JessL85

Hi, i am planning a honeymoon to Nicaragua in August. We only have a week, so I was thinking:

3 nights San Jaun del Sur (Pelican Eyes)
2 nights Morgan’s Rock
2 nights Grenada (Hotel Patio del Malinche)..

I know the trip from Morgan's Rock to Grenada is about 2.5 hours..I would like to include an excursion (Mombacho maybe?) with the transfer since we don't have much time. Is this doable? Should I try to book this through MR or though Patio del Malinche....or a separate travel agency?

Thanks!
Jess

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and honeymoon.

Not sure I understand your question. You want to visit Mombacho during your transfer from Morgan's Rock to Granada? Why not make that just a half-day excursion during one of your days in Granada? The volcano is just a few miles outside the city and very easy to get to.

tully

Mombacho is right outside Granada, it's always present when you look in that direction. The turn off to Mombacho was on the same road that we took for the transfer from Granada to Morgan's Rock, but I would really try to do it as a separate excursion instead of during the trasnfer. The whole tour took about 4-5 hours. Also, SJDS is much closer to Morgan's Rock, so if you can arrange it, I'd do Granada, SJDS, then MR. Have a great time!

snoopy12

The excursion is doable depending on how much you want to do - crater vs puma trail, zip line etc. It would probably be less expensive to arrange through your hotel in Granada. I did it (crater trail) as a day trip from MR using MR driver and guide, with other stops as well (San Juan del Oriente, Granada) and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I have never been to Pelican Eyes but have been to MR twice. If it were my honeymoon, I'd skip Pelican Eyes and spend 5 days at MR. It is an unbelievable place and this way you could relax and really get into the vibe - it's also incredibly romantic. If you really want to see San Juan del Sur, surf etc you can still do this from MR.

Just my opinion! Have a great honeymoon

aprillilacs

I agree with Snoopy12 that you could visit San Juan del Sur and other places in the area from Morgan's Rock -- we were staying in SJDS and passed the entrance MR on our way to Playa Majagual as a daytrip from SJDS. If price is no issue, you might want to consider spending the nights at MR insted of SJDS. We couldn't quite afford MR, so we went with Pelican Eyes. It was a wonderful -- really nice people, immaculately clean, terrific plantings, good food, lovely pools, and just a short walk into town whenever we wanted to get a little more action. I think your plan of 3 nights at Pelican Eyes followed by 2 nights at MR is a good one.

We did the Mombacho trip from Granada -- basically half a day, including the Crater trail (less than an hour loop) and the zipline. We had a car and did it on our own, though my son and his wife didn't want to do the zipline so they arranged to take the Tierra Tours tour, which has an office a few blocks from Patio del Malinche. Very nice.

If you want to do Mombacho from Pelican Eyes, it's easy to arrange through the hotel. We used Berman Gomez, who works at the hotel, for a great night trip to see the turtles hatching south of SJDS, and his brother Carlos for a fantastic full-day (and I mean full!) trip to Ometepe. Both were awesome, and I'm sure you could arrange something for Mombacho. But I agree with the other posters--it's much closer and time effective from Granada, and there's no reason to do it on the way from MR to Granada. Better to get in to Granada and go from there--I think it will save you money.

JessL85

Thanks everyone! Price is an issue, hence only two days at MR...although now it looks like we might not be able to do MR at all. We are planning to fly Spirit Airlines since it's inexpensive, and now the only flight available gets into Managua at midnight (previously, there was a flight available that arrived in the afternoon). So, I figure we'll have to stay a night at Managua, leaving us only 5 nights...So, question now becomes...do we do 3 nights San Juan (at Pelican) and 2 nights Grenada (at Hotel Patio del Malinche)....or do we spend extra money and stay at MR for 3 nights instead of Pelican. OR 2 at MR and 3 in Grenada!?! At Pelican, I was planning to do the sailing trip, and Da Flying Frog, but that was just for the zipline, but if there is a zipline option at Mombacho (which, I didn't realize was so close to Granada - thanks for letting me know!), then maybe I can just do the zipline then...I guess, it really comes down to the $400/night at MR versus the $200 at Pelican. Ugh, decisions!!!

ttraveler

Jess,
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.
I went to Nicaragua last November and only had six nights so I know how hard it is to decide where to go. We stayed four nights in Grenada and two nights in San Juan del Sur. We stayed at Pelican Eyes and really enjoyed our time there. I was traveling a bit differently then you.. as I was with friends but Pelican Eyes is a beautiful spot. Great pools with a few (distant) of the ocean.
We also did the sail with Pelican Eyes. They didn't have enough people so we ended up paying extra and just going out with our group of four. It was a wonderful experience and the food was so good. Just snacks but delicious.
We also took the night time turtle tour.
In Grenada we also did the Mombacho hike. We did the longer hike with a guide. A great hike. Also, my friends enjoyed the zipline on the way out. It's really right next to Mombacho.
Have a great trip.

aprillilacs

I think you will find Pelican Eyes a great spot for a honeymoon. You'll feel pampered there, and it's really beautiful. Spend 2-3 nights there if you can.

In Granada, Hotel Patio del Malinche is lovely, friendly, and well-located. We definitely enjoyed our several nights there--especially the little poolside courtyard, and the breakfast courtyard--and would return in a heartbeat. The rooms, though, are small and simple -- comfortable, with good air con, but no frills (bed, TV, alcove closet, simple bathroom with shower only). Just wanted to let you know so you'll not be disappointed.

When you're in Granada, definitely do a kayak trip through the Isletas (much more fun that the motorboat tour!). You can do it through Tierra Tours or take a taxi down to kayak place on the lake and deal directly with them.

So, bottom line is, Pelican Eyes is nicer than Malinche, but Granada (and surroundings) has more to do than San Juan del Sur. Depends on what's important to you. In any case, have a great trip, and congrats on your wedding!