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Nicaragua One Day Tour to Colonial Granada and Crafty Masaya
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Summary
Experience Details
What You’ll Experience
Where to Meet
Duration
12 hours
Number of Guests
1 - 15 guests
Language
English, Spanish
Other
Private Experience
Digital Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Experience the cultural gems of Nicaragua in a day. Visit Granada's colonial charms, explore Masaya’s crafts, enjoy a local buffet, and see Twin Volcanoes, Monkey Island, and vibrant markets.
For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
10 meals
Experience Details
This tour is incredible! Departing at 4:00-6:00 am and returning at 8:00-10:00 pm, we appreciated the early start, breezing through customs at the border.
Walking through with our tour guide, we had a private driver waiting on the Nicaraguan side, a major advantage over larger groups enduring lengthy border crossings.
Once across, our adventure began. From admiring Lake Nicaragua's twin volcanoes to sampling local fruits and exploring family pottery businesses, each stop offered insight into Nicaragua's heritage. A highlight was a local buffet lunch, immersed in authentic cuisine amid a bustling atmosphere.
We then visited an active volcano, vibrant markets, Lake Nicaragua with Monkey Island and the historic city of Granada.
This is an exceptional tour, surpassing your expectations. We wholeheartedly recommend the private tour for an authentic exploration of Nicaragua's cultural and natural treasures.
Transport time is included in total trip time.
What You Get
Border Taxes in and out
Tea and coffee
With Breakfast and Lunch
Lunch
Gratuities
Good To Know
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Travel time is already included in the total duration.
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
What You’ll Experience
1
Peñas Blancas
Border checkpoint for passport control.
The border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua stretches for 309 km, separating the two countries from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Historically, after the dissolution of the Federal Republic of Central America in 1838, this dividing line was established. Although several treaties were signed to demarcate it, such as the Cañas-Jerez Treaty in 1858, subsequent disputes led to mediation by U.S. President Grover Cleveland in 1888. Recently, Costa Rica has brought a lawsuit to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to obtain navigation rights and resolve conflicts, such as the dispute over Calero Island in 2010.
30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free
2
Rivas
Visit Windy Lake Nicaragua and enjoy a typical Breakfast
Lake Nicaragua, also known as Cocibolca or Granada, is the largest freshwater lake in Central America, covering 8,264 km2 (3,191 sq mi). It's of tectonic origin, with a maximum depth of 26 meters (85 ft) and elevation of 32.7 meters (107 ft) above sea level. The lake drains into the Caribbean Sea via the San Juan River, historically making Granada a port city. It's known for its diverse ecology, including bull sharks, tarpon, and sawfish. Concerns about pollution and environmental degradation have been raised, with efforts ongoing to address these issues. Additionally, plans for the Nicaragua Canal could impact the lake's ecosystem.
30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free
3
San Juan de Oriente
Pottery Town
San Juan de Oriente, in Nicaragua's Masaya department, is part of the "Ruta de la Meseta de los Pueblos" tourist axis along with Catarina, Diriá, Diriomo, Niquinohomo, Nandasmo, and Masatepe. It sits in the Pueblos Blancos plateau, 41 km from Managua.
Altitude: 499 m above sea level
Area: 9.200 km²
Latitude: 11° 54′ 0″ N
Longitude: 86° 4′ 60″ W
Boundaries include Catarina to the north, Diriá to the south, Laguna de Apoyo to the east, and Niquinohomo to the west. Its only body of water is Laguna de Apoyo, and it has small streams.
Founded around 1585 post-Spanish colonization, it's among Masaya's oldest municipalities. The colonial-style church, built in 1612, reflects its rich history.
30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free
4
Mirador de Catarina
View over Laguna de Apoyo
Catarina, in Nicaragua's Masaya department, is part of the "Ruta de la Meseta de los Pueblos" tourist axis along with San Juan de Oriente, Diriá, Diriomo, Niquinohomo, Nandasmo, and Masatepe. It's located 40 km from Managua.
Altitude: 620 m above sea level
Area: 11.49 km²
Latitude: 11° 55′ 0″ N
Longitude: 86° 4′ 60″ W
Boundaries include Masaya to the north, San Juan de Oriente to the south, Granada to the east, and Niquinohomo to the west. Its location offers access to Laguna de Apoyo via paved and gravel roads, surrounded by hilly terrain and water sources.
30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included
5
Masaya Crafts Market
Typical Lunch and Local Market
Masaya, known as "The Cradle of Nicaraguan Folklore," is a hub of Nicaraguan handicrafts. Its main market offers diverse sections, from handcrafted items like hammocks and wood carvings to electronics and raw meat. The Mercardo de Artesanias, situated in the historic "mercado viejo," showcases crafts from Masaya and beyond. Thursday nights host the Noche de Verbena, featuring folkloric dances. Masaya's annual fall fiesta of San Jerónimo highlights street processions and carnivalesque "Torovenado" celebrations. The city boasts historic churches like the Assumption's Parish Church and St. Gerome's Church. Masaya is the namesake of Nicaragua's department, which includes Catarina, Nindirí, Masatepe, and others.
1 hour 30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free
6
Masaya Volcano National Park 2025
View into the crater if volcanic activity allows it.
Masaya, Nicaragua's largest national park, features the Masaya Volcano caldera complex, known for its nested set of craters. Within Las Sierras shield volcano lies Masaya Volcano, characterized by basaltic lavas and a summit crater. Formed 2,500 years ago, the caldera encompasses the Santiago pit crater, emitting sulfur dioxide gas. Despite mainly degassing activity, discrete explosions occur sporadically, like in 1999 and 2001. In 2020, daredevil Nik Wallenda walked a tightrope over the caldera. Designated a national park in 1979, Masaya Volcano National Park spans 54 km2, boasting lava tubes and diverse elevations, offering visitors a glimpse into the volcanic landscape.
30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included
7
Isletas de Granada
Boat tour isletas and Monkey Island
The Granada Islets, situated in Lake Nicaragua near Granada, consist of 365 small islands formed from volcanic activity. Covered in vegetation, they harbor diverse bird species. Some islets host private residences, hotels, and shops, with boat tours available. San Pablo Fort, built in the 18th century to defend Granada from pirates, stands on one of the islets. During Somoza's dictatorship, locals were coerced to sell their islands, with some returning post-revolution. However, unresolved land disputes and sales to wealthy individuals cast uncertainty on the future of these traditional island communities.
1 hourAdmission Ticket Free
8
Granada
City experience
Granada, Nicaragua, with a population of around 105,862, boasts a rich colonial past and historical significance. Founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, it was named after the Spanish city of Granada. Known as La Gran Sultana for its Moorish influence, it flourished during the colonial era, maintaining commerce with the Atlantic via Lake Cocibolca. Granada faced attacks from European pirates but remained a pivotal city in Nicaraguan history, vying for dominance with León. It was also a base for American filibuster William Walker. Despite conflicts, Granada preserved its colonial charm and avoided much of the Sandinista Era tumult.
1 hourAdmission Ticket Free
9
Province of Guanacaste
Border Checkpoint for Passport Control
The border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua stretches for 309 km, separating the two countries from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Historically, after the dissolution of the Federal Republic of Central America in 1838, this dividing line was established. Although several treaties were signed to demarcate it, such as the Cañas-Jerez Treaty in 1858, subsequent disputes led to mediation by U.S. President Grover Cleveland in 1888. Recently, Costa Rica has brought a lawsuit to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to obtain navigation rights and resolve conflicts, such as the dispute over Calero Island in 2010.
30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free
Meeting & Pickup
Pickup PointSelect a pickup point
Pickup Details
Pickups - All locations:
Transfer time to the border is up to 3 hours one way.
The evening prior you’ll get the drivers name and the unit plate number.
The driver will send you a message on WhatsApp when at the pickup location and share his location with you again.
The van will have a sign with the company name on it.
The driver will scan your reservation from your electronic device and confirm pickup.
Exception:
Pickup Liberia transfer time 1 hour.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
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from $105.93
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Please note: The price varies based on group size. The time is in Central Standard Time.
Free cancellation (24 hours notice)
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(70 - 99)
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(13 - 69)
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(8 - 12)
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(4 - 7)
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May
2025
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
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Available Tomorrow
from $105.93 per guest
Book Now
Please note: The price varies based on group size. The time is in Central Standard Time.
Free cancellation (24 hours notice)
For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
10 meals