In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Nicaragua
Solentiname Islands
Archipiélago de Solentiname
Spend 2 days on Solentiname Islands: one day for island hopping and art sites, a second for relaxed walking and swimming.
The Solentiname archipelago is a remote artist community on Lake Nicaragua. With limited transport and few services, two days let you see the main islands, visit the church and petroglyphs, and enjoy the quiet beaches without rushing.
- Country
- Nicaragua
- Local name
- Archipiélago de Solentiname
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy season)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- NIO
- Money
- Currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO, C$); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas.
- Daily spend
- Budget US$30–45 excl. transport · Mid US$45–70 excl. transport (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro and Tigo sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 118 · Fire 115 · Red Cross ambulance 128
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs; power cuts happen in the rains.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% often added; otherwise leave 10%.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per day.; Shuttle drivers: Round up.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap outside some Managua hotels; buy bottled or use refill stations.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; do not flush paper in many older buildings.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Collective boat (C$80 round‑trip) | US$80 |
| Private boat charter (per day) | US$100 |
| Cabin (El Buen Amigo) | US$5–6 |
| Hotel Cabañas Paraíso double | US$45 |
| Hotel Albergue Solentiname double | US$50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MGA · Managua International Airport
- 2–3 h bus to San Carlos, then boat to islands
Typical fares
- Collective boat San Carlos → Solentiname (round‑trip)
- about US$80, departs Tue & Fri 13:00, returns 04:30 (check)about US$80, departs Tue & Fri 1:00 PM, returns 4:30 AM (check)
- Private boat charter (full day)
- about US$100 per day, flexible schedule (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk anywhere on each island; move between islands by private or collective boat.
See and do
Known for
- artist community
- Nuestra Señora de Solentiname church
- petroglyph sites
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Isla Mancarrón church | Walk on island; boat from San Carlos (collective) or private charter | ≈3 h total (boat + walk) |
| Petroglyph sites (various islands) | Boat to target island, then walk | ≈4 h total |
Sleep
- El Buen Amigo cabins (Isla Mancarrón)
- Basic cabins, US$5–6 per night
- Hotel Cabañas Paraíso (Isla San Fernando)
- US$30 single, $45 double, $60 triple, $70 quad
- Hotel Albergue Solentiname (Isla San Fernando)
- US$25 single, $50 double, $75 triple
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Holaoˈla |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwanˈto ˈkwesta |
| Where is the boat? | ¿Dónde está el bote?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈbote |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; avoid: Starting with a request before greeting
- Politics: Change the subject; avoid: Opinions on the government, in person or online
- Dress: Covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
- Photos: Ask first; avoid: Police, soldiers and rallies
Scams and watch-outs
- No motorised traffic; bring all supplies you need.
- Boat schedules are limited (Tue & Fri 13:00 depart, return 04:30).
- Limited medical facilities; carry a basic first‑aid kit.
Generally safe; main risk is limited medical help and occasional water‑pollution concerns.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Solentiname Islands yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- artist community
- Nuestra Señora de Solentiname church
- petroglyph sites
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Solentiname Islands: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Solentiname Islands, revision 4843431 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4843431
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/solentiname-islands). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.