In today's global village, finding real nature and true cultural experiences is becoming difficult. There are places still undiscovered. Nicaragua is just such a place, a country with an unspoiled natural beauty and a warm and vibrant culture that is totally unpretentious.

Nicaragua's undiscovered nature is nothing less than stunning. The tropical country is home to 73 nature reserves, which cover more than 21,000 square km. Nicaragua has the largest expanse of uncut rain forest north of the Amazon Basin. The flora and fauna is as diverse as any place on the planet. The massive, exotic Lake Nicaragua, Central America's largest body of fresh water, is home to over 425 volcanic islands, including the dual volcano, Island of Ometepe and three distinct tropical archipelagos. Nicaragua's is also the land of dozens of jungle-lined rivers and more than 12 crater lakes. The visitor can also enjoy both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The Pacific is lined with an amazing length of undeveloped coastline and virgin beaches, while the Caribbean is home to hundreds of white sand islands and keys. Many come to Nicaragua to experience its majestic volcanoes, more than 58, seven of which are active. Nicaragua's volcanoes are not only inspiring to the eye of the traveler, but also great for nature and rural trekking and hiking.

Nicaragua is much, much more than untouched nature. It is home to a rich and diverse culture with an unsurpassed passion for poetry. In fact Nicaragua's greatest national heroes are poets. It has other surprises, like the fact that baseball, not soccer, is the national pastime. Traditional dances and music are loved by all Nicaraguans and are performed in villages and cities all over the country, year round. In the countryside the country's beautiful landscape is dotted by small towns and villages, many with expert artisans making specialized, hand-made crafts. This is a rustic countryside, where horse and ox carts are the most common mode of transport. Nicaragua also has two beautiful colonial Spanish cities León and Granada, both amongst the oldest European settlements in the Western Hemisphere. They house timeless architecture and numerous unique colonial period churches. The visitor will find a country very different than media stereotypes. Nicaragua is tranquil, with people warm, open and humorous.

Nicaragua welcomes you to break away from the crowd and consider the peaceful land of sun and volcanoes, colonial cities and lakes, deserted islands and beaches, rivers and tropical forests, highland villages and artisan's markets.

Rico Tours can take you to the most beautiful and interesting corners of this unique country. We offer 36 interesting programs as well as custom-made programs for every kind of traveler. Below is a sampling of individual programs which can be arranged based on your itinerary and "set date" programs we are offering at specific times of the year that feature programs unique to Nicaragua. To discuss details regarding the planning of your trip, contact us at 1-800-280-7426 or travel@ricotours.com. Please review this information and contact us when you are ready to experience something out of the ordinary - Nicaragua.

Individual programs that can be mixed and matched based on your schedule

1. CHOCOYERO WILDLIFE RESERVE - Land of Parakeets Half-Day
2. MOMBACHO CLOUD FOREST & CANOPY TOUR - Walking in the Sky Half-Day
3. INDIO MAIZ BIOLOGICAL RESERVE - Rain Forest and the San Juan River 3 days - 2 nights
4. LOS GUATUZOS WILDLIFE RESERVE - Tropical Wildlife Safari 3 days - 2 nights
5. SAN JUAN RIVER - A Journey into the Heart of Greenness 9 days - 8 nights
6. BIRDING NICARAGUA - Expert Guided Bird Watching 9 days - 8 nights
7. NICARAGUA EXPLORER- A Journey of Pure Nature & Real Culture 15 days - 14 nights
8. TELICA VOLCANO - Trekking the Active Cone and Fumaroles Full Day
9. CERRO NEGRO VOLCANO - Trekking the Active Cone and Lava Flows Full Day
10. MASAYA VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK - Trekking Extinct and Active Cones, Lava Tunnels and Flows Full Day
11. THE MARIBIOS VOLCANIC RANGE - Trekking the Americas Most Densely Active Range 3 days - 2 nights
12. TREKKING OMETEPE ISLAND - Trekking the world's most exotic lake island 3 days - 2 nights
13. LEÓN VIEJO - LEÓN- Culture, History and Archeology Full Day
14. ARTISANS OF MASAYA - Visits to Artisan's Workshops Full Day
15. ZAPATERA ISLAND ARCHEOLOGY - Expert Lead Archeological Expedition Full Day
16. BATTLEFIELDS OF SANDINO -A Political History Tour 2 days - 1 night
17. CARIBBEAN CULTURE - Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon and Rama Cay 3 days - 2 nights
18. PACIFIC TRADITIONS - Rural Villages and Colonial Cities 7 nights - 6 days
19. MISKITO COAST -A Cultural Tour 8 days - 7 nights
20. LOST CIVILIZATIONS OF NICARAGUA -An Expert Lead Archeological Adventure 9 days - 8 nights
21. MANAGUA - The Invisible City Half - Day
22. MASAYA VOLCANO & MARKET - LAS ISLETAS - GRANADA Volcanoes, Islands, Colonial City and Crafts Market Full Day
23. OMETEPE ISLA -World's Most Exotic Lake Island 3 days - 2 nights
24. SOLENTINAME ARCHIPELAGO - Rural Artists and Rain Forest Wildlife 3 days - 2 nights
25. TASTE OF NICARAGUA - A Classic View 4 days - 3 nights .
26. CLASSIC NICARAGUA - Culture, Nature and Beach 7 days - 6 nights
27. LA FLOR BEACH WILDLIFE RESERVE -Turtle Nesting Site Full Day
28. PACIFIC COAST SURFING - Surfing Your Private Break Full Day
29. CORN ISLANDS -Nicaragua's Caribbean Jewels 3 days - 2 nights
30. COSTA AZUL -Nicaragua's Virgin Pacific Coast 3 days - 2 nights
31. FRESH WATER PARADISE -Volcanoes wrapped in forest, waterfalls and sandy beaches 7 nights - 6 days