EXPERIENCES ADVENTURES & TOURS
Aqua encourages guests to experience the vibrant nature, rich culture and exciting outdoor activities that make a vacation in Nicaragua so memorable. Please browse through our “Aua Experiences” offered both on property and off and lasting from a few hours to all day, and book your choices with Reception at least 24 hours in advance. Then, bring a few necessities (i.e. ID, sunscreen, bottled water, a hat, cash for incidentals and gratuities,) and wear appropriate clothing (i.e. hiking boots, sneakers, or flip flops; walking shorts, jeans, or bathing suits,) and you’re ready to make vacation memories. Prices do not include the mandatory 15% Nicaraguan taxes. All tours and adventures are at the guest’s own risk
A D VENT URE S
1. Climb the “Giant’s Foot” and Rappel Down (or not) 3-4 hours
Recommend 8 am departure
Locals call the promontory on the north end of Aqua’s Redonda Bay the “Pie de Gigante” because it looks like a giant’s foot. We think it looks more like a crocodile’s snout, but no matter. Your guide will lead you from Aqua through the forest and up to the summit of this 300 foot cliff, where you’ll be awed by a panorama of the coastline all the way south to Costa Rica. For many guests it’s enough to enjoy the view and snap selfies. If you’re adventurous, our rappel guides will strap you into a safety harness and outfit you with gloves and a helmet for an exciting rappel down the sheer rock face. It’s a thrill perfect for Go-Pro owners!
Included: • Bottled water • Bilingual guide • Rappel equipment
Hike $30 Pe r couple
Notes: No flip-flops
Rappel $75 Per person
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2. Learn to Surf They say that Nicaragua’s Pacific coast has great surfing because of the “Lake Nicaragua Effect:” Winds blow west off of Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America, and hit the winds blowing east off the Pacific, which at some points is only 25 miles away. This slows down the ocean waves and makes for a smooth ride! If you want to experience the awesome surfing in Nicaragua for yourself, but have never been on a surfboard, no worries. We’ll walk you over to Playa Gigante -- it’s only 20 minutes north of Aqua -- and set you up with a surf instructor. At Playa Gigante, the surf is safe for beginners and the instructors are excellent. You’ll be hanging ten in no time!
$60 Per person for one hour
Optional: $30 for round-trip car transportation from Aqua to Playa Gigante. $25 Aqua rash guard.
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3. Surf Nica’s Best Breaks 4 hours
Recommend 7 am or 1 pm departure
If you’re an Aqua guest who knows how to surf, we urge you to ride the waves in Nicaragua, home to ISA International Surfing Championships for the past five years. Aqua is within 30 minutes by boat from five or six of Nica’s best surf breaks, and we can arrange for you to rent a surf board if you didn’t bring your own. At Aqua, surfing goes like this: An English-speaking captain picks you up in his 27-foot panga boat at Aqua’s beach and whisks you to where the best waves are that day -- depending on the weather, the tides and the wind - for 3 to 4 hours of surf action. The boat is stocked with refreshments and even fishing rods, should you wish to try your luck on the your way back to Aqua. Included: • Bottled water, sodas, local beer (one per person)
Notes: Best surf break and best surf time are determined the night before surfing, according to the local surf report.
$170
$300
$320
$415
$520
Playa M a n z a nill o
Playa C olorado
Playa Popoyo
Playa Lances/Left
Playa Playgrou n d
Rates are for 1 to 4 people per boat. Surfboard not included but you can rent one in Gigante for $10-$20 dollars. Optional: $25 Aqua rash guard, $10-$20 surfboard rental
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4. Fishing, Nica Style 3 hours
Learn to fish from a local in this relaxing three-hour ocean excursion. An English-speaking Nica captain with a 27-foot fiberglass fishing “panga” with shade covering will pick you up on Aqua’s private beach. He and his first mate will set your line and show you how Nica fishermen troll for dorado (mahi mahi,) tuna, amberjack, mackerel and roosterfish. They’ll regale you with fishing lore and stories as you cruise up and down the spectacular Emerald Coast. Deep-Sea Fishing Option: If you’d like to go deep-sea (catch-and-release) fishing for marlin, swordfish and even shark, allow yourself 4 hours and we’ll put you in a boat equipped with twin outboard motors, rods, reels, roof rod holders, fighting chairs, lures, outriggers, fish finder, communication radios, GPS, life jackets, first aid, snorkeling equipment, and stereo radios with iPod connectors for your entertainment needs.
Included: • Bilingual guides • Use of fishing equipment
Notes: Wear a bathing suit and bring a towel in case you get the urge to jump in the water for a swim
$365
$465
Pe r couple , 3 h ours
Per couple, 4 hours
Optional: Sandwiches, chips, sodas and beer $15 extra per person
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5. Exclusive Fishing + Sushi Adventure 4 hours
6 am or 2 pm departure
Aqua is pleased to offer this deluxe fishing experience in a gleaming twin-engine 32-foot yacht equipped with multiple fishing rods and spinning reels, a “fight chair,” GPS, sonar, interior sofas, fridge and a bathroom. The bilingual captain and his crew will make it easy for you to go after mahi mahi, tuna, barracuda, amberjack and roosterfish off shore, or they can take you out to deep waters for catch-and-release fishing for marlin, swordfish and even shark. Here’s the fun part: On the cruise back to Aqua, they clean and filet your catch and turn it into the tastiest and freshest sushi you’ve ever had. And when you arrive in Redonda Bay, they’ll pull up some oysters to add to the feast! (No worries if you don’t catch any fish; they’ll have some on hand for the sushi.)
Included: • Bilingual captain and crew • Fishing equipment
• •
Open bar Sushi and oysters!
$1,050 For 1- 6 people
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6. Sunset Cruise 2 hours
4:00 PM - 6:00 pm
At Aqua for a romantic getaway? A honeymoon? Be sure to sign up for a private sunset cruise in a 27-foot panga along Nicaragua’s picturesque Emerald Coast. Your bilingual captain will pick you up in our sheltered bay in the late afternoon. From there you’ll cruise south along the coast to a little island known by locals as the “Anciana,” the “old lady.” Relax and enjoy watching the setting sun paint the sky in marvelous hues of violet, crimson and cobalt blue. Ask Reception to send along a bottle of sparkling wine and Nica snacks for the ultimate sunset cocktail hour.
Included: • Bilingual captain • Soft drinks and local beer
Notes: Add $60 for a bottle of sparkling wine, chips, salsa and guacamole
$200 Per couple
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7. Sunset Cruise by Catamaran 3 hours
Spend the afternoon skimming across the waves on a sleek catamaran and continue on through sunset. This magical cruise is one for a romantic couple or for a group of from 10 to 20 friends. Bring your swimsuits for a dip in the sea along the way.
Included: • Bilingual captail • Soft drinks, local beer, rum and snacks • Transportation to Playa Gigante catamaran launch
$400 Pe r couple
$75 Per person for 10-20 people
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8. Off Road Adventure 2 hours
9 am or 4 pm departure
Climb aboard a Polaris ATV vehicle that pulls up right at the Aqua beach, and your guide will take you on an exhilarating tour of Aqua’s “neighborhood.” You’ll kick up sand on nearby beaches, cruise through Playa Gigante, stop by the new Costa Esmeralda airport and ascend hilltops for beautiful views. Your guide will fill you in on local history along the way. He is happy to drive, but if you’re game to take the wheel, let Reception know in advance. After a quick lesson, the guide will turn the ATV over to you and lead the way in his own vehicle.
Included: • Bilingual guide/driver • Bottled water and soft drinks
$165 Per couple
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9. Horseback ride 1
We bring the horses to Aqua’s beach to pick you for this local horseback riding adventure. Enjoy an opportunity
hour
in the saddle during a beach ride. Revive your cowboy spirit and consider riding late in the afternoon. A wondrous
to see the village of Gigante, its neighboring beaches and the surrounding jungle from a different perspective - tall way to watch the sunset is when wading through the surf on horseback.
$90 Per couple per hour
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10. Horseback Riding on the “Survivor-Nicaragua” Beach DURATION AND Departure Depends on the tides - beach rides are only possible at low tide Car ride one hour each way. Horseback ride 2.5 hours
Whether or not you’re a “Survivor” fan, we recommend this horseback riding adventure that has been rated San Juan del Sur’s “#1 Outdoor Activity” on Trip Advisor! We drive you to Rancho Chilamate, a ranch with super-chic style and super horses. Deck yourself out in jeans, boots, and cowboy hats from the tack room, then mount up. Wranglers guide you through fields where cattle graze, and across a forest-shaded river bed where monkeys gambol in the trees. You end up on the deserted beach where CBS filmed 4 seasons of “Survivor.” Now comes the exciting part: The wranglers teach you to do it safely, then let you gallop the horses back and forth across the sand. You’ll sure enjoy that shot of rum when you get back to the ranch!
Included: • Round-trip transportation to the ranch • Use of riding gear
•
Snacks, soft drinks and Nica rum
$300 Per couple
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11. Longest Zip-line Adventure in Nicaragua 9 hours
9 am departure, return 3 pm
If you’re a canopy-tour fan - or if you’ve never tried zip-lining - go for this action-packed outing. We’ll drive you to the “Flying Frog,” an outdoor-action park that features a 2.5 K zip-line tour through a tree-top canopy alive with monkeys, birds and other Nica critters. During the 45 minute route, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of San Juan del Sur and its beautiful bay.
Included: • Bilingual guide • Transportation • Canopy tour fee • Bottled water
Notes: The drive from Aqua to the zip line is 1 hour and 15 minutes. Your guide will recommend some spots in or near San Juan del Sur for a Nica lunch.
$260 Per couple
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T OUR S
12. Countryside by Ox Cart 4 hours
8 am departure, noon return
Experience local culture with this unique half-day tour that takes you into the homes of Aqua’s neighbors, descendants of the indigenous Nahuati people. We drop you off at the home of enterprising mother and her daughters who make candy that they sell throughout the community. You meet your local bilingual guide, who, from there, joins you in an ox cart to visit the home of a traditional healer. Your third stop is an old country house where they make Cucusa, a homemade liquor (aka moonshine) that dates back to Pre-Colombian times. Finally, your guide takes you to the farm of one of the best cooks in the region where you learn to make -- and you taste -- the fresh cheese and tortillas that Nicas love.
Included: • Transportation to Tola to meet ox-cart, and return transportation to Aqua
Notes: This unique tour requires reservations 3 days in advance. The tour is coordinated by people within the community. A gratuity at each home on the tour would be greatly appreciated.
$150 Per couple
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13. Volcano Mombacho Hike & Canopy Tour ALL
Depart at 8 am, return around 5:30 pm (transfer time from Aqua to Mombacho is approximately 2 hours)
DAY
An exhilarating day trip to the peak of Mombacho Volcano in La Reserva Natural Volcan Mombacho, an extraordinary cloud forest with a wide variety of flora and fauna as well as scenic views. You’ll enjoy zip lining through the canopy over a coffee farm and hiking around the crater. Take the trail around the crater and don’t forget to ask your guide about the Mombacho Salamander, a species found only here.
Included: • Transportation • Bilingual guide • Entrance fees • Bottled water
Notes: If you’re fit and enjoy a challenge, instead of taking the truck, hike the “Tigrillo” trail to the summit, a 2.5 km hike that takes approximately 1 hr. 45 min. Bring a sweater or jacket, as the summit can be cool. Your guide will offer you several options for a Nica lunch stop.
$360 Per couple
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14. Granada & Las Isletas 8 hours
Depart 8 am, return 4 pm
A charming city with colorful Spanish Colonial architecture, Granada is on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America. After a city tour (see details above,) you board a shaded panga at the port for a one-hour boat tour through “Las Isletas,” an archipelago of 365 little islands -- many too small for human habitation -- that were formed when nearby Mombacho Volcano erupted 40,000 years ago. Your English-speaking guide will point out many species of birds -- tropical as well as birds that migrate here from North America during the winter. You’ll make a stop on “Spider Monkey Island,” where a surprise may await you! After the boat tour, you’ll have time to explore Granada on foot – perhaps stop for a Nicaraguan coffee, or have lunch and take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Included: • Bilingual guide • Round-trip transportation from Aqua • Entrance fees
$240 Per couple
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15. Granada & Masaya Volcano 8 hours
Depart 8 am, return 4-5 pm
We take you by private vehicle from Aqua to the charming city of Granada, Nicaragua’s number 1 tourist destination. Here, on foot, your English-speaking guide will point out the beautifully preserved Spanish Colonial haciendas and churches, all the while telling you about the city’s colorful history, from 16th and 17th Century pirate raids to the short-lived conquest by the notorious William Walker, an American who claimed the Presidency of Nicaragua for himself. From Granada, it’s a short drive to Masaya Volcano National Park, home to two volcanoes and five craters. Our vehicle will transport you up the slope, through hardened lava fields, to the smoldering crater of Masaya Volcano. Here you will don special masks so that you can peer into what the Spanish called “the mouth of Hell” without injury from smoke and sulfur gas. Included: • Bilingual guide • Transportation • Entrance fees • Bottled water
Notes: Bring cash for lunch and souvenirs
$220 Per couple
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16. Masaya Volcano at Night 6 hours
Depart 3 pm, return 9 pm
Masaya Volcano National Park is home to five craters and two volcanoes, which have erupted several times throughout history and were feared by both the indigenous people and Spanish conquerors. In fact, the Spanish named Masaya “La Boca del Infierno,” or “The Mouth of Hell,” and planted a cross on the crater lip to exorcise the Devil. On this unique night tour of Masaya, you will see a rare species of green parakeets that have adapted to the volcano’s sulfur smoke and return to their nests each night. You may also see a flurry of bats. Equipped with a flashlight and helmet, you will navigate through an underground tunnel, formed by lava streams, which leads to the mouth of the crater. Here, if visibility is good, you will see the red glow of molten lava. Included: • Bilingual tour guide • Transportation • Entrance fees • Bottled water
Notes: It is a little more than 2 hours by car from Aqua to Masaya. There is no hiking involved on this tour. Wear sneakers, not flip-flops; bring a sweater. Your guide will offer several options for a Nica dinner stop before you return to Aqua.
$260 Per couple
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17. Ometepe Island & Ojo de Agua ALL DAY
RETIRM 5:30 - 6 PM
Ometepe Island, formed by two volcanoes that rise dramatically out of Lake Nicaragua, is one of the largest freshwater islands in the world. And thanks to its wide variety of ecosystems, it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010. You’ll feel as if you’re stepping back in time when you arrive by ferry boat and explore the island’s lush, pristine nature. (Be on the lookout for first-growth Ceiba and Guanacaste trees that are hundreds of years old and look like they belong in Jurassic Park!) You’ll visit a special beach, a lush nature reserve, a private museum featuring pre-Colombian artifacts found on the island and “Ojo de Agua,” a natural spring that is hidden away in a forest and is believed to have rejuvenating properties. Here you will relax and enjoy a swim. Included: • Bilingual guide • Transportation to and from the ferry terminal and on the island • Ferry and entrance fees • Bottled water
Notes: The ride from Aqua to the ferry boat is approx. 1 hour. The ferry ride is 1 hour each way. Bring a bathing suit and towel for a swim, and cash for lunch.
$280 Per couple
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18. San Juan del Sur by Boat 8 HOURS
9 am to 5 pm
San Juan del Sur is one of Nicaragua’s most popular beach towns, a “must see” for Aqua guests. The fastest -- and most fun -- way to get there from Aqua is by boat. The panga (boat) will pick you up on our beach, then cruise south along the rugged Emerald Coast. Keep your eye out for dolphins. You’ll spend the day in the San Juan, enjoying a city tour and visiting local shops. For lunch, we suggest you try the fresh-caught seafood at El Timon, an open-air restaurant steps from the beach. In the afternoon, on the cruise back to Aqua, you can stop at pristine Playa Blanca for a swim.
Included: • Boat transportation • Bottled water • Bilingual guide
Notes: Once in a while the swell is too strong on Redonda Bay for a beach pickup -- but it doesn’t happen often.
$270 Per couple
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W W W. A Q U A N I C A R A G U A . C O M