Islets of Granada: A Tropical Escape Minutes From the Colonial City

Like most travellers visiting Nicaragua, the colonial city of Granada was high on my list. I was drawn to the striking architecture and cobblestoned streets lined with cosy cafes and eclectic bars, yet there was a side to Granada that I had no idea existed until I arrived.

What I hadn’t expected was that just twenty minutes away lay a tropical 365-island archipelago, bursting with wildlife, secluded bays and one-of-a-kind island eco lodges. 

The host at my hostel had told me about this nearby archipelago, more popular with locals than tourists, which was a world away from colonial Granada.

Fun fact: The Islets of Granada consist of 365 little islands, all born from the erruption of the Mombacho Volcano (looks like a bucket list adventure to me, one for each day of the year…👀) (dimarik/iStock)

After a little research about the Islets of Granada (Isletas de Granada) and how to get there, I decided that this was a place I wanted to see for myself. While some people opt to stay in the island’s unique eco lodges or downright lavish resorts, I opted for a day trip, since it was such a last-minute decision. 

Little did I know that these tropical islands would leave an everlasting impression on me. Teeming with vibrant wildlife, tropical vistas, and some of the most incredible island mansions I had ever laid eyes on, a visit to the Islets of Granada felt like a Nicaraguan version of the Maldives – and a secret I just could not keep to myself. 

Location & how to get there

Although the islands felt to me like a Caribbean escape, they are in fact located within Lake Nicaragua, to the east of Granada City. Interestingly, the archipelago is made up of 365 islands – one for each day of the year, as the locals suggest, and they formed when the impressive Mombacho volcano blew its cone.

Over time, the islands began to form, and wildlife such as capuchin monkeys, sloths, and various bird species arrived, creating the tropical pockets you see today.

I knew that getting there would be rather easy; of course, I just needed to take a boat, but it took some time to figure out which one to take. Initially, I had visited Marina Cocibolca, where I assumed the public boats (you know, the budget-friendly kind) departed from, but I quickly realised, judging by the pricey quotes ($100+) I was receiving, that this was actually the price for a private boat tour.

Luckily, I found my way to the public boats, which were lined up along the beach near Santa Cruz, just south of Granada city. These public boats cost $10-$15 per person and will take you around the islands for around 2-3 hours. 

If you are on a budget like me, I would suggest taking the public boats or even hiring a kayak from the same location, but if you are travelling in a group or would rather have a private experience, then the private tour is a really popular choice too.

Considering how much there is to learn about the island’s volcanic formation and diverse ecosystem, I can imagine having a private guide would be incredibly beneficial and immersive. 

Check out this Isletas Boat Tour

My experience visiting Las Isletas

It took just a few minutes on the water to feel a world away from Granada, with hundreds of tropical islands awaiting in the distance. The weather was fantastic, which meant that we had smooth sailing and the water was like a mirror, reflecting the palm trees and glistening sun.

My guide spoke both English and Spanish and described everything we saw in both languages. The boat was full of local Nicaraguan tourists, so I appreciated that the guide made sure I got the full experience, even though I could understand some basic Spanish.

The wildlife

One of the first stops was the famous Monkey Island, which was home to a family of spider and capuchin monkeys, who were far from shy. This was an amazing opportunity to catch action shots as they showed off their tree swinging skills and grinned at all the cameras facing them. 

En route, our guide pointed out all kinds of birds, from parrots to ospreys, and warned of crocodiles in the swamps, so we quickly understood why this place had a reputation for being referred to as ‘The Galapagos of Nicaragua’.

I could imagine just how brave the kayakers were, traversing these waters, but perhaps they weren’t even aware of the crocodile community, which often flies under the radar. 

Island life

What struck me most was the stark contrast between the lifestyles on the Islets. On one hand, there were islands dotted with dilapidated wooden shacks, home to the local fishermen and on the other hand, we would regularly pass by mansions owned by local celebrities as well as extravagant resorts and hotels.

The contrast was undeniable, but I did love that you could still get a glimpse into the past, seeing how the locals thrived on these islands that have likely been inhabited for generations. 

We passed by some idyllic island restaurants, which our guide pointed out as being very well recommended, and the next minute, we would pass by a local cooking in her kitchen.

It felt a little strange to be this up close and personal with the inner workings of people’s lives, but the longer we explored the area, the more I realised this was the norm around here, and no one was that bothered by us. 

The vibe

Truthfully, I did not expect to enjoy this experience as much as I did. While it was not my first boat tour to a group of islands, it was a very memorable one, most likely because it was so local and authentic. The vibe was quite mixed.

Fort San Pablo reminded me of the area’s rich heritage, while the landscape formed by an exploding volcano captivated my imagination. It was all so impressive, however you perceived it. 

On the luxury side of things, I loved the idea that you could stay on your own private island, and not pay the big bucks like you would in the Maldives, but perhaps the best part was that it seemed I was the only tourist experiencing this, which made it feel very different from the usual spots on the well-trodden Central American tourist trail. 

Where to stay in Las Isletas

If I were to return, I would certainly opt to stay at one of the many island lodges, which looked incredible. Of course, these are more costly (okay, a lot more costly) than accommodation in Granada or other parts of Nicaragua, but the experience is priceless. 

Some of the most unique and outstanding options that caught my attention included:

• $$ Isleta El Espino Ecolodge is a warm private island ecolodge with a pool, restaurant, kayaks, spa options, and a lush tropical setting just minutes by boat from Granada (stay here for a nature‑focused, off‑grid escape) – starts at $90
• $$ Isla de Sol (book onsite) – a unique private island stay with tree‑house style rooms, lake views, hammocks and kayaks right on the water
• $$$ Float Nica Granada – is a modern apartment-style stay with its own pool and hot tub, and garden-view terrace – best for a relaxed island base with self-catering freedom – starts at $350
• $$$$ An Island Rental – stay in your own island with 3 houses, many pools, kayaks, hammocks, and total privacy for groups or families (you can also opt for their boat tour program) – starts at $460
• $$$$ Jicaro Island Lodge – offers jungle casitas, infinity pool, kayaking and sustainable luxury on a private island – starts at $600

The nature to nature combo of Isleta El Espino Ecolodge, a secluded eco-retreat in Las Isletas de Granada

Not a bad way to wake up at Float Nica Granada

Where to eat

There are a few restaurants on the Isletas, some of which are connected to lodges or hotels and others that are more local, standalone eateries.

Some tours will have a lunch option, which will allow you to try some food on the islands, but my trip was short and sweet, so I indulged in some fresh fish at Kiosko la Chamba beach restaurant when I returned to the mainland. If you are kayaking, it is worth noting a few places that you can stop at during your day of adventure. 

Here are a few island eateries:

• $$ Restaurante El Espino
• $$ Cifar el bacanal
• $$ Vista del Sol

The best time to visit

I visited in January, during the dry season, which runs from November to April, and would say this was the perfect time for a tropical boat excursion. The sun was shining, and the water was calm, but it was not too hot, since the lake breeze consistently cooled me down.

In saying that, the islands are a year-round destination, and because they are more popular or at least more well known to locals, they do get busy around the school holidays, weekends and annual celebrations. 

If you want to enjoy a quieter experience, you could plan to do a boat tour during the week out of peak season.

However, in my experience, having a full boat of locals was quite exciting, and I felt like I was truly sitting in on an authentic Nicaraguan adventure, just as the locals do. They loved it just as much as me and it really enhanced my experience.  

Final thoughts

Looking back, I realise that sometimes the best places are the ones you don’t often read about in your guidebooks or on social media platforms; they are the ones you hear about while sipping your morning coffee. If I had not had the chance to enjoy a tropical escape just minutes from Granada, I would certainly have felt like I missed out. 

The calmness of the lake, the exhilaration of the boat ride, the abundance of wild animals and the contrast of lifestyles truly made this place feel like it was in a world of its own. Having experienced this, I was a little envious of those who get to call this unique piece of Central America their backyard. But what a special place to have visited. 

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Keep researching your Nicaragua trip with our other guides to this colorful country! You can also plan a muti-day escape to the volcanic Ometepe Island, unwind on the remote Corn Islands, or take a fiery challenge of Telica Volcano. There are very different ways to experience this vibrant country.

• Ometepe Island – for volcanoes, lagoons, and island life
• Corn Islands – for off-path-beaches and raw local life
• Telica Active Volcano – for a hike with fire and lava views