Nicaragua itinerary advice
 

Hello,
My husband and I are making our first trip to Nicaragua in June. We are thinking about spending 4 nights in Granada, 2 on Ometepe, 2/3 at Finca Esperanza Verde, and 4 on Little Corn Island. Can anyone advise us on the doability of this. We are excited about walking around and exploring Granada. Any suggestions on a mid range place to stay? Same question for Ometepe? Has anyone been to Finca Esperanza Verde? We have stayed at a couple of great eco friendly lodges in Costa Rica and are looking for the same type of experience in Nicaragua. A place a little out of the way with good hiking and lots of flora and fauna. Can anyone tell us about flying to and from Corn Island? Do we make the reservation here in the States or wait until we get to Nicaragua? We are planning to stay at Los Delfines. Is this a good choice? Thank you for all your help!

Hi, I may not be an expert on som eof your questions, but I did travel to Corn Island recently. If you're looking for more of an eco-experience, Casa Iguana on Little Corn is the place to stay. They are powered by wind and solar and have rain water collectors and give a little bit of education on their eco-practices. They are also on a great secluded beach and the windward side of the island. Delfines is cute and does have a/c, but has a totally different feel than the other accomodations on the island. Their beach is Little Corn's port, so all the fishing boats and such are right there. It doesn't really make for an idylic paradise, but you're in town instead of having a 10 minute walk through the jungle. If A/C and hot water are a must on the eco-trip, then stay at Delfines. If not, you will get a lot more out of Casa Iguana. As far as the flight, one can make reservations directly with la costena. I think casa iguana's website has their contact info.

Granada is beautiful. Don't know any hotels really. Ometepe might be tough for two nights just because of the getting to and back part. I stayed on Playa Santo Domingo, and thought it was exceptional. Cute hotel.

Never heard of Finca Esperanza. Have fun!

Just spent 4 days in Granada and think I could have done it in three. Nice place is La Gran Francia, Hotel Alhambra (great location right on the square) and Casona de las Estrada.

Never heard of Finca Esperanza Verde. There are two airlines that fly to Big Corn Island - Atlantic & LaCostena. Definitely make the reservation in advance and when you get there confirm your return trip. From Big Corn you get a boat ride to Little Corn. Villa Paraiso on Playa Santa Domingo is the best place on Ometepe. There is also Chaco Verde. Both places are rustic. ORO Travel in Granada made all our reservations and connections and we were very satisfied with them.

When in Granada, check out Casa Chandler near the Parque Central. www.granadahouse.net

It's lovely and centrally located. There's 3 rooms in the main house with their own bathrooms and a pool right in the middle of the house which has an open-air kitchen and living room.

We had 4 adults and two teens and everyone had plenty of space.

We really enjoyed Hotel Patio del Malinche in Granada, as I noted in my trip report on this site.

I just returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Nicaragua. I spent 3 nights in Leon, 6 in Granada, 3 in Ometepe, and 3 on Little Corn. On Little Corn we stayed at Los Delfines. I agree with the previous poster regarding Los Delfines vs. Casa Iguana. Two very different places. Los Delfines was cute, and while we did have AC, there were water troubles when we were there. Another couple's cabana flooded so much that they could never take a full shower, and we had problems with our toilet the entire time. It was all in good fun though, as we knew not to expect too much on Little Corn. Initially, we didn't want to stay at Casa Iguana, because we thought we would be too far away, but in hindsight, I wish we would have stayed there. It's about a 10 min walk to town, which we did several times in the daylight and at night (make sure to bring a flashlight!) We did have dinner there one night, which was amazing. The chef was trained at the Culinary Institute of America and it was the best meal we had on the entire trip.

We booked our flight once we arrived in Nicaragua. In fact, we booked it just a day before we left and didn't have any problems, but I have heard that the flights can sometimes sell out.

Have fun on the panga from Big Corn to Little Corn!

On Ometepe we stayed at Villa Paraiso which was nice.