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    Tourist Attractions in Nicaragua

    The most interesting tourist attractions places in Nicaragua. Photos and a brief description.

    About Nicaragua

    Nicaragua is not a rich, but a very beautiful country. It has quite well-developed tourist destinations, but the prices for tourists are acceptable. In addition to the usual beauties of nature and museums, Nicaragua offers unique entertainment of its kind.
    In what place can you roll down the slope of a volcano on a wooden board? In Nicaragua! And where can I look into the crater of an active volcano? In Nicaragua! And to see the old city buried under a layer of lava? Also in Nicaragua. And this is not the whole list of unique sights of the country.

    In addition to volcanoes and the most beautiful natural parks, there are beautiful colorful cities in the country that tourists should definitely see. Despite the poverty of the country, they are very neat and cute. Among them are Granada, Esteli, Managua.

    The coast of Nicaragua is strewn with fine white sand. Therefore, beach holidays are well developed here, hotels, restaurants and cafes have been built, and tourists are becoming more and more every year. In the country you can find quiet deserted beaches and places where you can dance on the sand all night.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Nicaragua

    City of Granada

    The main tourist city of Nicaragua. Here flows an independent, separate life from the whole country. Horses walk gracefully through the streets with well-preserved colonial architecture. They drive tourists, and also serve as a means of transportation among local residents. Granada is calm and quiet, the poverty of the state here does not affect the charm of the ancient city, the beauty of churches and nature.

    City of Granada
    Ometepe Island

    Ometepe Island

    In the middle of the most beautiful lake of Nicaragua is a beautiful island. It is known for the volcanoes Concepcion and Maderas. Actually, Ometepem is an isthmus connecting these two giants. Height Concepcion 1610 m, and volcano Maderas 1394 m . Tourists are taken to volcanoes by locals. In the crater Maderas has a lagoon, near which a forest has formed, coffee and banana plantations, and there are many cafes and restaurants on the island itself.

    Mombacho Volcano

    There is a volcano not far from Granada Mombacho, where the national park was created. It is called the "cloud forest" because of the constant humidity. It was she who caused the appearance of the most beautiful wildlife on the volcano. The park has several trails lined with wooden steps. During the walk, you can see many species of animals and orchids. There are excellent views from the top of the volcano.

    Mombacho Volcano
    Corn Islands (Corn Island)

    Corn Islands (Corn Island)

    Corn Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea, 70 km from the coast of Nicaragua. Recently, they have become increasingly popular. The snow-white beaches are surrounded by coral reefs and are great for diving. They are quiet and peaceful, peace is replaced only by incendiary festivals. Among them are the Crab Festival and the Palo de May Dance Festival.

    Esteli City

    This city in the north-west of Nicaragua can be called the capital of tobacco production in the country. Trade is actively developing here, so Estelle is constantly growing. It has a well-arranged water supply network and waste water runoff. Therefore, the atmosphere in the city is very pleasant. In the vicinity Esteli can see the hills with rock paintings. The remains of huge animals were also found there.

    Esteli City
    Salto de La Estancuela Waterfall

    Salto de La Estancuela Waterfall

    The picturesque Salto de La Waterfall is 6 km from Esteli. Estanzuela. A tour to it can be ordered in the city. On the way, the guide will tell you about the history and features of these places. In the lake near the waterfall, you can swim, and after walking around the neighborhood, see the beautiful nature. Salto de La Waterfall Estanzuela is small, but during the rainy season it grows significantly in size.

    Managua City

    The capital of Nicaragua, the largest city in the country. The city has suffered from natural disasters more than once, but has retained a pleasant appearance and neatness, and people have not lost optimism and love for life. The city center is located near Lake Managua. There is also a central park and the main square of the city. The most unusual attraction of the city is the footprints Akaulinka. These are footprints of people and animals fleeing from the volcano.

    Managua City
    Old Cathedral in Managua

    Old Cathedral in Managua

    The old Cathedral or St. James Cathedral was built in Belgium, and then in 1920 it was brought to Nicaragua by ships. It is made in neoclassical style, made of concrete and metal. The foundation for the cathedral is the foundation of the demolished church of Santiago. Its appearance attracts many tourists, but no one can get inside. Due to the deplorable state after the earthquake, it was closed.

    San Juan del Sur Beach

    San Juan is an entertainment center for lovers of dancing and beach holidays. Near it there are beautiful beaches with cafes, clean sand and beautiful nature. Some of them are completely deserted, and some have excellent surfing conditions. Beginners are offered surfing lessons. Dancing on the beach starts in the evening and ends around two in the morning.

    San Juan del Sur Beach
    Lake Apoyo

    Lake Apoyo

    Not far from a nice and tidy city Katarina is one of the most beautiful places in Nicaragua. This is Lake Apoyo. Its area is 21 km2, and its depth is 175 meters. Apoyo has the shape of a circle, the water in it is clean and has an incredible blue color. Due to the fact that the lake is heated by a volcano, swimming in its warm water, admiring the magnificent scenery is a heavenly delight.

    Leon City

    The ex-capital of Nicaragua lies northwest of Managua. City Leon was founded in 1524 at the foot of the volcano Momotombo. But after its eruption, the city was moved 30 km further. Now Leon is considered the intellectual center of the country. The city is steeped in history, it has preserved a lot of beautiful architecture. Leon is home to the largest cathedral in Central America, many museums and churches.

    Leon City
    Cerro Negro Volcano

    Cerro Negro Volcano

    On the Cerro Negro volcano, they have fun in a very unusual way, you can't do this anywhere else. The volcano is considered active, its last eruption was in 1999. Its height is 728 meters. Incredible views open from the top. And those who want to ride along its steep black slopes, covered with ash and sand, sit on a special wooden board and rush down with great speed.

    Leon Viejo

    The ancient colonial city of Leon, built in the XVI century, was destroyed by a volcano. Many buildings were buried under the lava layer. And so, in 1967, the ruins of the city were discovered. It is a unique colonial city of the XVI century, which has never been rebuilt. Leon Viejo is listed as a UNESCO heritage Site.

    Leon Viejo
    Momotombo Volcano

    Momotombo Volcano

    The volcano is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Managua. It was he who buried the city of Leon with a lava flow, forcing the residents to relocate. The volcano has a cone-shaped shape, its height is 1297 meters. Momotombo is one of the symbols of Nicaragua and was even depicted on the coat of arms of the country. And on December 1, 2015, the volcano woke up for the first time in 110 years, staging a fire show for tourists.

    Katarina City

    First of all, the city is famous for Lake Apoyo and gorgeous landscapes. A volcano rises very close to it Mombacho, which is also visible from observation decks. In Katarina there are cafes, restaurants with delicious cuisine, shops with souvenirs and sweets, workshops. You can buy here for every taste and purse. Traditionally, paintings by local artists are brought from it.

    Katarina City
    Lyon Cathedral

    Lyon Cathedral

    In the city Leon is beautiful Leon Cathedral. Its construction lasted more than half a century: it began in 1747 and ended in 1814. It was consecrated by Pope Pius IX in 1860. It is the largest cathedral in all of Central America. Its main attraction is the statue of the Virgin Mary, which was created for the cathedral in the XX century. Many famous residents of Nicaragua are buried in the cathedral.

    Bosavas Nature Reserve

    Just an hour's drive from the capital is the Bosavas Nature Reserve. Its area is 730 thousand hectares. And this is about 16% of the entire country. Bosavas are the green lungs of Nicaragua. Pine trees, oaks, rubber plants, mahogany grow in the reserve. Among the representatives of the fauna are alligators, cougars, ocelots, monkeys, deer and a bird that is a symbol of the country. It is called guardabarranco and stands out with blue feathers on its tail.

    Bosavas Nature Reserve
    Masaya Volcano

    Masaya Volcano

    Volcano Masaya is part of the largest national park in Nicaragua. This is the first attraction that tourists are in a hurry to see. The volcano is more than 2500 years old, and its height is 635 meters. It is unique in that it allows you to approach yourself in a tight and literally lower your head into the crater. Incredible views open from the top of the volcano, you can also ride horses there, admiring nature.

    Lake Nicaragua

    Lake Nicaragua is freshwater, its area is 8264 km2. It is the largest freshwater lake in Latin America. Once it was part of the ocean, but then separated from it, while retaining some inhabitants. Sharks are among them. This is the only freshwater lake on the planet where these animals live permanently. The waters of Nicaragua are not very calm, waves periodically appear on them.

    Lake Nicaragua
    Solentiname Archipelago

    Solentiname Archipelago

    These are volcanic islands located in the south of Lake Nicaragua. The archipelago consists of four large islands and 32 small ones. People lived on the archipelago in ancient times. This is evidenced by ancient petroglyphs. On rocks and stones, scientists have found drawings depicting people, parrots, monkeys. Islands Solentinama has been awarded the status of a national natural monument.

    Montelimar Beach

    Beach Montelimar is located in the west of the country. It is strewn with fine snow-white sand, surrounded by picturesque nature and washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The length of the beach is 3 km. Fashionable and five-star hotels are located on it. Tourists are offered a relaxing holiday on the beach, entertainment in hotels or excursions to the cities of Nicaragua.

    Montelimar Beach
    Fortress of the Immaculate Conception

    Fortress of the Immaculate Conception

    The fortress is located in the town of El Castillo. It was built in 1672 to protect it from invaders and wild tribes. She survived more than one terrible battle, was captured and again besieged. Now there is a two-storey museum in the fortress, which includes the surviving premises: barracks, armories, prison cells, a chapel. The fortress offers beautiful views of the river and the picturesque jungle.

    Akulinka Trace Museum

    These are the oldest human footprints found on the American continent. Their age is more than 6 thousand years, and they were left on volcanic lava. During the eruption of the volcano, people and animals, trying to escape, ran away from their settlement, leaving traces. In addition, the museum presents various household items of people who lived on that territory and even the remains of a mammoth.

    Akulinka Trace Museum
    Selva Negra Mountain Resort

    Selva Negra Mountain Resort

    It is a hotel located on the territory of a historic estate, surrounded by coffee plantations. This coffee farm was founded by German immigrants in 1891. Since 1976, the place has been a popular tourist destination in Nicaragua. The resort is located 11 kilometers from the city of Matagalpa.