Granada, Nicaragua is rich in history and is roughly an hour drive from the Managua International Airport. Tourists become enthralled with its colourful colonial homes, churches, cobbled streets and the fact that it’s not altered/ruined by tourism. Wandering through central Granada, you are thrown back into history with its many churches and horse-drawn carriages.

Related: A Full Travel Guide to Sintra, Portugal

In the past several years Nicaragua has become a top tourist hot spot in Central America as a result of a great currency exchange, beautiful scenery and some of the world’s best-surfing spots. It’s a country that many people know virtually nothing about, but one I’m proud to consider the homeland of my ancestors. Nicaragua is a country located in Central America and it is Nahautl (the native language of the area) for the land of the lagoons and volcanos. Several generations of my family are native Granidenos (natives of Granada, Nicaragua).  I hold Granada very close to my heart and I hope you will enjoy my travel guide.

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1. Iglesia La Merced

2.Granada’s Parque Central

3.Garden Café

The main entrance is a quaint, light cafe floor, with bookshelves all around the room. Through the next door, is an outdoor seating area under cover, set around a beautiful garden, hammock included!

 

4. Tercer Ojo

Came family recommended but I recognized the name since it was also featured on Lonely Planet as well.

 

5.Laguna De Apoyo/Catarina Lookout

Behind a small village square, with a lovely market, and restaurants, is a breathtaking view of the laguna. A real geological gem of Nicaragua, worth waiting for a clear day.

6. Catedral De Granada 

Looking for bright, beautiful, religious art? Look no further. The high and vast ceiling is filled with such large, yet detailed paintings of the bible’s most famous stories.

 

 

7. Museo De Chocolate 

The tour guide demonstrated a real depth of knowledge about cacao, how and where it grows, the history of chocolate production and more. The samples were generous and the fun facts were plenty!

 

8. La Calzada

 

9. Horse Carriage Ride

 

10.Have a Nica Libre

The rum in Nicaragua is hands down my favourite rum in the world. I may be a little biased since its the rum I’ve grown up with.

 

11. Masaya Volcano & Museum 

We attended  the night visit of this active volcano. We had never seen lava before and no pictures that we took could capture how cool of an experience this was. Seeing the illuminating lava pierce through the darkness was an amazing experience.

 

12.Raspado’s Loli 

A hole in the wall and another family favorite. This is THE place to go to  for a flavoursome cool-down.

13. Selina Restaurant

overlooking the parque central, with egg shaped seats, swinging from the veranda ceiling.

 

Not Pictured:

14.The Old Hospital

15.Masaya Market

16.Fortaleza La Polvora

17.Parque Sandino

18.Museo De Ceramico

19. Poets Park

20. Malecon

21. Tobacco Museum

22.Granada’s waterfront

23. Mercado Municipal

24. Try Local Food:  Nacatamales, Vigoron, Bajo, salpicon, Fritanga is my favourite

25. Drink local beverages:  Rojita, Cacao, pinolio, chicha

 

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