9 days in Placencia & Masaya Itinerary

Once a humble fishing village, Placencia has been transformed into a leading tourist destination, with its focus primarily on outdoor activity and natural exploration.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Placencia: Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve (in Dangriga), Outback Trails (in Kendal) and Off-Road Tours (in Hopkins). Next up on the itinerary: head off the coast to Laughing Bird Caye National Park, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Placencia Fellowship.

For maps, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read our Placencia route maker site.

Philadelphia, USA to Placencia is an approximately 12.5-hour combination of flight and car. The time zone difference when traveling from Philadelphia to Placencia is minus 1 hour. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Philadelphia in September: high temperatures in Placencia hover around 37°C and lows are around 27°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Wed) so you can travel to Masaya.

Quickly accessible from both Managua and Granada, culturally rich Masaya remains one of the best places to visit if you're looking to purchase authentic Nicaraguan handicrafts.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Masaya: Montibelli Private National Reserve (in Ticuantepe) and Hervideros de San Jacinto (in Diriamba). There's much more to do: explore the activities along Apoyo, identify plant and animal life at Volcano Divers Nicaragua, get great views at Mirador de Catarina, and contemplate the long history of El Coyotepe Fortress.

For where to stay, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Masaya trip builder tool.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Placencia to Masaya. You'll set off for home on the 18th (Mon).