Guide in Nicaragua

My wife and I were assigned Juan B. Padilla (mobile phone [505] 86641048 or e-mail juansinmiedo44@hotmail.com) as our guide on four days of our visit to Nicaragua, Dec. 27, 2010-Jan. 3, 2011. We were using a package of hotels and day tours purchased through Tara Tours (Miami, FL; 800/327-0080), which advertises in ITN.

Tara Tours contracted with the Nicaraguan branch of Gray Line (Denver, CO; 800/966-8125) for our hotels; airport-hotel transfers; transfers between Managua, Granada and Leon, and several day trips, including a city tour in each and two volcano excursions. Juan accompanied us on all but our arrival airport pickup, where we were met by a Gray Line manager.

Juan has a degree in geology and vulcanology, which makes him an excellent guide for visits to Nicaragua’s active volcanoes. His geology experience compliments his extensive knowledge of Nicaraguan history, and he has very good English skills. Juan will gladly work freelance if contacted directly.

BILL SILVER
San Rafael, CA

For his guide services, Juan Padilla told ITN, “For a half-day (four-hour) Managua City tour, I would charge, for two people, $40 per person. This would include entrance fees and insurance for the day.

“For two or more people on a full-day tour (eight hours), I would charge $90 to $100 per person, which means that, on a four-day circuit similar to that of Mr. Silver’s, two people would pay, roughly, $720. This includes transportation (with A/C), lunch and beverages. Not included would be lodging, extra meals and entrance fees for places not on the route.”