Published on Nov, 2023
It is times like this that I wish I was a better writer so I could put in to words just how amazing this tour is. I didn’t even know that seeing a live volcano was on my bucket list, but I am so happy to have had the opportunity to check it off and would not hesitate to do this tour all over again if given the chance.
For reference, I was staying at the Occidental Tamarindo when I booked my day trip to Nicaragua. Pick up was at 5:30 am and drop off was around 11:00 – 11:30 pm., and although this tour makes for a long day it is absolutely worth it. Where else will you get the opportunity to eat great food (at a restaurant by a lake with a view of an island with a volcano), sample amazing chocolate at a shop run by one of the most animated and hilarious people I have ever seen (Bate Bate Chocolate in Granada), buy premium coffee for cheap (Sonrises Café in Granada), take a boat ride on a river and see birds, monkeys and mansions, enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride though a beautiful old city (this does cost $15 USD extra), shop at a market overlooking a lake with a volcano, that has a lake in it) and see a live volcano in all its glowing red glory?
I can’t leave a review of this excursion without commenting on the amazing staff who helped make this an experience to remember.
Side By Side ATV Tour Staff – There were two guys I spoke to at the hut next to the pool at my hotel. I’m terrible with remembering names, but if their bosses are reading this, I was at the hotel from Oct. 28 – Nov, 4. These guys were amazing! They took time to answer my questions and explained the excursions really well. They were persuasive, but honest and persistent without being pushy. I am so happy they were persistent, because without that, I would not have booked my excursion to Nicaragua. Not because I didn’t want to take the tour, but because with everything else going on that week, I kept getting sidetracked. Thank you, gentlemen for doing your jobs so well, that my vacation was just that much better.
Guides: Our group was a mix of Canadians (three of us) and Germans (five in total). As a result, we had two guides on our trip. They worked well together to ensure that the entire group was getting the most out of the experience. Big props to Miguel (our English speaking guide) who had an amazing energy and friendly vibe throughout the day, even when timing got thrown off when we were slowed down by the rain, he remained professional and friendly. He took time to answer questions and tell me more about all the amazing things Nicaragua has to offer and introduced me to the delicious drink called Atol de elote at the last market we visited.
Honestly, the only thing this trip left me wanting more of is time in Nicaragua. The country is beautiful and I have now added a longer visit to my bucket list.
