Overview & Highlights
A self-drive holiday offering freedom and flexibility in an unspoilt, ultra-friendly country. Visit mountainside coffee plantations, restored colonial cities and even a super cool surf-beach resort.
- León: Guided city tour
- Granada:
- Guided city tour and boat trip
In your pre-booked hire car you will drive at your own leisurely pace, with the freedom to stop off at interesting little market towns or a panoramic viewpoint and still be at your next pre-booked hotel in plenty of time for a sun-downer on your hotel terrace.
Nicaragua is one of Latin America’s remaining true adventure destinations. For decades preoccupied with internal struggle, now reconciled, this friendly country remains little developed for tourism, especially compared to its neighbour Costa Rica. The amiable republic soldiers on at its own slow pace, following the rhythms of age-old traditions and an unpressured economy.
But that is where its appeal lies: gorgeous rural scenery, crossed by virtually empty roads where you are more likely to come across cattle being herded by cowboys or rickety overloaded buses than queues of cars. Whether driving west or east over the continental divide you are never far from a spectacular volcanic view. The landscape is peppered with colonial cities, tropical forest reserves and defined by a rugged stretch of golden Pacific coast.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Managua, transfer to hotel in a smart residential district.
Day 2
Pick up your car, drive to Matagalpa and Selva Negra.
Day 3
At leisure in the Selva Negra Cloud Forest Reserve.
Day 4
Drive to León.
Day 5
Guided tour of León.
Day 6
Drive from León to Granada via Masaya.
Day 7
Guided tour of Granada.
Day 8
At leisure in Granada.
Day 9
Drive from Granada to San Juan del Sur.
Day 10
At leisure on the Pacific coast.
Day 11
Drive back to Managua airport, drop off car, take international flight.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.
What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
Tailor made holiday
Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.
Ben Line - Travel Consultant
Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Manager of the Tailor-made Department.
Inspired by this trip
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
Papagaio
Your edit for Latin American inspiration
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
View Extraordinary Inspiration
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Carrie Gallagher - Travel Consultant
A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Escorted Groups team.
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Sophie Barber - Travel Consultant
Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia.
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Ben Line - Travel Consultant
Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Manager of the Tailor-made Department.
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Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Consultant
Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.
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Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Consultant
Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.
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Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Consultant
Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our Sales team.
