granada isletas tour

Las Isletas Boat Tour: Best Thing To Do in Granada Nicaragua

Nicaragua is filled with stunning natural beauty . Take a boat ride from the colonial city of Granada Nicaragua and get transported to a series of magical islands filled with historic forts, curious wildlife as well as the homes of some of Nicaragua’s elite. Read on to find out why the Las Isletas Boat Tour is one of the best things to do in Granada Nicaragua !

About Las Isletas

Las Isletas , or The Islets in English, are a unique feature of Nicaragua ’s largest lake, Lake Nicaragua. These are a series of 365 small islands which formed 20 thousand years ago due to a volcanic eruption from nearby Mombacho Volcano .

About Lake Nicaragua

Lake Nicaragua is known by many names, including Lago Cocibolca , Lake Granada, Mar Dulce, Gran Lago and Gran Lago Dulce. This freshwater lake is the largest lake in Central America and the 19 th largest lake in the world . Granada sits on the shore of Lake Nicaragua and it is only a 15 minute walk to the edge of the lake from the city centre.

The Las Isletas boat tours

Private boat tours of Las Isletas take you around the many small islands which have formed in Lake Nicaragua. Tours generally include:

• The old fort – where you can disembark to explore the fort and enjoy the views
• Passing by the many islands, where you can see mansions owned by billionaires and past presidents
• Monkey Island – if you’re lucky a monkey may hop on the boat. For a more interactive experience, consider bringing some fruit to feed the monkeys
• Restaurant – there are some nice restaurants on the lake that sell food and drinks. We visited Restaurante Correviento, which also has a pool you can swim in. This is a nice place to relax for a couple of hours and enjoy the view

Getting to Las Isletas

Las Isletas boat tours leave from the Central Park of Granada , and some tours will also include transport down to the lake. Otherwise a taxi ride to the lake should be around 20 cordobas. Be sure to ask up front whether they also bring you back to the Central Park at the end of the tour, so you know up front whether you might need to walk back. The walk back is a pleasant half hour walk along the water and then up the road via Calle La Calzada . When walking around the lake area, take particular care with not having your valuables visible. We mention this because we’ve heard of robberies occurring in this area .

The boat ride leaves from the Turistico Centro area at the edge of the lake. There is a boat dock at the far edge of the lake.

How long to spend at Las Isletas

Las Isletas boat tours generally go from between 1-4 hours, depending on how much of the islands you want to see. We did a 3 hour tour, which included a stop at the restaurant. We thought this was a good amount of time to enjoy the lake and relax in this beautiful area.

How to book the Las Isletas boat tour

There are plenty of touts around the Central Park (Parque Central de Granada) area as well as near the lake that sell tours of Las Isletas. When we were there we were able to book and go on the boat tour straight away.

How much does the Las Isletas boat tour cost?

The Las Isletas boat tours are private boat tours and when we did it the price was quoted for the group not per person. The price of the Las Isletas boat tour varies depending on the length of your tour, with tours between 1-4 hours. Prices are generally quoted in US dollars, although you can also pay in cordobas. Prices are negotiable and may fluctuate with demand. We were in Nicaragua during the Covid pandemic and there were no tourists around, so prices were lower than normal. You should expect to pay around $40 US Dollars to hire a boat with a driver and guide for one hour. That price should include transport to the boat as well as back to your hotel after the tour.

You pay the guide at the end of the boat tour in cash.

What to bring on the Las Isletas boat tour

We recommend bringing the following things to make the most of your tour:

• Cash – in US dollars and cordobas. The restaurant prices are in cordobas and the tours are generally quoted in US dollars
• Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and other sun protection
• Insect repellent
• Fruit to feed the monkeys

Our experience of the Las Isletas boat tour

The Las Isletas boat tour is the best thing to do in Granada Nicaragua . After living in Nicaragua for close to a year we wanted to find a special experience to celebrate Jay’s birthday and this boat tour certainly delivered!

Horse and carriage ride through Granada Nicaragua

Our tour started with a unique way to travel through the colonial town of Granada – a horse and carriage ride! The ride from the Central Park of Granada to our boat at the Turistico Centro (the Tourist Centre of Granada) was a great feature of the tour and something we loved. Note though that dropping you back to town may not be part of the tour, so you may have to find your own way back afterwards.

Fort of San Pablo: Las Isletas Nicaragua

The first stop on the tour is the Fort of San Pablo . The fort was built in the late 1700s as a defence against pirates, who would travel up Lake Nicaragua from the Carribean to plunder the riches of Granada. This fort has beautiful views over to Mombacho Volcano as well as views of the city of Granada. For the best views be sure to climb to the roof of the fort.

While we were there we had an unexpected treat of meeting the guy who is on the picture of the 100 cordoba bank note ! He was a super friendly guy and took the time to pose with his likeness for us! He still works as a tour guide in Granada, so if you’re lucky enough you might be able to meet him too.

Who lives on Las Isletas Nicaragua?

Our tour guide told us that 80% of the islands are inhabited. We got to have a peek at islands owned by past presidents, Nicaraguan business moguls and ex pats. This island mansion is owned by Carlos Pellas Chamorro , Nicaragua’s first billionaire and richest man!

There are also fishing families who live amongst the islands and catch the fish to be served up back in the restaurants of Granada

One of the buildings that you will pass by used to be a hotel and it had three underground rooms and also a helipad.

A former president of Costa Rica also lives on one of these islands.

Monkey Island: Las Isletas Nicaragua

Our favourite island was Monkey Island. There are 3 monkeys that live here, Lucy, George and Pancho. They are used to humans visiting and peered out from their tree to see us as we arrived. Lucy even hopped onto our boat to say hello!

Restaurante Correviento: Las Isletas Nicaragua

After about an hour and a half of touring around the islands we came to an island that had a restaurant called Restaurante Correviento and a pool overlooking the water. The restaurant has a good range of options and their prices are similar to what you’d pay for tourist restaurants in Granada. They only accept cash and their prices are in cordobas . We shared a whole fish with sides, which was 700 cordobas for the both of us. The fish was absolutely delicious! We loved the layout of the restaurant with plenty of tables under the shade of straw roofed cabanas.

It was lovely cooling off in the water while gazing at the view of the nearby islands. Fortunately for us there were only a couple of other groups at the restaurant while we were there, so it wasn’t too crowded. We found a nice spot by the water and had a relaxing couple of hours enjoying the peacefulness of the area.

We saw some people swimming in the lake, but we later found out that there are sawfish, tarpon and even bull sharks in the lake, so we’re glad we didn’t go for a swim!

Flowers on the Las Isletas Boat Tour

Before we finished our tour, our guide had a birthday surprise for Jay! The boat pulled up alongside an island with a tree full of flowers and our guide picked a flower for Jay.

End of the Las Isletas Boat Tour

Our tour ended lakeside at the Turistico Centro area of Granada. It was a very pleasant walk back along the water and up Calle La Calzada to the town centre of Granada. If you are in Granada make sure you walk down to the lakeside, its just a really pretty area. Just take care not to have your valuables out in plain sight as there have been a few robberies in that area and we’d suggest avoiding that area at night when it does become a bit more dangerous. However during the day it’s lovely, lots of people here having picnics and just relaxing.

Where to stay when visiting Las Isletas

We recommend staying at least a few nights in the city of Granada while in Nicaragua . Granada is a beautiful city, and we called it home for a year. We recommend the following places to stay while in Granada:

• For longer term rentals, we recommend Granada Property Services (GPS Nicaragu a ) . They have a good selection of colonial style home rentals as well as apartments and some of their staff speak English.
• For mid-budget hotel accommodation we recommend Hotel La Gran Sultana. We stayed here for a couple of weeks and enjoyed their central location, beautiful rooftop balcony, comfortable rooms and delicious breakfasts.

Is Las Isletas safe?

General safety considerations for travel in Las Isletas:

• Drinking water – Bring your own water with you for the Las Isletas Tour. Depending on the length of your tour, you may stop at a restaurant where you can buy drinks
• Mosquitoes – We didn’t have any issues with mosquitoes on the Las Isletas Tour, but it’s a good idea to bring insect repellent with you
• Water safety – You will be provided with life vests to wear on board the boat. There is a pool to swim in at the restaurant. Some people also swam in the lake. If you decide to swim in the lake, keep in mind that there are some levels of pollution in the water and the lake also contains sawfish, tarpon and sharks
• Sun safety – The UV Index is very high in Central America , so sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt
• Crime – we’ve heard reports of robberies around the lake area, particularly at night but also during the day. We haven’t had any bad experiences there personally, but we’d recommend not flashing around your valuables, particularly if you’re there without a tour guide
• Dogs – in many countries in Central America, stray dogs are common, however we didn’t come across any stray dogs during our boat tour. For more on dog safety while travelling, check out this video

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

Final thoughts on Las Isletas Nicaragua

If you want to learn more about visiting Las Isletas, check out our Las Isletas video .

Nicaragua Blogs

You can find our Nicaragua blogs below.

Esteli Nicaragua Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Ometepe Island Nicaragua Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Masaya Nicaragua Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

San Juan del Sur Nicaragua Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Managua Nicaragua Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

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Kayaking The Isletas of Granada, Nicaragua: Everything You Need to Know

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With no shortage of activities to fill your time in Granada, visiting the Isletas in Lake Nicaragua is one thing that you simply CANNOT MISS! Truly, this was one of the absolute best things that we did during our stay to Granada, and all of us would happily go again and again.

What Are The Isletas in Granada?

The Isletas are a series of small islands that are located just off the shore of Granada in Lake Nicaragua. These stunning little islands are formed from the ancient volcanic eruption of Mombacho, and there are now over 365 of them scattered across the lake.

Many of these Isletas are inhabited and the people living there often make their living as fisherman and travel to and from the city by boat. Some of them are tiny, while others are large enough to fits sprawling vacation estates.

Ways to Visit the Granada Isletas

One of the best things to go in Granada is to tour the Isletas. Most people choose to do that by motorboat. Having been passed by many motor boats on our trip, I’m telling you that a motor boat trip of the Granada Isletas is NOT the way to go. The motors are incredibly loud and smell terrible, both of which are quick ways to scare off any and all wildlife that you could possibly see. Not to mention that they’re not very relaxing!

The best way to experience these amazing islets is to rent a kayak or canoe! You can find rental spots along the shore in Granada where you can rent a boat or go on a guided tour. Neither of which is very expensive, though I do recommend going with a tour guide, since we learned SO MUCH about the area. Our tour guide grew up on one of the Isletas and knew TONS about the area, wildlife, and culture so it was great to learn from him. He was a native Spanish speaker, but also spoke excellent English.

What To Expect on A Kayak Tour of The Isletas

One of our main objectives of our kayaking tour was to see nature and wildlife, so our guides recommended that we start as early as possible. They picked us up at our hotel (round trip transportation was included in the price of our tour) right at sunrise so that we could be on the water early.

After a quick safety chat and getting equipped with paddles and life jackets, we were ready to go.

While the motor boats in the the Granada Isletas were speeding along in the wider channels, we were able to meander through the smaller waterways to see a quieter view of life in the Isletas. The views were absolutely STUNNING!

Being able to kayak through the trees and right up next to the wildlife was stunning.

The kids especially loved when we found a few islands full of monkeys. One had howler monkeys there and several others had white faced capuchin monkeys. The capuchins all were very defensive at first and were hissing at us with barred teeth, but once our guide got out a banana to give them, a peace offering as he said, they relaxed and went back to having fun swinging in the trees.

After about an hour and a half, we stopped at an old fort. This was a great spot to get out and stretch our cramped legs and to stretch for a bit. Our guide explained the history of the fort to us, and we loved seeing some of the historic remnants like the cannons there.

There was a family selling snacks at the fort, but our guide had fresh coconuts for us as well as watermelon and bananas so we were perfectly happy with what we had.

After stopping at the fort, we had the option to continue along the smaller waterways, or take the more direct route back to shore where we started. Wanting a change of pace, we opted to take the direct route, which was fun since we got to experience some of the waves of the lake and got a great view of the city of Granada as we paddles back to town.

Cost To Kayak The Isletas in Granada

Kayaking the Isletas is a very affordable thing to do in Granada. We went with Vladimir Kayaks and they charged $20 for adults and only $15 for kids, with kids 6 and under free. This was a total of $100 for our large family. To rent a kayak would be $10 per person, which would have cost $60 for our family. For a bit extra money, it was worth having a guide to explain the areas to us, and an English guide was a great bonus as well. I would highly recommend Vladimir Kayaks! You can find out more information about Vladimir Kayaks here.

What To Take Kayaking

When it comes to packing for your kayak excursion, there are a few items that are essential. A waterproof camera is perfect if you have one (we used our Go Pro since the new version has excellt video stabilization), but if you don’t have one, a waterproof phone case with a lanyard you can wear around your neck would be perfect. You don’t want to miss capturing those precious moments and stunning scenery!

Bug spray is a must especially in the morning and early evening- no one wants to end the trip covered in itchy bug bites, and the bugs can get thick out there! Sunscreen will help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, and having a hat on hand can help keep you feeling cool during when the sun starts to beat down on you. You’ll also want to bring a bottle of water with you as you’ll likely get thirsty along the way.

Where To Stay While Kayaking The Isletas?

There are so many great places to stay for a kayak trip to the Isletas. Check out our other articles for the top recommendations for family friendly stays in Granada , luxury stays in Granada , and where to stay in Granada on a budget .

Our biggest advice it so not be too far from Parque Central since that’s where most of the activity in Granada takes place. You don’t need to stay right on the water for your kayak trip since taxis are abundant and cheap to find.

Best Time Of Year To Kayak The Isletas

While Granada has good weather year round, our guide recommended that the best time to go is from December until June. This is when the weather is drier and you’ll be less likely to encounter big rainstorms. In the rainy season, you’ll be more likely to see caiman as well, which I’d prefer to avoid completely! I would also suggest going early in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat and to see nature at its most active.

How to Get To The Isletas

Most of the boat tours and kayak rentals are located just south of Granada on the waterfront. It’s only a couple of kilometers south of town and is an easy walk, or a short taxi ride to get there.

All in all, kayaking The Isletas is an amazing experience and one that I highly recommend! Whether you’re looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure full of wildlife, The Isletas has something for everyone. So grab your gear and get ready to explore! You won’t regret it!

Hi, I’m Jessica, a mom of 5 kids and married to my favorite adventure partner. I love to bike, ski, camp and hike. We've visited over 40 countries with our kids, but are equally happy on the road as we are exploring our home state of Utah.

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13 incredible things to do in granada nicaragua with kids, 1 thought on “kayaking the isletas of granada, nicaragua: everything you need to know”.

BRAVO! Excellent reportage and tips, which I will put to good use. I can’t thank you enough.

All the best to you and to your family.

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Nicaragua » Traveling » Tour Operators » Vapues Tours » Granada - Las Isletas Boat Tour

Granada - Las Isletas Boat Tour

Description.

Situated at the foot of Mombacho volcano, Las Isletas consist of around 360 small forest-covered islands, formed by a volcanic eruption 20,000 years ago. You will be transferred to the harbor where you'll meet the captain and board a motor boat. During the tour, your guide will point out the exotic flora and fauna. You`ll make a stop at one of the islands where you'll enjoy a complimentary drink before heading back.

Transportation (overland and aquatic)

Entrance fees

Bilingual guide

Complimentary drink

Tips and Practical Information

Bottled water

Insect repellent

Swimming gear

Departure place(s)

Vapues Tours office in Granada

Departure time(s)

Terms and conditions.

General Conditions Vapues Tours

Payment Conditions Vapues Tours

All online booked tours will be scheduled and organized after our confirmation. However, to guarantee the services you will be ask to pay online a first 10%, then a full payment of the remaining amount is required at least 48 hours before the tour day in any of our offices in Nicaragua.

If you are not able to proceed with the remaining payment or you would like to pay through bank transfer or deposit please contact us at [email protected], you can also call us to our emergency phone: (505) 8539 7430.

Vapues Tours Head Office: Restaurante La Marsellaise 1 c. Sur, ½ c. al Este, casa número 6, Los Robles. Vapues Tour Service Point Granada: Costado Sur Catedral, edificio color azul frente al Parque Central, Granada. Vapues Tours Service Point León: Costado Norte Casa cural Iglesia El Laborío, León.

Cancellation Policies

Cancellation without Penalty: Cancellations made at with more than 1 month before the day of arrival will not incur any penalties.

Cancellation Penalties: Cancellations made with less than 1 month before arrival day, the following percentages will be charged, besides the initial payment if the reservation is cancelled: 30 days - 8 days: 25 % 7 days - 48 hours: 50 % Less than 48 hours or in case of no-use of the reserved service: 100%

• Online Reservations:
• Your Cart: $0.00

Granada Isletas and City tour

• Hotel/airport pickup and drop-off
• Tour guide and driver
• Walking tour in the city of Granada
• Food and drinks
• Entrances fees to some churches.
• Boat ride $20
• We pick you up at your hotel in Managua or the airport ( international and local flights). If pick up or drop off in Granada city then fee applies
• Augusto C Sandino Airport, Managua Nicaragua
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Most travellers can participate
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• You'll get picked up See departure details
• Pass by Las Isletas
• 1 Islets of Granada Stop: 2 hours fter that your tour guide will take you on a walking tour around the city and will visit the main cathedral and hall of churches. You will get great pictures from the whole city on the bell tower from La Merced Church. (best viewpoint in town) • Later you will walk at La Calzada street which is the most popular street in town where you can pick a restaurant to have lunch. (not included) Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• PHXJMK 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing day trip with Amazing guides to Leon! An absolutely "AMAZING" day trip. My guides Kevin and Eliazer were superb. Their knowledge of history and sense of humor kept me completely entertained. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much. I would take another tour with this company just to have them as my guides. They picked me up on time and were excellent at taking pictures and videos which I really appreciated since I tend to post my trips on Instagram. They also gave me lots of suggestions about other places to visit in Nicaragua. It was truly a memorable day. Thank you Kevin and Eliazer. You guys are the best. These guides and this tour is totally recommended. Read more Written April 24, 2024
• 423jinw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful trip We are in a very comfortable AC car. The driver and tour guide are professional. They take us to all the beautiful places. Read more Written February 28, 2024
• staceyjm412 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Female solo travelers stay away! I would’ve liked this tour more if they offered group tours bc it made no sense for me to have a huge van all to myself and pay $120. The price is extremely high to not have lunch and all entrance fees included AT LEAST. Get a smaller car so a solo traveler is not overpaying for something that is not her fault. The only reason I booked this tour was bc it went to all the main spots in one day and I was short on time in Granada. Know what I know now, I would skip the boat tour, it was $20 and we saw 2 monkeys. The views of the homes were nice however. Everything else can be done on your own terms either by taxi or night tour to see the masaya volcano which was cool. I was aware of the additional costs from reading reviews and the PDF I was sent via WhatsApp which confirmed the fees I would have to pay. NO WHERE in that did it mention that I would have to pay for the guides lunch as well. When the bill came, I told him I was going to the bathroom first and then coming back to pay MY meal. When I came back, the bill was still on my side of the table and he made no motion to see how much his meal was. If he had been more professional and been great conversation, I would have had no problem paying for his lunch. I’ve done it on previous private tours when the guide is great but I did not like the feeling of being forced especially under the circumstances that I have yet to mention. During the city tour, the guide asked for a selfie which is common bc I know sometimes guides are required to take pictures of guests interacting during activities. I had no problem with the first and second selfie until he kept insisting and it felt like I was on a vacation with my boyfriend taking selfies at every single location. After the second pic, I told him “NO that was enough” and he stopped. He then asked for me to take a picture of him and to send it to him. I was born at night but not last night and I knew this was a way for him to get my number. I took the pic in the moment but never sent it to him. I do speak very good Spanish so I think he may have gotten too comfortable and forgotten that this was a business transaction and that flirting won’t get him anywhere. When he dropped me off, he asked when he would see me again and I said “never” and ran to my hotel across the street. I have a strong personality so nothing he did ever made me feel uncomfortable, I felt more annoyed than anything. The tour company could benefit from getting a smaller car if there is a solo traveler and having all entrance fees, activities, and lunch included in the price. Do not recommend this for a female solo traveler. Read more Written February 24, 2024
• yavuza318 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Cherlisbeth is a great guide This was a well organized, fun private tour. Our guide Cherlisbeth took us around the sights in Granada and the lake. She also took us to a really nice local restaurant we wouldnt find on our own. We managed to catch the sunset ont the volcano too. Read more Written February 1, 2024
• lavincentg2022 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience This was an amazing boat ride that allowed us to tour multiple small Islands within 2hrs. The tour guide told us the history behind many of the islands. This is something great to do with a group of people. Read more Written January 30, 2024
• J8979YOjimmys 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great whole day tour experience Brisi Sr was my tour guide for the day. She was very informative, friendly, and bilingual. Highly recommend her and her driver!! If I had to take another tour I would request her Read more Written January 29, 2024
• Grand024 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Greta night tour David is excellent guide ,English is perfect, volcano Masaya is amazing. Great experience at night , will recommend. Very professional guide Read more Written January 24, 2024
• Road432073 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Constant smart contact with whats up The guide was a great translatet and the driver was amazing. They were so comforting that I booked a private again to do a nine hour tour. Then shared them with fellow hotel guests Read more Written January 21, 2024
• SisaOne 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Discovering the hidden gems of Nicaragua in one day This was a private tour of Lake Nicaragua, Masaya Volcano & Old Town Granada by Show Me Nicaragua. Hansell and female guide picked us 3 from our downtown hotel & we proceeded to Lake Nicaragua. We transferred to a 12 person boat where the boat captain who was also the guide, had us wear life vests. He explained the flora & fauna in the islands & Nicaraguan A-listers who own the islands. He stopped at one island & called out to Michael, later he explained that Michael is a monkey. We paid the boat captain $40 after the 1 hr boat tour. We drove to Granada Old Town to see the Granada Cathedral & later, with Hansell's help we went to a local restaurant & ordered the meat specialty (we paid for the meal with a credit card- it was cheap) & Nicaraguan coffee. Yum! We shared the food & enjoyed discussing Nicaraguan traditions. We then went to a chocolate museum. It would have been enjoyable but the museum guide was impatient & had an attitude. Our next stop was a volcanology museum which explained tectonic plates extensively. Our female guide explained tectonic plates & how they created earthquakes. It reminded me of our Icelandic tour. We missed the marketplace but stopping at the restaurant was worth it because touring a country includes sampling the local food in my book. Masaya Volcano was our last stop. We tourists paid $10 each for admission to the volcano park. There was a road that went all the way to the volcano crater. We took photos & marveled at the so called "Mouth of Hell" covered by a thick blanket of smoke. It was amazing to see the fiery reddish churning lava at the crater against the dark of the night. Finally, it was time to go home. The roads were fine as we passed by the Christmas street lights in the city back to our hotel. I recommend this tour because Hansell & our female guide did a fine job in spite of the language barrier. We did speak some Spanish so that made the experience fun, educational & interesting. Thank you Show Me Nicaragua, Hansell did exactly that for us. Read more Written January 6, 2024
• reneee2014 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun time in Managua! Seeing the volcano and monkeys on the lake boat ride was the highlight of the excursion. Our young guides were college students. The young lady was sweet but you could tell she did not like doing these things. The young man was a guide for the first time. The driver was good and we felt safe. We took everyone to lunch before we took off to the volcano. Communication with the student guides was not too bad. They are students in college learning English. Make sure you bring lots of money. $20 a person for the boat ride and $10 for admission to the volcano. Also you will be asked to pay $25 for gas. It was an expensive day, but well worth it. Read more Written November 19, 2023
• Edwina G 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Stay Away from Show Me Nicaragua Tour Company Stay Away, Stay Away from Show Me Nicaragua Tour Company due to Michael, i think he is the Owner was unprofessional. Michael my tours just because i was asking why there are additional charges? Gas for $25 more though i was Solo and already paid for 2 people. Other reviews called him a Scammer. Pls book your Nicaraguan tours somewhere else and NOT Show Me Nicaragua. Super bad company. Read more Written October 30, 2023
• timothywW4067GO 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Show Me Nicaragua Tours is the most unprofessional shakedown scammers in Managua We hired a driver from Show Me Nicaragua Tours for 9 hours to tour some of the cities in Nicaragua. The driver was 20 minutes late for pickup at our hotel. On the drive to Leon, the owner, Michael Peters, called the driver and then tried to charge us $25 extra for going to Leon and threatened to return us to our hotel if we did not pay extra. Michael tried to change the start time from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM and the drivers drive time from 9 hours to 8 hours. He also told the driver we only wanted to go from Granada to Masaya which is 19Km distance and takes about 30 minutes. We never discussed where we wanted to go with Michael. The driver also took us to a kiddie park in Managua and we had to tell him several times that we wanted to go to Leon. At the end of the tour the driver wanted $20 extra in addition to the $25 that we paid him to cover his gas cost as agreed upon in our texts with Michael. Read more Written October 5, 2023
• Alonzo M 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Granada all day tour Highly recommend this tour! Anthony was the best tour guide I’ve ever had. He answered all of our Qs Read more Written August 24, 2023
• JGR001 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles A Nice Day in Granada, the Granada Islets, and Masaya Volcano We took the whole day excursion to the former Nicaraguan capital of Granada, courtesy of Show Me Nicaragua Tours, headed by a former English teacher. Unlike Managua which had been destroyed several times by earthquakes and floods, Granada’s colonial architecture had more or less been preserved. We stopped at the center of the colonial town and checked out the coffee ‘museum’. We also very briefly ducked into a hammock weaving center and almost went inside a tobacco making outfit but our tour guide didn’t know that we had to roll our own cigars then pay for the experience. So we said ‘no’. Then we went to the main square and in front of it the cathedral. We roamed the pedestrianized cobbled streets with the cute colonial houses and the old hotels with their open courtyards, very typical of 19th century villas in Granada. From the town proper, we headed toward the coast of Lake Nicaragua where we took a leisurely boat ride through the supposedly 365 islets dotting the coast and which have become the haven of lake retreat houses for Nicaragua’s rich and famous. We saw monkeys and birds in some of the islets. Finally, our last stop was the Masaya Volcano National Park. It took a long time for our van to get through – we believe they were controlling the traffic at the volcano viewpoint. But that was ok since we were able to do some trekking as well. Finally, dusk fell and the visitors could then see a bit of the lava in the center of the deep crater. And that was it for the day. Unfortunately, we were assigned David, who was supposedly a student of the owner. He didn’t speak English well and had very little knowledge of the history and culture of Nicaragua or Managua so he couldn’t share too much. He drove a big Hyundai van, which was a bit too big for just the two of us. But David tried hard and we give him A for effort. Read more Written July 28, 2023
• Serendipity_bay 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Poor experience with the tour company and waste of money Very poor experience in Managua with this tour company. We were in Nicaragua for 3 days and wanted to make the most of it and we arranged a private tour with them the day before we reached hoping to get a great experience however it was trip of hell. The car had no air conditioning and it was 34* C and we sat roasting for 10 hours. On top of all it was liking taking a taxi as the guide had no information or knowledge of what to show and talk of interest about the places we were visiting let alone Nicaragua. So for 20 hours we sat in the heat going to one of the most beautiful town and knowing nothing. We were also keen to explore another town with this company the next day however since after sharing the feedback with the owner Mike / Peter about our day and getting no response we decided to drop them. I am avid traveller having visited 50 countries this was a very poor experience of Nicaragua and not only just Managua. We burned our money and hands with this tour company. The next day Leon we did with a local private guy who was excellent- reach out if you want this tour planned separately! Read more Written April 16, 2023

More to explore in Managua

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Granada Isletas and City tour provided by Show Me Nicaragua Tours

Description

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Las Isletas Boat Tour

Las Isletas consist of around 365 small islands where formed 20,000 years ago by a massive volcanic explosion! Today it is a unique place where prominent Nicaraguan have their vacation houses and a local fishing community makes its living. The nature is beautiful with lots of birdlife and amazing views of the volcanoes and Lake Nicaragua. Additional point of interest is  the spanish fortress built a in the 17th Century to stop pirate attacks on the City of Granada! These serene and rustic islands we will visit by boat, showing you all its secrets.

Transportation, boat ride, bilingual (English-Spanish) guide and entrances fees.

What to bring

short pants, hat, comfortable shoes and camera. 

IMPORTANT NOTES

Children’s policies: under 5 years old free of charge, children rate applies from 6-11 years old and must be accompanied by two adults; otherwise pay as an adult. Children over 12 years old pay as adult.

The minimum number of passengers require to operate this tour are: 2 pax

• Hotel Dario • Hotel El Almirante • Los Patios Hotel • Hotel Patio del Malinche • La Gran Francia Colonial Boutique Hotel • Jicaro Lodge • Hotel Plaza Colon • Hotel Kekoldi • Pacaya Lodge & Spa • Nekupe Sporting Resort and Retreat

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Please indicate if you have any special needs or requirements not specified here (or if there is something you specifically do not like to do):

Birdwatching Lake Tour

Awaken to a fresh breeze of the island winds or enjoy some of the most beautiful sunsets, late in the afternoon before dusk, and join us in this kayaking trip to discover where bir...

Chocoyero Tour

The Chocoyera Natural Reserve is a great place for hiking and nature watching. This reserve is located less than 30 kilometers away from Managua. The last 7 kilometers are mostly...

Granada City Tour

Join us in exploring and discovering the famous city of Granada, established in 1524 by the Spaniard Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, the oldest colonial city on mainland America ...

Kayaking in Lake Nicaragua

Enjoy nature while having the adventure of your life, kayaking on the waters of Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca, one of the ten biggest lakes of the world, admiring the beauty of Grana...

León Ruins, City Tour & San Jacinto Thermal Mud

This tour gives you the opportunity to see the Ruins of the Old Leon City, first capital of Nicaragua founded in 1524 by Spanish Captain Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba. Differing...

Managua City Tour

Let’s us introduce you to the engaging culture and history of Nicaragua through the museums, parks and historical sites of the Capital of the Republic since 1852. We begin this t...

Masaya by Night

The tour starts right before sunset, hike up  to the cross (La Cruz de Bobadilla) overlooking the volcano and the surroundings. Watch the Chocoyos (green parakeets)  returning ...

Masaya Volcano, Arts & Crafts

Start your journey with a visit to  Masaya Volcano,an active and dormant smoking crater. Visitors can peek over the edge at the Masaya Volcano, and look into the impressive cra...

Mombacho Tour

The Mombacho Volcano is one of the most prominent volcanoes in Nicaragua, located only 10 km from Granada. The ride uphill only is an adventure by itself. The incredible steepnes...

Mombacho Tour & Coffee Tour Las Flores

Mombacho Volcano & Canopy Tour

The Mombacho Volcano is one of the most prominent volcanoes in Nicaragua, located only 10 km from Granada. The ride uphill only is an adventure by itself. Whether it’s your own...

Ometepe Island

From Lake Nicaragua, the same lake that the Spanish conquerors called the ‘fresh water sea’ because of its sheer size, rises the island Ometepe. The name Ometepe means ‘two...

Sand Boarding

Climb Nicaragua’s most active volcano Cerro Negro , hike up the rocky side and down the sandy side. Visit as well the two activate craters, feel the heat, smell the gases and e...

Maddy's Avenue

By: Melanie Gordon (Contributor) · Last Updated: February 12, 2024

10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Granada, Nicaragua

Planning to visit the charming colonial city of Granada? As a top destination for travelers adventuring through vibrant Nicaragua, it’s no wonder why. With countless amazing things to do (and eat) in Granada, you’re in for an unforgettable stay.

In Central America’s oldest colonial city, you’ll find decadent chocolate (cacao) drinks, plenty of delicious Nicaraguan food, colorful streets, an authentic local market, multiple grand churches, and of course, buzzing city squares and green parks. Not to mention, with the active Masaya Volcano, massive Lake Nicaragua, and the Apoyo Lagoon all nearby, outdoor adventures await!

Ready to explore Granada? Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Granada, Nicaragua! These 10 things to do, see, and eat are sure to put Granada straight to the top of your list of favorite cities.

Where to Stay in Granada, Nicaragua

Before we dive into the top 10 things to do in Granada, Nicaragua, let’s talk about where you should rest after your full days of exploring!

This colorful city has many hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs to choose from. And luckily, Granada lodgings cater to the backpacker, digital nomad, romantic getaway couple, and luxury traveler. No matter your price range, there’s something here for you.

Affordable Luxury Accommodation

If you’re looking for luxury , Granada hotels, then we’ve got you covered. Here are our top recommendations for luxury accommodation in Nicaragua (just, without the typical luxury price tag!).

• Hotel Plaza Colon : This boutique hotel is in front of the main plaza and boasts a huge blue tiled swimming pool, gorgeous verandas, and chic bar “El Bar”. Plus it is the only hotel certified in sustainable practices by the Rainforest Alliance in the region! Click here to book your stay at Hotel Plaza Colon.
• Hotel Dario : You can’t miss this iconic blue and white colonial building turned boutique hotel. The history of this Neoclassical architectural hotel makes it a heritage site to the city of Granada. You’ll not only appreciate the ambiance and central location of this 5-star hotel, but the great food at their El Travía restaurant, too. Click here to book your stay at Hotel Dario.
• Tribal Hotel : In the heart of Granada, you’ll find the definition of stylish indoor-outdoor living. Tribal Hotel’s tropical garden oasis and plush rooms are complete with cool textiles, earthy tones, and a touch of whimsical charm. On a balmy evening, there’s nothing better than lounging beside Tribal Hotel’s beautiful torch-lit pool and sipping a perfectly crafted cocktail from your private cabana. Chic, luxurious, and easily our favorite hotel in Granada.

Click here to find other amazing deals on Granada hotels and apartments.

Budget Accommodation

Hostels and budget accommodation in Granada are aplenty, and we easily recommend:

• De Boca en Boca : Free breakfast & fabulous location right next to Iglesia de la Merced. This hostel also offers tons of fun activities and excursions. Click here to book your stay at De Boca en Boca.
• Treehouse : Come here for the jungle vibes and stay for the one of a kind sunsets. Never slept in a treehouse? Now is your chance! Click here to book your stay at Treehouse.
• Selina : Selina’s Granada location is front and center on Parque Central and is known for excellent internet and co-working spaces. Plus, free yoga! Click here to book your stay at Selina.

How to Get to Granada

Taxi or shuttle.

If you want to visit Granada, the oldest colonial city in Nicaragua, you’ll find it is a breeze! Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua is the only airport with scheduled flight traffic in Nicaragua, and a short 47-minute drive from Granada makes travel easy. There are plenty of taxis to choose from when you exit the airport, and like most travel in Nicaragua, it is inexpensive .

Generally speaking, taxis and shuttles are super affordable throughout the country. If you’re traveling from elsewhere in Nicaragua, such as from San Juan del Sur, arranging a shuttle or taxi through your hotel is just as easy.

If you’re feeling adventurous, then you may prefer to book a rental car so you can explore more of the country with ease – and maybe even drive down to Costa Rica . If that’s the case, Discover Cars is our go-to rental car company worldwide, but locally, Dollar Rent a Car Nicaragua is also a great, cheap option.

CLICK HERE to book your rental car now! Free cancellation is usually included, so lock it in.

Best 10 Things to See & Do in Granada, Nicaragua

Okay, let’s get into it! From visiting La Iglesia Merced and browsing the local market, to strolling down Calle La Calzada and eating at the Garden Cafe, here are our top picks for the best things to do in Granada, Nicaragua! Plus, a few hot tips along the way.

#1 Discover Las Isletas on a Boat Tour

Lake Nicaragua, or Lago Cocibolca, is the largest lake in Central America (but it looks more like an ocean!) . Without a doubt, of all the things to do in Granada, Nicaragua, exploring this lake and its many islands is #1.

You won’t have a hard time booking a tour of the isletas , as it is the most popular excursion and offers a relaxed, fun way to explore the many mini islands (isletas) of the lake.

Simply catch a taxi to the Asese Port and ask around, click here to book a boat tour , or find a tour through your hotel… and hop aboard to explore Las Isletas on the edge of Granada! If you’re extra adventurous, you can book a kayaking tour . Or you can opt for a party catamaran (book through your hostel, this ends at famous “party island”).

Have fun swimming in the freshwater, feeding monkeys hanging off trees, and sipping a drink as you watch the sunset (the best time to do the Isleta Tour ).

Las Isletas Tours:

• Boat Tour of the Isletas
• Kayak Tour of the Isletas

#2 Afternoon Trip to Active Masaya Volcano

Unlike most active volcanoes in Central and South America, here in Nicaragua, you can get eerily close to the molten lava just about an hour from Granada! It’s easy to book a Masaya Volcano trip . You can either book it online , ask your hotel to help you, or speak to any of the city’s certified tour operators lining the Central Plaza.

We recommend doing an afternoon or “night tour” , this ensures you’ll see the red bubbling lava as the sky begins to darken. How captivating !

The fee for entering the Masaya Volcano National Park is $10 for the evening tours, so a bit steeper than the $2 daytime fee, but well worth it !

Masaya Volcano Tours:

• Masaya Volcano Night Tour
• PRIVATE Masaya Volcano Night Tour

#3 Day Trip to Laguna de Apoyo

Indisputably, the Laguna de Apoyo is one of the top things to do in Granada. ( Okay , technically it’s not in Granada, but the municipal of Catarina in Masaya, Nicaragua.) Still , being just a quick 20-minute ride away, it’s a frequently booked day trip for visitors in Granada – and often a favorite day in Nicaragua!

The Laguna de Apoyo is a freshwater, mineral-rich crater lake formed by volcanic implosion 23,000 years ago. Epic , right? Many of the hotels around the laguna offer day passes to the city folk for a small fee.

We highly recommend Paradiso Hostel for those looking to have major fun in the sun and Casa Marimba if you want a more relaxing, tranquil jungle environment on the beach (with an amazing restaurant, too). Both places offer kayaks, inner tubes, food, drinks, and floating docks. Don’t skip this trip!

P.S. If you want to extend your stay in Laguna de Apoyo (we wouldn’t blame you), then Casa Marimba is one of the best places you could possibly stay!

READ MORE: Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua Travel Guide: Where to Play, Stay & Eat

#4 Sunset at the Bell Tower of Iglesia de la Merced

It’s true that Iglesia la Merced is beautiful on the inside, but a $1 climb up the spiral staircase to the bell tower, especially at sunset, offers peak viewing pleasure!

This colonial church was built way back in 1534 and offers panoramic views of downtown Granada as well as the magnificent Mombacho Volcano.

Hot tip: If you’re a fan of meandering through colonial church halls, we recommend the two-kilometer walk down Calle La Libertad from Chapel Maria Auxiladora to Guadalupe Church .

You’ll pass Iglesia Xalteva , Iglesia la Merced , and the Cathedral of Granada on the way. What a lovely afternoon!

READ MORE: Why Visit Nicaragua? 10 Reasons to Travel to Nicaragua ASAP!

#5 Explore the Local Market

If authentic , local experiences draw you to travel, then you already know that the local mercado is a must !

Just a five-minute walk from the city center, down Calle el Comercio, you’ll run into the distinct sounds and scents of the local, open-air market of Granada. Here, you will find avocados the size of your head, freshly picked mangoes (or pitaya, depending on the season), huge blocks of fresh Nica cheese, and all kinds of exotic, organic fruits and vegetables.

Be sure to try some street food from the local market stands! We recommend tajadas (fried plantain chips) and vigaró , a traditional Nicaraguan dish that comes wrapped in a banana leaf. So authentic!

#6 Hop on a Horse Carriage City Tour

Perhaps the most romantic way to explore the city of Granada, Nicaragua, is to sit back and relax in one of the classic horse-drawn carriages . Let’s be honest, sometimes it’s just too hot out to enjoy a long walk, and why not kick up your feet for while? For a low cost of around $10 per hour, it’s hard to pass up!

Appreciating the colorful buildings and antique colonial houses surrounding the city streets is much easier while you let someone else take the reins ( literally ) . The carriages are pulled by two horses and can comfortably fit a group of four for a city tour or quick ride to your isleta boat tour !

#7 Party at Treehouse Jungle Rave

If parties aren’t your thing, move down to #8 on our list of the best things to do in Granada, Nicaragua. However, if you enjoy dancing late into the night surrounded by lush jungle , look no further than the classic Friday Night Treehouse Party at the Treehouse Hostel .

As you walk across the drawn bridge to Treehouse Hostel at sunset, you’ll begin to feel the palpable energy of nature and the beat of the speakers. Get ready to get down!

The Townhouse Hostel offers shuttles from Granada to the Treehouse Hostel and back, including multiple nighttime return trips to the city. Why not celebrate? You’re in one of the coolest countries in Central and South America!

Hot tip: The Treehouse Hostel is one of our top budget accommodation recommendations in Granada! Why wouldn’t you want to stay in a treehouse in the jungle? (Hint: Choose the “Deluxe Double Room.”) Click here to book your stay at Treehouse.

#8 Eat a Tostone Burger at Tostometro

The perfect day-after food ! Picture it, a big juicy burger sandwiched between two huge tostones , not buns. If you haven’t had a tostone before, don’t worry, you’ll fall in love with this local food (fried, smashed green plantains).

Tostometro is an adorable little local restaurant nestled between stalls at the beginning of the local market. Finding it is almost as exciting as taking your first bite!

Of course, they offer an exceptional veggie tostone burger too, for all of our plant-based friends!

And did we mention, Tostometro is a great location for people-watching, too?

#9 Learn All About Cacao (At ChocoMuseo)

The famous Chocolate Museum, ChocoMuseo , located just one block northwest of Parque Central, is a quick and fun thing to do while in Granada, Nicaragua. The grand building of the museum also has a hotel and restaurant, with a beautiful foyer to enjoy your cacao drink and rich brownie .

They offer a “Bean to Bar” workshop as well as a “Chocktail” workshop – in addition to the free museum.

We recommend checking out this interactive and informative museum while having a day exploring the city of Granada!

#10 Visit the Garden Cafe

This next spot is absolutely iconic. If you’ve heard of The Garden Café in Granada, Nicaragua, you probably know it as the spot where “influencers” love to take aesthetic photos – and for good reason! After all, this place was designed around a beautiful garden.

People rely on the Garden Cafe’s dishes to be healthy, local, and light on the stomach (okay, maybe not the calala cheesecake, but I digress) . The staff always serves with a smile and enthusiasm, and we love that!

Frothy green matcha drinks photograph well in the open-air dining area – where butterflies also love to mingle in the sun. The Garden Cafe also has an adorable gift shop with beautiful clothing, jewelry, and leather works. If you’re not interested in buying new, definitely scope out their excellent used bookcase. There are many gems!

Top 10 Things to Do in Granada, Nicaragua

Well, friends, there you have it. Those are the 10 best things to do in Granada, Nicaragua.

Granada is not only the oldest, but in our opinion, the most beautiful colonial city in Nicaragua .

It’s impossible not to appreciate Granada on a sunny afternoon as the sky clears over Mombacho Volcano. Or as you simply people-watch in Parque Central in front of the regal Granada Cathedral.

No matter what you choose to do, even crossing just one of our “to-dos” off your list will leave you with lasting memories of this unique place. Just don’t forget to take pictures! Granada is Nicaragua’s most popular city to visit for a reason!

FIND MORE NICARAGUA INSPIRATION HERE!

• Is it Safe to Travel to Nicaragua? A Solo Female Traveler’s Perspective
• The Ultimate Nicaragua Itinerary (For 1, 2, or 3 Weeks)
• Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua Travel Guide: Where to Play, Stay & Eat
• 10 Reasons to Visit Nicaragua ASAP: Central America’s Hidden Gem
• Nicaragua Rainy Season: What to Know & Why You’ll Love It!
• 11 Best Things to Do in Popoyo, Nicaragua + Must-Know Travel Tips
• Ometepe Island, Nicaragua Guide: Best Things to Do, See & Eat!

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Granada, Nicaragua Travel FAQs

There are so many amazing reasons to visit Granada. A hidden gem, smack in the middle of Central America, Granada has it all: beautiful colonial buildings, stunning nature (like the Masaya Volcano, Lake Nicaragua, and the Apoyo Lagoon Nature Reserve), authentic culture, friendly locals, and delicious traditional food. With this list of the best things to do, see, and eat in Granada, you can’t go wrong.

When it comes to safety, Nicaragua doesn’t have the best reputation. However, when you arrive in Granada, we think you’ll be quite surprised by how safe you feel. People in Granada are warm, friendly, and welcoming – and there’s an obvious community of digital nomads and ex-pats living here too. Overall, Granada is safe enough , but as with anywhere else, you should be cautious and follow general safety guidelines. Like… Be aware of your surroundings and keep your wits about you. Don’t be flashy with your cash or other valuables. Use common sense. And remember, there’s always safety in numbers – especially at nighttime. It’s also worth noting that you should steer clear of any political events or protests in Nicaragua. If you can do those things, you should feel (and be) perfectly safe in Granada.

There are no ride-sharing apps in Granada. The city center is small, so you can easily get around on foot. Otherwise, taxis and tuk-tuks are at the ready! Feeling something a little extra? You can also opt for one of Granada’s iconic horse-drawn carriages.

Define “beach”! If you’re asking about ocean beach, the answer is no . But if you’re asking about lake beaches, then the answer is yes ! There are beaches in Granada! This beautiful colonial city lines the shore of the largest lake in Central America, Lake Nicaragua (or Lago Cocibolca ). In fact, one of most fun things to do in Nicaragua is taking a boat tour to the many mini islands (isletas) on the lake. The beautiful Apoyo Lagoon (a freshwater, mineral-rich crater lake) is also nearby. Taking a day trip here is another one of the most popular things to do in Granada, Nicaragua.

Founded in 1524, Granada is the oldest colonial city in all of Central America (that still remains in the same place it was founded). Granada’s centuries-old, colorful buildings and cobblestone streets give the city its charm, while the surrounding volcanoes, lakes, lagoons, and rolling hills offer endless natural beauty. Not to mention, the city’s authentic culture, good food, museums,

There are so many incredible things to do in Granada! Some of our favorites include strolling down the Calle La Calzada, trying Nicaraguan food, and exploring the city via horse-drawn carriage. Not to mention, visiting Masaya Volcano, spending a day at Laguna de Apoyo, and touring the tiny islands of Lake Nicaragua by boat. This guide details all of the best things to do and see in Granada – as well as the best places to stay in Granada!

As far as affordable luxury in Nicaragua goes, you can’t find much better than the Hotel Plaza Colon. This cozy boutique hotel is located right in front of the main square and features a beautiful blue-tiled pool, lovely verandas, and chic bar. Plus it’s the only hotel in the region that follows sustainable practices, certified by the Rainforest Alliance. Click here to book your stay at Hotel Plaza Colon.

Have you been to Granada before? What are your favorite things to do there? Visiting Granada and have a question? Leave your comments for Melanie below!

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About Melanie Gordon (Contributor)

Melanie contributes travel writing and photos to Maddy's Avenue. Melanie began traveling after life threw her a major curveball in the form of a condo fire. Losing everything (including her beloved cat, Moby) presented her with the opportunity to turn a tragedy into a catalyst for growth. With nothing to lose, she set out for a solo “soul searching” journey. Turns out, this curveball set her path straight in the direction of her destiny. Through work like website design, travel writing, and sharing her passion of teaching yoga and hula hooping, she’s found the life she’s always envisioned. Follow along for more of Melanie’s travel writing, and reach out through her website or Instagram (livinginflowco.com & @livinginflowco).

You’ll Also Love

October 31, 2022 at 12:41 am

i spent two weeks in granada, lived with a local family and took spanish classes at casa xalteva. it was just fabulous. i also volunteered to teach some english classes to some of the local students. it was a blast. there was also the opportunity to take several different trips with some of my fellow students. just a wonderful experience.

November 14, 2022 at 3:47 am

Thanks for sharing, Doug! Those sound like some some wonderful memories.

May 25, 2023 at 6:58 am

Bate Bate Chocolate just around the corner on Calle Libertad is much better than ChocoMuseo. The presentation, ambience, menu, and staff are fresh and new, and the chocolate they create is out of this world.

June 6, 2023 at 5:48 pm

Hi Karen, I’ll have to try Bate Bate next time I’m in Granada. Thanks for the tip!

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The Granada islets, wonder of nature of volcanic origin

The Granada Islets, or “Isletas de Granada”, in Nicaragua, is a wonder of nature of volcanic origin, possibly formed by an explosion of the Mombacho volcano, when it was still active. There is one islet for each day of the year, that’s 365.

The islets are located in the Cocibolca lake or Lake of Nicaragua, which has more than 8,000 square kilometers.

Here mansions have been built for many wealthy families from the city of Granada, as well as from other departments of Nicaragua that occupy them for their vacations.

Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida por Visita Nicaragua (@visitanicaragua)

On other islets, there are also hotels, resorts, and restaurants to serve national and foreign tourists, while some are uninhabited.

Some businesses that are on the islets rent kayaks at reasonable prices, especially for those interested in paddling the grand Lake of Nicaragua.

These islets are home to native birds and migratory ones, in some there are monkeys. Local families are engaged in fishing or provide some type of service to visitors.

The islets of Granada can be reached by boats that also offers tour to tourists.

All the islets of Granada have well-preserved vegetation, and in summer, from many of them, you can have an excellent view of the Mombacho volcano.

If you visit Granada, do not miss a tour of the islets, it’s 15 minutes from the colonial city, you will surely love it.

How to get there?

When you arrive in the city of Granada, if you travel by public transport from any department, you can take a taxi in Central Park or from any bus terminal and ask to be taken to the pier of the Granada Tourist Center (Los Chilamates area), from the Yellow Cabin (at the end of the tourist center) or to Puerto Asese to take a boat to the islets.

What islets to visit?

You can go to Isla El Pirata, an island that has a bar and restaurant, there is also a play area for children. The islands of Pico de Garza and El Cifar are also good options.

Visiting the San Pablo Fortress, built between 1670 and 1685, is another option, on this island you will know the infrastructure of what was one of the two main fortresses of the great Lake Cocibolca, which served to defend the colonial city from pirate invasion.

Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida por PhotoNic🌄📷 (@photonic4535)

What activities can I do?

Use the pool, kayak, bicycle and enjoy the scenic beauty of nature while enjoying the tranquility and comfort with your family.

While sailing the Cocibolca, make a stop at Los Monos Island to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding flora and fauna.

General prices to eat?

The prices of breakfast range between C$ 100 and C$350 córdobas depending on what you choose and where to do it. Lunch costs between C$150 and C$450 córdobas and dinner between C$150 and C$350 córdobas.

Isletas Sunset Tour

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Entry/Admission - Las Isletas
• Recogemos a todos los viajeros en el hotel que se encuentren hospedado en la ciudad de Granada,Niacaragua.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Infants must sit on laps
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• You'll get picked up See departure details
• Pass by Isletas de Granada
• 1 Las Isletas Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included avistamiento de aves , monos y mucha naturaleza Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• zsoltv328 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience! Danny’s Tour is awesome. They accommodated all requests, even changes with last minute notice. They are great organizers! …and the Mombacho nature reserve was really beautiful! Read more Written April 27, 2024
• Ben H 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Sunset lake island tour Excellent friendly knowledgeable team Collected from our accommodation Booking and communication was excellent The scenery and wildlife absolutely stunning Had we not took this tour we would have missed what was possibly the best so far Read more Written April 2, 2024
• LuciBeach 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Danny will cater to whatever your desire is to do with a smile and graciousness. You will learn alot and will love it!!! Danny is Excellent! Transport to/from airport, Pottery, Lava, Somoto Canyon, Masaya Market & Shopping - HAPPY & TIRED Read more Written February 22, 2024
• alexreneelorenz 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Book a private tour! 100000% recommend! Use them for any tours! We went with Ellie and her dad to a tour of Masaya volcano. Ellie was so knowledgable and sweet and told us so much about the history of the volcano. She also made sure we were in the best spot to see the magma when the sun set. People were fighting for our spot when we left. Worth every penny! Tip well! Read more Written February 5, 2024
• megan m 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Book Danny Now! Danny is AMAZING! Danny was recommended to us by the owner of the villa we stayed at in Granada and what a great recommendation that was. Danny led and organized 4 tours in Granada, organized 1 last minute airport transfer after our original transfer company stopped communicating, and recommended a surf school for us in San Juan del Sur. There were 6 of us! He offered all of these services to us as private experiences and was extremely kind and patient with us as we asked questions, took photos, bought souvenirs, stopped to get food and go to the bathroom, took our time with sights. We had such a good time on his ours and in his care and cannot recommend him enough. If anyone is planning a trip to Nica, talk to Danny!! He is the man! Read more Written February 1, 2024
• Sightseer07454395242 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing and personable guide! Danny was awesome. Great guide, always had a smile on his face, happy to converse about facts and things to know about his country and talk about his family. One of our friends needed to go to the doctor and he took him on his day off to make sure he was taken care of properly. Great guy! Read more Written December 31, 2023
• Tourist20841601929 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Danny is the best! This was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had. Danny was an incredible tour guide, friendly, courteous and knowledgeable. He went above and beyond for our group and we can’t thank him enough. Read more Written December 31, 2023
• nickipedia 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Exemplary guide and human Danny and his team are just the best. Our AirBNB host introduced us to him and she calls him Batman because he saves the day for her all the time. He is kind, knowledgeable, friendly, proactive, and accommodating. He went out of his way multiple times to help one of our party after they got injured. Can’t say enough good things about him. Read more Written December 31, 2023
• GerardH319 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Danny's Tours - your one stop ground handler for Nicaragua I would like to thank Danny who from the point of first contact was professional and speedy in his return communications via WhatsApp . Danny offers fluent English speaking tours for those who require and of course Spanish speaking as well. At all times Danny was punctual (which is an excellent attribute) and is very customer focused. I booked five trips for myself as a single traveller Masaya Volcano at Night Islets of Granada Leon Day trip from Granada. Ometepe Day trip from Granada. Outbound transfer from Granada to the International Airport at Managua Danny personally escorted all five trips (as it was low season) , when its busy Danny has other members of staff who also work within the same style Danny offers and at the same professional level. Dannys wife Nelly also assisted throughout – and Nelly also leads tours. There are many other options for tours as well and Danny is open to adapting itineraries to suit individual requirements. Without doubt Danny can look after all ground arrangements whilst in Granada and Nicaragua and providing reliable, professional services at all times. Highly recommended Thank you Danny Read more Written December 14, 2023
• Desertmoonwoman 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles I ended up doing two tours! Professional and knowledgeable! I did the night time volcano tour. They arrived on time to pick me up and we met up in their van. We went to the crater and we had an option to hike to the top and had a wonderful view of the crater, Managua, the Lake and Granada. Manuel was my guide. He helped me to walk down because I don’t have depth perception. He was so patient! To see the lava at night was truly amazing and powerful as well. He got us to an excellent viewpoint as well. We also had the opportunity to visit the museum as well. I also suggest the coffee tour as I learned a lot about coffee and the harvest process. It was a beautiful region on the mountain. I also saw fauna and held a beautiful frog! What was incredible, Manuel spoke perfect English and gave us so much information and with the scientific names as well. I also signed up for the coffee farm tour and he was also my guide and acted as the translator when the other guide needed assistance. It truly makes a difference to have a guide that is informative, friendly and was warm and caring to all. Danny’s Tours also accommodated my schedule and I was able to take both tours! Read more Written November 4, 2023
• CareBear1982 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles All around amazing service I highly recommend Danny for tours, private transportation and advice on where to go and what to check out. He is a great person. Super reliable and fun to talk to. We for sure plan to call him when we go back. Read more Written November 2, 2023
• Jcrodz2001 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing city tour Danny is an amazing tour guide. Will definitely book with him again. I give him 5 stars because there no lore stars to give. Great guy Read more Written September 3, 2023
• kimberlyt569 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Do all your tours with Danny’s Tours Danny coordinated all of our tours for our Grenada stay.. His English is excellent and he’s a great communicator. He told us exactly what to expect for each tour and transportation was included. We recommend kayaking the isletas rather than the boat tours. We saw birds, bats and a lot of monkeys. Manuel was our tour guide who also spoke English and was very knowledgeable. We did the lava night tour which is great if you are uncomfortable driving in Nicaragua at night. Danny was also able to arrange a custom horseback riding tour, which was not available on his site. We took a boat ride to a farm, learned about cacao processing and visited Hot Springs by horseback. My horse loving dtr was in heaven. The horseback riding tour today was spectacular and well coordinated among many people. So if you want to do something special don’t hesitate to reach out to Danny and he can arrange something for you. Read more Written July 31, 2023
• jenniferhE508MA 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent guide and tour! Wonderful afternoon spent with Danny visiting San Juan de Oriente, Catarina, and Masaya market and volcano. The volcano is amazing to visit -not to be missed if you are in the area. Danny is an excellent guide. You will be well taken care of if you book with him. Read more Written May 27, 2023
• katbH2096TJ 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Granada Colonial Tour + Las Isletas So glad I stumbled upon Danny’s Tours in one of the blogs I was reading before our trip to Nicaragua. I reached out via WhatsApp and Danny was super responsive. He curated my tentative itinerary to our group (1 adult + 2 kids: 2yo and 5yo) with some things I didn’t even know about when researching Granada area (a chocolate factory - super fun for kids). Manuel, the tour guide, was so accommodating and super nice. Kids wanted to buy something to feed the monkeys - he got fruit. We wanted to stop by a small market on the way bc kids wanted bananas - he got them. His knowledge of the language (both Spanish and English), the city, culture and tender heart made it for a great experience. He helped me order Vigorón with pork vs pork skin 😅 (bougie - I know), knew the monkeys by their names and pointed to the best spots to take pictures and offered to take pictures of us. Great day, great experience and definitely recommend! Read more Written April 10, 2023

More to explore in Granada

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Isletas Sunset Tour provided by Danny's Tour