Drive the length of Pacific Nicaragua — colonial Granada, the volcano island of Ometepe, and the surf coast at San Juan del Sur and Popoyo — then fly to Panama City for a walkable canal-and-skyline finale.
| Days | Destination | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Granada | Colonial centre, Las Isletas, Masaya volcano |
| 3–4 | Ometepe Island | Twin volcanoes, Ojo de Agua, waterfalls |
| 5–6 | San Juan del Sur | Bay, sunsets, surf & catamaran |
| 7–9 | Popoyo | World-class surf, tide pools, yoga |
| 10–13 | Panama City | Fly over; Casco Viejo, the Canal & skyline |
One rental car for all of Nicaragua (Granada → San Jorge ferry → San Juan del Sur → Popoyo); return it in Managua before flying to Panama City. In Panama City, skip the car — use Uber, taxis and the Metro; the old town is walkable.
Nicaragua is a road-trip country. These are the drives worth slowing down for — each mapped so you can follow the route.
The drivable heart of the trip — colonial Granada, the Ometepe ferry at San Jorge, then south to the surf coast.
Open this drive in Google Maps →Dirt roads link a string of surf coves between San Juan del Sur and Popoyo — the Tola beaches.
Open this drive in Google Maps →Southwest Nicaragua is one of Central America’s great surf coasts — offshore winds almost daily and a break for every level, from beginner beach breaks to expert reefs. Here are the ones worth chasing.
The local favourite — a fun beach break with schools and rentals; the classic sunset-surf spot.
Find the break on Google Maps →A long, uncrowded beach break (of reality-TV fame) with room to spread out.
Find the break on Google Maps →The headline wave: a consistent A-frame reef, with a mellow inside for improvers.
Find the break on Google Maps →A serious big-wave reef break for experienced surfers only.
Find the break on Google Maps →Exactly what it says — gentle, sandy and forgiving for first waves.
Find the break on Google Maps →Fun, playful rights and lefts a short drive from the lodges.
Find the break on Google Maps →| Category | Range |
|---|---|
| Flights (int'l + Managua–Panama) | $900 – $1,400 |
| Accommodation | $1,100 – $2,400 |
| Car rental, fuel & ferries | $400 – $800 |
| Food & drink | $450 – $750 |
| Surf & activities | $350 – $650 |
| Estimated total | $3,200 – $6,000 |
Print these pages to plan and track your trip by hand — fill in the blank 13-day grid, tick off your packing, and keep the budget on target.
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| Category | Budget | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (int'l + Managua–Panama) | $900–$1,400 | |
| Accommodation | $1,100–$2,400 | |
| Car rental, fuel & ferries | $400–$800 | |
| Food & drink | $450–$750 | |
| Surf & activities | $350–$650 | |
| Estimated total | $3,200–$6,000 |
Point your phone camera at any code to jump straight to maps, drives, surf and tours.
Colonial cities, a volcano island, world-class surf and a canal-city finale — a balanced 13-day journey through the best of Nicaragua and Panama.
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