11 Days Highlights of Nicaragua

About the destination: Managua is the capital and the commercial, industrial and cultural centre of Nicaragua. The city is located at the shores of the Managua Lake. One of the best features of the city is its surroundings, lakes, mountains and volcanoes can be seen from all over the city, especially from the viewpoint of the Laguna Tiscapa.Tiscapa Lagoon is a volcanic lagoon formed in the crater of the old Tiscapa Volcano and it is one of the city most important sights. It´s located in the middle of the Old and New Managua. The old town centre, on the lakeshore, is the site of the city’s tourist attractions, including impressive colonial-style buildings, The Concha Acustica, a beautiful designed stage used for music festivals and pubic concentrations and the National Palace, an impressive neoclassical building located at the Plaza de la Revolución. Nearby, we find one of the signature landmarks of Managua, now a ruin, is the impressive Old Cathedral, built in 1929. The shell of the neoclassical edifice still stands in the heart of the Area Monumental. Across from the Old Managua Cathedral, and facing the National Palace is the Museo Nacional displaying numerous artefacts, which tell the story of Nicaragua from pre-historic times to the present day as well as a display of contemporary Nicaraguan art. The city’s main landmark, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, whose white form, reminiscent of a Maya pyramid, sails above the city. Chaotic and fascinating, Managua is a perfect base to explore the nearby lagoons, the nature reserves of Montebelli and Chocoyero-El Brujo, some fun beaches like Pochomil, and the hot springs at El Trapiche.

About the destination: León (Spanish pronunciation: [leˈon]) is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. Founded by the Spanish as Santiago de los Caballeros de León, it is the capital and largest city of León Department. As of 2016, the municipality of León had an projected population of 206,264. León is located along the Río Chiquito (Chiquito River), some 90 kilometres (56 miles) northwest of Managua, and some 18 km (11 miles) east of the Pacific Ocean coast. León has long been the political and intellectual center of the nation and its National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN) was founded in 1813, making it the second oldest university in Central America. León is also an important industrial, agricultural, and commercial center for Nicaragua, exporting sugar cane, cattle, peanut, plantain, and sorghum. The city has been home to many of Nicaragua's most noteworthy poets including Rubén Darío, Alfonso Cortés and Salomón de la Selva.

About the destination: Granada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department, it is Nicaragua's sixth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically. It has a rich colonial heritage, seen in its architecture and structure. Granada is also known as La Gran Sultana, in reflection of its Moorish and Andalusian appearance, unlike its sister city of León and historical rival, which displays Castilian trends. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Volcan Mombacho Lots to do on the volcano...great hikes, a real cloud forest at the top, a couple of zip lines operators, tour of the coffee plantation and processing facility is. • There are 6 main churches: the Cathedral, La Merced, Guadalupe, Xalteva, San Francisco and María Auxiliadora, which all have interesting historical backgrounds and are in very different states. • Fuerte La Polvora. A few historical exhibits are available on the main level, you can climb the towers for views of the quiet city streets, or wander through the lovely courtyard. • Lake CocibolcaL. During the day this is a nice place to catch a breeze, and there are many Nicaraguan families that come here to pass the time. Vendors pass selling all kinds of food. • The Centro Turistico, a park like area complete with bars and restaurants. It's a bit cleaner than the beach right down from the city. • The Central Park with the Cathedral and the Colonial houses surrounding it. • The Isletas. • Mi Museo.

About the destination: The island of Ometepe, also called Ōmetepētl, is located within the Great Lake of Nicaragua, but belongs to the department of Rivas. Ometepe is included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves for its characteristic natural landscapes, shaped by a wide variety of species of flora and fauna. Some areas of this island are highly protected by its designation as a Biosphere Reserve and for this reason, economic activity is limited only to those areas where it is permitted. Ometepe Island is undoubtedly a complex terrain full of beauty and nature fused with tranquility, making it one of the best options for a relaxing stay in Nicaragua.