Set between the Pacific Ocean and a jagged range of active volcanoes is Nicaragua's colonial capital of León. This city founded in the early 17th century is home to more than 12 colonial period churches, each one unique in its design from tiny parish size chapels to the mighty Cathedral, Central America's largest church. León is also the home of Nicaragua's greatest passion, poetry, the origin of numerous internationally renowned poets, including the national hero Rubén Darío, considered one the Spanish languages greatest. León is also home to great painters and the finest art museum in the country set inside a restored colonial mansion. This program will visit with this great culture and tell its story with the aid of a private English speaking guide. It also includes visits to the tragic first locale of León on the shores of Lake Managua, now an UNESCO world heritage site located at the base of the smoking Momotombo Volcano, as well as the tiny rural village of San Jacinto to see its fumaroles. Afterwards the program travels to Granada. The "Gran Sultan", one of Latin America's most beautiful colonial cities. This ancient town on the shores of mighty Lake Nicaragua is full of history and Spanish colonial charm and is one of the oldest European settlements in the western hemisphere. A quiet tour of the city's precious architecture and history is featured, as is lodging in a beautifully restored colonial home. The program also includes a stop in the folklore center of Masaya for shopping at its renowned open-air market of fine hand made crafts and a visit to a hammock workshop to see how they are woven. The program will also visit the 5 crater complex at the Masaya Volcano National Park for a look inside of the very active Santiago Crater and to see the rare crater-dwelling parrots who have managed to adapt to this toxic environment.

Granada and Leon Costa Rica Extension Tour Itinerary

DAY 01: PEÑAS BLANCAS, COSTA RICA - MANAGUA - LEON
Greeting in Peñas Blancas, Costa Rica and transfer north to the nation's capital of Managua for a visit to its historic center and to see the incredible footprints left by the Managua residents of 4,000 BC. Transfer north along the west face of the 21 strong Maribios Volcanoes, 5 of which are active to the current location of León founded in 1610. Lodging in the historic center at the Hotel El Convento.
DAY 02: LEON - SAN JACINTO - LAS PEÑITAS - LEON
Breakfast at hotel and morning walking tour of Nicaragua's intellectual and artistic capital colonial León, with visits to the world famous poet Rubén Darío's house, a colonial home art gallery, some of the city's 12 colonial period churches, which includes Central America's grandest cathedral. Transfer to the wave-swept Pacific Coast to enjoy fresh seafood (meal not included) at a beach front rancho. Excursion to the rural village of San Jacinto, in the middle of the densely active Maribios Volcano chain, to visit with its population and see their fumarolic fields, the result of water being superheated on a volcanic vein beneath the earth's surface. Return to León, lodging at Hotel El Convento.
DAY 03: LEON - LEON VIEJO - GRANADA
Breakfast at hotel and transfer south to the base of the smoking Momotombo Volcano and the archeological site of León Viejo, now declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site. León Viejo was Nicaragua's first capital before being destroyed by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the late 16th century. It is now being excavated and the tragic history of the site has come to light. Complete historical tour of this ancient colonial locale. Transfer to Central America's oldest European settlement, early 16th century Granada. Granada is quickly becoming a must visit for travelers to Central America for its unique beauty, relaxed atmosphere and great dining possibilities. Private tour of lake front Granada's colonial beauty, history and art. Lodging on historic central park at Hotel Plaza Colón.
DAY 04: MESA VILLAGES - MASAYA - GRANADA
Breakfast at Hotel and transfer to the ancient highland villages of "La Meseta", for visits to the indigenous artisan's workshops of Catarina, San Juan de Oriente and Masatepe. All these precious towns have colonial period houses and churches and a hardworking, native population. After the highland villages, transfer to the historic city of Masaya. Masaya has been populated for more than 3,000 years and the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century organized the local artisans in small workshops for export. The principle item was hammocks and today Masaya makes the world's finest hammocks, as well as wood, leather and clothing goods, all created by hand. Masaya's friendly population has restored their 19th century outdoor indigenous market for the sale of their hand made goods. After a visit to the market and a hammock maker's shop transfer to the active cone of Santiago at the Masaya Volcano National Park for hiking or just observing the inside of this big smoking crater. Return to Granada and Hotel Plaza Colón.
DAY 05: GRANADA - PEÑAS BLANCAS, COSTA RICA
Breakfast at Hotel and transfer south to the border Costa Rica at Peñas Blancas, assistance with border formalities.

Costa Rica Extension Tour includes:

• All transfers in private vehicle with a/c and driver
• Full time assistance of an English speaking guide
• 2 nights lodging at the Hotel El Convento in León
• 2 nights lodging at the Hotel Plaza Colón in Granada
• Breakfasts
• Walking tour of León's art and history
• Historical tour of León Viejo
• Walking tour of Granada
• Visit to village of San Jacinto
• Visit to Masaya Market
• Visit to hammock workshop (Mon-Fri only)
• Visit to mesa villages of San Juan, Catarina, and Masatepe
• Visit to Volcán Masaya National Park
• All museum and park admissions

Tours are private and can start and finish any day of the year.

Tour costs depend on the number of travelers in your party and visit dates; please specify when requesting a quote. Custom tour itineraries are available upon request.

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