Granada Isletas Tour: Monkeys, Fortress & Colonial Streets

Step ashore ancient San Palo fortress after spotting monkeys in hidden islets.

A private boat and walking tour of Granada combines a guided cruise through Lake Nicaragua's islets with a walking tour of the colonial city. You meet your bilingual guide and boat captain, visit Monkey Island and the 250-year-old San Pablo fortress, then explore Granada's cathedrals and climb the bell tower of La Merced Church for views across the city. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The boat fee is paid directly to the captain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour and city walking tour

• Meet boat captain in Granada
• Boat tour to Monkey Island
• Visit fortress San Pablo
• Take pictures of wildlife and volcano
• Walking tour of Granada city
• Visit main cathedral and bell tower
• Walk La Calzada street

The experience

You arrive in Granada and your guide meets you for a boat ride across Lake Nicaragua: about an hour on the water where you'll stop at Monkey Island to see the local monkey family, then get off to walk around the San Pablo fortress, built over 250 years ago. Bring a camera: the boat passes bird life and wildlife, and you'll get a clear view of Mombacho volcano from the water. The boat captain collects the ride fee directly, so you know exactly what's going to the person running it.

After the water, your guide leads a walking tour through Granada's colonial streets. You'll visit the main cathedral and the cluster of churches that line the city, then climb the bell tower of La Merced Church: the best viewpoint in town for photographs of the whole city. La Calzada street, the most popular stretch, is where you can pick a restaurant for lunch on your own. The tour ends there, leaving you free to eat and explore at your own pace.

Your guide speaks both English and Spanish, so the commentary works whether you're traveling solo or with someone who speaks a different language at home. The whole outing runs three to four hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Private boat tour of the islets with bilingual guide and boat captain.
• stop at Monkey Island and the San Pablo fortress.
• walking tour of Granada's main cathedral and churches.
• climb to the bell tower of La Merced Church.
• hotel or airport pickup and drop-off.
• free taste of chocolate drink at the Chocolate Museum.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 66 years) · Senior (67 to 90 years) · Youth (9 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Show Me Nicaragua Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary comfortably whether you're traveling with a Spanish speaker or solo. The boat ride and city walk fit into a single three- to four-hour outing, which works if you have a free afternoon or are arriving in Granada for the first time and want both the lake and the colonial center in one booking.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years); Child (5 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

Can I see monkeys on the boat ride through the islets?

Yes. Monkey Island is one of the stops, and you'll meet a family of monkeys there. The boat also passes bird life and other wildlife on Lake Nicaragua.

What is the San Pablo fortress and how long do we spend there?

San Pablo is a fortress built over 250 years ago on one of the islets. You get off the boat to walk around it and learn its history from your guide.

Do I have to pay extra for the boat ride?

The boat fee is paid directly to the captain on the day of the tour, separate from the tour price. Hotel pickup, the guide and the walking tour of Granada are included.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. La Calzada street has many restaurants where you can choose and pay for your own meal during the walking tour portion.

What is the best viewpoint for photos of Granada?

The bell tower of La Merced Church is the best viewpoint in town. You'll climb it during the walking tour to photograph the whole city.