Nicaragua holidays, tailor made tour

This itinerary offers an insight into Nicaragua's fascinating and tumultuous history through exploring its capital Managua and the beautiful colonial cities of Leon and Granada. Time is also included at an organic coffee estate up in the beautiful mountains surrounding Matagalpa and a visit to magnificent Ometepe Island. What better way to end the trip than a few days by the coast at one of the best eco-lodges in Central America.

The trip starts with a night in the capital Managua, known as the invisible city because it has no obvious centre, but rather two separate and contrasting areas. One is run down and destroyed by natural disasters and civil war and the other modern and hopeful for the future with its new shopping centre taking pride of place and a good choice of restaurants in safe neighbourhoods.

Heading north you explore the beautiful colonial city of Leon and its crumbling architecture surrounded by a flat landscape framed by an impressive range of volcanoes. Get off the beaten track at Juan Venado Island, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts with knowledgeable local fisherman as your guides. Then escape the heat and enjoy time relaxing surrounded by the cool mountains in the north at an organic coffee estate before heading to Nicaragua’s other colonial delight, the city of Granada, visiting the cavernous crater of the steaming Masaya Volcano en-route.

Granada’s location on Lake Nicaragua, its colonial architecture and the towering Mombacho Volcano overshadowing it warrant a three night stay before visiting impressive Ometepe Island, exploring its sleepy towns and villages and taking in its lovely landscape dominated by the volcanoes of Concepcion and Maderas. Complete the trip with time to enjoy Morgan's Rock Eco Lodge, a stunning property located on a pristine turtle nesting beach in a private, protected 2,800 hectare sanctuary. The best time to visit Nicaragua is from November to July but December to March are beautiful months with long, warm sunny days and very little rain on the Pacific coast. April and May can get extremely hot and humid as it builds up to the wet season, especially around Leon, Managua and Granada. June, July and August have more rain, but usually only in the afternoons with bright sunny mornings. It is not as hot and humid as April and May and the landscape is lush and green as it is the beginning of the wet season. September and October should be avoided as this is the wettest time of year.