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escape

The road less traveled

Whether you’re looking for historical sites, a walk on white-sand beaches or kiing
the face of an active volcano, consider Nicaragua for your next vacation.

Visiting Managua, the capital of this Central American nation known as “The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes,” it is easy to get lost. Here, the streets are unnamed. Rumored to be the inspiration for the U2 song Where the Streets Have No Name, local residents hardly see this as a handicap, but rather proudly proclaim it as a symbol of the city’s intimacy, which boasts a population of just over 1 million.
While the capital offers some interesting attractions, like the National Palace of Culture as well as several artisan markets, the country’s main draw lies in its colonial cities of Granada and Leon, as well as its magnificent natural beauty. With coast in both the Caribbean and the Pacific, its volcanoes, lagoons and archaelogical treasures, Nicaragua is an explorer’s paradise.
GRANADA
Located only 28 miles from the capital, Granada has plenty of charm to offer visitors. Believed to be the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere, the city was first founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba. While it was repeatedly sacked by pirates and partially destroyed by famed Filibuster William Walker—who conquered and proclaimed himself president of Nicaragua in 1856 only to be overthrown a year later—the city has managed to retain its colonial architecture and rich historic heritage.
Among its most famous sites are the Iglesia de San Francisco, the oldest church in Nicaragua, and its central plaza, which boasts famous buildings such as the City Council, the cathedral and the Casa de los Leones. A horse-pulled carriage is the perfect way to tour the city, which has a wide array of hotels and restaurants to make your stay here unforgettable.

LEON
The country’s capital until 1851—when it was replaced by Managua—Leon is perhaps the most important historical and cultural center of the country. The city ––which relocated here in 1610 due to constant earthquakes and the eruption its neighbor, the Momotombo Volcano—used to be the hub of Nicaragua’s cultural, political, military and religious life.
Museums such as the Ortiz-Gurdian Foundation, the house of Rubén Darío, and the “Arts and Legends” offer much to do, as do colonial churches such as La Recolección, La Merced, San Francisco and El Calvario.
BEACHES
Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, for the most part, remains fairly untouched and its beaches offer a quiet escape in a natural paradise. Notorious for its surfing spots and dark, volcanic rock formations, this region offers a variety of hotels and activities to be enjoyed.
If you’re looking for white-sand beaches and calmer waters, however, Corn and Little Corn islands may be the perfect destination for you. Just an hour’s flight from the capital lies a small paradise perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling. Small hotels and restaurants cater to tourists, who flock here in abundance during the month of August for the “The Crab Feast,” a local celebration commemorating freedom from slavery.
The Misquito Keys Archipielago and Pearl Keys offer beautiful wildlife and unexplored white-sand beaches, as well as trips to the Coco River and Karata Lagoon.

LOCAL FOLKLORE, ECOTOURISM AND ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
If you’re looking for handicrafts and typical products, head over to Masaya’s arts and crafts market. Located only 16 miles from the capital, here you’ll find everything from hammocks and ceramics to leather products and paintings, brought here from every region in the country.
The Pueblos Blancos (White Towns) that line the south of Masaya also offer a wide arrange of ceramic works, and an opportunity to see local artisans at work.
In the land of lakes and volcanoes, the most notable are Lake Nicaragua, or Cocibolca Lake, and Masaya Volcano. Covering 5,136 square miles, the Lake Nicaragua is immense and hosts a wide array of fauna and flora, including a population of bull sharks that have evolved and adapted to live in freshwater. Half an hour from Managua is the Masaya Volcano. Designated as a natural park, it is open to visitors who want to visit the volcano’s crater.
Adventure tourism is one of the greatest draws of Nicaragua, and with such a range of possibilities it is no surprise. Canopy tours allow you to get a view from above as you safely glide along the treetops. Other activities include kayaking, surfing, scuba diving, hiking and sand skiing—practiced in the dark sands of the Cerro Negro Volcano.

Getting There: Delta Airlines offers direct service to Managua from Atlanta and Los Angeles, while American Airlines offers direct service from Miami and Continental Airlines from Houston.

Places to Stay:

Granada:
La Gran Francia
www.lagranfrancia.com
505-552-6000

Hotel Alhambra
www.hotelalabrahni.com
505-552-4486

Laguna de Apoyo:
Norome Resort & Villas
www.noromevillas.com
505-270-7154

Montelimar Beach:
Barceló Resort
www.barcelo.com
505-269-6768