Attractions
Travellers to Nicaragua are often struck by its
multi-faceted character, and anyone who takes the time and energy to explore this
intriguing country will be richly rewarded.
Managua
Once you have contemplated downtown
Managua's architecture and archeological ruins, it is refreshing to sit down and gaze out
over the Lago de Managua and the volcanic cone of Momotombo which looms beyond. Continue
walking north, toward the
malecón, or seawall, where
vendors of all sorts hawk their wares, and people sit sipping drinks beside multicoloured
shacks.
Masaya and the Pueblos
Blancos
Masaya is known as a centre for handicrafts,
and the market attracts not only foreign visitors but also Nicaraguans from other parts of
the country. The folkloric traditions in Masaya are also particularly strong, and small
festivals are celebrated every month.
Perhaps one of
the most charming areas in Nicaragua, Masaya's surroundings have been home to families,
coffee farmers, artists, and merchants for hundreds of years. Each town is unique, with a
person or an event that makes it special, and each villager will proudly distinguish his
or her hometown from the next, in spite of its proximity. The nickname for the region, the
pueblos blancos, comes from the types of houses
traditionally built in the area with bright whitewashed sides and thatched roofs.
The Southern Pacific Coast
This is nature at its
fullest and most stunning, following its own rhythms, and paying no heed to humans. But
human beings are certainly close by, living along the beaches earning their livelihood
from fishing. The Nicaraguan Pacific coast is rich in history, as it was the site of many
arrivals, departures, and battles during the age of water transport.
Lago de Nicaragua
The Lago de Nicaragua is the
spiritual and historic heart of Pacific Nicaragua. It is the largest lake in Central
America, and home to the fresh-water shark (the only place in the world where this species
is found). The nearby town of Granada, with Volcán Mombacho looming in the distance, is a
lovely place for a stroll. Its many wide streets are lined with well-kept buildings and
picturesque interior courtyards.
The Caribbean
Coast
On the Caribbean Coast, Bluefields is by all accounts the centre
of Caribbean Nicaragua. Today, Bluefields is a bustling mix of cultures and
languages.
Life for visitors to the Corn Islands is
reduced to the essentials -- eating, sleeping, and walking on the beach. This is where to
go for a vacation from your vacation, where you'll fulfill of all those dreams about
perfect relaxation on a small Caribbean island with white sand, swaying palms, and
crystal-blue waters.
Where on earth
Nicaragua, the largest country in Central America, is
bordered by Costa Rica to the south and by Honduras to the north. Its west coast is
bounded by the Pacific Ocean and its east coast by the Caribbean Sea.
Excursions
Resorts