance, and more. Those dances are the result of a mix between ancient dancing techniques of European and indigenous rhythms. The performers are always dressed in clothes that traditionally go with their dances.  Besides the dancing, there is also music. There are performances of Nicaraguan singers and players. This cultural show is completed by food stands and restaurants who offer typical Nicaraguan meals and snacks. (Dinner & Drinks on your own).   Evening return to your hotel. (B, L)

Day 5:  Dona Elba Cigar factory; transfer to Leon,  
This morning you are introduced to the rich history of Nicaraguan cigar-making at the Dona Elba cigar factory. This facility is family-owned and operated, passing its traditions down through generations. Tour the factory and visit the showroom, getting an up-close look at the process of Nicaraguan cigar-making as well as the history of this popular product.
After this interesting visit, you’ll depart Granada with your guide and drive north about 2.5 hours to the beautiful Colonia city of Leon. Along the you’ll make a stop at the small town of La Paz Centro—where the popular dish el “Quesillo”—was invented. It is prepared by placing a piece of cheese (which is named quesillo) inside a tortilla. This is then wrapped up in a plastic bag. Onions and vinegar are added, and the finishing touch is to put fresh cream and a bit of salt on top.

After seeing how this dish is prepared, enjoy a sample and continue to Leon and check-in to your select hotel. Free time for lunch on your own before meeting later in the afternoon for your Cocktail class at the El Conveno Hotel’s bar. Here you’ll learn (and taste!) how to make Nicaragua’s national drink—the Macua.  Free evening to enjoy Leon on your own. (B)

Day 6:  Colonial Leon & Flor de Cana Rum Factory (Currently available Saturdays and Sundays only)
The colonial city known as Santiago de los Caballeros de León is the capital of the department of León, with less population than Managua (capital city of Nicaragua). The architecture of the houses and buildings of León highlights for its neoclassical, gothic, baroque and colonial styles also captured in its 16 churches, and in the Insigne y Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, whose building began in 1747 and was prolonged for 113 years.  Under its immaculate central nave is the mausoleum, where the mortal remains of the Prince of Castilian Letters, Rubén Darío, rest. On Saturdays we can also include a stop at the local market. After your city tour, you'll enjoy lunch at the Jalisco restaurant before a short transfer of 50 minutes north to the town of Chichigalapa--home to the Flor de Caña Rum Distillery- the largest alcohol SPIRITS DISTILLERY in the Americas.

Upon arrival you’ll have a guided visit during which you can witness the fascinating process used, including the areas of distillation, quality control, and filling of oak barrels and the bottling of the products for consumption. You’ll then be transferred to the Rum Showroom where you will be invited to taste the different presentations of this magnificent rum, which has been awarded many prestigious international prizes.  Late afternoon return to Leon; evening on your own. (B, L)

Day 7:  Juan Venado Island / Las Peñitas Beach/Pacific Coast
Private guided transfer from Leon to Las Peñitas on the Pacific coast to enjoy a small boat nature tour to Juan Venado Island and some beach time.

Juan Venado Island forms part of the country's national park system and is well-known as a vital coastal wetland region. The stunning Juan Venado Island is situated 1 hour away of Leon city. Upon arrival to Las Peñitas beach, your guide will lead you to where you will board your private motor boat for an exciting 2 hours boat ride.
Juan Venado is considered a barrier island and measures 22km/13.2 miles in length and has a width of 0.5km/.3 miles, totaling 2.934 hectares. It stands out as a thin strip near the coast of Nicaragua. Separating the coast from the island is an ecologically important mangrove forest or swamp. This marvelous biological zone provides the ideal home for an abundance of animal life, particularly marine creatures. The edge of the Juan Venado Island facing the Pacific Ocean is also a vital nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles (from May to November). The estuary of Isla Juan Venado is itself home to a diversity of organisms including water birds, the caiman, crocodiles, iguanas, crustaceans and more. Isla Juan Venado Nature Reserve has no people residing in it, so you will be enveloped in solitude and the beauty of nature. 
After this nature experience, you’ll return to Las Peñitas Beach with some free time to enjoy a swim & relax. You can also enjoy lunch at a local beachfront/outdoor restaurant (your guide can make suggestions) before a late afternoon return to your hotel in Leon. Free time to enjoy dinner in one of the many local restaurants. (B, L)

Day 8:  Departure Transfer to International Airport
After breakfast and depending on the timing of your departure flight, you will have your private transfer from your Leon hotel to the International Airport (2 hour drive--works best for flights departing after 12noon).  (B)

**Note—for early morning departure flights we recommend adding a night in Managua city on Day 8, and planning your departing flight for Day 9.

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner