Solentiname is 36 wilderness islands in one of the most remote parts of the giant Lake Nicaragua. What makes these islands so special is their immense silence, the peace of their beauty. They are also home to sustenance farmers who have learned to paint and carve nature scenes that their daily lives are immersed in. The archipelago has great bird life and is the best jumping off point to visit the pristine Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge, home to more than 380 species of birds, monkeys, crocodiles, turtles, sloths, iguanas and the Jesus Christ lizard. 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. Afterwards the tour 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. The tour 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.

Solentiname, Granada & Leon Extension to Costa Rica Tour Itinerary

DAY 01: LOS CHILES, COSTA RICA - SAN CARLOS - SOLENTINAME
Meeting with guide and private motorboat in Los Chiles, Costa Rica for private transfer to San Carlos, Nicaragua. Assistance with border formalities. Private motorboat transfer to Solentiname and the Island of Mancarrón. Afternoon visit with local artists and artisans who make nature art in a primitive style. Lunch, dinner and lodging at Hotel Mancarrún.
DAY 02: MANCARRÓN - RIO ZAPOTE - RIO PAPATURRO - MANCARRÓN
Breakfast at hotel and full day motorboat tour of the rivers of Zapote and Papaturro inside the Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge. Excellent nature viewing in boat. Visit to the research station in Papaturro to see caiman and turtle reproduction projects and walk on their canopy bridge. Lunch in the village of Papaturro. Return in boat to Solentiname for dinner and lodging at Hotel Mancarrún.
DAY 03: SOLENTINAME - SAN CARLOS - MANAGUA - LEON
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to San Carlos in private motorboat. Taxi to the airstrip and domestic flight to Managua. 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 Austria.
DAY 04: LEON - GRANADA
Breakfast at hotel and morning walking tour of León. 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 Alhambra.
DAY 05: INDIGENOUS 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 Alhambra.
DAY 06: 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 Mancarrún in Solentiname
• 1 night lodging at the Hotel Austria in León
• 2 nights lodging at the Hotel Alhambra in Granada
• Breakfasts
• All meals in Solentiname
• Private motorboat transfers: Los Chiles-San Carlos-Solentiname-San Carlos
• Private motorboat tour: Rio Zapote and Rio Papaturro in Los Guatuzos
• Walking tour of León's art and history
• Walking tour of Granada
• Visit to artisans and artists of Solentiname
• Visit to Masaya Market
• Visit to hammock workshop (Mon-Fri only)
• Visit to indigenous 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.

Hotels described in itinerary are standard, optional upgrades available. Please see below for hotel descriptions relevant to this itinerary. Tour costs depend on the number of travelers in your party; please specify number when requesting a quote. Custom tour itineraries are available upon request.

LEON - STANDARD

Hotel Austria, located one block from the cathedral and central park, this is one of the best-run hotels in Nicaragua with a very warm, efficient and attentive service. Owned and operated by an Austrian Nicaraguan family, rooms are decorated with solid wood furnishings and are super clean. The hotel restaurant offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. 17 rooms, private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, safe box. León's best located, best run 3-star hotel.

LEON - UPGRADE

Hotel El Convento, connected to the historical San Francisco church two blocks from the cathedral and central park, this could be Nicaragua's most beautiful hotel. A ground-up restoration of the 17th century Convent of San Francisco, this charming hotel has 31 quality rooms around a gorgeous traditional interior garden and is decorated with antiques made in Nicaragua and Peru (made from imported Nicaraguan wood). The rooms all have A/C, private bath with hot water, cable TV and direct phones. The hotel has two restaurants both with view of the garden and features homemade ice cream from Nicaragua's tropical fruits. León's best hotel.

GRANADA - STANDARD

Hotel Alhambra, located on central park, facing the cathedral with a great balcony for watching the life of Granada and dinning or enjoying a drink. This hotel owned and operated by one of the city's oldest families. A landmark in Granada and convenient to all attractions with a friendly staff. The interior of the hotel has an open-air garden and is smartly decorated with antiques and Nicaraguan art. 56 rooms, private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool. Restaurant (not owned or operated by hotel) offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and is best enjoyed on its long veranda that looks out on Central Park, great for people watching. Granada's best 3 star hotel.

GRANADA - UPGRADES

Hotel Colonial, located a half-block from central park, this 27 room hotel is a ground-up restoration of a classic colonial home. The hotel has a great deal of charm with many colonial Nicaraguan touches. The hotel's high quality rooms are decorated with traditional Nicaraguan art and use four-post beds. Each room has private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool. The hotel restaurant is for breakfast only. This is very comfortable and charming hotel, one of Granada's two best.

Hotel La Gran Francia, located just off central park, this 15 room hotel is a ground-up restoration of a classic colonial home. The hotel has a great deal of charm with many colonial Nicaraguan touches. We feature the hotel's Jr. suites which all have big wooden colonial doors that open out onto balconies with a view to the Cathedral. These top quality rooms are decorated with traditional Nicaraguan art. Each room has private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool. The hotel restaurant is located across the street and is one of Granada's finest. This is very comfortable and charming hotel, one of Granada's two best.

SOLENTINAME ARCHIPELAGO, LAKE NICARAGUA

Hotel Celentiname, located on the most densely forested part of San Fernando Island, this tiny lodge has cabins that look out on Lake Nicaragua and an adjacent island with hundreds of nesting ducks. The lodge grounds are shaded by 20 meter high trees, draped in vines and home to many iguanas and flowers that are frequented by hummingbirds. Each cabin has a private bath with unheated water, simple beds, sparse lighting, screened windows and a deck above the lake shore. This homey hotel has a very friendly staff and Solentiname's finest lodging location.

Hotel Mancarrún, located in a broad clearing on the largest island of the archipelago, Mancarrón; this simple hotel has spacious and airy adobe, white-washed rooms with red clay tile roofs. The 15 rooms have private shower with unheated water, screened windows and a shared patio. Birding is good around the hotel and a small country store is located nearby, as are homes of balsa wood artisans. Food is served in a dinning room with set meals. This hotel has Solentiname's finest rooms.

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