What to Explore in Granada and Nicaragua

Discover the best experiences in Granada and surrounding areas!

Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, an adventurer or just looking for a good time, there's something for everyone. Get ready to explore the vibrant streets, marvel at the stunning architecture, indulge in delicious local cuisine, or immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural landscapes.

The possibilities are endless!

Highlights in Granada

Parque Central

This shady, centrally located park is opposite the Catedral de Granada. The park features a large pavilion in the center, a beautiful fountain and a statue. There is also an obelisk honoring the famous Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío. At the four corners of the square are kiosks specializing in the preparation of vigorón, a refreshing dish made from cooked yucca, coleslaw and chicharrón (pork rinds). On one side of the park are the famous horse-drawn carriages, with which you can take a nice ride through the city.

Merced Church

This church, originally built around 1534, is dominated by a large tower where the church bell hangs. The narrow steps lead up to this cathedral bell tower, which offers magnificent 360˚ views over the whole of Granada. You can take beautiful photos from here.

Municipal market

This colorful and lively market is a unique attraction. Every meter, you can see or smell something different. It is full of people, all selling something or doing their daily shopping. Here you will find delicious tropical fruits in the most beautiful colors, but also meat, clothing, household items and much more. Here, you are completely immersed in local Nicaraguan life, and all your senses are stimulated.

The Gunpowder

This fortress was built in 1748 as a gunpowder store. In the fortress of El Castillo, located on the banks of the Río San Juan to stop the pirates, there were problems with the durability of the gunpowder due to the humidity. To store and protect gunpowder, Fort La Pólvora was built in Granada. Later, the fortress was used to house troops and as a prison.

Today, the walls and towers of the fortress, some old barrels and even a cannon are preserved here.

Highlights around Granada

Cocibolca and Las Isletas

Granada lies on the edge of Lake Nicaragua, also known as Lake Cocibolca. This is the second-largest lake in Central America. This inland lake is even home to bull sharks, a species that can survive in freshwater. From Granada, you can take various boat trips across this freshwater lake, for example, along the Granada Islands (Las Isletas), 365 volcanic islands. Kayaking is also possible here. Enjoy the tranquillity, the life on the water and the various animals, such as monkeys and tropical birds that can be found here.

Laguna de Apoyo

Would you like to cool off a little? Then the large crater lake Laguna de Apoyo is the ideal place for this. The Laguna de Apoyo is said to be the cleanest and deepest lake in Nicaragua. The water of Laguna de Apoyo is the perfect temperature and super clear. Perfect for a day of pure idleness and relaxation!

Viewpoint of Catarina

The view from this high point is wonderful: you can see the crater of Laguna de Apoyo, the Mombacho volcano, the Isletas de Granada and Lake Nicaragua. One can hike here, shop for handicrafts, ride horses, enjoy the live music of trios and marimbas, taste dishes of national cuisine or bring your own food and choose the best place for a morning or afternoon picnic.

Mombacho Volcano

Mombacho Volcano is one of the most famous volcanoes in Nicaragua. This stratovolcano is covered by a mystical cloud forest that occupies much of its slopes and summit. The driveway is an adventure due to the steepness of the road. You can see coffee plantations and further up the cloud forest; from here the view is spectacular.

At an altitude of 1,200 meters the temperature has dropped significantly and the humidity is high. It's always windy there, so be sure to take a sweater with you. After a 20-30 minute walk you will find a tourist center near the volcano - the Mombacho Reserve is managed by the Cocibolca Foundation. The tourist center is very informative and offers information about the volcano and its flora and fauna. In this center you will find maps, photos, models, souvenirs and other interesting material.
Mombacho has four craters. All are covered by rainforest, which can only be found in two places in the Pacific: here and at Volcán Maderas on Ometepe. On Mombacho you can either walk around one of the craters or climb the other craters. In addition to the different types of trees and plants that thrive in the rainforest, you can spot howler and white-faced monkeys, as well as snakes, deer, reptiles, birds and insects. There are several endemic species that belong to the volcano's fauna: the Mombacho salamander is one of the most representative, because only in this place in the world can you find this small salamander!
Enjoy an adventurous canopy zip line tour in close contact with nature. This tour is a combination of a hike around the crater and canopy with its 17 platforms - 3 suspension bridges - and 11 steel cables with a height of 25 - 30 meters.

Masaya Volcano

The volcano is located in the middle of the national park, and at its feet lies the volcanic lagoon of the same name. Witness the lava glowing in Masaya Volcano. At Masaya Volcano you can look down from the crater rim and see the lava. A visit is possible both during the day and in the evening. The evening tour is the most popular because that's when you can see the lava best.

This national park is home to an interesting system of lava tubes where thousands of bats and insects live in harmony with the surrounding nature. Pre-Hispanic artifacts have also been found in the caves, where Nicaraguan natives are believed to have held important rituals. The park also offers a visitor center with information boards about the country's geology and the various ecosystems.

Chocoyero

El Chocoyero Natural Reserve is a great place for hiking and nature observation. The last seven kilometers to El Chocoyero are unpaved and pass through pineapple, coffee and banana plantations and the views are great. The ancient volcanic chain surrounds the reserve and nature is everywhere.

The hiking trails in El Chocoyero vary in length and difficulty. The adventure trail leads into the mountains and lasts six hours. However, you will be able to enjoy beautiful views of the reserve and the surrounding area. From the gorge you can even see some cities, including Managua. The other paths are shorter and lead to the waterfalls. There are two waterfalls: Chocoyero and El Brujo. The path to El Brujo is steep, but not very long. El Chocoyero waterfall is about 30 minutes from the entrance and you don't have to climb to reach it. This is where the chocoyos nest.
The falls are small but worth the climb. The water comes from rainfall from the mountains above and is collected and used by surrounding communities as drinking water.
There are many hiking trails that lead to different types of forest and vegetation. Due to the abundance of water, El Chocoyero is always green and wildlife is thriving. Two species of monkeys live in the park: the howler monkey and the white-faced monkey. The howler monkey is larger, black and howls a lot. You can hear them from afar, but if you want to see them up close, take the Congo Trail, which will lead you to these monkeys. White-faced monkeys are less commonly seen, but they come down from the mountains in the afternoon when they can be seen from the regular trails.
El Chocoyero is home to many birds. The reserve is famous for its green chocoyos, whose nests are located near the waterfalls. They can be seen in large numbers in the morning when they depart and depart, and in the evening when they return. During the day they roam the reserve in search of food. The best time to see the birds is around 6:00 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. There are many other birds, and hiring a guide will allow you to see more of them, and not just the ones that are easy to spot. The guides will show you animals you may have missed and tell you lots of details about nature.

El Coyotepe Fortress

In 1893, President Zelaya built a large fortress on one of the most strategic hills near Masaya: El Coyotepe. This fortress allowed his soldiers to observe the enemy (primarily the US Army, which was trying to conquer Masaya) and protect the country.

During the dictatorship of the Somoza family, a dungeon was built under the fortress, which served as a prison for political opponents and as a home for more than 800 people who lived there in terrible conditions. The prison had almost no light (some cells did not even have minimal lighting) and was overcrowded. Torture rooms were also found.
The Sandinistas also used the fortress as a prison before handing it over to the Boy Scouts. They used these for their annual celebrations. Today it belongs to the Boy Scouts, who have opened the fort to visitors. You can enter the dungeon, take a tour and hear about the battles that took place here. From El Coyotepe Fortress one can see the city of Masaya, its lagoon, Masaya Volcano, Lake Managua, Lake Nicaragua and Mombacho Volcano.

Ometepe Island

With an area of 276 square kilometers, Ometepe Island is the 10th largest freshwater lake island in the world. This "Holy Site" where the gods dwelt, as the island is called, includes the communities of Moyogalpa and Altagracia, nestled in Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca, guarded by the volcanic giants El Maderas and El Concepción.

The volcanoes are connected by a narrow, flat isthmus, giving the island an hourglass shape. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010, Ometepe impresses with its historical significance, breathtaking views and a wide range of entertainment options. There is a wide variety of flora and fauna on Ometepe.

In pre-Columbian times, the island was inhabited by Carib tribes from South America, Chorotegas, Nahua and other tribes. Numerous rock carvings and stone figures scattered across the island bear witness to the island's indigenous people.
Altagracia or Aztagalpa was the indigenous capital of Ometepe in pre-Columbian times, inhabited by the Chibchas tribe, descendants of the Chorotegas and Nagrandanos. In the church in the center of the city you can admire some of the largest stone figures found on Ometepe. Further evidence of the island's pre-Columbian past can be seen in the archaeological museum, which also offers cultural and geological information.
Moyogalpa is the island's largest city and main commercial center. For travelers on a tight schedule, Moyogalpa is a good base to explore Ometepe while enjoying the amenities of a small town with its selection of hotels, restaurants and services. It is a good starting point for a hike up Volcán Concepción.
Ometepe is easily accessible with a one-hour ferry ride from San Jorge, Rivas. Promoted as an “oasis of peace,” Ometepe boasts attractions such as the Charco Verde Ecological Reserve, Santo Domingo Beach, Punta Jesus Maria, San Ramon Waterfall, and Ojo de Agua, to name a few. Low-impact ecotourism is very popular on the island, with rural and community-based tourism encouraged for the mutual benefit of island families and visitors interested in an authentic experience.

More highlights in Nicaragua

For adventurous travelers who are tired of the beaten tourist path, Nicaragua is highly recommended.

Other destinations you can explore in Nicaragua:

Leon
Black Forest
The Somoto Canyon
Estelí (known for making cigars)
Pacific beaches
Corn Islands (Caribbean Coast)
San Juan River

The Nicaraguans are incredibly hospitable, even though many have very little money. Despite centuries of bloody history, they are a friendly and cheerful people. They love to party and take every opportunity to do so. And a party in Nicaragua isn't a party without the national rum Flor de Caña, nor Toña and Victoria, Nicaragua's national beer brands.

Additional Information:

The national language is Spanish, although it is very different from the Iberian Spanish spoken in Spain. The second language is English.

In Nicaragua it is 8 hours earlier in summer than in Germany, and in winter it is 7 hours earlier.
The best time to travel: Nicaragua can be visited all year round. The rainy season is from April/May to around mid-November, but it doesn't rain constantly - there are just sudden heavy showers with frequent thunderstorms, but these don't last long.
Nicaragua is generally one of the safest countries in Central America, despite all the stories reported about it.
The national currency is the Cordoba.