Laguna de Apoyo is one of my favorite spots for a getaway from the Managua heat - close by and relatively accessible, but you feel so far from the pressure of Nicaragua's capital city. A day at Laguna de Apoyo is so refreshing, whether you are new to Nicaragua or a seasoned expat!
I have been visiting Laguna de Apoyo for over a decade, and I've seen how much the area has changed. When I first visited, there were only a few hostels and restaurants that offered day trip options, along with some expensive places to rent ( these were pre-Airbnb days, so it was also hard to find the contact info for them!). More and more places opened, and despite setbacks in 2018 and 2020 for the Nicaraguan tourism industry, today there are several great options for families.
This is a very family-friendly spot! Many of the hostels and resorts offer fun things for kids and families to do, like kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and even scuba diving.
Facts about Laguna de Apoyo
Laguna de Apoyo is located between Masaya and Granada. It makes a great day trip from Managua (about 1 hour drive), or Masaya or Granada (about 30 mins drive).
Laguna de Apoyo is a crater lake that was formed by a volcanic explosion over 20,000 years ago. You can still smell sulfur on the water, and
There is a free public access area of Laguna de Apoyo where locals come to swim, particularly on the weekends.
Resorts, hostels, and restaurants surround the lake and offer day passes for visitors, usually between $6-$10 USD.
There are also private residences that can be rented on Airbnb or other platforms.
Water temperature is warm, often around 80 degrees, and great for swimming for long periods of time.
You can often spot howler monkeys in the trees around the lake!
Safety with Kids at Laguna de Apoyo
Children MUST be watched at all times at Laguna de Apoyo. As a crater lake, the "sides" of the lake are extremely steep, and the water becomes deep very close to the shore. Some of the restaurants/resorts have more of a "beach" than others, but you should always accompany children while swimming and keep a very close eye on them.
There are no lifeguards on duty at any location that I have visited at Laguna de Apoyo. Again, keep a close watch on any children!
Life jackets are highly recommended, even for children (and frankly, adults as well) who can swim. However, I would strongly encourage you to bring your child's own life jacket that fits them properly. While several locales offer life jackets for free or for rent, often only adult sizes are available, or there are just one or two child-sized life jackets. Don't count on life jackets being available.
Laguna de Apoyo is also quite steep, and you should help children to avoid falls. You must climb (by vehicle) to the top of the crater, then go down a steep hill to reach the shore. These locations are not wheelchair accessible, stroller friendly, or good for anyone with mobility issues. Be prepared to carry your child up and down the hill, sometimes even to reach the bathroom at some locations.
What to Bring
Here's what to bring for your family when you visit Laguna de Apoyo:
Swimsuits
Towels (some hostels/resorts offer towels, but many do not)
Sunscreen
Bug repellent
Sunglasses
Hats
Full water bottles - do not drink the tap water in this area
Cash (USD or Córdobas) and credit cards (most places take either but everyone prefers cash!)
Any diapers, wipes, and pharmacy items you might need - there are no convenience stores nearby
Sand shovel and bucket - certainly not necessary, but my kid loved having some toys to play in the sand
Baby carrier like a Tula or Ergo, if you like using this to carry your baby or small child; strollers and heavy car seats not recommended
How to Get There
In a private vehicle. You can easily drive to any of the locations mentioned below at Laguna de Apoyo, guided by Google Maps or Waze. It is about 1 hour from Managua and 30 minutes from either Masaya or Granada's city center. Most of the road is well paved, and you can get to most of the destinations listed below in a sedan/"vehículo bajo".
By bus. There are buses that leave from Masaya. Note that it will take at least double the time by bus as by car, since the buses stop frequently, and that the buses are "chicken buses" that are not particularly comfortable. Another option is to take one of the microbuses going to and from Managua-Granada or Masaya-Granada and getting off at the Laguna de Apoyo entrance, then taking a taxi into the crater lake.
Through a tour company. If you are staying in Granada, there are tour companies and hotels that offer day trip packages. This is an easy way to travel to Laguna de Apoyo with your family if you are not renting a car.
Walking. Not recommended unless you're an athlete! You may see locals or exercise enthusiasts walking or running up and down the hill, but it's not for the faint of heart and certainly not good for families with kids.
Where to Visit
This is a list of some of the most popular spots to visit, either for the day or for the night.
La Posada Ecológica la Abuela
The first place that I ever visited at Laguna de Apoyo was la Posada Ecológica la Abuela, and my friends and I fell in love with it - the view, the kayaking, the swimming, the platforms to jump into the water, all enjoyed between drinking a cocktail, what could be better? Since then, La Abuela has grown steadily. In addition to cabañas for spending the night, the restaurant now sprawls over several levels of the property.
A day pass is usually "consumible," meaning that you are required to spend at least $10-15 per person at the restaurant which is then considered your entrance fee. The exact price can change depending on the season, so check the La Abuela Facebook page.
La Abuela currently offers:
Fully stocked restaurant and bar
Cabañas to spend the night
Lounge chairs
An oversized chair for photo ops
A huge slide down into the water
A pool
A floating platform in the middle of the lake for swimming and jumping
Life jackets, kayaks, and "water bikes" available to rent for an additional fee
Wifi, although it can be spotty
A small beach are to access the water by foot.
It's a very pleasant environment with birds and monkeys all around the property. Visitors should note that the entrance to La Abuela is not fully paved, although many sedans enter and exit without issues, and you must drive down a sharp incline to reach the parking area. La Abuela will always have a spot in my heart!
Paradiso Hostel
One of the most popular spots right now, Paradiso Hostel is situated close to the entrance to Laguna de Apoyo and is easily accessible. This is a great spot for families with children! One of the best parts of Paradiso is the relatively large, shallow beach area where children can swim.
A day pass costs around $7, as of the time of writing. There is a pretty wide variety of food available, beyond just the tostones con queso and typical almuerzo style rice plus meat plus side dishes offered almost everywhere in Nicaragua. Paradiso bills itself as pet friendly, and I have often seen dogs enjoying the water alongside their owners.
Paradiso currently offers:
Fully stocked restaurant and bar
Hostel for staying the night
Lounge chairs, hammocks, and other places to sit
A generous beach area with good water access, especially for kids
A floating platform in the middle of the lake for swimming and jumping
Game areas with ping pong, billiards, and volleyball nets
Kayaks, life jackets, inner tubes, and stand up paddleboards included in the day pass fee
Wifi
Spa offering services like massages for an additional fee
The inner tubes / floating rings are particularly popular with kids, and there is a safe spot for small children to wade near the water's edge. Overall, Paradiso is highly recommended for families and groups of friends alike.
Laguna Beach Club
Laguna Beach Club is located near Paradiso, and the two (and formerly Monkey Hut as well before it closed) are often mentioned together because they are similar in style.
A day pass is $6 per adult and just $3.50 per child. Laguna Beach Club's biggest selling point is that you can bring in a cooler with your own food! This is an awesome way to save money while also enjoying the Laguna de Apoyo with your family and friends.
Although all of the resorts by Apoyo are steep, I have found that Laguna Beach Club has particularly sharp inclines. The seating areas are terraced and could be dangerous if you have a particularly rambunctious small child.
Laguna Beach Club currently offers:
Fully stocked restaurant and bar
Hostel for staying the night
Lounge chairs, hammocks, and other places to sit
A limited water access area - not as good for kids wading as Paradiso
A floating platform in the middle of the lake for swimming and jumping
Game area with a ping pong table
Kayaks, life jackets, inner tubes, and stand up paddleboards included in the day pass fee
Wifi
Restaurante La Vista
Formerly Apoyo Resort, this spot has recently rebranded as Restaurante La Vista and currently advertises limited hours for day passes (10am-5pm Thursday to Sundays only). A day pass costs C$300 as of September 2022.
The best part of this restaurant is the pool, which is quite large and has water slides that are fun for slightly older kids. The last time I visited, the food was tasty but more expensive than the other places on this list.
La Vista currently offers:
Fully stocked restaurant and bar and restaurant area
A beach area with good water access
A platform in the middle of the lake for swimming and jumping
Game areas with ping pong, billiards, and volleyball nets
Kayaks, life jackets, inner tubes, and stand up paddleboards included in the day pass fee
Spa offering services like massages for an additional fee
Other Locations
I have highlighted some of the most kid-friendly spots that I have visited, but here are other options for your visit to Laguna de Apoyo:
As mentioned previously, there is a public access spot at Laguna de Apoyo.
Pacaya Lodge and Spa - a more upscale option for overnight stays with a full spa.
Casa Marimba - another more upscale option, good for vegetarians.
Airbnbs - for overnight stays, check out Airbnb for some great options.
NOTE: At the time of writing, the popular Monkey Hut hostel is closed indefinitely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Laguna de Apoyo is a wonderful, family-friendly spot to spend a day, afternoon, or a night or two and disconnect from everything. It's also a great way to round out a travel itinerary including a Granada or Masaya market trip. And if you aren't traveling with a family in tow, bring a book or two, settle into the hammock, and order up a Toña for an extra relaxing day!
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