Nicaragua Full Day Experience from Costa Rica

Tamarindo , Costa Rica

Nicaragua Full Day Experience from Costa Rica

Active

15h

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Instant confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Your day starts with pickup in northwest Costa Rica, an early start puts more of Nicaragua within reach. A guide will take care of all the red tape, ensuring you won’t need to deal with passports, visas, or other border-crossing logistics.

The first stop in Nicaragua is Catarina Viewpoint (Mirador de Catarina), where you’ll have time to savor views of Lake Apoyo (Laguna de Apoyo), Lake Nicaragua (Lago de Nicaragua), and Mombacho Volcano. Next, do some souvenir shopping and enjoy an included Nicaraguan lunch at Masaya Crafts Market.

A stop at Masaya Volcano National Park gives you up-close views of an active volcano before you visit the Granada Cathedral (Catedral de Granada) in the country’s best-preserved historic center. An included sunset boat ride on Lake Nicaragua features a stop at wildlife-filled Monkey Island and is timed to catch beautiful light on the lake’s hundreds of islands.

The itinerary order may vary depending on arrival times, and it is not wheelchair accessible.

Available options

Shared Group Experience

Pickup included

Private Experience

Pickup included

What's included

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Guide in-person

Lunch

All Fees and Taxes

Breakfast

Entry/Admission

Detailed itinerary

You will picked up from your hotel and taken to the border where your guide will help you in every step of the crossing, which takes about 40 minutes. The guide will make the process easy for you and will take care of all of the passport paperwork and visas. From here we will travel to eat a hearty breakfast to start off the day. The itinerary order may vary depending on arrival times.

Here you will enjoy an incredible view over the dormant volcano crater, Granada, and Lake Nicaragua. You will be allowed to walk around freely for a while before getting back in the bus and heading to the next stop.

Stop 3

Do some shopping for souvenirs and experience the Nicaraguan lifestyle before sitting down for a typical Nicaraguan lunch.

Stop 4

An active volcano where you will have the opportunity to stand right next to its crater and hear it rumbling and spewing gases. An incredible, rare sight.

An old Colonial town near Lake Nicaragua. Stop at La Merced Church, considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Granada. It is flanked by a large tower that houses the church bells. You will ascend the stairs and reach the roof of the church. From here, you’ll have a panoramic city view of Granada, Mombacho Volcano, and Nicaragua Lake with the islets. This is the perfect place to take pictures of the beautiful city and its surroundings.

Your last stop is a one-hour boat ride in Lake Nicaragua viewing the Nicaraguan Islets around sunset. Your guide will stop by Monkey Island consisting only of monkeys that will come out and take food from your guide on the boat! You will then head back to Costa Rica, stopping on the way to pick up some snacks for the ride home.

What's not included

Andaz, Four Seasons, Planet Hollywood - $50 transport fee per booking, not per person

Las Catalinas - $50 pick-up fee per booking, not per person

Gratuities

Available languages

Guide guide

EN ES

Important information

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Tour duration includes driving time to the different activities, to Nicaragua, and back to hotel in Costa Rica.

Recommended items: Tennis or hiking shoes, a bottle of water, comfortable clothes, insect repellent, camera

Faro Travel hereby reserves the right to change/substitute alternate service providers/operators shown on the description/confirmation, change routes and, if necessary, may alter or omit stopping places, without notice. This due to no availability or any reasonable circumstance beyond its control

Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants. Please bring your passport on the day of your tour

Send us a photo of you passport

Bring your departure Ticket that proves your flight out of Costa Rica

It is prohibited to enter the country of Nicaragua with the following items: all kinds of Drones, all kinds of Binoculars, including those for Night vision, and any object considered for professional, journalistic, and similar audiovisual reproduction

This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund

The itinerary order may vary depending on arriving times

Meeting point

We will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel to start this great expedition. The approximate pickup time will be confirmed on your itinerary once the reservation is confirmed.

About Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a vibrant coastal town in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, renowned for its stunning beaches, world-class surfing, and lively nightlife. It's a popular destination for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation in a tropical paradise.

Top Attractions

Tamarindo Beach

A long, sandy beach known for its great waves, perfect for surfing and sunbathing. The beach is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops.

Beach Half day to full day Free

Playa Langosta

A quieter beach located just north of Tamarindo, known for its beautiful sunsets and turtle nesting sites.

Nature Half day Free

Las Baulas National Marine Park

A protected area for the endangered leatherback turtles, offering guided night tours during nesting season.

Nature Half day to full day Moderate

Must-Try Local Dishes

Gallo Pinto

A traditional Costa Rican breakfast dish made with rice and beans, often served with eggs, tortillas, and natilla (sour cream).

Breakfast Vegetarian

Ceviche

Fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice, mixed with onions, peppers, and cilantro. Often served with tortilla chips or patacones (fried plantains).

Appetizer Contains seafood, can be made gluten-free

Casado

A typical Costa Rican lunch dish consisting of rice, beans, salad, plantains, and a choice of meat or fish.

Lunch Can be made vegetarian or vegan

Popular Activities

Surfing Snorkeling Hiking Beachcombing Sunbathing Spa treatments Local markets Art galleries

Best Time to Visit

December to April

This is the dry season with plenty of sunshine, ideal for beach activities and outdoor adventures. The weather is perfect for surfing, snorkeling, and exploring the nearby national parks.

24-32°C 75-90°F