Named after legendary rebel general Augusto Sandino, the Sandinistas are back in power in Nicaragua, thanks to Daniel Ortega’s election victories in 2006, 2011 & 2. With the FSLN (Sandinista political party and once underground rebel group) in power, Nicaragua has come full circle since the upheavals of the Sandinista-led insurrection against Somoza in 1978-79 and the controversial Contra War of the 1980’s. Ortega’s current FSLN resembles very little the government that ruled Nicaragua in the 1980’s. Besides being one of the last playing fields of the cold war, Nicaragua has long been in the view of both Europe and the US, both to the detriment and benefit of Nicaragua, as it has played both pawn and manipulator. This trip through history and politics will trace the fascinating story of Nicaragua with the aid of expert English speaking guides. We invite you to visit first-hand the truth behind the headlines.
Political History Tour of Nicaragua Itinerary
- Day 01: Managua – Leon
- Airport greeting and transfer to León for lodging at select Hotel.
- Day 02: Leon
- Breakfast and lodging at select hotel. A full day to examine the past and present realities of the Sandinistas in León, the political, intellectual and artistic capital of Nicaragua for more than three centuries. Being a university city it has been the scene of numerous student anti-government upheavals during the Somoza family dictatorship and was one of the hardest fought battles of the insurrection. Today it still holds dear its revolutionary traditions. Meeting with a historic Sandinista combatant and the new generation of FSLN members.
- Day 03: Leon – Estelí
- Breakfast and private transfer to the mountain city of Estelí, one of the most Sandinista in Nicaragua and the scene of brutal battles in the insurrection of 1978-79. Meeting with a FSLN veteran of that time period. Political history tour of the city. Lodging at the Hotel Los Arcos.
- Day 04: Estelí – San Rafael Del Norte – Jinotega
- Breakfast and transfer further north into the mountains and the former base of rebel General Augusto Sandino where he directed attacks on the US Marines and met and married his wife. Visit to the Sandino Museum in San Rafael, the tomb of his wife and the town’s parish church with the bizarre “Daniel Ortega fresco”. Finish in Jinotega for lodging at Hotel Café.
- Day 05: Jinotega – Matagalpa – Granada
- Breakfast and transfer through the mountain pass between Jinotega and Matagalpa for a morning tour of Matagalpa, the birth place of Sandinista ideologue Carlos Fonseca in Matagalpa, the home to anti-government rebellions for more than 2 centuries. Continue to Granada for lodging at select Hotel.
- Day 06: Granada – Managua
- Breakfast and political history tour of Granada with visits to principle sites of historical significance like the San Francisco Convent, once a garrison for William Walker in the 1850’s, then a base for the US Marines during their occupation, the convent is an indigenous art museum today. Other visits to trace the history of William Walker who proclaimed himself president of Nicaragua in Granada in 1856, in an failed attempt to annex Nicaragua to the United States. Continue to Managua for visit to the Loma de Tiscapa park, ruins of the old Cathedral and other revolutionary history current Sandinista sites of importance. With lodging at select Hotel.
- Day 07: Managua
- Private transfer for flight home.
Nicaragua Political History Tour Includes
- All private air-conditioned transfers with professional driver
- All driver expenses
- 2 nights lodging at selected Hotel in León
- 1 night lodging at Hotel El Café in Jinotega
- 1 night lodging at Hotel Los Arcos in Estelí
- 1 night lodging at selected Hotel in Granada
- 1 night lodging at selected Hotel in Managua
- All breakfasts
- All entrance fees to museums and parks
- Full time assistance of a private English speaking guide
- All guide expenses
- All tours in the itinerary
- Private meetings with Nicaraguan veterans of war years with translator
- 17% tax on all hotel nights
Selected Hotels Guide
- Base hotels for this tour are Hotel La Recolección or Cacique Adiact in León; Hotel Patio del Malinche or Colonial in Granada, Los Arcos in Estelí, Hotel Café in Jinotega, Hotel Holiday Express or Los Robles in Managua.
- Upgrade hotels for this tour are Hotel El Convento in León, Hotel Plaza Colón in Granada, Los Arcos in Estelí, Hotel Café in Jinotega, Hotel Hyatt Place or Elements in Managua.
- All political history tours in Nicaragua are private.
- Political history tours can begin any day of the year providing hotel space is available.
Rates & Booking Details
- Nicaragua political history tour costs depend on the number of travelers in your party and visit dates.
- Please specify number of people and target visit dates when requesting a quote.
- Custom political history tour itineraries are available upon request.
Nicaragua Political History tour does not Include
- Drinks, lunches and dinners.
- International flights or taxes.
- Travel insurance, tips, visas, or medical treatment.
