The
Globetrotting
Project
Masaya Volcano
lake and town
Managua
Sorry,....page currently
Nicaragua, the land of active volcanos, lakes and amazing natural beauty.
Explore a country of unique geological interest! Find wonderful people and experience the different world this amazing country has to offer!
Managua is one of the most beautiful capitals of Central America in my opinion.It is chaotic but there are many nice spots where you can get the real sense of the city and enjoy your stay.Let's see where you can find them:
A very nice spot to visit in Managua is the hill where the crater is.You get to see the whole city from up there and get suprised to see...you can see the most part of the city covered by lush vegetation...you see no buildings at all, all covered under the trees!Looking to the east you see the lake of Managua and some buildings along the lake.This is where Malekon is and a wonderful place for your next stop.
There are two shopping malls in Managua, MultiCentro right at the centre of the city and MultiPlaza.
Distances are long in Managua wherever you want to go and it can take hours to get to your destination. Traffic can be a huge problem.
Local bus fare is only 5Cordobas for whatever distance and destination! In Euros this is like 0,08cents!! You will also find official vendors just outside the bus stops you give money to in order to get on the bus.You have to pay double than you would do inside the bus.But still...this is nothing! Taxis are not very expensive either.Always ask the price before you get in but there very few times you can negotiate the price. I've never seen taxi drivers taking advantage of tourists and they always charge the right price.
Masaya Volcano a must-do while in Nicaragua.
It's Nicaragua's first national park situated 25km southeast from the city of Managua. It's a protected area of 54km with two active volcanoes and many routes and paths to walk. Entrance fee is 100Cordobas. After you leave the entrance you should pass from the visitors centre. There you write down your name and get all the information you need for the park. If you're without a car, there's always the possibility of hitchhiking your way up to the top where Masaya volcano is. The volcano is active and emits smoke so people with respiratory problems should avoid going too close. Be very careful when you wander around the voclano and far away from the crowds as you may come face to face(usually attack from behind) or hopefully hear the rattling sound first and run for your life....yeah you guessed right,...rattlesnakes!They love the heat and come out during the day. I was warned not to walk at the other side of the volcano while I was trying to find good spots for taking photos.
Masaya town is a lovely town not very far from Managua.
What I would suggest is combine the Masaya Volcano,the Masaya lake and the town of Masaya and save some time on transportation.
So after spending time at the Masaya Volcano and park, go back at the entrance and the main road and just outside take the bus up until the next stop which is....and have dinner or a spend a few relaxing moments at the restaurant or the bar downstairs.Birdwatching and amazing views of the lake.Then continue the bus route and get to the town of Masaya for the market which is situated inside the city castle.
Take the bus back to Managua(the bus leaves you at the centre...
Leon
Laguna de Apoyo
A crater filled with water you can swim in! You should always be careful and never swim further than 100m from the coast as there are strong currents.
There are quite a few hostels around the area you can spend the night. Relax, go for a swim and feel the energy of the volcano crater fill up your senses.
Better go to Laguna is by car as it is a bit complicated to get there by public transport.
Granada
It's difficult to get bored of Granada!
This charming and vibrant town offers lots of choices to the travellers.
The town itself its an amazing example of the colonial archtecture and colonial culture.
Visit the Cathedral but also the Merced chruch where you can see the 360 round view of the town, the Cathedral and the lake behind it.
Eat 'vigoron' the local dish.
Take the boat and enjoy a day trip to the islands close to Granada.
You can stay 4 to 5 days in Leon if you are interested in visiting Telica Volcano to see some lava or climb Cerro Negro.
Try 'Vigoron' the typical Nicaraguan local dish made of boiled yuka, chopped cabbage, onions and 'chicharrones' (fried pork with its skin).It's quite spicy.
Taxis interlocales(white airconditioned vans) for longer distances which I've only seen in the area of Leon and Managua(but they you have to wait a bit until they fill up with people.
Leon-Managua 54Cordobas
Bus normal 45Cordobas
Ruben Dario Museum free on Sundays!
Architecture museum
Flor de Cana
Sunset Telica tours (car+45m walk) Unfortunately I find out of that option only when I came back and asked around.
Ometepe island
Moyogalapa 5:30 / 7:30 reaches Kino at 8:50 This is the bus that goes around the island.
Kino 30'-40' walk to OJo del Agua.
60$ Ometepe tours
When you are at the port there's an office where you can arrange a one day tour to Ometepe.Alternatively you rent a scooter and you go round the island yourself.Impossible to see the island using public transport in one day.Buses are scarse and do not go to all places.
What to see on the island:
Ojo del Agua: a natural small lagoon filled with volcanic water.Stay for a while,relax and swim in the crystal clear waters.If you do not want to eat at the restaurant there,bring your own snacks.
Maderas/Concepcion Volcano: You can go climbing but you need a guide.Sometimes when it gets very wind, you can't make it on the top of the volcanoes.
Santo Domingo/Santa Cruz beaches:
These two beaches are very close and you can enjoy swimming in the lake waters or just relax by the beac.
Bluefields
Laguna de Perlas
Corn islands
Big and small Corn islands are very touristic destinations.
Locals prefer the big Corn island but the small one is the backpacker's paradise.It's an island you can practically see in a few hours but worth staying a few days!You simply can't get enough of it!
To get to 'La islita' the small island you first have to land to the big one.
You can get there by boat(it takes like 6hours and it departs from Bluff ,the Bluefields port).The other option is to fly from Bluefields(or Managua).The boat only leaves Bluefields on Tuesdays(some said Wednesdays) and time is never certain.It's a cargo ship transporting goods on the island not a passenger one.
'La Costena' flies from both Managua and Bluefields with 3 flights daily.
San Juan del Sur
If San Juan del Sur is your next destination, you first have to reach Rivas and Rivas bus Terminal. From there,there's another local bus which can take you to San Juan in 30minutes. Last bus runs at 5pm but make sure you are there much earlier. Rivas was the only place in Nicaragua where I was approached by taxi drivers trying to get me believe there was no bus coming.So be careful.Ask locals where's the bus stop and wait there.There're will be a bus....
San Juan del Sur, a seaside resort and a wonderful place to visit.
There are many beaches around but unfortunately no buses go there.If you book one through your hotel/hostel is going to be 10$ which is overpriced.There are so many choices of restaurants and bars in San Juan. Many tourists choose San Juan for their tourist destination.
Many reviews about San Juan refer to San Juan as a prostitution hub but it's not like it.Yes,there are cases but
Rivas taxi drivers...Not everybody!Many people are helpful!)
Volcano line map
You will definately need a month to see everything in Nicaragua.
I think 3weeks is enough to see pretty much everything.Less than that you'll miss out on important places.The most difficult place to reach is Puerto Cabezas and Cayos Misquitos so hardly any tourists go there.If you are the very adventurous kind of traveller,you should try it.
I left it only because of lack of time.
Two volcanos erupted during my three-week stay in Nicaragua,Mombacho and Momotombo!I was lucky enough to see the explosion of Momotombo and the 3kilometre smoke above the volcano!Simply impressive!!
Crossing borders: Costa Rica to Nicaragua
The only crossing from Costa Rica to Nicaragua is Penas Blancas. It's a realy busy crossing and you may get to queue for a long time at immigration.There are also lines of trucks on both sides waiting to cross the boarders.
There is an exit charge of 7$ which you can pay at any bank before your journey.When at the boarders,there's a machine for electronic payment(which does not always work) or a
There are buses from the boarders to Managua, Rivas and Granada(yellow school buses) which take a bit less than 3hours to get to Managua (it all depends on the traffic).
Direct buses to Managua from Coca Cola station in San Jose!
Ivan Montenegro station buses to the Atlantic side
Bluefields on the other side of Nicaragua, the Atlantic side. I can't say I've enjoyed my stay there as I found it quite dirty and unsafe.
Laguna de Perlas for one night's stay.There are a few hostels on the main road just outside the harbour.
El Rama
There's a hotel right where the bus stops,when you reach El Rama, which costs something like 250Cordobas per night.
The bus reached El Rama around 4am so we had to wait until 6am when the first panga goes. There's always lots of people there waiting for the morning boats to Bluefields.
270 Cordobas Boat to Bluefields
Just opposite to the waiting area is the entrance to the port.Once you enter, you reach the waterfront.There are guards and you are asked to queue up and while there are checking your luggage.Then you get on the panga and for a 3hour ride to Bluefields.
100 Cordobas Bus to La Laguna
You can get to La Laguna by bus as well.Get ready for a bumpy ride and lots of dust.
This part of Nicaragua is of Afro Carribean culture and a completely different world for the rest of Nicaragua.
Ometepe island
Ometepe island is a nature paradise. You need at least two days to see the island. Public transport is not very convenient so the best way to go around the island is renting a scooter for 15$ per day. There are bikes one can hire, but distances are long and you may have to ride uphil at many roads.
There are hotels/hostels in different places around the island.The main town is Mayagalpa with a main road with restaurants and shops. There is no much life at the island.
Last bus from Altagracia 4:30pm
Nice beaches:Santo Domingo and Santa Cruz
I stayed at the Central Hostel in town and I was very pleased.
Useful tips:.
*If you want to eat well but at cheaper prices, you should find 'Comedor' which is the cheapest version of a restaurant all around Nicaragua. Try dishes like 'Pinto Gallo' and the local drink '
* Try the 3 local beers of Nicaragua,the Tona.
*Buy your souvenirs and T-shirts (every single tourist goes around with a Nicaragua / Tona T-shirt) in Leon. I found the best prices there compared to other touristic places.
*Always bear in mind you need a couple of extra days when you plan travelling in Nicaragua.Trust me!Have a few more extra days to spare as it's quite a difficult destination to plan. Have a few extra days added to your original plan and relax, be patient and get carried away by the pace of the local life. You will not get disappointed!
Nicaragua will be an experience you will never forget!
*Majority of buses are old and slow moving so never calculate distances by kilomentres.It can take much much longer than you think.
*Always set off early for whatever destination you want to go to.You have much better possibilities of buses.
*Estacion Mayoreo ...very dangerous area around the station. So make sure you get to the station before it gets dark(in case you have to wait for a bus) or get a taxi there.The taxi driver might ask you to pay a little bit more since a small fee for cars entering the station is required.It's like a $ more...whatever you do,do not get off outside the station.
*Holy week and August is high season for touristic places in Nicaragua.
San Cristobal (El Vigo) volcano is the oldest, biggest and highest volcano with an altitude of 1.745m
Tours to Telica and Consiguina from Leon but not every day.
Tips:
Flor de Cana Rum Factory
The most typical Nicaraguan product is the rum, Flor de Caña.You can visit the factory while in Leon.You can take the bus to Chichigalpa from the bus station. It's only half an hour away.There are guided tours and the cost is 50$ but it's worth it!Highlights of your visit:The shape of the factory :-) ...and the rum of course which is made with sugar cane!
Guided tours start at 9:00am/11:00am/1pm/4pm s
What to eat:
After a few days,''Gallo pinto'' will be your everyday breakfast or branch...Its name is ''Gallo pinto'' but there is no gallo(=turkey) in it. It's rice with black beans accompanied by fried egges. You can find it everywhere in every restaurant and commedor.
A church in Granada.
Telika Volcano near Leon.
'La Costena' the Nicaraguan airline company for domestic flights.
A crater filled with water you can swim in! You should always be careful and never swim further than 100m from the coast as there are strong currents.
There are quite a few hostels around the area you can spend the night. Relax, go for a swim and feel the energy of the volcano crater fill up your senses.
Better go to Laguna is by car as it is a bit complicated to get there by public transport.