Journey Nicaragua and El Salvador

16 days - from € 3,499 per person

off the beaten track - nature - history

Day 3: Granada - Matagalpa

(approx.155 km / 3 hour drive)
Today you will travel further to your next destination with your rental car. The first route is from Granada to Matagalpa. Matagalpa is located in the northern highlands of Nicaragua and is known for its coffee and tobacco plantations. Nature here is overwhelming and you will rarely meet another traveller here.
Overnight stay: Hotel Montebrisa | bed & breakfast

Day 5: Matagalpa - León

(approx. 150 km | 3-hour drive)
This morning you will drive from the mountains in the direction of the Pacific Ocean. Your destination is León, the historic university town. In León, you can drop off your rental car at your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Although León is not the official capital, the city is still seen as a historical, cultural and religious capital. The impressive cathedral with the tomb of the great poet Ruben Darío is the centre of the city. Throughout the city, there are many churches, each with its own unique decor. You will also find many interesting museums and a beautiful university here. In the afternoon, when temperatures have dropped a little, the city centre comes alive and the terraces fill up. It is a pleasant place and there is a relaxed atmosphere.
Accommodation: El Convento | bed & breakfast

Day 7: León - El Cuco

After breakfast, you will be picked up and travel to El Salvador. These two countries do not share a land border so you will cross the water via the Gulf of Fonseca. A local employee will take you to the village of Potosí (approx. 2-hour drive). After the customs formalities, you will board a boat that will take you to La Unión in El Salvador. The boat trip takes about 2 hours and is beautiful. You will pass some tropical, uninhabited islands with idyllic beaches. The waters are rich in food and this is noticeable by the many birds that fly here. With a bit of luck, you will also spot a dolphin on the way. In the harbour of La Unión, you will get your stamp of El Salvador and then it is only an hour and a half drive to El Cuco. Here you will find yourself in a tropical paradise that is becoming more and more famous among avid surfers. The many bays on the coast of El Salvador are among the best surf locations in the world. You will stay in Las Flores Resort, situated directly at the famous surf beach with palm trees.
Accommodation: Las Flores resort & surf club | bed & breakfast

Day 9: El Cuco - Suchitoto

You leave the coast and exchange it for the green inland determined by the 23 volcanoes of El Salvador. Enjoy the beautiful nature you drive through. On the way, you will make a stop in the municipality of Berlin where you will become familiar with the indigenous traditions and visit the most important sights, such as the central church. From here you will continue to the village of Alegría, located at 1240 metres above sea level. This town is surrounded by coffee plantations and nearby you will find the Laguna de Alegria, located in the crater of the dormant volcano Tecapa. This lake is turquoise coloured for its high sulphur content and has hot springs and fumaroles (gorges that emit hot volcanic gases). At the end of the afternoon, you will arrive at the picturesque village of Suchitoto. It is wonderful to stroll through the characteristic streets. On the outskirts of the village, you have a breathtaking view of the Suchitlán lake and its green surroundings with volcanic peaks.
Accommodation: Los Almendros de San Lorenzo | bed & breakfast

Day 11: Suchitoto - Concepción de Ataco

From Suchitoto you will be taken to Concepción de Ataco. On the way, you will make a stop at Joya de Cerén, the Pompeii of Mayan culture. In 640 A.D. this place was buried under the lava and is therefore very well preserved. Where most Mayan remains are royal towns, palaces or tombs of nobles, Joya de Cerén is a farming village. This gives this place more clarity about the 'normal' life in the countryside.
Accommodation: Casa Degraciela | bed & breakfast

Day 13 & 14: El Tunco

The last days of your trip you will stay at the coast near the village of El Tunco. El Tunco has become famous among surfers in recent years because of its good waves. This has ensured that the village attracts a colourful mix of visitors and that the atmosphere is relaxed. There are nice bars and restaurants to get a drink and some food. Besides relaxing by the sea, you can also visit the Tamanique waterfalls or the town of La Libertad with its busy fish market.
Accommodation: Casa de Mar | bed & breakfast

Day 15: El Tunco - San Salvador - Amsterdam

From El Tunco you will be taken to San Salvador Airport. Here you will board your flight to Amsterdam.

Day 16: Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.