JANUARY 1st - 12th, 2020

4-nights in Granada, 2-nights on Ometepe Island and 4-nights in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Hotel, international air, transfers, several tours and Daily Breakfast just $2,495

Here's a new trip for us that we're very excited to offer you. This trip features the best of Nicaragua with great tours over our 6-days in this beautiful country and then crossing the border to Costa Rica for our 4-night stay at a beautiful beachfront resort to enjoy the Guanacoste area of Costa Rica for more adventure tours.

Granada is a Nicaraguan city on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. It’s home to multiple Spanish colonial landmarks that have survived repeated pirate invasions. The city’s main plaza, Central Park, is dominated by the colorful, neoclassical facade of the Cathedral of Granada, originally dating to 1583. The Centro Cultural Convento San Francisco nearby is famed for its displays of pre-Columbian statues. Streets are lined with buildings distinguished from each other by their successive shades of pastel hues. Palms rise amidst a sea of red tile roofs against the backdrop of lake shores and volcanoes. There are baroque and Moorish aesthetic influences interspersed throughout the cityscape. The surrounding natural beauty has also inspired artists, poets, and writers well before the Spanish founded it in 1524. Combine these charming features with the relaxed air of the Nicaraguan people – one of the happiest in the world – and you have quite possibly the most laid-back and accessible city in Central America, fully imbued with color and culture.

We arrive early on January 2nd for a great start to your new year. We'll kick things off with a tour of Granada (included in your package). 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 and considered one of the prettiest cities in Latin America. Visit relevant sites and colonial buildings as well as the San Francisco Convent and Church founded in 1524, which preserves some of the most interesting indigenous ceramic and statue collections. You will hear stories from real pirates, like the infamous Henry Morgan, and their adventures to civil war stories that burned toashes, sacked and destroyed the city several times. We will also visit archeological treasures from Isla Zapatera, a primitive art exhibit and historical display, La Polvora Fort, a warehouse built in 1748 to keep gunpowder. We will visit its old towers, which give you a beautiful view of the city. Xalteva Church and walls: Here the Spaniards met the Indigenous Xalteva population, from which it gets its name. This is the most antique part of Granada. The church was built during colonial times and because of its location, it was also used as a military fort.

The next 2-days will feature some great tours included in this package. First up will be a visit to the incredible Masaya Volcano, unique of its type in Latin-America. Visitors can peek over the edge at the Masaya Volcano, and look into the impressive crater, which is continuously emitting smoke and sulfur gases. From this central crater it is possible to start hiking to other craters or viewpoints. Then our driver will take you to the Arts Market where will have the opportunity to admire ceramics, woodcrafts, hammocks and jewelry, cigars, leather work & more! Before returning to the hotel, enjoy a scenic town of nurseries & flowers panoramic view of Apoyo crater lake. We'll also visit a handcraft area with time for shopping.

The next tour we will offer will be a boat tour of the Las Isletas consisting of around 365 small islands that 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 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! Our boat ride around Lake Nicaragua and some of its 365 islands will take in the inhabitants ("Isleños") that live peacefully in simple yet decent conditions and dedicate themselves to fishing and small agriculture. The nature is beautiful with a lots of birdlife and amazing views of the volcanoes and Lake Nicaragua.

The next day our tour will be a visit and optional tour to Mombacho Volcano and zip lining. 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 steepness of the volcano guarantees a spectacular ride. Explore a breathtaking view of the tropical forest of the Mombacho Volcano and enjoy a pleasant Canopy Zip Line Tour while enjoying close contact with nature. This tour is a combination of both Mombacho walking around the crater and Canopy with its 17 platforms - 3 Hanging Bridges - 11 Steel Cables with a height about 25 - 30 meters.

The following day we will leave Granada for our visit to Ometepe. Take an unforgettable journey to one of the most beautiful places of Nicaragua. The island measures 276 square kilometers and houses two majestic volcanoes connected through a small strip of land. Ometepe Island is the largest island in the world on a fresh water lake. The excursion starts by heading towards the southern part of the country, getting to the port where we will take a ferry that will take us to Ometepe, where you will be able to enjoy spectacular views and one of the most impressive ones of all Nicaragua.

We will have 2-nights here and will enjoy some awesome sight seeing (included in this package) of Green Puddle's lagoon, Santo Domingo beach, and "Ojo de Agua" water springs. The next day we will visit waterfall San Ramon.. This cascade is one of the most breathtaking attractions the island has to offer. Crystalline water flows over the edge of a 140 meter high steep cliff, which is surrounded by the lush vegetation of a transition forest. We will then have a free afternoon to enjoy the beach and relax swimming in Lake Nicaragua in front of the Hotel.

After our 2-nights in Ometepe we will travel by ferry back to the mainland and will cross the border into Costa Rica. Our company has offered Costa Rica over 10 times but this will be our first trip to the Guanacaste area. Guanacaste, a province in northwestern Costa Rica bordering the Pacific, is known for its beaches and biodiverse parkland. Its Santa Rosa National Park is home to rare dry tropical forest, surfing sites and some 250 bird species. Guanacaste has gained a name for itself as a tropical paradise with a pristine shoreline, beautiful mountain ranges and a number of volcanoes. Sitting between two mountains, Playa Hermosa, where our hotel is located, is a great location for travelers who wish to have a laid back experience away from crowds. Hermosa is near Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Palo Verde National Park and Santa Rosa National Park, so there are plenty of opportunities to experience wildlife in this area.

For our 4-nights in Costa Rica we will have an abundance of optional activities set up. Here's a website from our tour operator there where you can read about some of the optional tours. The cost will be much less for our group. Here's another tour operator that we may work with on some other tours. As you can see, we will certainly have plenty of options. We will put together a complete itinerary with the optional tours a bit closer to the trip with our group rates.

Our return is from Liberia airport, just 45-minutes from our hotel.

We received a terrific rate on both the air and from the hotels so for this 10-night trip the cost is very reasonable and we expect this to be another popular trip. Early signups will receive the more desireable rooms. In Costa Rica we were able to reserve 6 oceanfront suites! Celebrate the start of 2020 with this amazing trip to paradise!

DEPOSIT - $200

Includes:

• Roundtrip air
• 10-nights hotel, double occupancy
• Daily Breakfast
• 5 tours: Granda City Tour, Las Isletas, Masaya Volcano, Ometepe tour and San Ramon Waterfall tour
• All ground Transportation

Not included:

• Departure tax of $119 (can go up until time of ticketing)
• Gratuities: guides and bus driver are at your discretion

.SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: Only if you choose to have your own room, otherwise we match you up with a roommate - $850

OUR AIR deduct $750 with your own air and you will not pay the departure tax

FROM LAX:

Flight: American Airlines 340 Departure:Los Angeles 02JAN/1230A Arrival:Miami 02JAN/825A (must be at the airport on Jan 1 )
Flight: American Airlines 2243 Departure:Miami 02JAN/1035A Arrival:Managua 02JAN/1227P
Flight: American Airlines 1032 Departure:Liberia 12JAN/355P Arrival:Dallas Fort Worth 12JAN/810P
Flight: American Airlines 84 Departure:Dallas Fort Worth 12JAN/1025P Arrival:Los Angeles 12JAN/1150P

OUR HOTELS

Granada

HOTEL DARIOR - 5-star

Website - Reviews

Hotel Darío, on Calle La Calzada, is located just 100 meters from Granada’s central park and of the city’s magnificent cathedral. This lively area is full of restaurants, activities and other attractions, allowing you to explore and enjoy Granada’s vibrant night life. Its unique architectural beauty and the warm ambience of Granada's ancient stately homes combine to create beautiful spaces that make Hotel Darío special, the first and only 5-star Boutique Hotel in the city of Granada. Hotel Darío is a refurbished two-story building with a distinctive neoclassical architectural style. Originally a home, it was built in 1904 by the distinguished Mrs. Angelica Balladares. For many years, this house was known as “Angélica`s Mansion.” Due to its cultural significance, this building is listed as a heritage site of the city of Granada. The care and maintenance of the building is vital to preserve its importance to the city.

In 2005, it was acquired by the Velilla Garcia family of Spanish origin who restored the building to its former splendor. It opened its doors once again in 2007 as Hotel Darío, in honor of the Nicaraguan poet of universal recognition Rubén Darío. The grounds include beautiful gardens, swimming pool with Jacuzzi, gym and business center. For dining on the premises.

Guests can choose from the El Tranvia Restaurant or from the Chocolate Coffee Shop. All our rooms have A/C, International TV-cable, direct access tel., Private bathroom, safe deposit box and hair dryer. The facilities include our swimming pool - jacuzzi, gym, internet + (WIFI), laundry & room service, concierge and 24hrs. Reception + security.
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Ometepe

VILLA PARAISO - 3-star

WEBSITE - TRIPADVISOR: #1 hotel!

The hotel is located 24 km from Moyogalpa, the main port on the island of Ometepe and 14 km from the new port of San Jose del Sur. Villa Paraíso Hotel is located right on the beautiful Santo Domingo beach; an exotic tropical place, with staff eager to welcome and serve you.

Villa Paraiso is a hotel located on beautiful Santo Domingo Beach, on the Ometepe Island, in the middle of the Volcanos Concepción and Maderas with a lagoon at the summit. The Terrace of the cabins invites you to relax with the hammocks. The Restaurant is recommended for its good food. 24-hour security and energy support guarantee your well-being. The hotel pool has a beautiful view of Lake Nicaragua.

The hotel has private cabins distributed among natural vegetation and overlooking the beach or close to it. Come and enjoy this unforgettable and memorable experience! English and German spoken.

 

 

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

BOSQUE DEL MAR - 3-1/2-star

WEBSITE - TRIPADVISOR: #2 hotel in Playa Hermosa

Let yourself be captivated by the enchantment of our hotel and be surrounded by a natural paradise that captures the tranquility of the forest and merges it with the fervency of the beach in an experience of perfect harmony. Enjoy our luxury accommodations and relax. No matter what you want to do, Hotel Bosque del Mar has an unique experience for everyone.

Right in front of the beach we have the new Ocean Front Suites, featuring a bedroom with 2 queen size beds, a comfortable living room with mini bar and a sofa bed, besides a spacious bathroom. Separate, a nice wooden terrace shares the amazing view with a great open air jacuzzi exclusive for each suite.

With a delicate environment characterized by Earth tones details, full of nature around and privacy, we have 20 Junior Suites spread in two floor buildings with garden front terraces. The design of this kind of room offers a bedroom with 2 queen size beds and a bathroom, plus a separate living room with mini bar.

Comfort, space and elegance are three factors to describe this kind of suite. Steps away from the beach, the restaurant and the swimming pool and with a really close view of our tropical gardens our six Garden View Suites offer an amazing bedroom with 2 queen beds and a living room with a pleasant sofa bed.

 

 

        Sign up for this Singles Trip!