Tourism in Nicaragua is on the rise.

Every year more and more people visit this beautiful country. Nicaragua has emerged from the shadow of the Cold War and is fast becoming the most popular destination in Latin America.

It’s not hard to see why; Nicaragua is blessed with incredible natural landscapes. There are pristine beaches, huge lakes and impressive volcanoes (both active and inactive). There is also an abundance of flora and fauna, wildlife and culture.

Another selling point is its relative lack of development. The events of recent history have meant that Nicaragua has not become westernized as Costa Rica, its neighbor to the south, has done. Instead, Nicaragua has held on to its unique charm (and low prices).

However, things are changing rapidly. People are beginning to recognize the opportunities that Nicaragua offers and investments are being made throughout the country. This is most notable in San Juan del Sur, where a new $3 million cruise port opened last year.

This new port makes Nicaragua more accessible than ever. In the 2017/18 cruise season, 50% more ships will visit San Juan than the previous year, bringing tens of thousands more visitors.

So what activities are available to these visitors when they arrive?

We’ll see…

Grenade

Located 90 minutes from San Juan del Sur, the charming colonial city of Granada is the oldest European city in the Americas. Founded by the Spanish in 1524, it is known as La Gran Sultana for its Moorish and Andalusian architecture.

Visitors to Granada can enjoy a tour of its historic center, either on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. Highlights of the tour include the impressive cathedral and convent of San Francisco.

From Granada it is also possible to take a boat tour of the islets of Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America. The islets are 365 small islands that were created by an eruption of the Mombacho volcano thousands of years ago. Today they are home to many species, including capuchin monkeys, which are always ready to greet their visitors.

Masaya

The small town of Masaya has two great attractions: its impressive volcano and the best craft market in Nicaragua.

The Spanish conquistadores referred to the Masaya volcano as “the Gates of Hell,” and it’s easy to see why. The bubbling lava must have been a terrifying sight back then. No wonder they erected a huge cross and a priest blesses the crater!

The market is not that scary. Instead, it offers tourists a place to admire Nicaraguan handicrafts and leather goods, and to buy souvenirs from their trip.

San Juan del Sur

For those looking for a more relaxed day, there is absolutely nothing wrong with staying close to the ship and spending the day in San Juan del Sur.

Often overlooked on official boat tours, San Juan has a lot to offer. There are beachside restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish, high-end spas where you can get a relaxing massage, and a market where you can find Nicaraguan products like coffee, cigars, and rum.

If you want to be a little more active, you can climb the impressive statue of Cristo de la Misericordia. From there, you can look down on your boat and enjoy stunning views of the Pacific coastline.

Or you can visit Las Nubes Adventure Park, where you’ll be taken through the cloud forest in an all-terrain vehicle, stopping to watch monkeys along the way. You could even zipline once you reach the top!

You can even combine these activities into a half-day tour that also includes a brief history of the Nicaraguan Revolution.