Cigar Making
November 2012
A Day-Long Bus Tour from Costa Rica Into Nicaragua
In my mind I had a certain picture of what I expected Nicaragua to look like. Imagine my surprise when I discovered what a beautiful and geographically diverse place it actually is.
While staying in Costa Rica, I booked a day-long bus tour into Nicaragua because I wanted to experience something completely different while I was already in Central America. What I got was a nonstop mix of border crossings, volcanoes, colonial cities, lakes, monkeys, cigars, and local culture all packed into a single day.
Crossing the Border Into Nicaragua
The day started early with a long bus ride toward the Nicaragua border.
Crossing between the two countries was an experience in itself. Once we arrived at the border, officials collected all of our passports and completely disappeared with them for what felt like forever before finally returning and allowing us to proceed into the country.
We were not allowed to leave the bus or take photos while waiting, although I did manage to sneak a few anyway.
The entire process felt very different from the polished international travel most people are used to. The second we crossed into Nicaragua, everything immediately felt different from Costa Rica. The roads changed. The buildings changed.
And almost immediately, volcanoes started appearing in the distance.
Volcanoes Everywhere
One of the things I remember most about Nicaragua was constantly seeing volcanoes rising up on the horizon while driving between stops. They would suddenly appear out the window towering over towns and countryside like they were just part of everyday life. Nicaragua is known as the “Land of Lakes and Volcanoes,” and after spending a day there, it made complete sense.
Granada: A Colorful Stop Along the Way
Granada was a cute stop along the way and one of the more colorful parts of the trip.
Founded in 1524, it is one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas, and the colorful buildings, churches, open plazas, and horse drawn carriages still give it that historic feeling.
One of the moments that stood out most was unexpectedly seeing a horse drawn funeral procession moving through the streets. Between the colonial buildings, the horses, and the slower pace of the city, it felt like stepping backward in time for a few minutes.
That moment captured Granada better than any architecture photo could.
Trying My Hand at Cigar Making
The cigar stop ended up being one of the highlights of the trip for me.
Nicaragua is known for producing some of the best cigars in the world thanks to the rich volcanic soil in the region. Watching skilled workers roll cigars by hand was impressive enough, but trying to make one myself gave me a completely different appreciation for how difficult it actually is.
Lake Nicaragua: The Best Part of the Trip
Without question, Lake Nicaragua was my favorite part of the entire day.
The lake is enormous and in some places honestly feels more like being on the ocean than on a lake. After hours on the bus and walking through towns, finally getting out on the water felt peaceful and relaxing.
We cruised past private islands, tropical shoreline, and massive homes hidden among the trees. Some belonged to wealthy families and well-known figures tucked away around the lake.
Historically, Lake Nicaragua was once considered as a possible route for an interoceanic canal before the Panama Canal was eventually built. Seeing the size of it in person made that idea make a lot more sense.
Monkey Island
Monkey Island ended up being one of the quieter parts of the trip. As we cruised through Lake Nicaragua, the boat slowed near a small island where monkeys sat calmly in the trees watching the boats pass by.
The monkeys mostly stayed in the trees, relaxed and content in their own environment.
The island got its name because rescued and relocated monkeys were brought there over the years and eventually made the island home. With plenty of trees, no major predators, and regular visitors passing through, the population stayed and became one of the better-known stops on the lake.
Masaya Volcano National Park
Masaya Volcano National Park was one of the most dramatic stops of the trip.
The scenery suddenly shifted from lush greenery to dark volcanic rock, smoke, and barren landscape. Standing near the steamy caldera spewing sulfur is one of those moments that instantly reminds you how powerful nature really is.
According to local history and legend, the cross overlooking the volcano was placed there because virgins were once tossed into the caldera as sacrifices to the gods.
Whether legend or history, standing there looking into the crater while sulfur rose into the air made it easy to understand why people once viewed the volcano with both fear and reverence.
The indigenous people believed the volcano was inhabited by a powerful fire god, while Spanish settlers later referred to it as “The Mouth of Hell.”
Masaya Town: Shopping, Lunch, and Local Artwork
Masaya Town itself was more of a relaxed stop for shopping and lunch before continuing on.
The local markets were filled with handmade crafts, pottery, hammocks, textiles, and colorful local artwork that reflected the culture and traditions of Nicaragua.
Ending the Day at Crater Lake
The crater lake ended up being the perfect ending to the tour.
After border crossings, long bus rides, monkeys, volcanoes, markets, and nonstop movement all day, the calm water and surrounding scenery felt peaceful and quiet.
It was one of those moments where everyone naturally got quieter and just took in the view.
Granada From Crater Lake
One of the most unexpected views of the day was seeing Granada from Crater Lake.
From the overlook, you could see the landscape stretching out toward the city with Lake Nicaragua beyond it. After spending the entire day driving through volcanoes, colonial towns, and lakeside scenery, it was one of the moments where you could really appreciate how geographically diverse Nicaragua actually is.
Seeing the Volcanoes Again From the Air
One of the coolest endings to the trip happened later on the flight home.
Looking out the airplane window, I realized I could see the same volcanoes we had spent the day driving past in Nicaragua rising up through the clouds below.
After seeing them from buses, towns, lakes, and volcanic overlooks earlier in the trip, seeing them again from the air somehow tied the whole experience together perfectly.
