Thread: Nicaragua - "Amayo Hacienda Experience w/Lunch" - Report

"Amayo Hacienda Experience w/Lunch"

1:00 PM - 6:00 PM (5 Hours) $99 pp

This tour was from San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Posting it here because some cruise ships doing a FULL transit of the Panama Canal have a port stop in Nicaragua ,,, and there really is no other place to post it.

It was less than an hours narrated drive ( small air conditioned tour busses) to the estate which is located directly on Lake Nicaragua. Lovely grounds around the house with palms and tropical flowers everywhere. There were horses, cattle, and a dairy. The house had been kept as authentic as possible. The best I can describe it is "shabby chic".

We were served a buffet Nicaraguan lunch (soft corn tortillas with a variety of fillings) which I really enjoyed. A Nicaraguan band played throughout our visit. Fun for listening and watching the dancing.

Most spectular was the close up view of the two volcanos in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. One was dorment but the other was LIVE with smoke pouring out. It's the first time I'd ever actually seen a live volcano that was not covered by clouds. They told us they almost always were lucky enough to have a clear view from there. Very close up too!

After lunch we decided to walk along the beach barefooted. Lake Nicaragua is huge ... real waves ... feels like the ocean. Many went swimming and thought the water was great. The sand certainly was solf and no debris or growth in the water. Sort of made us wish we'd brought our bathing suits.

There was so much to do it was impossible to do everything. Lots of people went horseback riding or took a trail ride along the beach. Some went on a boat ride on the lake. Others went to the dairy for a "milking contest".

We enjoyed the music on the patio around the bar. I particatated in the cooking demo and make a corn tortilla the authentic way.

The Barrios family who live on the estate were the absolute most gracious of hosts! A family member was with every activity. Everything possible was done to make sure all were having a good time.

It was a great and very authentic experience and we're glad we took this excursion.