Granada & Masaya: Colonial History & Breathtaking Lava Glow

Our experience with Gerald was excellent from start to finish. He was punctual in collecting us from our accommodation in Managua and immediately impressed us with his professionalism and warm demeanor. Gerald communicates clearly and is exceptionally knowledgeable—not only about the rich history and culture of Nicaragua but also its nature, wildlife, and environment. The walking tour of Granada was informative and engaging, and the boat tour was a highlight in itself, offering close encounters with beautiful birdlife and playful monkeys. The absolute standout of the day, however, was witnessing the glowing lava at Masaya Volcano as night fell—an extraordinary and unforgettable experience. We would not hesitate to recommend Gerald’s tours to anyone visiting Nicaragua, and we look forward to booking with him again in the future.

Harold our guide took us on a private tour to see many highlights of the Managua & Grenada area. We hiked in the Masada volcano area, climbed church steeples for sweeping views, had a delicious Nicaraguan lunch, went to a cigar making factory, a chocolate tasting and more. Without him, we never could have fit so much into the day. Plus, his expert knowledge of nature & history really added additional color to the entire experience. Truly a 10/10 day!

I enthusiastically thank Gerald Duran of Duran Tours for a memorable Nicaraguan experience and a passionate introduction to his country. Our tour began when my party of four from Connecticut met Gerald in the lobby of a Granada landmark hotel. Gerald's passion for Nicaragua was evident from the start. He's an enthusiastic and engaging guide with an extensive knowledge of his country. We learned about its history, culture and natural wonders. Our journey began with a city tour of Granada, a unique experience. Gerald introduced us to the heart of the city, the food market. He pointed out historical landmarks, sharing fascinating stories that left us amazed. We hiked a short distance up a slope of Masaya, an active volcano. Gerald explained how Nicaragua is in the Ring of Fire and how volcanos shaped the region. A memorable part of our tour was a tranquil boat ride through the beautiful Isles of Granada on Lake Nicaragua. We saw a few playful monkeys, birds, and stunning island homes. Gerald's extensive knowledge of the area and wildlife answered our questions. Throughout the day, Gerald was patient, flexible, and accommodating to four over seventy seniors. He answered all our questions and ensured we were comfortable. His prices were reasonable for an invaluable experience. I highly recommend Duran Tours and Gerald Duran to anyone visiting Nicaragua. Gerald is a fantastic guide who will make your trip memorable, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for Nicaragua's beauty, culture and history.

This tour was amazing! Our tour guide Gerald, was incredibly sweet and knowledgeable. My family and I had a such a fun time! We learned so much about Nicaragua and its history. After the city tour, we took a boat ride to view the small islands, hiked to view the volcano, and enjoyed lunch with our guide’s Tio. I highly highly recommend this tour.

Can’t put into words how perfect this tour was! My family and I have probably done 50+ tours with Viator and this is in the top 5. Gerald was the perfect guide. The highlight of the tour was when we joked that we wanted a home cooked meal from his family and he actually surprised us and took us to his family’s house for lunch. We did a walking tour around Granada, hiked a volcano, ate lunch with a local family, visited a local town for ceramics, visited lake apoyo viewpoint, then finally did a chocolate tour. I wish we could have booked Gerald for our entire stay in Nicaragua. The day was long and so worth it. Didn’t want the day to end. Thank you, Gerald!

Gerald was absolutely fantastic. It turned out to be just me and my sister on the tour, and he was incredibly attentive, flexible. He was so knowledgeable about the country and his English was absolutely perfect . He put together a very impressive itinerary, and we got to see everything from a chocolate tour to a walking tour to a boat tour all private, just for us in addition to the volcano tour. I have used a lot of different tour groups and a lot of guides, and this was definitely one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

After you take the first tour, you realize you actually need him for your entire trip. He was never rushed and never got tired. His prices are reasonable and he is flexible with the changing wishes of his customers. He made our masaya to granada trip a joy and a memorable experience. Es un hombre honesto y de confianza. El tour fue fantástico. Ein hoch empfohlener Reiseführer. Wir waren sehr begeistert.!

Absolutely amazing experience, Jerry was on time, really organized and gave us an amazing experience. He’s extremely informative, one might say a history book walking! We would 1000% recommend using his service!! 10/10

The tour guide is the key to any great tour and Gerald was great. Throughly explaining everything as we went and answering all our question. Started the day with a tour of Granada and the market, then took us on a boat ride around the islands. During boat ride we saw lots of wildlife including monkeys. Afterwards we went to Masaya market, then lunch. Ended the trip at the rim of the Masaya valcano. Even got to see the lava bubbling in tge valcano. Gerald was extremely knowledgeable and speaks very fluent English. I will definitely use this company again!

We did a great day tour with Gerald based in Granada, including a city tour, isletas boat tour, and Masaya volcano. It was really enjoyable and we loved having such a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Gerald's explanations were helpful and informative, and he was flexible in making sure that the tour met our needs.He was also responsive in advance of our trip, providing answers to our questions and information about the tour. Would 100% recommend using Gerald if you're visiting Nicaragua - his tour was a fantastic experience!