Lake Nicaragua covers an area of 3,089 sq mikes and is about 100 miles long and up to 45 miles wide. It is located in South West Nicaragua which makes it ideal for a day trip from Guanacaste to discover some truley unique attributes of this lake.

It is the largest lake in Central America which drains into the Caribbean Sea by the San Juan River. Lake Nicaragua, along with Lake Managua (which drains into it from the northwest), occupies part of the Nicaragua Depression, an extensive lowland region stretching across the isthmus.

Once part of the sea, the lake was formed when the land rose. There are several islands in the lake (the largest is Isla de Ometepe); and small volcanoes rise above its surface.

The freshwater of Lake Nicaragua contains fish usually associated with saltwater, including tuna and sharks, which have adapted to the environmental change.

The lake is a transportation route with the city of Granada being its chief port. Located only 110 ft (34 m) above sea level, the lake reaches a depth of 84 ft (26 m).