Nicaragua One Day Tour from La Fortuna
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Trip Type: Day Trips
Duration: 12 hours
The main attraction of this tour is the impressive Nicaragua Lake, a fresh water lake over 8,600 km2 in size. The lake was often referred to as the “Sweet Sea” by the Spanish visitors of centuries passed. This lake is the second largest in Latin America, and the only place in the world where fresh water sharks are found. There are also many islands, including Solentiname, Ometepe and Zapatera, 400 islets, and 2 volcanoes.
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The main attraction of this tour is the impressive Nicaragua Lake, a fresh water lake over 8,600 km2 in size. The lake was often referred to as the “Sweet Sea” by the Spanish visitors of centuries passed. This lake is the second largest in Latin America, and the only place in the world where fresh water sharks are found. There are also many islands, including Solentiname, Ometepe and Zapatera, 400 islets, and 2 volcanoes.At 6am you will depart, heading towards Los Chiles, Costa Rica’s northern border town. Once you make it through the border control, the Nicaraguan transportation will be awaiting, ready to take you on a scenic ride to San Carlos, Nicaragua, crossing the Santa Fe Bridge above the San Juan River. This river serves as the natural border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Once in San Carlos, you will enjoy a historic journey through the city streets, La Fortaleza, El Mirador and Malecon.
Next, you will take a speedboat to travel to the Solentiname Archipelago which consists of 36 islands full of natural, cultural, archaeological, and historic riches, which have been declared a Nicaraguan National Monument. You will visit 2 of them, Zapote and Zapotillo, known as “The Bird Islands”, where you can observe countless species of birds like cormorants, herons, pelicans, roseate spoonbills, ospreys, among others. Afterwards, you will visit the San Fernando Island for a delicious traditional Nicaraguan lunch, with fresh fish from the lake as a main dish.
After lunch, you will take a short boat ride to the island of Mancarron, the most popular and biggest island of the Archipelago. Here, you will walk through the town, visiting important attractions like the Archaeological Museum with unique pieces found on the islands, the traditional country church “The Refuge”, which is renowned for its history, and has served as inspiration for many, like writer, Gabriel García Marquez, songwriter, Carlos Mejia Godoy, and poet Ernesto Cardenal. You will visit some of the local workshops to observe the artists in their creation of woodwork, unique paintings, and more. Finally, it will be time to head back to Costa Rica.
Next, you will take a speedboat to travel to the Solentiname Archipelago which consists of 36 islands full of natural, cultural, archaeological, and historic riches, which have been declared a Nicaraguan National Monument. You will visit 2 of them, Zapote and Zapotillo, known as “The Bird Islands”, where you can observe countless species of birds like cormorants, herons, pelicans, roseate spoonbills, ospreys, among others. Afterwards, you will visit the San Fernando Island for a delicious traditional Nicaraguan lunch, with fresh fish from the lake as a main dish.
After lunch, you will take a short boat ride to the island of Mancarron, the most popular and biggest island of the Archipelago. Here, you will walk through the town, visiting important attractions like the Archaeological Museum with unique pieces found on the islands, the traditional country church “The Refuge”, which is renowned for its history, and has served as inspiration for many, like writer, Gabriel García Marquez, songwriter, Carlos Mejia Godoy, and poet Ernesto Cardenal. You will visit some of the local workshops to observe the artists in their creation of woodwork, unique paintings, and more. Finally, it will be time to head back to Costa Rica.
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