| Granada, Las Isletas and Mombacho | Managua | Masaya and Los Pueblos |
| Ometepe, a green paradise | Artistic Solentiname | The gold-diggers rout |
| San Juan del Sur | Take a swim in the Pacific | Monkey for a day |
| León | Coffee plantations in the mountains | Corn Island |
- Guia de Compras Nicaragua - Nicaragua Shopping Guide -
- El Tirol Complex - Mountain Hotel -
MUSICA DE NICARAGUA
Casa de Los Mejia Godoy
Granada, Las Isletas and Mombacho
Granada was founded in 1524 and much of the colonial architecture is still preserved, despite attacks from pirates, earthquakes and fires. Place yourself at a café in the central plaza and enjoy the atmosphere. Then walk some blocks away to the newly renovated monastery San Francisco, it was also founded 1524. The monastery is now a museum. Among other things they have some remarkable statues of stone from the Indian cultures that populated Nicaragua before the entry of the Spaniards.
Granada is situated at the northwest corner of the Nicaragua Lake, the largest lake in Central America and the 10th in the world. Just south of the city there is a wonderful archipelago. It consists of 365 small islands that are said to have its origin from when the volcano Mombacho exploded a long time ago. The upper part flew off and fell down into the lake. These islands are now covered with vegetation and a tour by boat gives you an amazingly relaxing feeling. On several islands there are small restaurants. Go ashore on an island, order fish and tell the boat to pick you up some hours later. Sit down at a table with a cool beer, look at all the birds and enjoy the tranquillity.
Take a look south, while you are sitting with your cool beer waiting for the food. There the volcano Mombacho is piling up high above the lake. The upper part is a cloudforest with a lot of orchids and other flowers, facilitating an exuberant bird life. It is possible to go with a car half the way up. Thereafter a hike that takes the life out of your legs awaits you, but it's worth it. 
- Cocibolca Granada Lake Marina - Nicaragua Marina -
Managua
Managua is the capital and was once a beautiful city, but was totally destroyed in an earthquake 1972. Downtown was never rebuilt, so the inhabitants sometimes calls the city "El Pueblón" which means the big village. Since the international airport is just 11 kms away this will be your first stop and you can also take a look at the city. A good place to get a general view is from the hill behind the Hotel Intercontinental, there you can stand at the side of a huge statue of Sandino and look out over the whole of Managua and the Managua Lake.
The oldest findings are conserved in the museum of Acahualinca. Those are footprints from people who 6.000 years ago was fleeing from a volcano eruption.
The ruin of the old cathedral, is were the downtown once was. It is partly restored and equipped with an interesting sound and light show. Alongside is the old National Palace, beautifully restored and converted into a cultural center. Here you will also find the modern Rubén Darío Theatre and the Presidential Palace. If you are visiting the area during a weekend you absolutely have to take a stroll along the seafront. It is boiling with street life, as whole families are out walking, eating and riding on the roundabout.
If you want to go shopping I can recommend the Roberto Huembes market, among other things they have a big area with handicraft. There are several galleries in Managua for those interested in art. |
