If you’ve got a bit sunburnt, or just had enough of the beach, then Omotepe offers a great alternative to the surf. It only takes a couple of hours to drive down to the ferry terminal from San Juan del Sur or Managua, then head over Lago de Nicaragua to a beautiful volcanic island.

If you fancy an outdoor challenge, then you can hire a guide for $20 and go up one of the two volcanoes. The larger one, Concepcion is still active and a rather more challenging hike than than adjoining Maderas. It’s highly recommended that you take some decent footwear for this (I didn’t – it hurt). Hikes take about 10 hours to complete.