Overview
Nicaragua is a magical destination that will quickly steal your heart if you allow it to. The local people are truly what make it a special experience. Since 1980's Nicaragua has gained a bad reputation, but happens to be one of the safest destinations to visit in Central America right now. Upon arrival in Managua, we recommend that the journey begins at Jicaro Island Lodge, a Cayuga Collection hotel. It is located on Lake Nicaragua in the isletas of Granada, so in order to get there it is a 30 to 45-minute drive from Managua Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport to Marino Cocibolca in Granada. From there, it is a 15-minute boat ride to the island. Enjoy tranquility from one of eight casitas on the island combined with activities such as visiting Volcan Mombacho or Volcan Masaya. Don't miss out on exploring the town of Granada at some point!
After two or three nights, we recommend continuing to Rancho Santana on the Pacific Emerald Coast of Nicaragua. From Managua Airport to Rancho Santana, it is a bout a 2-hour drive to Jicaro instead of 3-hours directly to RS. That is why visiting Jicaro prior to RS is a strategic move.
Upon arrival at the 2,700 acre Rancho Santana, quickly find paradise from one of many villas, a hotel room, or beachside condo to choose from. Take advantage of the many different activities to choose from. One thing that makes Rancho Santana so special is the wonderful staff members. They employee over 450 local Nicaraguans who love to share a smile and make sure the guest experience is on point at all times. At Jicaro Island Lodge, you'll find the same service. Now is the time to visit Nicaragua!
Quick Summary
Day 1
Arrival in Nicaragua / Explore Granada
Arrival in Managua, copy and paste the link below to see the best options of current flights to Nicaragua:
From the airport in Managua, it is about a 45-minute drive to Marino Cocibolca. From there, it's a 15-minute boat ride to Jicaro Island Lodge. If guests are arriving early and are feeling up to it, we recommend doing a tour of Granada before heading to Jicaro by boat, since the route from the airport to Marino Cocibolca goes through Granada. The marina is only a short 5-10 minute drive from downtown Granada.
Granada City Tour
Discover the famous city of Granada - the oldest on mainland America -, established in 1524 by the Spaniard Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba. Granada is considered one of the prettiest cities in Latin America and there’s plenty to explore. Visit sites and colonial buildings as well as the San Francisco Museum, which preserves some of the most interesting indigenous ceramic and statue collections. Step back to pre-Columbian times to learn about Granada’s development; hear stories of real pirates and tales of civil wars that led to the city being burned to ashes, sacked and destroyed several times. Just like its streets and buildings, Granada’s history is colorful and impressive.
Duration:
Approx. 2 ½ hours
Daily Summary
Day 2
Full Day Volcano Excursions
Full Day Mombacho Volcano and Canopy Zip Line
If you’re feeling adventurous and up for a challenge, this is the tour for you. You’ll spend the day at the Mombacho Natural Reserve hiking for some 2.5 hours before climbing to “La Roca” lookout to appreciate one of the most beautiful views of Granada’s Islands, Zapatera, and the volcanoes of Lake Nicaragua. Take a quick breather and enjoy nature while you refuel with a tasty picnic lunch before your next adventure. The following zip line tour will see you flying high at 30m above the canopy trees!
Duration:
Approx. 6 hours, full day
Masaya Volcano National Park by Night
Visit the most popular active volcano in Nicaragua... by night! Located in Masaya, this Volcano National Park is home to the majestic Santiago crater, one of the few places in the world where such an active volcano can be observed up close. During the tour your guide will also teach you all about geology, history, volcanology and ecology. Scientists are unsure how long this rare natural phenomenon will continue, so hurry and come see it! There is no hiking involved in this tour.
Only open from 5:30-7:30pm with 15 minutes viewing at the active volcano.
Duration:
Approx. 3 hours
Daily Summary
Day 3
Jicaro Island Lodge to Rancho Santana
Transfer to Rancho Santana
After breakfast and time for yoga, a massage, lake swimming, dock chilling, kayaking, or SUP boarding, return to Marino Cocibolca from Jicaro by boat. A driver from Rancho Santana will be waiting. From there it is a 2-hour drive to Rancho Santana. After arriving at Rancho Santana, take some time to relax by the pool for an amazing sunset.
With accommodations that range from a 17-room boutique hotel, two-bedroom garden casitas, three-bedroom beachfront condos, and over 28 private homes and villas of varying sizes - there is something for everyone and every budget. We will all have our own rooms at the Inn. Here are some notes for future clients:
*If renting a villa, we recommend the private chef option and a four-wheel vehicle rental (available once you arrive on the property).
**If staying in the hotel or residences, you have immediate access to 2 different restaurants and are within walking distance to the Tienda (small grocery store). The staff can drive you to other beaches on property if you ask the concierge. However, it is convenient to have a vehicle if you prefer to rent one.
Daily Summary
Day 4
Full Day at Rancho Santana
Full Day at Rancho Santana
Full day to explore Rancho Santana as you please!
Enjoy the following amenities:
Surf Shop, Spa, Yoga Deck overlooking Playa Santana, Equestrian Center, Kids Club, Hiking Trails, Mt. Bike Circuits, Multiple Pools, Pickleball Courts, Basketball Courts, Offsite Gym, Three Restaurants, and a Breakfast Cafe.
Included Tours:
SUP Boarding, Sand boarding, Turtle Sanctuary, Hiking, Las Cinco Playas Tour, Monkey Scouting, Birdwatching, Garden & Farm Tour, Sustainability Tour of Rancho Santana
Additional Cultural & Nature Activities to choose from:
Boat Trips, Fishing, 9 hole or 18 hole golf course, Ometepe Island Tour, San Juan del Sur Nature Tour, Mt. Mohosa Summit & Picnic, Yoga, and Spa
Daily Summary
Day 5
Full Day at Rancho Santana
Full Day at Rancho Santana
Full day to explore Rancho Santana as you please!
Enjoy the following amenities:
Surf Shop, Spa, Yoga Deck overlooking Playa Santana, Equestrian Center, Kids Club, Hiking Trails, Mt. Bike Circuits, Multiple Pools, Pickleball Courts, Basketball Courts, Offsite Gym, Three Restaurants, and a Breakfast Cafe.
Included Tours:
SUP Boarding, Sand boarding, Turtle Sanctuary, Hiking, Las Cinco Playas Tour, Monkey Scouting, Birdwatching, Garden & Farm Tour, Sustainability Tour of Rancho Santana
Additional Cultural & Nature Activities to choose from:
Boat Trips, Fishing, 9 hole or 18 hole golf course, Ometepe Island Tour, San Juan del Sur Nature Tour, Mt. Mohosa Summit & Picnic, Yoga, and Spa
Daily Summary
Day 6
Full Day at Rancho Santana
Full Day at Rancho Santana
Full day to explore Rancho Santana as you please!
Enjoy the following amenities:
Surf Shop, Spa, Yoga Deck overlooking Playa Santana, Equestrian Center, Kids Club, Hiking Trails, Mt. Bike Circuits, Multiple Pools, Pickleball Courts, Basketball Courts, Offsite Gym, Three Restaurants, and a Breakfast Cafe.
Included Tours:
SUP Boarding, Sand boarding, Turtle Sanctuary, Hiking, Las Cinco Playas Tour, Monkey Scouting, Birdwatching, Garden & Farm Tour, Sustainability Tour of Rancho Santana
Additional Cultural & Nature Activities to choose from:
Boat Trips, Fishing, 9 hole or 18 hole golf course, Ometepe Island Tour, San Juan del Sur Nature Tour, Mt. Mohosa Summit & Picnic, Yoga, and Spa
Daily Summary
Day 7
Return to Managua / End of Tour
Depending on when the departing international flight is, depart Ranch Santana for a 3-hour drive to Managua Airport.
Daily Summary
Accommodation
| Accommodation | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jicaro Island Lodge | Granada, Nicaragua | |
| Rancho Santana | Tola, Nicaragua |
Granada, Nicaragua
Jicaro Island Lodge
Beneath the shadow of the Mombacho Volcano, on a secluded island within Lake Nicaragua's Las Isletas de Granada lies Jicaro Island Lodge, Nicaragua's most exclusive & authentic nature resort. Though only 20 minutes from the colorful colonial city of Granada by boat and car, Jicaro Island feels a world away, an oasis of peace and tranquility where one is serenaded by birdsong and the gentle lapping waters of the lake.
Nine private 'treehouse' casitas overlook the water and feature a two-story, open air plan with king canopy beds and private decks with oversized hand crafted hammocks. The entire property was built from reclaimed hardwood and blends seamlessly with the natural vegetation, offering guests a hospitality experience that is simultaneously indulgent and completely sustainable.
Whether visiting for a few days before heading to Rancho Santana on the Emerald coast, or staying for a week on the island, there are no shortage of activities to do here. We recommend visiting Mombacho Volcano in the day time for a nature hike and amazing views of the isletas (if you bring your binoculars, you might be able to find Jicaro)! Also, don't miss out on visiting Masaya Volcano at sunset where you will see lava in the crater and endless colors in the sky. Last but not least, enjoy a tour of downtown Granada to see the historic Spanish buildings, purchase goods from locals, and even partake in a gastronomic experience.
While at the lodge, take advantage of our yoga matts, scenic views, kayaks and paddleboards, or simply have a mojito by the pool. Relax or adventure as much as you prefer at Jicaro, the staff awaits your visit with open arms!
Tola, Nicaragua
Rancho Santana
Rancho Santana is a 2,700-acre private ranch and coastal community along Nicaragua’s “Emerald” Coast, only a short two-hour drive from the International airport in Managua. The extensive property offers private access to five different beaches, which include some of Nicaragua’s best surf breaks and endless other wellness and outdoor adventures for non-surfers. With accommodations that range from a 17-room boutique hotel, two-bedroom garden casitas, three-bedroom beachfront condos, and over 28 private homes and villas of varying sizes - there is something for everyone and every budget.
It all started with six friends from Baltimore who visited the country in 1997 and happened to meet a local man named Sr. Granados. He personally invited them to explore the 2,700 acres his family was selling, and the rest is history. The original six owners built their homes here and invited their friends to do so as well - homes that would fit nicely in places like Santa Barbara, Cote d’Azur or the Amalfi Coast. As the community grew, the owners took note of their residents’ interest in a certain lifestyle. They built out amenities that suited their tastes: a beachfront surf shop and taqueria, an equestrian center, a gorgeous spa, a yoga and wellness center, a mountain bike circuit, a hilltop chapel, pickleball courts, organic farms, and multiple restaurants and beach clubs. Finally, the Inn & Residences were built so that their vision and coastal community could be shared with visitors worldwide. During this process, Rancho Santana has become the largest local employer, providing year-round work and professional advancement for over 450 individuals and their families.
Rancho Santana can be a stand-alone vacation destination or combined with other lodges and destinations to make a varied one-week trip around Nicaragua that blends relaxation with adventure and cultural immersion. Rancho Santana is equally ideal for romantic couples, young families, girls/boys trips, or multi-generational gatherings.
