Nicaragua Winter Get-Away
The days are getting shorter and the chill of winter is already in the air. Soon winter will be here and draping her beautiful white blanket of snow over the landscape: There is nothing better than a white Christmas if you are a skier or snowshoe enthusiast-but if you are not, cabin fever can settle in quickly after the holiday season. So why not escape for part of the winter and go south to Nicaragua where the sun is bright, the days warm and the people friendly. Did you know that in January and February southern destinations like Nicaragua enjoy approximately 2 1/2 hours more daylight than we do here in the Pacific Northwest?
I enjoyed a brief visit to Corinto, Nicaragua earlier this year and found the landscape beautiful, the local cuisine delicious and the people warm and friendly, all the elements of a perfect winter getaway.
Our tour to Nicaragua will provide an in-depth look at the country, culture, history and dramatic landscapes. In Leon, located only 30 miles from the base of the Momotombo Volcano, we will stay for two nights. Still an active volcano today, Momotombo rises up from the shores of Lago de Managua 4,255 ft. and its symmetrical shape provides a picturesque back drop.
From Leon our tour takes you in the forested highlands mountains and Central Highlands to the modern city of Esteli. This beautiful area is known for its tobacco plantations and in the surrounding area you will find an opportunity to visit a worm farm, a medicinal plant farm and a goat farm.
Our next stay at the Selva Negra Resort will surely captivate you. Located on 1,000 acres we have provided time to take in one of the resorts many activities; bird watching, horseback riding and hiking. The resort includes a cloud forest, coffee plantation and a wildlife sanctuary that protects many species of birds, animals and plants.
Leaving the highlands we travel to Lago do Nicaragua, the country’s largest lake and stay in Granada on the northwest shore. Granada is one of the most important and most visited destinations in Nicaragua. The colonial architecture of its old center, its museums, galleries, and cosmopolitan ambiance make the city a destination itself. While here we will visit the extinct Mombacho Volcano, traveling 4,400 feet up the rim for panoramic views of the Granada and Lago do Nicaragua. While in this area we will take a boat excursion to Zapango Island in Lago de Nicaragua which is a private ecological reserve.
Your winter escape would not be complete without a relaxing stay at a beautiful resort that looks out over the stunning Pacific Ocean.
So what are you waiting for? Kick off your boots, get off the ice and wiggle your toes in the warm sands of Nicaragua.
Written by: Joan Niemeier
Itinerary from Interior
Itinerary from Victoria
