Managua to Granada - Birds of Western Nicaragua

Day 1: Managua, welcome to Nicaragua!
Day 2: Managua - Matagalpa - Selva Negra
Day 3: Selva Negra & Cerro El Arenal Nature Reserve
Day 4: Selva Negra - Apoyo Lagoon Nature Reserve
Day 5: Apoyo Lagoon - Montibelli - Granada
Day 6: Granada - Mombacho volcano & Las Isletas - Granada
Day 7: Granada - Tisma Lagoon & Masaya Volcano - Granada
Day 8: Farewell from Granada, Nicaragua

Day 1: Managua
Welcome to your Nicaraguan birding tour! Our representative will be waiting for you at the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua and will transfer you to your first hotel. All foreigners entering the country are required to have a passport valid for at least six months and will need to purchase a tourist visa for $10 USD; this payment must be made in US dollars (cash). Please note that damaged bills are not accepted.

Transfer: 15 km, approx. 25 minutes
Accommodation: Hotel Europeo, Managua

Day 2: Managua - Matagalpa - Selva Negra
At around 9 am, you will be transferred to Matagalpa. Often referred to as the "Pearl of the North" and a center of Nicaragua's coffee production, Matagalpa sits surrounded by hills and mountains in the northern part of the country. Although one of Nicaragua's larger cities, Matagalpa retains a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere, as well some good hotels, restaurants, and museums dotted around its hilly streets. 

From Matagalpa, you will continue on to Selva Negra. A mountain resort in a glorious cloud forest setting, Selva Negra forms part of a sustainable coffee plantation and is a nature lover's paradise. The private cabins and rooms are set amongst the forest, each with outdoor space and modern facilities so you can feel at home and close to nature. The surrounding forests are great for hiking and are home to monkeys, sloths, wild cats, and a variety of birds.

Transfer: 162 km, approx. 2 hours, 25 minutes
Accommodation: Hotel Selva Negra

Day 3: Selva Negra & Cerro El Arenal Nature Reserve
Selva Negra's virgin cloud forest lies between 1300 and 1500 meters above the continental divide between the Pacific and Atlantic lowlands. There are so many birds at Selva Negra that even novice birders have an opportunity to identify dozens of species in a single day, thanks to the diversity of habitats on the property. The coffee plantation, full of fruit trees and several wetlands surrounding the farm, provide the perfect havens for birds.

Some of the most common species are Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Tropical Kingbird, Bushy-crested Jay, Band-backed and House wrens, Clay-colored Robin, Yellow-winged Tanager, and Melodious Blackbird. With a little more effort, you may also spot Highland Guan, White-faced Quail-Dove, Green-breasted Mountain-Gem, Long-tailed Manakin, or White-eared Ground-Sparrow.

At around 8 am, you will start a six-hour adventure in the Cerro El Arenal Nature Reserve. This reserve is full of unique flora and fauna.  You will have the opportunity to see bromeliads, orchids, giant ferns, monkeys, agouties, and peccaries. The Resplendent Quetzal and the Three-wattle Bell bird might also make an appearance! 

Accommodation: Hotel Selva Negra

Day 4: Selva Negra - Apoyo Lagoon Nature Reserve
In the morning, you will be transferred to Apoyo Lagoon Nature Reserve. Formed some 20,000 years ago, this giant volcano crater lake is one of Nicaragua's most beautiful natural landmarks. Tropical dry forests surround crystal-clear waters, making it a place of great serenity and incredibly diverse wildlife.

Hiking in the forest that surrounds the Apoyo Lagoon is a magnificent way to see the area's diverse flora and fauna. No less than 225 bird species have been documented here, including hummingbirds, golden orioles, toucans, and falcons, whilst you may also spot howler and white-faced monkeys, iguanas and the blue morpho butterfly. Leaving early in the morning, when the forest is at its most active, you'll be joined by an expert local guide who'll help you spot and identify the wildlife along the way.

Transfer: 188 km, approx. 3 hours, 25 minutes
Accommodation: Apoyo Lagoon

Day 5: Apoyo Lagoon - Montibelli - Granada
You'll be transferred in the early morning to Montebelli Wildlife Reserve, home to over 100 species of birds. Great Tinamous, Laughing Falcons, Orange Fronted Parakeets, Squirrel Cuckoos, Fork-Tailed Emeralds, Yellow Warblers, and Turquoise Browed Motmots (the national bird), among others can all be spotted here. The reserve is also inhabited by an impressive population of trogons; these brightly-colored birds are rare in Nicaragua and Montibelli is one of the very few places where they can be spotted easily.

There are several trails here, ranging between 30 minutes and 2 ½ hours. It is also possible to combine trails and spend a whole day in Montibelli. Guides are obligated to accompany you and are provided by the reserve. The experts will point out plants, animals, and interesting ecological sites, enhancing your experience.

At the end of the day, you will be transferred to Granada.

Transfer: 63 km, approx. 2 hours, 5 minutes
Accommodation: Hotel Con Corazón

Day 6: Granada - Mombacho volcano & Las Isletas - Granada
Today you are in for a real treat! The Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve is one of the most popular destinations in the South Pacific region of Nicaragua. Its lush vegetation and pleasant microclimate make this site a perfect home to many species of plants and animals, some of which can only be found here. There are various trails differing from easy to difficult. 

At around 3 pm, you will explore the picturesque Las Isletas archipelago from the water on a guided boat tour. Formed by a volcanic eruption over twenty thousand years ago, these forest-covered islands are now home to fishing communities, luxury homes and resorts, and a wide variety of incredible wildlife. Your guide will point out the exotic flora and fauna as you glide across the calm waters, making stops along the way to visit one of the islands and a former Spanish fortress. 

Accommodation: Hotel Con Corazón

Day 7: Granada - Tisma Lagoon & Masaya Volcano - Granada
In the morning, you will head to the Masaya region for a visit to Tisma Lagoon and its surrounding wetlands. The tour starts at Masaya Volcano National Park. Your driver will bring you to the summit of the volcano, where you can peek inside the active crater. Your next stop is Masaya´s artisan market, where you can purchase quality Nicaraguan handicrafts.

Your last night will be spent in Granada, one of Latin America's most beautiful cities. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it was founded in 1524 on the shores of vast Lake Nicaragua and is famed as one of the oldest European settlements in the western hemisphere.

Transfer: 19 km, approx. 22 minutes
Accommodation: Hotel Con Corazón

Day 8: Farewell from Nicaragua
It is time to say goodbye! You will be transferred to Managua Airport (51 km, approx. 1 hour). There is a departure tax (42 USD) that may or may not be included in your ticket, please check with your preferred airline.

All itineraries are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen conditions. All times indicated are approximate, and also subject to change. If the aforementioned hotels are not available, we will do our best to find another similar hotel and the pricing may increase as a result. 

This bird-watching tour features various eco-lodges and comfortable hotels*. In Managua, you will stay at Hotel Europeo which is situated near the main plaza and shopping district. In Matagalpa, you will stay in Hotel Selva Negra, a wonderful refuge in the cloud forest. In Apoyo, you will stay at the Apoyo Lodge located right on the edge of the lagoon. Lastly, in Granada, you will stay at Hotel con Corazón which donates all profits to projects that support education for children in need.

*All accommodations are subject to availability and can only be confirmed with an official booking.