Thought to have been formed by an explosion on nearby Mombacho Volcano, the Isletas de Granada (aka Granada Islets) are, as the name suggests, just a short distance from the beautiful and historic town of Granada.
Officially, it is said that the Isletas de Granada comprises exactly 365 islands – some barely large enough for a family of birds to perch on, others home to traditional, village communities that have been around for as long as anyone can remember.
More recently, these traditional communities have been joined by wealthy outsiders who have built luxury mansions on some of the larger islands. For those unable to afford a house within the islands (some of which are available to rent), there is also a small selection of hotels including the luxurious Jicaro Island Lodge (some images courtesy of the hotel).
In reality, most visits to the Isletas de Granada are on a more fleeting basis, with guests staying in nearby Granada (a 15 minute drive from the centre of town to the dock) and exploring the islands by boat trips lasting approximately an hour.
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Beyond The Ordinary arrange fully bonded, tailor made holidays and tours to Nicaragua. Contact one of our experts on 01580 764796, email travel@beyondtheordinary.co.uk or contact us via our website. |
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To avoid the heat of the day, and to witness bird life at its most active, most visits take place either after breakfast or in the late afternoon. For visitors with a strong interest in birdwatching, we can arrange such trips with a specialist guide.
For those who like to stay active, it is also possible to explore the islands by kayak, either on a pre-booked trip from Granada or as a guest of the aforementioned Jicaro Island Lodge (who can also arrange visits to local communities).
Whether you choose to explore the Isletas de Granada by boat or kayak, one popular stopping off point (with snacks available) is tiny San Pablo fort, the only remaining example of the fortifications build to protect Granada from pirate attacks via Lake Nicaragua.
Another popular option for visiting the islands is to book a day trip to the private Zopango Island reserve, an approximate 40 minute boat trip from the Granada dock.
As well as a number of beautiful trails, kayaks are available to explore the lake, with a bbq lunch included in the price.
For examples as to how you might incorporate a visit to the Isletas de Granada into an overall Nicaragua holiday, we suggest visiting our Itineraries page and, in particular, our sample Granada City Break.
Do please remember however that all our holidays are entirely flexible and can be tailor made to your exact requirements.
