NICARAGUA - THINGS TO DO - PAGE THREE
Managua
The capital city of Managua is the economic, political, academic and transportation center of Nicaragua. In the 1960s, Managua was once the most modern city in Central America until a earthquake destroyed the city on December 23, 1972. Unfortunately, Managua has never fully recovered. Most tourists pass through the capital but if you end up spending some time getting to know the city, your efforts will be rewarded.
An area of interest is the Plaza de la Revolución near the Lake of Managua or Lago Xolotlán. The area includes a city center around which many of the city's historical sites are located. Las Ruinas de la Catedrál Vieja was known as the Catedrál Santiago de los Cabelleros, which is barely standing and unstable. Nevertheless, it stands as a testament to the earthquake and has become a popular tourist attraction. Parque Rubén Darío is adjacent to the Parque Central and honor's Nicaragua's most-beloved poet. At the water's edge, El Teatro Rubén Darío was designed by the same architects that created New York's Metropolitan Opera House. It remains an elegant venue to take in a dance performance, music, or theatre production.
Near Managua you'll find a little pocket of wilderness called the Chocoyero-El Brudo Nature Reserve. It is so rich with wildlife that you'll forget how close you are to the country's urban center. The reserve has well kept trails and is one of the few reserves that encourages tent camping. A half hour out on the road to León, are the twin crater lagoons of Xiloá and Apoyeque, perfect for a day of exploration. About 65 kilometers due east of Managua are a handful of beaches with facilities ranging from low-key to high-end. The town of Pochomíl has gorgeous sandy beaches with a wide range of accommodations. Montelimar, an all-inclusive five-star resort run by Barceló Resorts is enormous and luxurious with multiple beachside bars, swimming pools, shopping an on-site casino and private beach.
South and the Tourist Trail
An hour south of Managua, Masaya and the villages that comprise the Pueblos Blancos are known for their artisanship. Shopping is one of the main reasons people visit Masaya. All roads lead to the Mercardo Viejo where you can buy pottery, paintings, leatherwork, hammocks and wood carvings, just to name a few. There is more though to Masaya than just shopping. Volcán Masaya National Park is home to one of the most visibly active volcanoes in the country. Witness incandescent rock and magma at the park which features a visitor center, nature museum, hiking trails, and a road that leads to a stunning abyss. Next to Volcán Masaya is La Laguna de Masaya, one of Nicaragua's large crater lakes. The impressive views of the Laguna are best seen from the 100-meter high observation platforms in Masaya or from restaurants that line Carretera Masaya. Laguna de Masaya does not offer swimming, for that you'll just need to travel a little further south to the beautiful Laguna de Apoyo!
Between Masaya and Granada is the crater lake of Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua's cleanest, bluest and deepest swimming hole. It's shores are easily accessible and there are a few tourist facilities and private luxury homes located on the water's edge. The volcano still has underwater thermal vents but for the most part, it's considered dormant. Hiking in the forests of the crater walls, you may observe toucans, howler monkeys and rare butterflies. There are a few bars, restaurants and a range of accommodations depending on your budget.
Just due east of Laguna de Apoyo is the oldest city on the continent, Granada, the "colonial jewel" of Nicaragua. It's a fascinating city that once was a symbol of Spanish opulence. It is a city full of bright colors, cool lake breezes and the sounds of horse-drawn carriages on cobblestone streets. Granada is situated off the shores of Lago Cocibolca and here you'll find plenty of hotels and a wide range of restaurants offering a range of different types of cuisine. The best way to get around is to take a ride on a carriage or walk the streets. There are a few museums in town such as Antiguo Convento San Francisco which houses an open-air collection of pre-Columbian statues. The Parque Central (central park) is a great place to start any exploration of Granada. This central plaza is where you will find the famous Cathedral of Granada.
Near Granada are Las Isletas, a 365-island archipelago formed 20,000 years ago when Volcán Mombacho erupted tons of rock, ash, and lava into the lake forming the islands. Visit the islands via a lancha or by kayak. The islands are different sizes, some with extravagant houses and others with simple homes. Located on one of the islands, is an old Spanish fort named Fortín de San Pablo that was built to guard Granada from pirates. A nice day trip from Granada is a visit to the volcano that created Las Isletas. Volcán Mombacho is officially protected as a nature reserve with a cool, misty cloud forest containing incredible flora and fauna. There are hundreds of orchids, different species of monkeys, birds, reptiles and mammals.
La Isla de Ometepe
There is probably no other place on earth as magical as La Isla de Ometepe. Roughly 43 kilometers south of Granada, the two volcanoes of Ometepe rise out of Lago Cocibolca like a prehistoric dream. Get there via the Pan American Highway through the town of Rivas and then take the ferry at San Jorge. Another route to Ometepe is to take a boat from Granada. The two volcanoes are Concepción which rises to 4,430 feet above sea level and Maderas at 3,833 feet. From the moment you arrive to Ometepe you realize that you are in a different world; unique in its kind. The Concepción is dormant but occasionally active and Maderas is extinct covered by a deep cloud forest and a lagoon at the top of the crater. The island was once considered sacred ground by the ancient Nahuatl and many pre-Columbian petroglyphs and stone idols found throughout Ometepe.
More information regarding Nicaragua is available on the internet and through books. Visit our Nicaragua links page for websites and other great resources. Moon Travel Guide Book on Nicaragua contains valuable information and is highly recommended. For information on what to do in San Juan del Sur click here.