Granada Other Nicaragua – Near Granada Beaches Click here for a larger map Granada The city of Granada is the touristic place in Nicaragua. This can be your basecamp for boat trips through the Isletas, or Omete and canopy tours in the Mombacho cloud forest. This is less a "city" than a large, relaxed colonial town. http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/10/14/travel/14nextstop.html?ref=travel Convento San Francisco The oldest church in Central America and the most striking building in Granada boasts the big blue birthday cake facade of Iglesia San Francisco which, incidentally, houses the region's best museum. San Francisco Museum The San Francisco Monastery is one of Granada's principal antiquities. It was founded in 1529 by Toribio Benevante, a Franciscan clergyman, and named the Immaculate Conception. Casa de los Leones & Fundación Casa de los Tres Mundos Founded in 1986 by Ernesto Cardenal, Fundación Casa de los Tres Mundos moved to its current glam premises in 1992. It holds special events which are frequent, cheap and usually interesting: poetry readings, classical ballet, folkloric dance and films on the 'Cube of Light,' a fabric screen where foreign and artsy flicks are shown for free in the plaza. www.c3mundos.org Cathedral de Granada The Cathedral de Granada, on the east side of the plaza, was originally built in 1583 but has been destroyed countless times since. This most recent version, built in 1915, has four chapels; a dozen stainedglass panels are set into the dome. Other Nicaragua Near Granada Nicaragua Butterfly Reserva www.backyardnature.net/nbr/ This charming mariposario is a mustsee for anyone partial to a bit of a fluttery fun. Dedicated to protecting and breeding over 20 species of butterfly (around 200 of the little critters at any given time), the massive flight house is home to such exotic specimens as the Owl Butterfly, the Montezuma and the stunning Blue Morpho. Mombacho – Canopy Tours depart from Granada about two hours away. www.mombotour.com This national park is located 10 kilometers outside of the city of Granada. The volcano has a height of 1400 meters and contains 700 hectares undisturbed cloud forest rich with Nicaraguan flora and fauna. There are a few trails, a small museum and restaurant at the top. It's a beautiful experience between trees with an awesome view. Thanks to the Fundación Cocibolca, the reserve is accessible and boasts the bestdesigned and maintained hiking trails in the nation. The flanks of the volcano, 21 percent of which remains forested, are composed of privately owned coffee plantations and cattle ranches. Volcan Masaya and market You can admire the majestic and imposing crater of Masaya Volcano at 635 meters high from sea level; you can reach the crater directly by car. You can also continue to the town of Masaya, Nicaraguan capital of folklore and handicrafts. The artisans of Masaya are known for making beautiful hammocks, woodworks, sculpted masks, clay ceramics and hand made embroidered blouses. www.vianica.com Catarina Catarina is a town close to Masaya, overlooking the Apoyo Lagoon. Catarina is famous for this magnificent observation point of the lagoon, as well as for its nurseries. The viewpoint of Catarina is one of the highest hills surrounding the Apoyo Lagoon, and the view from there is superb. The Mombacho volcano borders the lake and is also prominently present. You can get to Catarina by taking a right just after Masaya (coming from Managua; if you come from Granada you’ll have to take a left just before Masaya). You will see the signs. Just keep following this road for some 15 more minutes and you will enter the town. For the viewpoint you will have to take a left – you’ll see the huge CATARINA signboard. You can also grab a bus or taxi from Masaya. Laguna de Apoyo This 48 square kilometer body of water is located a few kilometers outside of the city of Granada. It is clean, and a great place to spend a day swimming and soaking in the rays on one of the hotels or restaurants right on the shore. You can stay at Norome Villas on Lake Apoyo (5052707154; www.noromevillas.com) has 144 rooms including 66 Caribbeanstyle villas starting at $65 plus tax in the low season and $85 in the high. Ometepe www.timesonline.co.uk It's the biggest lacustrine island in the world. It's placed inside Cocibolca lake and it's created by two big active volcanoes Conceptión 1610 mts high and Maderas 1394 mts high. Its surface is about 270 square kilometers and it has 35,000 inhabitants approximately. The most part of Ometepe inhabitants work in farming. Its name derives from the Aztec language and it means Ome= two and Tepelth=hills, due to the mountains formed by the two volcanos. To reach Ometepe island you can catch a boat from Granada and after 4 hours you'll arrive to Altagracia port or you can leave from San Jorge (Rivas port) to reach, after 1 hour you reach Moyogalpa's port. There are small wood boat thar can take only people and ferry boat that can carry cars and lorries. www.vianica.com/visit/ometepe       Click here for a larger map Beaches Surfing A couple of good websites to check out are: www.surfnicaragua.com, nicaraguasurfreport.com San Juan del Sur The beach to go to in Nicaragua. Great place to spend a few days if you want to make a vacation out of your trip here. You can stay at Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge, near the surfing town, which has a private beach in a protected nature reserve where you can kayak, mountain bike, and birdwatch. www.morgansrock.com. Another great little hotel is Piedra's y Olas: piedrasyolas.com. Another option is www.villasdepalermo.com. Playa Maderas For surflovers the Maderas beach is one of the most attractive options. It is a beach with a great swell and several lodging options. You can get here in car from San Juan del Sur (30 minutes). Majagual The Majagual beach is located next to the Maderas beach, in a private bay with stunning views. The tranquil beach is famous for its relaxed atmosphere and sunset. Swimming and fishing are possible at the beach, and the Maderas beach is close by for surfing activities. You can get here by boat from San Juan del Sur, or by car (35 minutes). Marsella Another great option for surfers is the Marsella beach located next to San Juan del Sur. To get there, you can take the road to San Juan del Sur and take a right just before entering the town (there are signs that point to the neighboring beaches). Gran Pacifica www.granpacifica.com Pochimil It is the beach closest to Managua, only 60km away. The sandy beach is wide but not often crowded and provides a great spot for practicing beach sports.The beach is wide and the water is good for swimming. Top