thanks so much - yeah i forgot about mombacho so i think i will stay in granada on day 9 also and just go to the airport from there instead of going to managua the day before.
Do you know an efficient cheaper way to get from Managua Airport to Leon? the hotel wants to charge $80USD to get there.
"Cant you take a bus from Rivas to Managua (1.5 hours), switch and take e a bus to Leon (1.5 hours)?
Ferry is just over a hour."
as far as i know only a chicken bus and i never recommend travelers go through the chicken bus terminal in Managiua
however, there may be a UCA bus from Rivas to Managua direct, never done that route on public transport so i can't say!
BTW forget about a taxi from Rivas to Leon cost you a LOT and not necessary!
I lived near Leon and Las Penitas swam almost every day, no problem, waves can get big though, excercise caution, usually calmer in the morning!
Quetzal in Leon are good!
There is enough to occupy you in Leon/ Las Penitas for 3 days, as the above poster says a trip to the mangrove is worth it, my friend Max at Playa Roca Hotel has a panga and can organize it for you!
If I stay in Las Penitas overnight, what is the easiest way and cost efficient way to get to Granada? How long does that take? Thanks
If you use a guidebook, MOON for instance, and look at the map, you will see the distances, figure 45KM per hour.
From Las Penitas, chicken bus to Leon about 1 hour.
Then UCA bus to Managua about 1 and a half hours!
Change at Managua for UCA to Granada, about 45 mins!
If you search this forum you'll find almost all your questions have been answered MANY times!!
Making it to Leon is no problem. Catch the morning Ferry to San Gorge a cab or hitchike into Rivas. Rivas to Managua Managua to Leon. It's a long day but we had no problem making it. If you're lucky you may meet someone on the ferry who has c car and is heading to Managua or Leon.
I also agree about Apoyo. I went there by accident and stayed a week then went back a month later.
Just got back from a ten day trip in Nica. Did the Mombacho hike and canopy tour with Tierra Tours. Trapperchica is right--the hike is more like a walk. Very manageable. The trail is very well maintained and it's very accessible for non-hikers and those who aren't necessarily used to physical activity. We left for Mombacho at 9.00 in the morning and got back around 3.00. I don't know if you will have enought time after Mombacho to make a tour to Las Isletas.
I also did a moonlight hike of Cerro Negro with the Leon office of Tierra Tours. The hike is pretty managable but it was incredibly windy (40km or so). You have to carry your own board which did make it a little challenging. We started around 5.00 so we didn't have to deal with heat of the day. Cerro Negro was more difficult than Mombacho. I met some people who hiked Cerro Negro in the afternoon and said it wasn't too bad since they started around 3.30. Suggestion: don't try to stand when you surf down the volcano. It's much more fun and much less work sitting.
And I did the night tour of Masaya out of Managua my last day. You have the opportunity to see the lava and you also walk through some lava tunnels and hang out with the bats. Here's my pics of the trip: http://picasaweb.google.com/dputz1/Nicaragua2009#.
Cheers.
rafl--check with Paxeos and see what kind of rate they can give you to get from Managua to Leon.
So far Tierra Tours can provide the two of us with a ride from Managua Airport to Leon for $55 (Paxeos was more). Did anyone find a better deal other than the taxi to the Managua Bus Station to Leon?
Also in Las Penitas, has anyone stayed at Hotel Olazul? I can't find any info/pics about Casa Patricia online but I know people have recommended this place.
Thanks