Nicaragua Family Adventure: Volcanoes, Islands & Beaches

Today the family explores colourful Granada and cruises the monkey-filled islets of Lake Nicaragua. In the morning you wander the pastel streets and central plaza, perhaps riding in a horse-drawn carriage past the ochre cathedral and grand mansions, a delight for children, and climbing a church tower for a rooftop view of roofs, lake and volcano. In the afternoon you board a boat to glide among Las Isletas, a beautiful archipelago of 365 tiny tropical islands, drifting past lush green islets and spotting herons, kingfishers and a colony of playful monkeys that leap through the trees, to everyone's delight. The wildlife and adventure captivate all ages. As the day ends, you return to Granada and perhaps a swim in the hotel pool. This evening, enjoy a relaxed family dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you meet a real volcano.

Today brings a real, glowing volcano and a colourful market. You have a relaxed morning, perhaps swimming in the hotel pool or exploring more of Granada, then in the afternoon visit the Masaya craft market, a fun old fortress full of hammocks, painted animals, ceramics and colour, where the family can choose souvenirs together. As dusk falls, you drive up to Masaya Volcano National Park and stand at the rim of a smoking crater, where an incandescent lake of real molten lava glows and churns far below, one of only a handful on Earth, a jaw-dropping sight children will never forget, and a chance to learn how volcanoes work. The wonder and colour delight all ages. As the day ends, you return to Granada. This evening, share the day's excitement over dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you sail to a volcano island.

Today the family sails to enchanting Ometepe, an island of twin volcanoes rising from the lake. You drive south to the port of San Jorge and cross by ferry, everyone watching the twin volcanoes, the perfect cone of Concepcion and the cloud-wrapped Maderas, loom ever larger from the water, an exciting real-life adventure. Reaching the island, you settle into a family-friendly lodge amid banana plantations, with the volcanoes towering above. In the afternoon the children splash in the Ojo de Agua, a crystal-clear natural swimming hole fed by volcanic springs, with cool blue water and a rope swing, while everyone relaxes beneath shady trees. The adventure and fun captivate all ages. This evening, enjoy dinner at your lodge beneath the stars, the volcanoes silhouetted against the sky. Rest well on magical Ometepe.

Today the family enjoys a day of gentle adventure on enchanting Ometepe. You might hunt for ancient stone petroglyphs carved by pre-Columbian peoples amid the plantations, take a fun nature walk on the forested lower slopes where howler monkeys roar in the canopy and butterflies drift through the trees, or kayak the calm Istian channel between the volcanoes to look for turtles, caimans and birds, an exciting paddle for older children. You might ride in a traditional ox-cart, visit a small farm to see how plantains and coffee grow, splash once more in the volcanic springs, and relax on a black-sand lake beach. The discovery and fun captivate all ages. As the day ends, you watch the sun set behind Concepcion. This evening, enjoy a family dinner at your lodge. Rest well, for tomorrow you head to the beach.

Today the family journeys from the volcano island to the golden Pacific beaches. You take the ferry back across the lake, waving goodbye to the twin volcanoes, then travel south through volcanoes and rolling hills to the laid-back beach town of San Juan del Sur, a wide horseshoe bay ringed by green headlands and topped by a hilltop Christ statue. You settle into a family-friendly beach hotel, then head down to the golden sand, where children can build sandcastles and splash in the warm, gentle shallows while grown-ups relax. As the day cools, the whole family gathers on the sand to watch the great sun sink flaming into the ocean in a blaze of colour. This evening, enjoy a relaxed seafood dinner by the bay. Rest well, ready for beach fun tomorrow.

Today is a fun-filled beach day on the golden Pacific coast. In the morning the family can try a beginner surf or bodyboard lesson on a beautiful, gentle beach like Playa Maderas, feeling the thrill of catching a wave on the soft sand, or take a boat trip along the coast to snorkel in clear coves and look for dolphins. Between adventures, everyone builds sandcastles, swims in the warm ocean, and relaxes beneath the palms, and there may be a chance to ride horses along the shore or, in season, to see baby sea turtles released at a protected reserve. The fun, warmth and freedom delight all ages. As evening falls, the family gathers once more for the flaming Pacific sunset. This evening, savour a happy family dinner by the bay. Rest well, reflecting on your adventure.

After a final morning of beach fun, perhaps a last swim, sandcastle or coffee overlooking the bay, the family is transferred back to Managua airport for your onward international departure. You leave having shared the fun and beauty of Nicaragua, the monkey-filled islets of Lake Nicaragua, the glowing lava lake of Masaya, the volcanic springs, monkeys and ancient carvings of Ometepe, and the golden Pacific beaches with their flaming sunsets. The images stay vivid long after you land, the monkeys leaping in the islets, the fiery churn of the Masaya crater, the splashing in the volcanic springs, and the sandcastles at sunset. Nicaragua offers wildlife, gentle adventure, warm beaches and genuine warmth in abundance, in a compact and friendly country, and the whole family departs already dreaming of a return to this beautiful and welcoming land.