The surrounding volcanoes dive steep down… and go straight into the water. The lake itself is almost a perfect circle. And when you sit here on the beach, you almost have the feeling that Laguna de Apoyo is all for yourself.
How to spend six hours at a lake? Initially we were sceptic. But once the minivans from Granada drive over the outer ridge of the volcanoes, and the volcanic lake of Apoyo spreads out before you, those doubts will melt before your eyes.
Daytrip
There are a couple of hotels at the eastern border of the lake. And as these are not too easy to reach by public transport, they make most of their money by opening up their facilities for daytrip tourists.
Yes, this is touristy. You have your canoes, your sunbeds, billiards, darts and more. There is a cocktail bar, a pingpong table, and western food. But what is wrong with just letting go for a day?
And that is what Laguna de Apoyo is all about. A day away from the Granada crowds. A day of swimming, suntanning, getting a good meal. All without breaking your bank account.
Dreamlike memory
And once you have discovered that the six hours have passed already, the vans will take you back to Granada, your reenergized self ready to have more food and drinks. And the dreamlike memory of a day at a remote volcanic lake.
How to get there
- The most usual and easy way is a daytrip from Granada. Almost all hotels offer them. Transport and entrance are included in the price, food and drinks are separate
- The budget alternative is to take the chicken bus / minivan and hop off near the exit towards the lake. From there it is a nice walk of around an hour, mostly down, towards the 5-10 hotels located lakeside. Some of these also offer pick-up or drop-off in Granada