Relax at Laguna de Apoyo

30 minutes from Managua and 20 minutes from Granada, Laguna de Apoyo is a Nature Reserve in a volcano that imploded on itself, filling with water. As a result, it has turned into a thermally vented, clean lake made for swimming, kayaking, tubing, or just plain ol' relaxing.

I recommend staying at The Monkey Hut, a hostel right on the water in the Nature Reserve. The name comes from the Howler monkeys that inhabit the area. Try not to be alarmed at their howls in the late hours of the night and early hours of the morning. When you hear them for the first time it can be a little unnerving. The Monkey Hut itself serves as an affordable, clean place to hang out, with a few small restaurants to eat at nearby. The pizza place, if it's still there, was surprisingly good given its location.

You can get to Laguna de Apoyo by car, bus, taxi, or shuttle. There aren't any stores near the lake, so make sure you get everything you think you'll need before you reach the destination.

Directions from 3 main spots in Nicaragua:

From Masaya: Get to the Masaya-Granada Highway (carretera) heading towards Granada. At the 37 1/2 Kilometer mark, turn right into the entrance of the Laguna De Apoyo – it will be an uphill paved road. Follow the directions below from the entrance to get to the water.

From Granada: Get on the Masaya-Granada Highway (carretera) heading towards Masaya and Managua. At the 37 1/2 Kilometer mark, turn right into the entrance of the Laguna De Apoyo – it will be an uphill paved road. Follow the directions below from the entrance to get to the water.

From Managua: If you are in Managua then you need to get to the Masaya – Granada Highway (sometimes called Carretera Masaya), and head southeast towards Masaya. Stay on the Highway past Masaya and follow directions from Masaya above.