Tours & Activities around Lake Nicaragua and Granada

Jicaro is a place where you can find the perfect combination of relaxation and exploration. After a day of lounging in your private hammock or indulging in a rejuvenating massage in our wellness center, you might want to adventure out on one of our signature tours. Our tours offer varied activities ranging from easy to challenging, and are all accompanied by a private guide who will teach you about local flora and fauna, as well as Nicaraguan history, culture and day-to-day living.
*Prices include taxes; a minimum of 2 people per tour is required.

Plantations, Tropical Forest & Hot Springs

Depart after breakfast and take a short boat ride to the foot of the Mombacho Volcano, which can be seen from the island. Take a 50-minute hike from the Calera through plantain, cacao, coffee and citrus fruit plantations, hiking through stretches of tropical forests where you can observe the local flora and fauna. Our expert guide will interpret not only the forest but also the cultural implications of farming on Mombacho, which dates back to colonial times. At a spectacular viewpoint at the top, you'll enjoy a picnic before heading back down to the shores of the lake to explore the hot springs. Kayak on the small stream up to the hot springs and take a dip to relax those muscles. This tour is unique and an absolute must to cultivate a sense of place during your stay at Jicaro.

Places to Visit: La Calera Natural Reserve, Calera´s Casa Hacienda, Hot Spring Waterways.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing: t-shirts, short or long pants and tennis shoes, water bottle and camera, swimsuit if you want to jump in!
Duration: Approx. 5 hours.

Sunrise or Sunset Kayaking

Yes, we are on an island, and the best way to get around is in a kayak. Paddle out in our kayaks and explore the wonderful ecosystem that surrounds our ecolodge. Our experienced guide will help you learn about the natural history of the islands, their importance and the theory of how they were formed according to scientific and ancient knowledge. At some point we will pass by a narrow canal in between islands where water lilies are abundant. These floating plants are part of a special ecosystem that provides food and nesting for different birds. Therefore, you will be able to observe different kinds of shore birds (we recommend you bring binoculars). Keep your eyes open; lake turtles can sometimes be seen at island shores!

Places to Visit: canals in between the "Isletas".
Duration: Approx. 2 hours.
What to Bring? flip flops, short pants and t-shirts (bring your swimsuit underneath if you would like to plunge in), water bottle and camera, binoculars.

Bird Watching Tour

Awaken to a fresh breeze of the island winds or enjoy some of the most beautiful sunsets, late in the afternoon before dusk, and join us in this kayaking trip to discover where birds live, nest and visit our lake. The tour starts by exploring the islands nearby and then heads to the peninsula to continue the search. You might find interesting birds like Montezuma's Oropendula, Ringed Kingfisher, Purple Gallinule, and Northern Jacana amongst many others. Our guide will help you to identify all the birds observed in the tour. Don't forget to bring your binoculars; if you don't have your own ask for them at the reception. Your guide will provide you with a bird list during the tour.

Places to Visit: island waterways.
Duration: Approx. 2 hours.
What to Bring? Binoculars (available to borrow from reception), flip flops, short pants, t-shirts, swimsuit underneath if you would like to plunge in!

View Bird List here.

Peninsula Nature Hike

To the north of Jicaro Island, the Asese Peninsula stretches from the foot of the Mombacho Volcano right to the mainland in front of the island. This is an important corridor for animals traveling from the higher altitude forests of Mombacho to the lower parts of the mainland. Take a hike with us into this tropical dry forest and learn about the various plants and animals present in this ecosystem. Watch for a great variety of birds, small mammals, iguanas and of course the howler monkeys that might have woken you up today… Walking is mostly on the dirt road and we will also visit some of our neighbors so you get an idea what life in the isletas is like for the locals.

Places to Visit: Dona Maria’s Property, Dirt Road to El Diamante.
Duration: Approx. 2 hours.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing (t-shirt, shorts and tennis shoes), water bottle and camera.

Granada City Tour

Join us in exploring and discovering the famous city of Granada, established in 1524 by the Spaniard Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, the oldest colonial city on mainland America and considered one of the prettiest cities in Latin America. We will visit relevant sites and colonial buildings as well as the San Francisco Museum, which preserves some of the most interesting indigenous ceramic and statue collections. Our guide will take you into the past to learn about all the issues that involved Granada's development since the pre-Columbian period. You will hear stories about real pirates, like the infamous Henry Morgan and their adventures and also civil war stories that tell of the city being burned to ashes, sacked and destroyed several times.

Places to Visit: La Pólvora Fortress, Dona Elba Cigar, Las Mercedes Church, Municipal Market, San Francisco Church and Museum.
Duration: Approx. 4 hours.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing (t-shirts, short or long pants and tennis shoes).
Don’t Forget! water bottle, camera and sunscreen.

Mombacho and Pueblos Blancos (Soft Adventure)

Leave the hotel after breakfast and spend the day in the Mombacho natural reserve and white towns. Take a short drive from Granada to the natural reserve and jump on a truck to start the adventure. Once at the top of the volcano, visit the biological station to gather information about this cloud forest. Walk into the forest using “El Crater Trail” and observe dense vegetation where trees are covered by many kinds of plants like orchids and bromeliads. At the trail’s end there is a great view of lake Nicaragua and the island – why don’t you try to point out which one is our island! On your way to San Juan de Oriente, stop for lunch at a typical Nicaraguan restaurant in Catarina. Then our guide will lead you through the towns of Catarina and San Juan de Oriente where you can learn from local artisans about their process for making pottery. Be back on time for a sunset cocktails at Jicaro!

Places to Visit: Mombacho Biological Station, El Crater Trail, Catarina Lookout, San Juan de Oriente, Mi Viejo Ranchito Typical Restaurant.
Duration: Approx. 8 hours.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing (t-shirts, short or long pants and tennis or hiking shoes), sweaters (and rain gear for the rainy season) recommended, water bottle and camera.

Full Day Mombacho and Canopy (Adventure Tour)

If you feel adventurous and want to do something harder than the rest of our tours, this is the tour for you! Spend the day in Mombacho natural reserve and take a four-hour hike up and down hill. Climb to "La Roca" Lookout to appreciate one of the most beautiful views of Granada's Islands, Zapatera and the volcanoes in Lake Nicaragua. Feel the breeze, enjoy nature and make sure to take a break, enjoy a hearty picnic lunch and get ready for your next adventure… The zip line tour, let go and fly over the canopy trees using the 17 platforms for over 700 meters.

Places to Visit: Mombacho Biological Station, El Puma Trail, Canopy Tour at Mombacho
Duration: Approx. 8 hours.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing (t-shirts, short or long pants and tennis or hiking shoes), sweaters (and rain gear for the rainy season).

Artisanal Fishing

During your stay at Jicaro you will notice fishermen in their wooden boats using fishing lines or nets to catch fish. Have you ever imagined yourself in such boat fishing in this mystical way? If your answer is yes, we invite you to be part of this unique experience where you'll learn diverse techniques used in the artisanal fishing. You'll float around the beautiful "isletas" in search of the perfect fish and learning from your captain about life on these little islands. If you catch a good fish like tilapia, snook or rainbow bass, you can bring it back home to the lodge and our Chef will be glad to prepare it for you.

Places to Visit: unexplored fishing spots near the island.
Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing, a hat, t-shirts, short, flip flops, sunscreen, sunglasses and a waterproof or plastic bag to protect you camera.

Full Day Zapatera Tour

This is a day where, amidst tranquil relaxation, Nicaraguan history comes to life. Spend the day at the Santa Maria Hotel and Hacienda, built over 100 years ago and located on Zapatera Island, one of the larger islands 30 km south of our lodge. Enjoy a beautiful half-hour boat ride and discover this historical site for yourself. Zapatera is now a national park and is perhaps best known for its archaeological significance, since during pre-Columbian times this island was an important ceremonial area for the Chorotega tribes. Many of the artifacts that were found on Zapatera are now in the Cultural Center Convento de San Francisco in Granada and also the Smithsonian. Once in Zapatera, relax and enjoy the warm water of this beautiful beach, and also visit the little fishing village, and the school supported by the owners of the Hacienda. If you feel adventurous, join us on a one-hour walk through the tropical dry forest to a lagoon that over one thousand years ago was a volcano mount. Here, if you approach quietly, you may be able to see turtles as well as the abundant bird life. After lunch, we will jump on the boat and head to "Isla de la Muerta" (the Island of Death). Here you will learn some Chorotega history and its relation to this island, one of much importance because it was used as a vast burial ground and sacrificial spot. We'll explore the island and get a chance to see various petroglyphs that were carved on bedrock probably over a thousand years ago.

Places to Visit: Santa Maria Hotel and Hacienda in Zapatera Island, Dry forest trail and crater lake in Zapatera Island, Isla de la Muerte (petroglyphs area).
Duration: Approx. 8 hours.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing: t-shirts, short pants and tennis shoes, swimsuit, flip-flops, sunglasses, hat, natural mosquito repellent like citronella oil or Natrapel, and sunscreen, water bottle and camera.

Isletas Boat Tour

Would you like to explore more than one hundred islands in three hours? Come and join us in this relaxing and unique tour where you can appreciate many beautiful islands and pristine landscapes. For this tour we pack a cooler with drinks that you can enjoy whilst observing the views. Towels will be available in the boat if you want to jump out and take a swim in the fresh and warm water of our big lake.

Places to Visit: Islands around Asese Peninsula, The old Fortress.
Duration: Approx. 3 hours.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing, a hat, t-shirts, short, flip flops, sunscreen, sunglasses and a waterproof or plastic bag to protect you camera.

Canopy Tour

Have you ever wondered what a bird feels like when it flies over the canopy? Take part in this exceptional adventure and find out. Leave in the morning or afternoon in a boat to the main port, where our car will take you to Canopy Miravalles located just 25 minutes away. Once you get there, the experienced guides will prepare your harnesses for this ride. Follow their instructions and slide down in the first of eleven cables. Once you feel confident, ask the guides for tricks like zipping upside down or flying like superman!

Duration: Approx. 3 hours.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing: t-shirts and long pants, camera (guides won't hesitate to take pictures of you while you slide down).

Ometepe One Day Tour UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Leave the island at 7 a.m. and take a two-hour boat ride adventure across Lake Nicaragua. At Moyogalpa, Ometepe's main town, our local transportation will be waiting for us to continue our trip by land passing several villages, observing the rural daily life of the inhabitants with scenery reminiscent of the Middle Ages! At Altagracia, we will stop, visit the museum and learn about the rich Pre-Columbian past of the island, a place of significance to the Indian tribes. At Playa Santo Domingo, we will not only be able to enjoy a nice swim in the fresh waters of the lake, but also have a delicious meal served in front of this huge body of water, the second biggest lake in Latin America. In the afternoon, on the way back to Moyogalpa, we will stop at the legendary "Charco Verde" and observe some of the rich bird life of the area. Then at 3 p.m. we will return to Jicaro Lodge.

Services Included: Local transportation from/to Moyogalpa Port, English Speaking Local Tour Guide, Entrance Fees, Lunch, Cooler with Drinks (beers, sodas, juices and water).
Duration: Approx. 10 hours.
Places to Visit: Altagracia Museum, Charco Verde Reserve, Ojo de Agua, El Porvenir Farm, Santo Domingo Beach.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing: t-shirts, short or long pants and walking shoes, water bottle, camera, sunscreen and swimsuit.

Classic Masaya and Catarina

This is an unforgettable day in rural Nicaragua. We begin the day by visiting the Masaya Volcano National Park, with the stunning and active Santiago crater. It's one of the few places in the world where such an active volcano can be observed up close. We will also visit the ecological museum, where our tour guide will explain about various themes in geology, history, vulcanology and ecology. Next, we will visit Nicaragua's most popular open-air handcraft market located in Masaya, where Nicaraguan crafts can be purchased We will then drive to Catarina, one of the famous traditional towns where ornamental plants and flowers are grown. Here, you will enjoy impressive panoramic views over the Apoyo Lagoon and surrounding region. Before returning to your departure point, we'll pass by San Juan de Oriente and observe artisans making their famous and beautiful pottery.

Services Included: Land Transportation from/to Puerto Asese in Comfortable Vehicles with a/c, English Speaking Tour Guide, Entrance Fees, Lunch.
Duration: Approx. 4 hours.
Places to Visit: Masaya National Park and Museum, Masaya Market, Catarina, San Juan de Oriente, Biological Station La Gallina.
What to Bring? comfortable clothing: t-shirts, shorts or long pants, good walking shoes, cash money (for bargaining at market), water bottle, camera and sunscreen.

Romantic Dinner on Floating Deck

Explore a new experience with your partner and end your day with a candlelight dinner on the lake atop our floating deck. A romantic option that could definitely be one of the highlights of your stay at Jicaro.

Dinner includes private service, 3 course dinner for you and your partner and a bottle of house wine.

Time 6:00p.m.