Hi everyone!
It’s great to be back on the forum and reconnecting with fellow travelers... even though it’s true there’s a big gap in recent trip reports, making it tough to find up-to-date info, POST-COVID....
So, I’m jumping in...
We (a couple in our forties—yikes, when did that happen?!) are heading there for 21 days in March.
I’ve put together a rough itinerary based on what I’ve found here and elsewhere, and most importantly, our shared interests. We travel pretty low-key with backpacks, aren’t big on beaches or surfing, and prefer hiking, nature, and meaningful human connections (which means we don’t like to rush too much).
We love snorkeling/diving, but we’ve already seen some incredible spots around the world, and Corn Islands seem beautiful... but not necessarily *more* beautiful than what we’ve already experienced. Plus, the round-trip flight + boat was pretty far and expensive, so we’re probably skipping it for now.
Here’s where I’m at:
Day 0: Arrive in Managua late at night → stay near the airport
Day 1: Private taxi from the hotel to León. Explore León
Day 2: Hike and surf Cerro Negro + El Hoyo, camp overnight
Day 3: Return to León and explore more
Day 4-5: Telica (probably stay near Managua on Day 5?)
Day 6: Travel to San Carlos + El Castillo
Day 7-10: El Castillo + Indio Maiz
Day 11: Travel to Ometepe (this day looks like a real challenge... going around the north side of the lake is super long, and via the south and Costa Rica seems much easier, but I can’t figure out how to do it... any tips or ideas are welcome!!!)
Day 12-17: Ometepe: volcano hikes, Charco Verde Reserve, waterfalls, scooter tour, and *pura vida* relaxation (this is the main reason we’re coming to Nicaragua, after all...)
Day 18: Travel to Granada
Day 19-21: Granada (stay near Managua airport on the 21st)
Day 22: Return flight at 11:30 AM
What do you think?
Thanks for your help!!
Original post
