Active Travel Options in Nicaragua

While Nicaragua boasts charming colonial cities and stunning beaches, it is also home to some of the most beautiful countryside in Central America and, thanks to its incredibly low population density, much of it is largely empty.

So, whether you want to spend your entire time in Nicaragua engaged in outdoor activities or, like most of our clients, want to mix and match history, culture, activities and perhaps time at the beach, there are countless options.

The following is really just a brief summary of what we can offer in terms of active and adventurous Nicaragua holidays.

	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.

Cycling

Whatever your levels of fitness and technical prowess, there are a variety of cycling options for visitors to Nicaragua.

Some of our featured hotels provide bikes for guests, either included in the price of their stay or available for a small rental fee.

On the Pacific Coast, Morgan’s Rock & Rancho Santana are vast properties with mountain bikes available to cover designated trails. Also on the Pacific Coast, the Hotel Punta Teonoste has basic bikes available to hire so that guests can explore the surrounding environs.

One of our favourite cycling options is on Big Corn Island. Although the Arenas Beach Hotel doesn’t have its own bikes, they can put you in touch with a small, local company that hires out bikes for a few hours or by the day. Cycling around the island is great fun although, depending on your ability, you might need to get off and walk for part of the circuit.

Hiking

On the Pacific Coast, luxury hotels Morgan’s Rock & Rancho Santana both cover over 2,500 acres so it is possible to stretch one’s legs along picturesque, marked trails without ever leaving the hotel grounds.

Away from the beach, we can also arrange a number of day hikes, examples of which include hiking the tree clad slopes of Mombacho Volcano just outside Granada.

From the lovely town of Leon, we can also arrange hikes to a couple of nearby volcanoes, El Hoyo & Telicia. Great hikes with wonderful views.

Clients visiting the magical island of Ometepe can enjoy an approximate 2-hour hike which ends at the beautiful San Ramon waterfall and the chance to cool off in a natural pool.

Volcano boarding

Volcano boarding, also known as volcano surfing, involves riding a thin metal or plywood board down the side of a volcano.

Cerro Negro, near Leon is one of the most popular destinations in the world for this high octane sport in which participants hike up the side of the volcano with their boards and then, somewhat quicker than on the way up, slide back down.

By raising or lowering the front of the board on the way down, participants can control their speed and, as such, it need not be as dangerous as it might sound. Jumpsuits and goggles are also provided.

That said, due to obvious insurance considerations, we are currently unable to make arrangements for clients to go volcano boarding. For those clients who still want to partake, we can simply build a free day in Leon into their itinerary.

Dune boarding

A bit like volcano boarding, dune boarding (aka sand boarding) involves sliding down the side of a sand dune on a board. In Nicaragua, this is one of the many experiences available to guests staying at the luxurious Hotel Rancho Santana on the Pacific Coast.

Horseback riding

From Juan del Sur, head into the Nicaraguan countryside on horseback, an amazing way to see this beautiful part of the world. You’ll be looked after by an expert local guide and will have a healthy, well-kept horse to carry you along the trails which wind through this rugged terrain. You’ll ride across open fields, over hilltops and through rivers, spotting the area’s amazing wildlife along the way. After stopping at a secluded beach, you’ll return to the ranch before heading back to your hotel.

Zipwire / Canopy Tour

On the continuing theme of getting one’s adrenaline pumping, ziplining is available in more than one destination in Nicaragua with our favourite being located on the forested slopes of Mombacho Volcano, a short drive from Granada.

With a number of hiking options available further up the volcano, it is possible to spend a full day combining at Mombacho combining hiking in the morning followed by a zipline experience.

Another popular option is located just outside San Juan del Sur with amazing views over the bay. Nature is also abundant in the area with monkeys, iguanas, sloths, raccoons and numerous species of birds in residence.

Surfing

Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast is world-famous for its surf and there are countless hotels that are 100% dedicated to the sport.

For those visitors looking to visit Nicaragua to surf, well, we aren’t the right people to come to. We tried it, we kept falling over, we gave up.

On the other hand, for anyone looking to try something new, purely for a bit of fun, surf lessons and equipment are available at both Rancho Santana & Morgan’s Rock. It is also possible to surf at Hotel Punta Teonoste although this is really geared towards experienced surfers.

Kayaking

There are countless opportunities to go kayaking in Nicaragua with anything from a simple hour pottering about on the water to multi-day kayaking expeditions through the jungle.

If you do wish to potter about on the water, the simplest option is to stay at a hotel by the water that has its own kayaks. Examples of this include Yemaya Reefs in the Corn Islands, Jicaro Island Lodge just outside Granada and Casa Marimba on Apoyo Lagoon.

Options for booking guided, kayak excursions include the Istian River on Ometepe Island, Juan Venado Nature Reserve near Leon and the Isletas de Granada in Granada.

If you’re interested in a full-blown, multi-day kayaking expedition, please contact us for details.

Paddleboarding

For those who enjoy the more leisurely pursuit of paddleboarding, equipment is included in the price of your stay at Jicaro Island Lodge.

For holiday ideas, we suggest you first visit our Itineraries page. Alternatively, you can simply drop us an email or give us a call during office hours and we will be more than happy to discuss your plans and put together a personalised itinerary.