Nicaragua Full Day Tour from Costa Rica
Description
Explore all of Nicaragua’s most famous highlights all in one day from Costa Rica! You will see a dormant volcano crater, the active Masaya Crater, go shopping at the artisan markets, explore the colonial town of Granada, and go on a boat ride viewing the islets of Lake Nicaragua!
Tour Options
Itinerary
4:00 am
4:30 am
4:20 am
4:30 am
Our Costa Rica to Nicaragua guides will pick you up directly from your hotel and accompany you throughout the journey to the Nicaragua border. They will assist with every step of the border crossing process, making the crossing smooth and stress-free. The border crossing typically takes around 30 minutes, although waiting times may vary depending on the season, holidays, weekends, and border traffic conditions. Once in Nicaragua, we will begin the day with a healthy traditional breakfast at a lakeside restaurant, where you can enjoy beautiful views of Lake Nicaragua and the iconic Ometepe Island in the distance.
4:50 am
4:30 am
5:30 am - Secrets Papagayo, Villas Sol, Occidental Papagayo, Mangroove
5:20 am
6:00 am
Our first stop is the spectacular Catarina viewpoint, where you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Apoyo Crater Lagoon, Granada, and Lake Nicaragua. You will have time to walk around, take photos, and browse the local artisan shops for souvenirs and handcrafted Nicaraguan products.
We continue to the famous Masaya Volcano, one of the few active volcanoes in the world where you can safely stand near the crater. You will witness the impressive volcanic landscape, observe the rising gases, and experience the powerful energy of this unique natural wonder. Time at the crater viewpoint is limited to approximately 5-10 minutes in accordance with National Park regulations.
We then visit the charming colonial city of Granada, famous for its colorful streets, colonial architecture, and rich cultural heritage. Our visit includes a stop at the iconic La Merced Church, where guests may climb the bell tower for panoramic views of Granada, Mombacho Volcano, and Lake Nicaragua. Bell tower admission is USD $1 per person and may be unavailable during holidays or special events. We will also enjoy a traditional Nicaraguan chocolate experience, learning about the chocolate-making process and sampling authentic local chocolate. Afterward, you will have free time to explore Granada at your own pace, browse local shops, relax in the central plaza, or take an optional horse-drawn carriage ride through the city (additional cost). Before departing for Lake Nicaragua, we will enjoy a traditional Nicaraguan lunch at a local restaurant. The 2.5-hour visit includes sightseeing, free time, and lunch.
Our final experience is a scenic boat tour through the famous Islets of Granada, a stunning archipelago of small islands formed by ancient volcanic activity. During the cruise, you will enjoy spectacular views of the lake, the surrounding islets, and the peaceful atmosphere of this remarkable landscape. After the boat tour, we will begin our return journey to Costa Rica.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from the hotels, condos and private residences in the following areas: Hacienda Pinilla/JW Marriott: 4:00 AM (extra fee) Langosta/Tamarindo Hotels, Condos, Apartments, Houses: 4:30 AM Conchal (W/Westin Conchal), Brasilito Hotels, Condos, Apartments, Houses: 4:45 AM Playa Grande, Flamingo, Potrero Hotels, Condos, Apartments, Houses: 4:30 AM Catalinas: 4:15 AM (extra fee) RIU Hotels Main Security Gate, Not the Lobby: 5:00 AM Playas del Coco Hotels, Condos, Houses: 5:20 AM Playa Hermosa & Panama (Occ/Secrts Papagayo, Villas Sol, Condovac, Mangroove): 5:30 AM Liberia Peri Supermarket: 6:00 AM Andaz, Four Seasons, Planet Hollywood: 5:20 AM (extra fee) Waldorf Astoria: 5:30 AM (extra fee) Dreams Las Mareas: 6:00am Pick up times above are an estimate. We will send you an official pick up time the day before the tour.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants. Please bring your passport on the day of your tour
- Entry to Nicaragua: Send photo of passport to info@nativesway.com or WhatsApp
- Your departure Ticket that proof of flight out of Costa Rica
- If your hotel is not listed, contact us for quoting
- It is prohibited to enter the country of Nicaragua with the following items: all kinds of Drones, all kinds of Binoculars, including those for Night vision, and any object considered for professional, journalistic, and similar audiovisual reproduction.
Reviews(603)
Incredible experience and flowness to the entire day. I purchased my ticket directly with Natives Way outside our hotel in Tamarindo. From the start of communication with the sales rep things about the trip were very clear: my questions and emails were thorough. The morning of our trip, our driver Jorge was punctual and he was very clear about what to expect and what our morning drive with him looked like. We arrived at the border and were introduced with our border guide Jorge who also was very clear about the steps with crossing the border and who we were to expect once we crossed Peñas Blancas border. Once we crossed we were met with Elmer, our Nicaraguan guide. Again, very clear about the next steps and what our day looked like. Everything was very clear and we got exactly what we paid for which was an extremely reasonable rate for all of what we got. In Nicaragua, Elmer was an amazing guide who talked about the country and culture. Our favorite part was the active volcano although it was a horrible smell, it was one for the books. Communication amongst the team was very evident and we felt safe at all times. Everyone knew our CR drivers and guides in Nicaragua which as just a nice added touch, they knew exactly what to do. The entire itinerary was great for a one day trip. We got back a little later than planned but each moment spent in Nicaragua was worth it. However, we were in bed by 11pm -- and that was a huge plus.
Transport was awful. Chinese bus probably byed from Chinese kindergarten second hand. Extremely tight seats, very bad suspension for bumpy roads working ac time to time. Extremely uncomfortable journey.We travel more 10 hrs round trip. Overall destination is amazing Unfortunately that's my experience
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the transportation did not meet your expectations. We would like to clarify that all of our vehicles are regularly maintained and kept in good operating condition, and we have not received previous complaints regarding the issues you described. However, we take your comments seriously and would like to investigate this specific case further. Please provide us with your booking number, travel date, and any additional details about the tour and vehicle you were on. You can also contact our management team directly at management@nativesway.com. This information will allow us to identify the vehicle and review the situation with our transportation team. We appreciate your cooperation and the opportunity to look into your experience properly. Pura Vida, Native's Way
Great tour. It was a really long day and to ensure a shorter day they could have removed the lake tour, as we did not return until 10pm to Tamarindo. The tour guide was so knowledgeable and ensured we had a wonderful time on the trip
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that our guide helped make the day such a positive experience. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We completely understand your comment about the length of the day, especially with the return to Tamarindo being so late. We appreciate you pointing this out, and your feedback is valuable as we continue looking for ways to make the experience as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. We’re especially happy to hear that your guide’s knowledge and enthusiasm helped make the long day worthwhile. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our team. Thank you for choosing Native’s Way, and we hope to welcome you back for another Costa Rican adventure. Pura Vida, Native's Way
Claudio the guide very friendly and helpful and funny. Guided us through the trip and provided us with excellent services.
We’re so happy to hear that Claudio helped make your trip such an enjoyable experience! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s wonderful to know that his friendly personality, sense of humor, and helpfulness made you feel well taken care of throughout the journey. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to him. Thank you for choosing Native’s Way. We truly appreciate your review and hope to welcome you back for another great experience in Costa Rica. Pura Vida, Native's Way
The Nicaragua tour was a great experience! Everything was well organized, and we had the opportunity to see beautiful places, learn about the local culture, and enjoy some unforgettable moments. The tour was enjoyable from start to finish, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable trip to Nicaragua.
It’s wonderful to know that your day in Nicaragua was such an enjoyable experience from beginning to end! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad you appreciated the organization of the tour and had the opportunity to discover beautiful places while learning more about Nicaragua’s culture and history. Creating meaningful and memorable experiences for our guests is something our team takes great pride in. Thank you for recommending Native’s Way. We truly appreciate you choosing us for your Nicaragua adventure and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for another unforgettable journey. Pura Vida, Native's Way
We visited Nicaragua on the full day tour from Costa Rica. Yes it is a long and early day but so worth it! We went so many places I can barely keep up. Lots of chances to see sites and shop. We started with a delish breakfast by a Lake before heading to the Colonials where there was a huge Volcanic lake surrounded by a local marketplace. We then went to the Masaya Active Volcano Crater before going to Granada and having another delish meal and then a boat ride out to monkey island and seeing Lucy and the many homes built on the 365 islands. Claude and Etienne were great host and driver who took care of all our needs and were very patient. There are so many good things I can say but the truth is, you have to go to experience it.
What an incredible day you had in Nicaragua! We’re so happy to hear that the early start and long day were more than worth it and that you were able to experience so many highlights along the way. From the beautiful lakes and colonial towns to Masaya Volcano, Granada, and the boat ride among the islands, it sounds like you truly made the most of your adventure. We’re also glad you enjoyed the local cuisine and had plenty of opportunities to explore and take in the sights. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Claudio and Etienne. It’s wonderful to know that they were attentive, patient, and made sure all your needs were taken care of. Thank you for trusting Native’s Way with your Nicaragua adventure and for recommending the experience. We hope to have the opportunity to show you even more of Central America on your next visit. Pura Vida, Native's Way
If you have time, DO THIS! It was a long day but a great opportunity to add a country to our list and see a different culture. Nicaragua is truly beautiful! Tour guides were amazing and excellent hosts! Claudio was kind and knowledgable.
Thank you for sharing this! We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed the adventure to Nicaragua and found the long day well worth it. It’s wonderful that you had the opportunity to experience the country’s beautiful landscapes and unique culture. We’re especially happy to hear that our guides were amazing hosts and that Claudio made such a great impression. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him! Thank you for recommending the experience. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another adventure! Pura Vida, Native's Way
This experience was great! If you are looking for a taste of Nicaragua, this is perfect. It is a long day but they really show you quite a bit of the country. Crossing the border if quite a walk, you have to go through three to four sections where they check your passport. Other than that, I would highly suggest this tour.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed experiencing the best of Nicaragua with us. It is indeed a full-day adventure, but we're glad you felt it was worth it. We also appreciate you mentioning the border crossing process, it can take a bit of walking and several passport checks, so it's helpful information for future travelers. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure with us in the future! Pura Vida Native's Way
Very interesting tour, I loved seeing the active Masaya Volcano, the overlook across the lakes and valleys and the old city of Granada. The restaurant they took us to was incredibly beautiful with a lush garden courtyard and excellent food. The street vendors were a little pushy in the town square. The chocolate at the cacao shop was incredible. Some of us also opted to go on a horse buggy ride and that was something new for me. The boat tour was WET as it was raining the day we went so we did not end up stopping on any island or feeding the monkeys. Our tour guide, Peter (Pedro) was incredible and a wonderful guy. He made us laugh and kept us entertained and informed the entire ride to Nicaragua (which is a long one!) we played music in the van and had a part the whole time, it was great. :)
Thank you for taking the time to share your review! We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience exploring Nicaragua and that the highlights of the tour, along with the beautiful restaurant, helped make your day so memorable. We’re sorry that the rainy weather affected the boat portion of the tour and that you were unable to visit the islands as planned. While weather conditions can occasionally require adjustments to the itinerary, the safety and comfort of our guests always remain our top priority. We’re especially happy to hear that our guide made such a positive impression on your experience. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him, as we know he will appreciate your feedback. Thank you again for choosing to travel with us. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in Costa Rica and Nicaragua! Pura Vida!
Great experience. Gained many impressions of Nicaragua. Everything is very well and professionally organized
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and gained so many wonderful impressions of Nicaragua. We’re also glad to know that you found the experience well organized and professional. We truly appreciate you choosing Native’s Way and taking the time to share your feedback. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future! Pura Vida, Native's Way
