Itinerary Questions

Ok, I know ppl don't usually like getting questions about itineraries, how many days to spend where, etc., etc......so a big thanks to anyone who can give me some input/advice about my planned itinerary for Nicaragua. Trip is planned for Feb 13- March 8. So taking away a day on each end for travel, we are left with 23 days to spend......I've come up with the following route.....

Granada 4 days (including day trips to Mombacho, Masaya/Pueblos Blancos/Catarina/San Juan de Oriente, Las Isletas)
Laguna de Apoyo 2 days
Leon 4 days
Las Penitas 3 days
San Juan del Sur 2 days
Isla de Ometepe 3 days
Little Corn Island 4 days
LCI-Managua/Get ready to fly home next day 1 day

Does this sound realistic? Ive tried to account for travel times in the number of days spent at each location. Should we cut one stop out? If anything, based on trip reports I've read, we'd prob cut out SJDS. Or perhaps Ometepe beased on the travel time required to get there.

How long does it take to go Ometepe to Managua as we will have to stay one night in Managua in order to fly out to the Corn Islands in the morning?

Advice, comments?

Thanks!

Hi,
I am curious as to why you are starting south, then heading north, then south then north again to MGA to fly out to Corn Islands? How are you traveling--car or public transportation? That will also determine the schedule. I think it would it save you a lot of time to head to SJDS and Ometepe after Granada & Laguna de Apoyo, before heading up to Leon area.

Also, I might add another day to Ometepe because the travel out there is a good 1/2 day. I am biased and love Ometepe so would not recommend you shaving time there (but have to be honest that I've not yet hit SJDS). Time-wise...MGA to Granada approx 1 hour, then it depends if you are going by chicken bus to Rivas then taxi to ferry, or if you are hiring private car, it might be slightly quicker. All told, from Granada to be at your place on the island took approx 1/2 day for me, using the chicken bus and getting to Charco Verde. Longer if you are going to the other side of the island. Add another hour or so from MGA.

All in all, it's a lot of running in a fairly short time. If you are up for it great, but maybe shaving the itinerary a bit and soaking up the places a bit more would be my rec for you. Sounds like a great trip planned, enjoy.

Hmmm, good points. I guess I need a better plan to avoid so much back tracking. I suppose i mainly didn't want to hit SJDS and Ometepe first in case I needed to cut one out or shave off some time from either later on. Our main interests would be Granada, laguna de Apoyo, Leon, Las Penitas and LCI. We'd be taking public transit for all unless we found other travellers to share a private car with.

Thanks for the advice so far.

What about if we do this instead?

Managua-->Granada/Laguna de Apoyo/Masaya-->Isla de Ometepe-->Leon--> Las Penitas-->Managua to fly out to Corn Islands-->fly back to Managua to catch flight home

Any ideas on how to avoid staying a nite in Managua to catch a morning flight to Corn Islands? We'll be coming from Leon. SHould we head to Granada on the afternoon before our flight, sleep in Granada and then take an early shuttle to the airport?

I would forget about SJDS, after the Corn Islands that place will be like New Jersey-SJDS is nothing special other than a beach for people to go to, and its infested with Gringos and Spanish Immersion college kids....the beach sucks and town is a hot, and nothing worth breaking out the camera for.

Take those extra days and add to Ometepe or the volcanoes north of Leon.

I would also put the Corn Islands last, to relax, and get last flight back to MGA, and do some sight seeing in the Capitol now that your comfy with everything, taxi is best.

Check out my trip report I submitted for some details as well.

I think the itinerary you have in #3 seems pretty do-able. It avoids the back and forth so will save you lots of time. Let us know how your trip goes!!!