Nicaragua and El Salvador Trip

16 days – from €3,499 per person

off the beaten track – nature – history

Day 3: Granada – Matagalpa

(approx. 155 km | 3-hour drive)
Today you’ll set off in your rental car. The first leg of the journey takes you from Granada to Matagalpa. Matagalpa is situated in the northern highlands of Nicaragua and is renowned for its coffee and tobacco plantations. The natural scenery here is breathtaking and you’ll rarely come across other travellers.
Accommodation: Hotel Montebrisa | bed and breakfast

Day 5: Matagalpa – León

(approx. 150 km | 3-hour drive)
This morning, you’ll drive from the mountains towards the Pacific Ocean. Your destination is León, the historic university town. In León, you’ll return your rental car to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Although León is not the official capital, the city is nevertheless regarded as the historical, cultural and religious capital. In León, the impressive cathedral, which houses the tomb of the great poet Rubén Darío, is the centrepiece of the city. There are many churches throughout the city, each with its own unique interior. You’ll also find plenty of interesting museums and a beautiful university here. In the afternoon, when the temperatures have dropped a little, the city centre comes to life and the terraces fill up. It’s a lively scene and there’s a relaxed atmosphere.
Accommodation: El Convento | bed and breakfast

Day 7: León – El Cuco

After breakfast, you will be picked up and travel on to El Salvador. As these two countries do not share a land border, you will cross the Gulf of Fonseca by boat. A local guide will take you to the town of Potosí (approx. 2-hour drive). After completing customs formalities, you’ll board a boat that will take you to La Unión in El Salvador. The boat trip takes about 2 hours and is absolutely stunning. You’ll pass several tropical, uninhabited islets with idyllic little beaches. The waters are teeming with fish, as evidenced by the many birds flying overhead. With a bit of luck, you might even spot a dolphin along the way. At the port of La Unión, you will receive your El Salvador entry stamp, and from there it is just an hour’s drive to El Cuco (approx. 1.5 hours’ drive). Here you will find yourself in a tropical paradise that is becoming increasingly well-known amongst keen surfers. The many bays along the coast of El Salvador are, in fact, among the best surfing spots in the world. You’ll be staying at Las Flores Resort, situated right on the famous palm-lined surfing beach.
Accommodation: Las Flores Resort & Surf Club | bed and breakfast

Day 9: El Cuco – Suchitoto

You’ll leave the coast behind and head into the lush green interior, characterised by El Salvador’s 23 volcanoes. Enjoy the stunning natural scenery as you travel through it. Along the way, you’ll stop in the town of Berlin, where you’ll learn about local traditions and visit the main sights, such as the central church. From here, you’ll continue on to the village of Alegría, situated at 1,240 metres above sea level. This village is surrounded by coffee plantations, and nearby you’ll find the Laguna de Alegría, situated in the crater of the dormant Tecapa volcano. This lake is turquoise in colour due to its high sulphur content and features hot springs and fumaroles (fissures that emit hot volcanic gases). By late afternoon, you’ll arrive at the picturesque village of Suchitoto. It’s lovely to stroll through the quaint little streets. On the outskirts of the village, you’ll have a breathtaking view of Lake Suchitlán and its green surroundings dotted with volcanic peaks.
Overnight stay: Los Almendros de San Lorenzo | bed and breakfast

Day 11: Suchitoto – Concepción de Ataco

From Suchitoto, you will be taken to Concepción de Ataco. On the way, you will stop at Joya de Cerén, the Pompeii of Mayan culture. In 640 AD, this site was buried under lava and has therefore been exceptionally well preserved. Whilst most Mayan ruins are often royal cities, palaces or the tombs of nobles, Joya de Cerén is a farming village. As a result, this site provides a clearer insight into ‘ordinary’ rural life.
Accommodation: Casa Degraciela | bed and breakfast

Days 13 & 14: El Tunco

You’ll spend the final days of your trip on the coast near the village of El Tunco. In recent years, El Tunco has become popular with surfers thanks to its excellent waves. This has meant that the village attracts a colourful mix of visitors and has a relaxed atmosphere. There are lovely little bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. As well as relaxing by the sea, you can also visit the Tamanique waterfalls or the town of La Libertad with its lively fish market.
Accommodation: Casa de Mar | bed and breakfast

Day 15: El Tunco – San Salvador – Amsterdam

From El Tunco, you will be taken to San Salvador Airport. Here, you will board your flight to Amsterdam.

Day 16: Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.