Solo Trip to Nicaragua

Assuming you fly in and out of Managua, I suggest starting in Leon (volcano boarding is near there), then Granada/ Laguna de Apoyo/ Volcan Masaya at night, then finish in San Juan del Sur if you feel inclined. DM me for any specific questions.

Corn islands are far and would require flying based on your short schedule.

Anything volcano-related is in the north, with Leon as a base (much better than Grenada.) Also has Las Penitas for beach.

SJDS is in the south. It has it's own little city but you can access the Volcanos (Ometepe) from there as well.

Little Corn/Big Corn is clear across the country (will need to fly from Managua) but unless one wants to scuba dive, there isn't much there. Tides are rough.

For me?

1. Get to Leon and get yourself settled. I hear the Big Foot Hostel provides the best volcano surging tour and you don't have to stay there. We took a different trip that took us to a great little lake after where we could swim and then were introduced to the queso tortillas that are delicious. We then went to a little historical park but the signs were all in Spanish.
2. Then I would do a couple of nights in La Penitas (good surfing hostels there,) and then head home.

I'd just go to Leon for the whole time. You can do the volcano boarding, volcano hiking, and beaches from there. Unless you're planning on surfing, I don't see much point in going to San Juan. Granada doesn't have much to do unless you want to go to the Treehouse Party or Boat Party.

Leon isn’t that interesting and sand boarding is overrated. I vote days Ometepe, 3 San Juan del Sur, maybe swing a night in Granada.

I think because of your timeframe I would suggest checking out Granada and Ometepe for example? More relaxing than trying to squeeze too much in:))

I just finished 2 weeks there last week. Don’t skip Ometepe. SJDS was also good. Leon was only good for volcano boarding. If I had more time I would have gone to Granada and gone to the treehouse party.

I wish I had even more time to go to the corn islands.

You cannot cover all your interests. Something has to give. You can only volcano board in Leon. However, you can see plenty of volcanoes otherwise.

Leon is less interesting than Granada imo.

I can't comment on pottery.

Personally, I'd suggest: Either 1) Granada + somewhere near SJDS or 2) Granada + Ometepe (not on your list, but worth looking into)

Rest is too far away or a pain to get to, which is a luxury you don't have in 6 days.