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 Celentiname.
DAY 02: SOLENTINAME - LOS GUATUZOS WILDLIFE REFUGE - SOLENTINAME
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 Celentiname.
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 El Convento.
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 Plaza Colón.
DAY 05: 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 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 Celentiname in Solentiname
• 1 night lodging at the Hotel El Convento in León
• 2 nights lodging at the Hotel Plaza Colón 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 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; please specify number when requesting a quote. Custom tour itineraries are available upon request.

Please contact us