GRANADA
Granada is a picturesque town offering beautifully restored colonial architecture, its churches and houses painted in a wonderful array of colours. The tour highlights include the grand cemetery, The Polvora Fortress, Doña Elba’s Cigar Factory, the church of Merced, and the Chocolate Museum. The San Francisco museum, housed in a traditional convent, shows some remarkable pre-Columbian statues. We take you to a centrally situated Nicaraguan restaurant for lunch, followed by an afternoon trip in a lancha (a covered boat) on Lake Cocibolca around the isletas.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Saturday
- Time: Leave at 8am, the drive takes a little over an hour. Return to La Mariposa at 5pm
- Costs: Entrance fees, lunch, drinks, souvenirs, boat tour (optional) $25 – $50
LA BOQUITA
At this tranquil beach on the Pacific coast, you can swim, splash around in the waves, walk for miles with only the sea and sky for company, or hang out in a hammock in a beachfront restaurant that serves cold beer and delicious seafood. You’ll buy your lunch here, so we recommend you bring at least $10. There are also trinkets from passing merchants, or horse back rides along the shore for sale.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Saturday
- Time: Leave at 8 am, the drive takes about an hour. Spend the day at the beach and return in time for dinner.
- Costs: Lunch and drinks (on the expensive side here) optional souvenirs, horse rides $10 – $30
LEON
Leon is a fascinating place, full of history, its eclectic selection of museums covering all aspects of politics, culture and nature! Our tour highlights include a visit to a weaving workshop which sells fine woven goods, a guided walk around the city center and viewing of political murals. It is possible to spend an entire day just touring the cathedral and churches. We take you to the largest cathedral in Central America, where you can stroll on the roof and take in beautiful views of the city. There are great cafes and options for lunch. For the afternoon, depending on the preferences of the group, there are two options. 1) Tour excellent museums, including the modern art museum, and the museum of myths and legends of Nicaragua. 2) Visit the beaches of Las Penitas and Poneloya, less than an hour away and perfect for a relaxing after your morning city tour. You can also take a boat tour through the mangroves.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Saturday
- Time: Leave 6:45 am, after an early breakfast. The drive takes about 2.5 hours. Enjoy the day in Leon, and return at 6:30pm.
- Costs: Entrance fees, lunch, drinks, souvenirs $25 – $60
MOMBACHO
Mombachu volcano, just outside Granada, has a well preserved and accessible tropical cloud forest, with hundreds of different orchid species as well as excellent bird and animal life. You can walk around the well maintained footpaths to the viewpoint and get an amazing view over Granada and Lake Cocibolca. Take a light rain jacket, as the cloud forest portion of the walk can be chilly and damp.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Saturday
- Time: Leave at 8am, the drive takes a little over an hour. Return to the Mariposa by 5pm.
- Costs: Entrance fee, $3 without transport, $22 with transport to top (we highly recommend this option, as the walk up is very long and very steep and only for those in excellent physical shape!) Lunch and drinks $10 – $15. Short hike is included, longer walks require a guide, $17 per person. Souvenir possibilities, and optional zip-lining $30 per person.
HIKES (CAMINATAS)
All our hikes are lead by guides who know the history, flora and fauna of each area. We recommend bringing your water bottle, and appropriate sun protection along. Not all the guides speak English, but they speak Spanish slowly and clearly.
Cañada Honda
Hike on trails weaving through our large nature reserve, and learn about the plant and animal inhabitants (you may see iguanas or howler monkeys!) Some paths can be steep. We recommend sturdy shoes and long pants as protection from insects and brush.
Palo Solo
This caminata brings you through the rural barrio of Palo Solo along the ridge by our Cañada Honda Reserve. The road is partially paved and the climb is steep in places. Expect beautiful views over the mountainous landscape.
Julio 19
Walk through the Julio 19 Barrio. The neighborhood is named after the Nicaraguan liberation day, July 19, which commemorates the overthrow of the Somoza family dynasty on this date in 1979.
Laguna Masaya (Venecia)
This tour of the Venecia barrio begins with a long downhill stretch punctuated by political murals, meanders by a former presidential residence, and ends with a stroll along the Lagoon.
- Scheduled: Every Sunday, in rotation
- Time: Leave at 8, drive a short distance to start of tour, return by 10:30 – 11:00 am
- Costs: Free!
HORSE RIDES (SALIDA A CABALLO)
Explore the areas around Piscacho, Cañada Honda, and Palo Solo on horseback, and take in stunning views from the ridge overlooking Vulcan Masaya. Our rescued horses are all even-tempered and well accustomed to these weekly rides.
- Scheduled: Every Sunday
- Time: Leave at 8 am, short drive to Piscacho, finish by 10:30am
- Costs: Free!
COOKING CLASS (CLASE DE COCINA)
Learn to make traditional empanadas and rosquillas, Nicaraguan treats made of corn flour, sugar, and cheese, with chef Gonzalo. Then enjoy them hot from the oven!
- Scheduled: Every 4th Monday
- Time: Leave at 1pm, the drive is very short. Return by 4pm
- Costs: Free!
VISIT TO OUR PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN
This short tour will show you how the money you spend here is used to help the community. Visit local education and enrichment children’s projects, and the Chispa de Vida Therapy program. Projects visited rotate bi-weekly.
- Scheduled: Every other Monday
- Depart/Return: Leave at 1 pm, return at 4pm
- Costs: Free!
PIZZA MAKING
Make pizza from scratch with the talented La Mariposa chefs. Roll out the dough, cover it with your favorite toppings, and we’ll bake it in the brick oven for dinner.
- Scheduled: Every 2nd or 4th Monday
- Time: 4:00 – 5:00pm in the kitchen
- Costs: Free!
LA RESERVA GARDEN & BIRD WATCHING TOUR
Our knowledgeable guide will introduce you to the many plants we cultivate and the local flora and fauna.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Monday
- Depart/Return: Leave at 2 pm
- Costs: Free!
MASAYA MARKETS (MERCADOS) & ARTISANS
The city of Masaya is the centre of Nicaraguan culture, home to a number of attractive churches and a peaceful, restored plaza. In the barrio of Monimbo, we visit families making a whole range of handicrafts including world-famous hammocks and leather goods. Masaya’s two markets could not be more different – the restored Mercado Nacional de Artesanias is perfect for souvenir shopping whilst the commercial market is less tranquil but cheaper.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Tuesday or Thursday
- Depart/Return: Leave at 1 pm
- Costs: Artisans appreciate small tips, plenty of food and souvenir possibilities!
EL CHOCOYERO RESERVA
El Chocoyero Nature Reserve is home to several hundred parakeets called Chocoyos. Our afternoon trips are organized to coincide with their evening arrival home to a cliff face which houses several hundred nests. They are extremely sociable birds and watching pairs returning, visiting their neighbors, and apparently chatting about their day, is a unique experience! The park is also home to many other species of birds and animals– including a large boa constrictor and a rare female anteater and baby which we released there as part of a wildlife rehabilitation project. Bring good walking shoes and water.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Tuesday
- Time: Leave at 2:30pm, the drive takes about 45 minutes, return by 6 – 6:30pm
- Costs: Entrance fee $4, Small souvenir possibilities at reception
VISIT TO A PINEAPPLE FARM (FINCA DE PINA)
Don Wilmer will show you his fields and explain how pineapples are grown and harvested. Enjoy some of the fresh picked harvest afterwards!
- Scheduled: Every 4th Tuesday
- Time: Leave at 2:30, the drive takes about 45 minutes. Return by 5
- Costs: Free!
HISTORY OF LA MARIPOSA
Curious about the evolution of the school, hotel and projects? Hear some of the many tales of La Mariposa through a question and answer session with Paulette.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Tuesday
- Time: 1-2pm
- Costs: Free!
LAGUNA DE APOYO
The Laguna de Apoyo is Nicaragua’s largest, and arguably the prettiest, crater lake. It was created by a massive volcanic explosion some 20,000 years ago. The drive down the crater side offers stunning views of the lake below. We’ll take you to San Simion’s, where the entry fee covers access to swimming, a floating dock, kayaks, tubes, hammocks, reclining chairs, shady verandas, and wifi. The water is delightful, but you can of course simply relax in the small restaurant, and watch the late afternoon clouds come in over Mombacho. Bring enough money to cover your entry fee (exact change is recommended) and a bit more if you chose to buy food, refreshments, or rent towels.
- Scheduled: Every Wednesday afternoon
- Depart/Return: Leave at 12:30pm immediately after lunch – the drive takes a little over an hour. Enjoy the Lagoon from 1:30 until 4:30pm, and you’ll be back in time for dinner
- Costs: $5 Entrance Fee ($7 on weekends) $5 – $15 for food and drinks if desired
MASATEPE AND CATARINA MIRADOR
Masatepe is Nicaragua’s centre of carpentry and furniture making where you can treat yourself to a custom made rocking chair (flat packed for easy air travel) and, somewhat surprisingly, also the home of sweet making.
Catarina is the most visited of the White Villages – both by Nicaraguans and tourists. Most come to see the Mirador (the viewpoint) – where you can sip a cold beer whilst looking out over the Laguna de Apoyo and, in the distance, the city of Granada and the slopes of the volcano of Mombacho. Worth visiting also are some of the colourful garden centres which line the streets and those with an interest in plants should take a trip to the Ecological Vivero (an organic plant nursery) situated just back on the main road.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Thursday
- Time: Leave at 1pm, the drive takes about half an hour, return at 5:30pm
- Costs: Artisans appreciate small tips, souvenir possibilities!
SAN JUAN DEL ORIENTE ARTISANS, CASA DEL SANDINO IN NIQUINOMO AND CATARINA
Learn the history of the most famous Nicaraguan revolutionary, Augusto Sandino as you tour his house, now preserved as a museum.
Stone statues are one of Nicaragua’s many unique art forms. See a local stone carver demonstrate his craft.
San Juan del Oriente is where much of Nicaragua’s beautiful ceramic pottery is made. Watch it being thrown, have a go on the potter’s wheel and then browse the shops.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Thursday
- Time: Leave at 1pm, the drive takes about 45 minutes, return at 5:30pm
- Costs: Artisan appreciate small tips, and the Sandino museum appreciates small donations, souvenir possibilities.
MANAGUA
Despite its often rough reputation, Nicaragua’s capital has numerous places of interest. This afternoon is jam packed with the best sites in Managua including the new malecon (boardwalk), Catedral Vieja, La Plaza de la Revolucion, La Palacio Nacional Museum, and La Loma (hill) de Tiscapa. End the evening by dining out in the city if desired.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Thursday
- Time: Leave at 1pm, the drive takes about an hour, return at 5pm without having dinner in town or 8pm after dinner.
- Costs: Entrance fees, drinks, snacks, dinner $20 – $35
MASAYA FORTRESS, MUSEUM, AND ACTIVE VOLCANO
The Fortress was once a Somoza Prison, and a historical tour tells the sad tale of the fate that befell the dictator’s enemies. The Museum and Gallery of Heros and Martires pays tribute to many who fought against Somoza’s National Guard during the revolution.
The Masaya Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas – the last (minor) eruption was in April 2001! It is situated in the midst of a beautiful national park which also contains a small museum and visitors centre. During the day, you can spot lizards and parakeets adapted to habitats amid the sulphureous fumes. During night visits, you can see the lava glowing within. While guided hikes around the summit were available in the past, currently only short visits to the crater are allowed.
- Scheduled: Every 4th Thursday
- Time: Trips leave at 1pm, and the drive takes about an hour, for day volcano visits, return at 5:30pm or for night visits 7pm
- Time: Separate volcano night trips visits leave at 4:30pm, and return at 7pm
- Costs: Fortress entrance fee $2, museum donation $1, daytime volcano entrance fee: $3 per person volcano night entrance fee: $10-20 per person
HISTORY OF NICARAGUA PRESENTATION AND SALSA CLASS
- Scheduled: Every Friday in La Mariposa library. History time periods covered rotate each week.
- Time: History Presentation 1-3 pm, salsa class 3:30 – 4:30pm (Feel free to participate in just one or both!)
- Cost: Free!
Special Events & Holiday Celebrations
You are welcome to join in seasonal festivities!
