Top Things to do in Granada
Things to do in Granada, Granada Department: The Best Sightseeing Tours
Drawn by year-round warm weather, colonial-era architecture and the freshwater Lake Nicaragua, travelers from around the world are flocking to Granada. Eco-tourists will love visiting the dormant Mombacho volcano, sailing on the lake and ziplining through the trees. Fans of spa treatments and shopping will find plenty to do, too.
Restaurants in Granada
1. San Juan Del Sur Shore Excursion: Granada Colonial City and 365 Islets
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Visit the colonial city of Granada, founded in 1524 by conquistador Hernández de Cordoba, and settlement of the conquest. Enjoy a boat tour of Granada's famous Isletas, an archipelago formed by an ancient volcanic explosion, just off the shore of Lake Nicaragua.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Port pickup and drop-off, Islets Boat tour
Exclusions: Gratuities, Tourist Card: US$ 10.00 (To be paid at your entrance to Nicaragua)
Reviewed By Linda G
Driver and Guide - just for us. Wonderful information and conversation. Even added in a lunch stop at an amazing little roadside restaurant. Delicious and educational. The Volcano was amazing! Wonderful to be able to ask a zillion questions and get personalized service! Thank you Thank you!
2. Night Tour to the Masaya Volcano
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
See the majestic Masaya Volcano and enjoy amazing and impressive views. Visit the viewpoint for no more than 20 minutes because of the risk of an explosion and the gases of the volcano. In a small group, you will look inside the crater mouth and observe the lava activity from a recent crater formed.
Inclusions: Certificated guide, Pickup and drop-off from designated areas
Exclusions: Food and drinks
Reviewed By stevencP6567CS
I needed to get to San Juan del Sur from Colorado. With no U.S. airline carriers flying into Managua, my only reasonable way was to fly Denver to Liberia, Costa Rica and then cross the land border into Nicaragua. I contacted Welcome to Nicaragua and worked with Pablo Lorenzen to arrange the necessary ground transportation. Two transfers: one from Liberia, C.R. to the border and another one from the Nicaragua border to San Juan. Both transfers were flawless. My first driver (Norman) greeted me at the Liberia airport and assisted with my luggage (I was traveling heavy with 140 pounds of supplies for my condo in San Juan) and we had a pleasant drive to the border. He even had good wifi in his vehicle! VERY professional. Norman assisted me with my excessive luggage across the border and met my next driver Michael who drove the second leg of the trip from the border to San Juan. All in all an extremely smooth and enjoyable trip. I'd recommend Pablo and Welcome to Nicaragua for private transfers as well as the many other services they offer. 5 Star rating all the way!!
3. Volcanoes Full Day
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Nicaragua is known as the land of volcanoes ... Discover these 3 volcanoes (Volcano Mombacho, Apoyo Lagoon, Masaya Volcano) in one day
Inclusions: Transportation, Guide, Lunch in Apoyo Lagoon, Kayaks, stand up paddle boards, life jackets.
Exclusions: Drinks
Reviewed By stevencP6567CS
I needed to get to San Juan del Sur from Colorado. With no U.S. airline carriers flying into Managua, my only reasonable way was to fly Denver to Liberia, Costa Rica and then cross the land border into Nicaragua. I contacted Welcome to Nicaragua and worked with Pablo Lorenzen to arrange the necessary ground transportation. Two transfers: one from Liberia, C.R. to the border and another one from the Nicaragua border to San Juan. Both transfers were flawless. My first driver (Norman) greeted me at the Liberia airport and assisted with my luggage (I was traveling heavy with 140 pounds of supplies for my condo in San Juan) and we had a pleasant drive to the border. He even had good wifi in his vehicle! VERY professional. Norman assisted me with my excessive luggage across the border and met my next driver Michael who drove the second leg of the trip from the border to San Juan. All in all an extremely smooth and enjoyable trip. I'd recommend Pablo and Welcome to Nicaragua for private transfers as well as the many other services they offer. 5 Star rating all the way!!
4. City Tour Granada & Isletas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
Nicaragua Escapade is a Nicaraguan owned company that provides private guided tours where you will have a 100% local experience.
Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Personal Expenses
Reviewed By foreverdreamin
After reading all the reviews I decided to go with Rodolfo. My main concern was arriving by plane early in Granada I didn’t want to have to negotiate a taxi, however that’s exactly what I had to do. The timing wasn’t on his website so I asked if that was a problem, he said no. But when we arrived, he was nowhere to be found, I rang him, & he had been unwell & advised me to negotiate, which I did but not for his price. I then rang him again to make sure he was arranging our pickup to León. Calling is not cheap.I suggest if you are using his company only for transfers to email him the day before...unfortunately I was unable to do this. Emails before leaving home weren’t great, but I persevered. The good news, the company he deals with were prompt & dropped us in León & Managua at our accommodation
5. Private -Full day tour: Granada City + Boat ride+Handicraft Market+Lava Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Live this eco colonial and volcanic adventure enjoying 3 tours paying only for one. Give yourself the luxery of having your private local guide who is knowledgeable, fluent in English who also provides a personal approach and have safe private transportation. Explore the islets and the majestic colonial architecture of the city and feel the adrenaline of taking a stuning picutre with the orange color of the lava in the background at the active volcano in Masaya. *We follow WHO guidelines for covid 19 Activities: Picture taking /Bird watching/Nature tour Boat ride on lake Granada/Nicaragua ( you get to actualluy get off in one of the islets to visit the historic san pablo fortress) Walking tour downtown/hall of churches and chocolate museum. Visit to La merced church and its view point from bell tower. Lunch at la calzada street ( not included). Visit to Masaya volcano at night. ( take breath taking pictures on the top of the hill with the lava in the background.( Sunset beholding)
Inclusions: Boat Tour ride, Hotel/airport pickup and drop-off, Tour guide and driver, Walking tour in the city of Granada
Exclusions: Entrances fees to some churches., Food and drinks, Masaya volcano entrance fee is not included, Gratuities
Reviewed By daniellegF7328YB
I had so much fun. It was me and bae and it was great bc it’s a private tour so we could get to know each better with less distractions. Our tour guides were sweet and patient. I love taking pictures so they waited whenever I wanted to stop for photo ops. The chocolate factory was delicious. The lake was beautiful. The town was colorful and the volcano was crazy. Although I thought we would get a closer view like how I’ve heard it described in Hawaii. But I still could see the lava with their provided binoculars and they provided a selfie stick!! I wish I could remember my tour guide name but I a picture of him!
6. Granada City Tour
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
This is a tour in the oldest city in the Americas The tour will take place on foot to have a closer perception of the local culture and people. This tour is full of information about culture, gastronomy, architecture, history and more ... You will be all the time with a guide certified by INTUR which is the government department responsible for training national guides. Come and enjoy with us this lovely tour!
Inclusions: Bottled water, Certified Bilingual Guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 414s_niav
We did a kayak Tour around the Islets with Manuel and it was very nice. Manuel was an excellent guide. He was punctual and explained us a lot about the Islets. We really liked the tour because it was so authentic. We also waited for the sunset which was beautiful. We definitely recommend this tour with Manuel. Thank you Manuel for everything! We wish you all the best!
7. Granada Isletas and City tour
Overall Ratings
3.7 based on 3 reviews
Go back to nature and enjoy your private boat tour with a bilingual local guide for about 1 hour. *We follow WHO guidelines for covid 19*.Live the adventure and meet a cute family of monkey in one of the islets, get off the boat and learn about the fortress San Palo built more than 250 years ago. See birth life on the islands and take a wonderful picture from the best view of Mombacho volcano. the father of the 365 islets. Visit the city of Granada and its main cathedrals so you learn about the Spanish colonization and its majestic architecture. Have a free taste of a special chocolate drink at the Chocolate museum and discover the real history of chocolate.
Inclusions: Hotel/airport pickup and drop-off, Tour guide and driver, Boat Tour ride, Walking tour in the city of Granada
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Entrances fees to some churches.
Reviewed By daniellegF7328YB
I had so much fun. It was me and bae and it was great bc it’s a private tour so we could get to know each better with less distractions. Our tour guides were sweet and patient. I love taking pictures so they waited whenever I wanted to stop for photo ops. The chocolate factory was delicious. The lake was beautiful. The town was colorful and the volcano was crazy. Although I thought we would get a closer view like how I’ve heard it described in Hawaii. But I still could see the lava with their provided binoculars and they provided a selfie stick!! I wish I could remember my tour guide name but I a picture of him!
8. Granada's City Tour
Experience the history in Granada, one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas, founded by the Spanish in 1524.
Inclusions: Local guide, Pick-up and drop-off, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Personal expenses
Reviewed By ana9166
A must do in Granada!! Take a chocolate drink, have a swim at the pool and finish with a fantastic chocolate massage:) Iliana is a great masseuse! I highly recommend the choco reflexology!
9. Masaya Volcano Night Tour
The Masaya Volcano National Park covers an area of 54 km² and includes two volcanoes and five craters. The volcanoes have erupted several times in history and were feared by both the indigenous people and the Spanish conquerors. The Spanish baptized the active volcano “La Boca del Infierno” or “The Mouth of Hell”. They placed a cross, “La Cruz de Bobadilla” (named after Father Francisco Bobadilla), on the crater lip in the 16th century in order to exorcise the Devil.
Inclusions: Transportation from Granada, Bilingual Guide, Masaya Volcano Entrance
Exclusions: Tour Guide gratuity, Services not listed on the itinerary
Reviewed By Brandon A
My friend and I just went on a full day tour to Apoyo Lagoon Lookout, Masaya, and Mombacho Volcanoes with Julio Flores as our guide. Julio is probably the best tour guide I've ever had. He was early to pick us up, spoke perfect english, was extremely knowledgeable, answered every question we had, took us to an extra place we requested, knew where to find specific food and souvenirs, and most importantly was just so nice and fun to tour with which made this tour a great experience. This is also a well planned package that let's you see several amazing places in one day and is well coordinated with local parks and tour operators. I highly recommend this tour, and Julio as a guide for any tour in Nicaragua.
10. Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding & Boat Tour
If you are an adventurous person that is looking for something different, then volcano boarding at Cerro Negro is a great opportunity. This is an extreme activity on an active volcano that can be done by using rustic design ski boards, kind of like snowboarding except that we do it on fine volcanic rocks. To explore Juan Venado Island we will ride a motorboat on calm water being able to see species like iguana, great egret, kingfisher, red crabs and much more. At some point, you will be able to pass across the island on foot at its narrowest part (300M) to enjoy an untouched volcanic sand beach. The Ecotourism Project Palo de Oro operates in Juan Venado Island Wildlife Refuge, in front of the beach Las Peñitas. It offers lodging and tours on the island, with the objective of maintaining the environmental conservation outline and promote community participation and development.
Inclusions: Transportation, Bilingual Tour Guide, Safety Equipment, Snacks, Fees to atractions mentioned above
Exclusions: Services not listed on the itinerary, Lunch, Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Tour Guide Gratuities
Reviewed By Brandon A
My friend and I just went on a full day tour to Apoyo Lagoon Lookout, Masaya, and Mombacho Volcanoes with Julio Flores as our guide. Julio is probably the best tour guide I've ever had. He was early to pick us up, spoke perfect english, was extremely knowledgeable, answered every question we had, took us to an extra place we requested, knew where to find specific food and souvenirs, and most importantly was just so nice and fun to tour with which made this tour a great experience. This is also a well planned package that let's you see several amazing places in one day and is well coordinated with local parks and tour operators. I highly recommend this tour, and Julio as a guide for any tour in Nicaragua.
