Lakes, rivers, volcanoes, exuberant forests and warm beaches, a country with a lot to be discovered right in the center on the American continent, centenarian colonial cities, sites and off-the-beaten-track destinations

It’s right to affirm that Nicaragua’s heart and soul is its warm and friendly people, multi-racial and diverse; with Afro Caribbean influences from the Atlantic coast, Hispanic mark and native origins from the central and Pacific zones. Managua, capital of the country, is the best place to discover this amalgam of traditions and culture through its million and half inhabitants; their music preferences, their fabulous and colorful craftwork. Precisely one of the worshiped sites in the Nicaraguan capital’s historic core in the ancient Cathedral, local architectural treasure that was seriously damaged by an earthquake in 1972 and remains in a piece due to the popular devotion, though it can only be admired from outside. Other interesting places in the city are the Central Park, Ruben Dario Theater and the Palace of Culture, which includes the National Museum. Metrocentro and Plaza Inter trade centers, El Periodista rotunda with its fine monument and Colon’s with its Luminous Fountain; as well as the so called Acoustic Shell at Managua Lake’s Seawall and the new cathedral, notable example of excellent avant-garde architecture, are some other attractions of historic and cultural interest in Managua, just like the archaeological museum of Acahualinca. Markets where the beautiful national craftwork is sold are usually crowed and open public spaces of the city, that also counts on fine hotels such as Princess, Intercontinental Managua, famous Crowne Plaza with its impressive pyramid shape; Camino Real, Mozonte and Managua Barceló.

At the shores of its huge lake, Managua possesses popular beaches among inhabitants from the capital and outskirts, the famous Loma de Tiscapa, an inactive volcano with a lagoon in its crater and canopy to “flight” over the water, from shore to shore. The pleasure of live nature Masaya volcano is one of Nicaragua’s most overwhelming natural shows. It’s only 23 kilometers away from Managua and is annually visited by some 200 thousand people. The road leads you to the smoking edge of the crater and its landscape, which looks like science fiction, and multiple ocher-colored rocks expelled during the lethal and remembered eruptions in 1670 and 1772. On the other hand, it counts on the contrast represented by the rich ecosystems on the country’s northern region, villages and sites that are part of the so called Ruta del Cafe, through thick forests to coffee plantations, tobacco plantations and intricate mountain ranges. Matagalpa, for instance, is especially interesting. It’s 130 kilometers away from Managua and the natives of the area, called Matagalpinos, are proud of living in the municipality with more protected areas in the country and the nature in the zone, highlighting Cerro Apante, El Arenal and Cerro Musun, true jewelries that offer visitors an amazing biodiversity of wildlife, with crystalline streams, waterfalls and picturesque paths through the most beautiful natural sites of Nicaragua; with Selva Negra mountain hotel as operation base, nested 1 200 meters over the sea level. Jinotega is another essential stop. It’s 40 minutes away and known as the city of mist due to its location in a valley, a thousand meters over the sea level, surrounded by mountains. Tunowalam Caves and natural reservoirs Datanlí, Peñas Blancas and El Jaguar are the most attractive spots.

Nueva Segovia also offers excellent tours. Its natural jewelries are Pico Mogoton, Nicaragua’s highest with 2 107 meters; Salto del Rosario, Murra municipality, 77 kilometers away from Ocotal; and likewise, Coco river, Central America’s largest fluvial course, that goes through the municipality and reaches Madriz, to the South. This is where it meets the famous Cañon de Somoto that combines adventure with exploration, landscape and walks, as well as rafting at Coco River’s rapids, which goes into vertical walls of steep mountains, with hanging giant orchids, ferns and bromelias. Estelí is the final spot of this tour through the nature of northern Nicaragua. Its natives call it Diamante de las Segovias. Besides the omnipresent coffee, Estelí counts on famous hand-rolled cigar brands, main item of the region’s agricultural sector, regarding to its economic contribution. Nicaraguan environmental authorities have declared five reservoirs in this municipality to be used as touristic spots: Tomabu, Tisey, Miraflor, Canta Gallo and La Patasta; which count on waterfalls, beautiful landscapes and populations of birds, monkeys and deers. La Estanzuela waterfalls and the so called Mesas de Moropotente, plateau-shaped mountains, are some of the attractions in the area.

Attractions of Ruta del Cafe Stay at the excellent Selva Negra mountain hotel, visit the Museo del Cafe and El Chile native community, in Matagalpa; explore San Rafael del Norte church, Apanas lake and Cuevas de Tunowalam, in Jinotega; climb Pico Mogoton and walk through Ciudad Antigua, in Nueva Segovia; taste typical doughnuts, visit Cañon de Somoto and practice rafting at Coco river rapids, in Madriz; take a bath at La Estanzuela Waterfall and walk through some of the paths of Tisey Reservoir, in Esteli.

San Juan River, kingdom of the rainy forest Nicaragua Lake reaches the Caribbean Sea through this fluvial course. It’s surrounded by vast wetlands and extensive forests where an average of five thousand millimeters of rain fall every year, what becomes this portion of Nicaraguan soil into the kingdom of the rainy forest. Exploring it is a life-time experience, besides you can also visit the Castillo de la Inmaculada Concepcion, a stone-made structure nested in the middle of the jungle and built in the 17th century by Spanish authorities to protect the river entry and avoid pirate attacks in terra firma. Leon and Granada: charming colonial cities Leon and Granada are the most representative cities from the colonial period in Nicaragua. The first one, transferred from its original location due to the eruption on Momotombo volcano in 1609, stands out for its Baroque and neoclassic architecture, with 17 impressive churches and the mausoleum dedicated to Ruben Dario. The ruins of Leon Viejo or Leon Santiago de los Caballeros, Nicaragua’s first capital, are sited out of the city and have been declared Mankind Heritage. To round out the visit, you can’t miss the beautiful Poneloya and Las Peñitas beaches, walk through Isla Juan Venado Natural Reservoir, huge park for wildlife protection with a fascinating coast ecosystem, while enjoying guide excursions. Granada, on the other hand, is considered the wealthiest and most beautiful city from the colonial age in Nicaragua, its better preserved development from that period, with emblematic spaces and buildings such as Cristobal Colon Park, the Cathedral, Casa de los Leones or Casa de los Tres Mundos, Independence Square, Monumento de la Cruz del Siglo, Municipal Palace and the churches of Xalteva, La Merced and San Francisco, among other. Mombacho Volcano Natural Reservoir, offering a tour to the magic world of rainy forest; and sailing through the canals that surround Granada’s 365 islets, small green paradises with abundant birds, monkeys and other species of their local fauna; are excellent complements for eager-for-unique-experiences tourists.

Dream beaches in the Pacific and the Caribbean Nicaraguan beaches stand out for their virginity status. On the Pacific side, there are many of amazing beauty, such as those next to San Juan del Sur, that’s presently one of the most important touristic destinations in the country. A little bit to the North, you’ll find Montelimar, Masachapa, La Boquita, Huehuete, Pochomil, Casares… among many other that, due to their exceptional qualities, attract visitors from all over the world and some investment for hotel developments. On the Caribbean coast, almost virgin, Nicaraguan tourism authorities count on hundreds of spectacular beaches, but so far the main destinations are Corn Island and Little Corn Island, as their natives name them, with crystalline waters and white sand, what turn them into a true delight for people who enjoy Caribbean vacations, admire impeccable underwater sceneries and dedicate some days to isolation and peace.

Ometepe This island is made up of Concepcion and Maderas volcanoes and represents a touristic destination within Nicaragua Lake with beaches, small towns and some modalities such as kayak, mountain biking, birds observation, climbing and hiking.

General Information Location: Nicaragua is sited on the Central American isthmus. It bounds with Honduras to the north, Costa Rica to south, the Caribbean Sea to East and the Pacific Ocean to West. Population: Around five million and half inhabitants. Its capital, Managua, counts on some two million Nicaraguan people. Weather: Tropical with average temperature of 26 grades Celsius. Accommodation: Nicaragua possesses hotels all over the national geography that are characterized by familiar service, quite recommendable in interior cities. Transportation: There are car rental agencies in different cities as well as touristic taxis and autobuses. Larger distances can be covered with the services of Atlantic and Costeña national air companies.

Excelencias recommends in Nicaragua Among the cities: Leon, Granada and Managua. The beaches of San Juan del Sur, Montelimar and Corn Island. Among the volcanoes: Masaya, Momotombo and Mombacho. Ometepe, Islets of Granada and Solentiname Archipelago, at Nicaragua Lake. Exploring natural landscapes in the northern zone of the country. Tours through Matagalpa, Jinotega, Esteli, Madriz. Bath in La Estanzuela waterfall. Buy craftworks at the so called white towns: Catarina, San Juan de Oriente, Diria and Dirio.