Explore Costa Rica: Nicaragua: Granada: Things To Do

Granada: Las Isletas (Little Islands)

Granada's delightful islands, La Isletas, consist of 365 little volcanic islands located in Cocibolca Lake, just 3 km from Granada. The lake is linked to Lake Nicaragua - 100 miles long and 50 miles wide - a freshwater lake that empties into the Caribbean via the Rio San Juan. The lake is also home to freshwater sharks.


The islands were formed in the 1800s when the Mombacho volcano blew out its northern side. Despite consisting of mostly volcanic rock, the islands also have vegetation. Some have palm and fruit trees. The majority of the Islets have one or several small homes, usually under the shade of large mango trees.  We saw hundreds of mangos on a single tree! You can linger in one of the numerous country restaurants on the isles to savor the guapote, a fish found in the Lake.  You can also spend an afternoon at an island beach swimming and taking in the sun.All these islands are rich in fauna and flora, especially in water birds.

You can visit the islands via the small boats leaving from Acese Port or Cabaña Port situated in the South end of Malecón of Granada. You can boat through narrow canals that divide the islands and admire a 19th century Spanish Fortress on San Pablo Island, or a monkey-colony living on a little islet. 

Lake Nicaragua's islands can be reached in less than 20 minutes from Granada. As you pull away from the dock at Granada, the first thing you notice is the breeze off the water. The lake is surrounded by stunning mountains and tropical rainforest.

Nicaragua Recipes