Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua

The next place on my list of “must see destinations” in Nicaragua is Laguna de Apoyo.

Laguna de Apoyo is located very centrally between Masaya and Granada (about a half hour from each) and is also a short trip from Managua (less than an hour). It is Nicaragua’s cleanest, bluest, deepest and most refreshing swimming hole. Laguna de Apoyo offers a 48-square-kilometer body of water trapped inside the crater of the Apoyo Volcano. The deepest measured point at 200 meters is the lowest point in all of Central America. Its shores are easily accessible, and a small number of tourist facilities and luxurious private homes have been constructed at the water’s edge. The volcano still has some underwater thermal vents and experiences the occasional seismic tremor, but for the most part, it’s considered dormant and its walls are thickly vegetated with green forest and a chaotic network of trails, most of which exists as a protected nature reserve.

I have always been more of an “ocean” person, but I found Laguna de Apoyo incredibly relaxing and the scenery absolutely breath-taking. Inside the crater it is something of an alpine setting. It feels more like you are somewhere in the Rocky Mountains or Sierra Nevada than in a crater in Nicaragua. The water in the lake was cool enough to be refreshing which is also an abnormality in these parts.

The little hotel we stayed in was called The Crater’s Edge and it was really nice little place. The owner and staff were very friendly and it was reasonably priced. We also had some friends who stayed at the Monkey Hut which is affiliated with the very popular Bearded Monkey hostel in Granada. They really enjoyed the Monkey Hut as well, so both come recommended.