TRAVEL TIPS
NICARAGUA
OVERVIEW TRANSPORTATION VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES
WHERE TO STAYONDE WHERE TO EAT SHOPPING COMPRAS FICAR ONDE COMER
OVERVIEW Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. It has coastlines facing the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean and shares borders with Costa Rica and Honduras. It is a country with a history full of political instability, war and revolution. The main cities of Nicaragua are Managua, Granada, León, Masaya, Chinandega and Matagalpa. Managua, the capital, is the largest city in Nicaragua and features modern architecture with high quality hotels and shopping centres as well as a variety of tourist attractions. It is a financial, cultural and social reference point. The colonial cities of Leon and Granada are comprised of charming streets, colourful houses and lively squares. It is a country which makes an extraordinary impact when you observe its combination of cultures, historic buildings and charming countryside. Nicaragua has a tropical climate and is home to more than 78 national parks with magnificent views over volcanoes, waterfalls and the natural beauty of Lake Nicaragua. For those who love diving and beautiful beaches, Nicaragua’s Caribbean coastline offers the “Corn Islands” (in Spanish “Las Islas del Maíz”), with their white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and incredible coral reefs. The climate in Nicaragua is tropical and humid and features two different seasons: the rainy season from May to October, and the dry season which runs from November to April.
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The Western coast is very dry with scant rainfall and high temperatures. The central
TRANSPORT
region has a cold and damp climate and the Caribbean region has a tropical climate with
Various means of transport are available to
high temperatures and rainfall which can be
explore the different regions of Nicaragua. The
very intense.
best options are bus, boat, car or taxi.
The best time of year to visit Nicaragua and
Local bus services in Nicaragua are basic but
experience its beauty is between December and
work well. Travel by boat is the only way to
April, when the climate is predominantly dry. The rainy season takes place between May and October, with constant rainfall. It is recommended that visitors avoid the typhoon season between July and October. The best season for sport fishing lovers is between April and June. Explore and discover the wonderful natural world of Nicaragua.
get to some parts of Nicaragua - particularly the Caribbean coast and around Lake Nicaragua. Boat trips from Rio San Juan to El Castillo and San Juan Del Norte are expensive but fishing boats and cargo vessels are always coming and going from Bluefields, Puerto Cabezas and the Caribbean coast. Car hire services in Nicaragua are available at reasonable prices and offer good quality cars.
The main international car hire firms have
The region has many cities with historic
stands at the Hotel Internacional in Managua.
buildings and a variety of attractions, such
Taxis are found in yellow parking spaces and are
as the Cathedral of Leon, the Ortiz-Gurdian
all operated on a collective basis, transporting
Foundation Museum of Art, the Central Park in
several people going to the same destination, in
Granada and the colourful markets of Masaya.
addition to charging a fixed price.
For nature lovers, Nicaragua has 78 national parks which offer beautiful landscapes, nature trails and natural treasures.
ATTRACTIONS
GRANADA Located in western Nicaragua, Granada is the country’s fifth most populous city and is very
Nicaragua offers a wide variety of cultural
important politically and economically. It features
activities which range from theatre to historic
colonial and neoclassical architecture which all
and religious sites. Three popular theatres are
visitors find quite charming. It is a welcoming
to be found in theManagua region, the Rubén
city with a variety of natural attractions in
Darío National Theatre, the Romeo Victor
its surrounding areas, such as the great Lake
Theatre and the Justo Rufino Garay Theatre,
Nicaragua with its islands and volcanoes.
which ensure a unique experience for visitors with their shows and charming atmosphere.
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LEON
MIRADOR DE CATARINA
This is a charming city that is both vibrant
This is a viewing point with typical shops
and authentic. It has retained its colonial
and restaurants, where visitors can take in a
architecture and has a variety of historic
fabulous view of the Apoyo Lagoon, the city of
and religious buildings, such as the famous
Granada and, in the distance, Lake Nicaragua.
Cathedral of Leon.
MOMOTOMBO VOLCANO
CATHEDRAL OF LEON
Bordering Lake Managua, the Momotombo
The Cathedral of Leon is recognised as one
volcano is 1,280 metres high. You can climb the
of the best cathedrals in Central America.
volcano to appreciate the beautiful surrounding
Architecturally interesting, the cathedral features
countryside or take a ride on a local bus going
religious art and includes several contemporary
up the mountain.
pieces. The church is also a burial place for renowned politicians, intellectuals and religious
MASAYA VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
figures of the country. The most striking grave
The park has two volcanoes, Masaya
is that of Ruben Dario, Nicaragua’s most famous
andNindirí, which together form a structure
poet, whose tomb is crowned by a stone lion.
with five craters and various trails leading up
The cathedral was designated a World Heritage
to it. Described by the Spanish as the “Mouth
Site by UNESCO in 2011.
of Hell”, theMasaya volcano is one of several
easily accessed and it has a wonderful view of
ORTIZ-GURDIAN FOUNDATION MUSEUM OF ART
the surrounding countryside, which includes
This is widely considered the best contemporary
the Masaya Lagoon and the city of Masaya.
art museum in Central America and features a
active volcanoes in Nicaragua that can be
MOMBACHO VOLCANO NATURE RESERVE The Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve is run by the Cocibolca Foundation. For an ideal excursion, explore the park along trails that lead up to organic coffee farms, Butterfly Gardens and Orchid Gardens. You will find diverse species of monkeys, birds and plants. There are three trails: The Crater Path and the Puma Path, hikes around the border of the crater which both offer amazing views, and the Ocelot Path. Visitors wishing to hike along these trails must be accompanied by a special guide.
LAKE NICARAGUA This is the largest lake in Central America. Visitors are recommended to take a boat trip, leaving from Granada, to explore the islands and the natural riches of Lake Nicaragua.
diverse range of works of art. Comprising two
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restored colonial buildings, exhibitions shown here include paintings, sculpture, photography and contemporary works.
WHERE TO STAY Nicaragua offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit all tastes, from luxury
Metrocentro Hotel is considered one of the
resorts to small hotels. You can find seafront
best hotels in Managua, among others,
accommodation facing the Caribbean or
including the Best Western, the Crowne Plaza
ecological accommodation.
and the Hilton. Some tourists prefer to be in direct contact with nature and choose to camp
The best regions to stay in are Leon,
or stay in eco-hotels such as Los Cardones
Managua and Bluefields. The Intercontinental
EcoLodge or the Bahia Majagual EcoLodge.
DINING OUT Nicaraguan gastronomy offers a range of delicious dishes at great prices. Traditional restaurants in Nicaragua, called “fritangas”, serve typical food including the famous regional dish known as “Gallo Pinto”, made with rice and beans, in addition to fried cheese, cassava, fried banana and cabbage salad. “Vigorón” is a delicious typical dish: it consists of cooked cassava, crispy fried pork, cabbage and hot peppers, served on a banana leaf. Another option is “Indio Viejo”, cornmeal with shredded chicken or meat seasoned with mint, and “nacatamales”, a traditional dish made with pork or chicken and other seasonings. The “Fritangas” operate on a self-service basis. Another typical dish is “quesillo”, a rolled cornmeal tortilla filled with a mozzarella cheese paste, pickled onions, a cream sauce and a little salt. The most sought after quesillos can be found along the highway connecting Managua and Leon, in Nagarote and in La Paz Centro. The traditional regional dessert is a soft cake made with three kinds of milk (condensed, evaporated and fresh), called “Tres Leches” (three milks). The famous “Flor de Caña” rum and “Joya de Nicaragua” cigars can be found in the Duty Free shop at Managua Airport. Some restaurant suggestions: Doña Pilar in Managua and Cevicheria El Chino in Bluefields.
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SHOPPING
facilities. It is a shopping centre that provides a unique experience for its customers.
Metrocentro: Located in Managua,
STREET MARKETS
Metrocentro is a shopping centre which offers
Nicaragua’s street markets are great for buying
visitors more than 50 stores, restaurants,
souvenirs, wooden ornaments and local craftwork.
beauty salons and cinemas.
The Masaya Craft Market is the ideal place to
Galeria Santo Domingo Mall: Located in a smart
take a stroll and find Nicaraguan souvenirs. It
area of Managua and renowned for its range of
is a historic place with many attractive market
well known brands and exclusive events, the
stalls along its wide thoroughfares. Every
Galeria Santo Domingo Mall has a variety of
Thursday, the “Jueves de Verbena” event takes
restaurant options and high quality cinemas. It
place, a cultural show featuring music, folk
also has a sports centre that is open to the public,
dancing and traditional Nicaraguan cuisine. In
which houses a baseball stadium, indoor football
addition to traditional folk dancing, Nicaraguan
stadiums and a mini football pitch, among other
artists and composers also present their work.
CURRENCY
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
The national currency of Nicaragua is the Gold Cordoba (C$), known by locals as the “peso” or “real”. Coins exist in denominations of C$0.25, C$0.50, C$1 and C$5; and the banknote denominations are C$10, C$20, C$50 and C$100. The US dollar is accepted almost everywhere but it is much easier to use the national currency. Credit and debit cards are accepted in practically all establishments.
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