Worldwide Travel

Item Description

8-day "Heart of Nicaragua" adventure with ¡Un Buen Viaje! Tours To Nicaragua

Your adventure begins in a country full of incredible natural beauty, volcanoes, beaches, cloud forests and spectacular Spanish colonial cities. We will walk, hike, ride horseback and use local transportation; generally doing as the locals do. There's a lot to see and do, but we'll go slowly, tread lightly, and really experience this special place.

This tour takes you from the bustling streets of the capital city of Managua to the highlands - offering a countryside respite where you will engage with the local people and culture, on a level not attainable by following the guidebooks - to the cheerful colonial city of Granada and the majestic sweet waters of Lake Nicaragua.

This package includes: Transportation to and from airport, Guided tours, Local fees, and Local ground transportation.

Item Special Note

Good for travel within one year from date of purchase. No children under that age of 8. Does not include airfare, insurance, tips, or alcoholic beverages.

Tours to Nicaragua's Sustainability Practices

Local Accommodations: We sleep in clean, locally-owned accommodations. La Mariposa, our choice in La Concepción, has an adult literacy program, they support a local folkloric dance troupe, and they provide teaching materials and clothes for some of the poorest children at a local school. In some instances we arrange homestays. La Mariposa, constructed with locally sourced materials, grow their own food and participate in reforestation of the area.

Do as the Locals Do: We take a bus. We take a taxi. We walk. We ride horses. We shop in the local markets for fresh fruits and vegetables. We patronize locally-owned restaurants. We hire local guides to offer the Nicaraguan perspective, such as our young guide living in Managua who will share his knowledge of his hometown and the environment that surrounds it. By introducing our guests to artisans like the ceramic potters and the small woodworking community in Masaya, we open a door to understanding the lives on both sides. Purchases, as well as word of mouth, go a long way in improving the quality of life for these passionate, hard-working Nicaraguans.

Environmental Awareness: We ask all tour participants to bring their own reusable water bottles in order to reduce our in-country waste – plastic waste is an enormous problem in Nicaragua. We have a zero litter policy. Some of accommodation choices use solar power and make an effort to conserve water by minimizing housekeeping services and recycle grey water. In addition, our office recycles anything that can be recycled in our city. We minimize printed material making the most of communication through the Internet. All light fixtures use CFL bulbs. We heat and cool our space with an air source heat pump. We live within walking distance of our office.

Contributing to a Sustainable Future of Nicaragua: There are more than 70 nature reserves, parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Nicaragua is recognizing the importance of their national parks (not only in terms of tourism but also as a natural resource that needs protection) as are the many young university students who are studying ecology and other natural sciences in order to work as guides to help inform visitors about and protect their homeland. We will be contributing, annually, a percentage of our profits to a community-based, locally-run organization working towards a better future for all Nicaraguans. This annual commitment will allow us to develop long-term relationships in Nicaragua and engage our travellers on a personal level by visiting works in progress.

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If you need assistance with the purchase of this package or any other items on TIES eco-holiday auction: please contact ecoDestinations@ecotourism.org or +1 202-506-5033 x14.

If you are the successful bidder, you will receive an email from TIES with the certificate confirming your purchase within 24 hours of the auction close. All TIES eco-holiday auction items are valid for one year (excluding the blackout dates noted in the item description) unless otherwise stated. The winner will receive contact details of the trip provider(s) to make travel arrangements.

All proceeds raised from your purchase of this trip will go directly to The International Ecotourism Society to support their numerous projects in support of responsible travel worldwide.