42 VILLA PARAISO, OMETEPE ISLAND Hotel Villa Paraiso is located at Santo Domingo beach on Ometepe Island, 24 kilometres from the main port, Moyogalpa. The hotel has a selection of 16 en-suite bedrooms: we prefer the suites as these have air-conditioning and lake views. There is a small restaurant serving an international selection of dishes. Although simple, the lodge provides an ideal base for exploring the island on foot, bike or horseback. San Juan del Sur The friendly fishing town of San Juan del Sur is located on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, a two hour drive south of Granada, beautifully set on a horse-shoe bay. This natural harbour is used by fishing boats and yachts, while its three kilometres of beach mean you can find your own secluded patch. The town is surrounded by a dramatic landscape of dormant volcanoes, an unspoiled region where small farms co-exist with Central America’s exotic flora and fauna. Ometepe Island Rising proudly from the waters of Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe Island is made up of two magnificent volcanic cones and is a more than impressive sight as you gaze across to its shores. Consisting of 276 square kilometres of unspoiled forest frequented by monkeys, armadillo, opossum and deer - on a clear day the views are simply spectacular. Reached by boat from the port town of San Jorge, an hour south of Granada, the lake crossing can be choppy but is a well worthwhile and wonderful trip. The word Ometepe developed from the original Aztec’s name for the island, Ome Tepelth, which means two hills. These days it has a population of 35,000, but the remnants of this ancient civilisation can be seen in petroglyphs around the island. If you fancy a challenge it is possible to climb Maderas volcano, if you’d prefer a less strenuous activity, horse-riding and walking are a great way to explore the area. Alternatively, relaxing for a couple of days on the surprisingly beautiful soft-sand beaches is a great option. Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Eco Lodge Villa Paraiso, Ometepe Island View over Ometepe Island

Nicaraguan Discovery A tour encompassing the main highlights of Nicaragua, visiting the three major cities of Managua, Leon and Granada and their surrounding areas before exploring Ometepe Island. The trip ends with some time to relax at Morgan’s Rock Eco Lodge. Day 1 Fly to Managua. Day 2 Tour of the city. Day 3 Drive to León. Afternoon tour of this historical city. Day 4 Trip to the famous Flor de Cana distillery. Day 5 Full day’s excursion to the Cerro Negro, Momotombo or Telica volcano. Day 6 Travel by road to Granada visiting the Masaya volcano en route along with the ‘white towns’ of Catarina and San Juan de Oriente. Day 7 City tour combined with a trip to the Isletas de Granada. Day 8 Travel by road and boat to Ometepe Island. Afternoon exploration of the island. Day 9 Explore the island at leisure or take optional excursions. Day 10 Travel by boat and road to San Juan del Sur and the stunning Morgan’s Rock. Days 11-13 Relax, sunbathe or take optional excursions. Day 14 Drive back to Managua for your international flight. Day 15 Arrive in the UK. EXTENSIONS To create a longer trip you could add a few days by flying from Managua to the Corn Islands or the Indio Maiz Biological reserve from where you can travel overland into Costa Rica. TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL Our private tailor-made journeys offer complete freedom of choice. The itineraries and accommodation shown are designed to give you a flavour of what is possible and can be tailored to suit your preferences. Prices vary according to selected accommodation and season, please telephone us to discuss your individual requirements. Nicaragua Telephone: 01993 838 680 43 Volleyball at Sunset, San Juan del Sur MORGAN’S ROCK HACIENDA AND ECO LODGE, NEAR SAN JUAN DEL SUR Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Eco Lodge is an idyllic remote hideaway, half an hour by road from San Juan del Sur. Beautifully designed bungalows have been carefully built using local materials, each with private decks overlooking the Pacific Ocean and using solar power. Staff, recruited from the local community, are highly trained and conscientious, and the restaurant is excellent. There is an infinity pool and a secluded white-sand beach but there is much more to do and see in the surrounding dry forest: birdwatching, visits to local farms and kayaking. This is one of Nicaragua’s most luxurious and prestigious eco-lodges. The Corn Islands Isolated off Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast are two small islands ringed by palm trees and white sand beaches: the Corn Islands. Undeveloped, peaceful, incredibly laid-back and English speaking, here the Caribbean casts its lilt on Nicaragua’s own culture. There is little in the way of hotels and infrastructure but intrepid travellers are rewarded by pristine beaches and some of the best diving and snorkelling in the Caribbean. Spider monkey Indio Maiz Biological Reserve The Indio Maiz Biological Reserve protects more than 600 species of tropical birds and 200 species of mammals spread over a million hectares of land, set on the banks of the Rio San Juan, in the southeast of the country near the Costa Rican border. This is an ultimate destination for adventurous travellers looking to explore one of Nicaragua’s least-known and little-visited regions. This area is by far the best place to observe wildlife in Nicaragua but accommodation is basic at best. We are closely monitoring any new eco-lodge developments. Viewpoint of Morgan’s Rock Eco-Lodge and beach Corn Islands