With the election of Daniel Ortega to the office of the presidency in 2006, Nicaragua was thrust back into the international news spotlight. The FSLN (Sandinista political party and once underground rebel group) with their now moderate left-center leader Daniel Ortega in power, Nicaragua has come full circle since the upheavals of the insurrection against Somoza in 1978-79 and the controversial Contra War of the 1980's. Ortega's vice-president is a former leader of the Contras rebel movement and the current FSLN line-up in general resembles very little the government that ruled Nicaragua in the 1980's. Besides being one of the last playing fields of the cold war, Nicaragua has long been in the view of both Europe and the US, both to the detriment and benefit of Nicaragua, as it has played both pawn and manipulator. In reality Nicaragua has been desired by foreign groups since at least 800 A.D. This trip through history and politics will trace the fascinating story of Nicaragua with the aid of an expert English speaking guide. We invite you to visit first-hand the truth behind the headlines.

Political History Itinerary

DAY 01: MANAGUA
Airport greeting and transfer to Hotel Intercontinental in Managua's new restaurant district.
DAY 02: MANAGUA - CIUDAD DARIO - MATAGALPA
Morning political history tour of Managua, with visits to key sites then transfer north along the eastern shores of Lake Managua into the heart of the coffee growing northern mountains Matagalpa with two visits in route. First the San Jacinto Ranch, site of an historic battle between the North American mercenary army of William Walker and Nicaraguan rebel troops and Matagalpa, the birth place of Sandinista ideologue Carlos Fonseca in Matagalpa, the home to anti-government rebellions for more than 2 centuries. Lodging at the sustainable coffee hacienda of Selva Negra above Matagalpa.
DAY 03: MATAGALPA - SAN RAFAEL NORTE - JINOTEGA
Transfer further north into the mountains and the former base of rebel General Augusto Sandino where he directed attacks on the US Marines and met and married his wife. Visit to the Sandino Museum in San Rafael, the tomb of his wife and the church with the famous Daniel Ortega "devil fresco". Return to Jinotega for lodging at Hotel Café.
DAY 04: JINOTEGA - MINA LA INDIA - LEÓN
Transfer south and then west descending from the northern mountains to the Pacific basin through the rugged area of El Jicaral on the only paved road that connects the northern mountains to the seaport of Corinto. A stop in route to León at the tiny village of Mina La India were a handful of artisan gold prospectors or "guiriseros" still extract gold from the surrounding hillsides in a manner that has been used since Spanish colonial times. Transfer through the heart of Maribios Volcano Range finishing in the lively colonial city of León. Lodging at the Hotel El Convento in León's historic center.
DAY 05: LEÓN
Full day tour of colonial León, the city where Nicaragua's passions for liberty and poetry have been in full force for more than a century and one of the hardest fought battles of the revolution of 1979. León's colonial period churches, including Central America's largest cathedral and wall murals make a beautiful backdrop to this examination of Nicaragua's poetry and revolutionary history. Meeting with a veteran from the war of 1979, visit to the home of Nicaragua's two greatest poets Rubén Darío and Alfonso Cortés. Lodging at the Hotel El Convento.
DAY 06: LEÓN - LEÓN VIEJO - GRANADA
Early transfer south to the shores of Lake Managua at the base of the smoking Momotombo Volcano to visit the UNESCO World Patrimony site of León Viejo. The original site of León was abandoned in 1609 after years of colonial government corruption and volcanic eruptions and not rediscovered until 1967. Today it is a park and archeological site and the perfect place to examine Nicaragua's troubled beginnings as a Spanish colonial province. Transfer to historic Granada, founded in 1524, with visits to principle sites of historical significance like the San Francisco Convent, once a garrison for the occupying army of North American William Walker in the 1850's, then a base for the US Marines during their occupation, the convent is an indigenous art museum today. Other visits to trace the history of William Walker who proclaimed himself president of Nicaragua in Granada in 1856, in an attempt to annex Nicaragua to the United States, before being defeated by combined Central American forces. Lodging at the Hotel Patio del Malinche.
DAY 07: GRANADA
Transfer to Managua's international airport for flight home.

Nicaragua political history tour includes:

• All private transfers in program
• 2 nights lodging at Hotel El Convento in León
• 1 night lodging at Hotel El Café in Jinotega
• 1 night lodging at Hotel Selva Negra in Matagalpa
• 1 night lodging at Hotel Patio del Malinche in Granada
• 1 night lodging at Hotel Intercontinental in Managua
• All breakfasts
• All entrance fees to museums
• Full time assistance of a private English speaking guide

All tours are private.
Tours can begin any day of the year providing hotel space is available.
Tour costs depend on the number of travelers in your party.
Please specify number of people when requesting a quote.

Custom tour itineraries are available upon request.
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Nicaragua Political History tour does not include: Drinks, lunches and dinners. International flights or taxes. Travel insurance, tips, visas, or medical treatment.
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