¿what to do?
Nicaragua offers a wide range of tourism possibilities. It is difficult to know where to start because the variety of tourist attractions is so impressive.
Nicaragua is divided into 15 departments and in 2 autonomous regions. The departments are grouped within 3 geographical regions: the Atlantic, Central, and Pacific regions. Managua, the capital, has many modern hotels and restaurants. Government and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) offices, the international airport, and most major shopping malls are located in Managua. From there you can easily travel to any place in the country.
Mountains, natural reserves, wet and tropical forests, rivers and waterfalls, a huge variety of flora and fauna, coffee, cocoa and tobacco production, handicrafts from rural communities and indigenous weaving, among others, are interesting sites that the Northern and Central Zones have to offer. In Matagalpa, Estelí, Jinotega, and Las Segovias you can enjoy hiking tours through the beautiful nature reserves of El Arenal, El Musum, El Tisey, and El Apante and enjoy refreshing baths in the rivers and waterfalls located here. By visiting rural communites, you will learn about fair trade issues and coffee and tobacco production processes.
The Pacific Region, with its warm weather and beautiful beaches, invites you to visit Jiquilillo in Chinandega, Poneloya in Leon, and the clear waters of San Juan del Sur, where you will find the best waves in the country. If you are looking for a quiet beach, visit El Coco or La Flor in San Juan del Sur, which are also very special beaches because of the thousands of turtles that arrive there every year to lay their eggs. But, a trip to Nicaragua would not be complete without visiting the beautiful island of Ometepe, with its 2 impressive and beautiful volcanoes and beaches where you can enjoy the waters of the great Lake Nicaragua.
The colonial cities of Leon and Granada are an open door to a different world, a world full of history and culture. In Granada you can travel the streets by carriage and visit little islands of volcanic origin (365 in total). You can visit Mombacho Nature Reserve, which is located on the steamy slopes of the Mombacho volcano. There is also the impressive Cerro Negro volcano, still active, that you can climb on the outskirts of Leon.
Masaya, well-known as the capital of Nicaraguan Folklore, offers the opportunity to see handcrafted products typical of the region. On Thursdays many different kinds of artistic performances, known as “verbenas” are also held at the market.
The Atlantic Coast offers a completely different experience from the rest of Nicaragua due to its culture, language, ethnic groups, religion, politics, and history. Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon, the Miskito Cays, and the Corn Islands are some of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. The Corn Islands are two precious islands of white sand, turquoise waters, palm trees, and impressive coral reefs and sea life.
Nicaragua offers natural and cultural beauty for all tastes, many of them still unexplored treasures.