Isla de Ometepe
Climbing this 1394m volcano is challenging but worthwhile. Guides are required for the seven- to eight-hour round-trip trek (with four to five hours of…
Must-see attractions in Southwestern Nicaragua
Isla de Ometepe
This massive (and active) volcano is an Ometepe landmark. The seven- to 10-hour hike up loose volcanic stone to the summit of this looming peak can be…
Isla de Ometepe
The excellent Museo Numismástico (Money Museum) documents the troubled history of the Nicaraguan economy through its coins and banknotes. Across the road,…
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Río Escalante-Chacocente
Southwestern Nicaragua
The main event at this remote wildlife refuge is the mass arrival of female turtles (at intervals between July and December), who crawl up onto the sandy…
Isla de Ometepe
This stunning 40m waterfall is one of the jewels of the island. The 3.7km trail begins at the Estación Biológica de Ometepe. You can drive 2.2km up to the…
Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Flor
Southwestern Nicaragua
One of the principal laying grounds for endangered olive ridley and leatherback turtles, this wildlife refuge (locally called by its shorter name, 'La…
San Juan Del Sur
This 25m statue of Jesus – one of the tallest in the world – overlooks the town from its perch 2km to the north. Take the one-hour hike up from the north…
Museo de Antropología e Historia
Southwestern Nicaragua
If you have some time to kill in town, this 200-year-old house is the place to go. Inside you'll find some moth-eaten taxidermy, a wall of myths and…
Isla de Ometepe
Rich with wildlife and fringed with black-sand beaches, this wooded ecological reserve is a quiet spot for hiking, birdwatching and taking a dip in the…
San Juan Del Sur
There's a spectacular petroglyph not far from town, depicting an enormous and elaborate hunting scene carved perhaps 1500 years ago. To find it, walk…
Isla de Ometepe
Just outside the town of Esquipulas, this well-signed sand spit stretches out into the lake for more than 1km at the height of the dry season, when lake…
Isla de Ometepe
Close to Altagracia, this island, basically a plantain finca (farm) gone feral, is rarely visited despite being a fantastic place for birdwatching. If you…
Southwestern Nicaragua
This wide stretch of white sand is hemmed in by headlands at both ends and the water is calm and good for swimming. There's a restaurant and several good…
San Juan Del Sur
The town's pretty peach-and-white church pays homage to San Juan Bautista.
Southwestern Nicaragua
The most striking church in town has been repainted a brilliant purple with a mix that uses huevos de amor (fertilized chicken eggs) donated by…
Isla de Ometepe
The village's main attraction is this museum packed with information (in Spanish) about the island. (Though you’ll find a much more comprehensive…
Iglesia Parroquial de San Pedro
Southwestern Nicaragua
This 1863 church on the eastern side of Parque Central is worth a look for its attractive classical facade, and a lovely fresco in the cupola showing a…
Southwestern Nicaragua
Four blocks west of the Parque Central, this beautiful wooden church (1778) is notable for several well-carved saints and an underground tunnel running to…
Isla de Ometepe
A place to see some of the finest remaining ancient excavated statues on Ometepe is beside the Altagracia church, close to the Parque Central, where a…
San Juan Del Sur
Check this arts center for salsa, merengue and bacchata (romantic Dominican dance music) dance lessons, arts exhibits and more. It's also the home of APC…
Galería de Arte Casa de Artista
Isla de Ometepe
Near the beach, local artist Abel shows off his work – from nudes and still life to landscapes. Swing by and have a look; it's signposted from the main…
Monumento Emannuel Mongalo y Rubio
Southwestern Nicaragua
This monument honors the local schoolteacher who was instrumental in the capture of William Walker during the Battle of Rivas in 1856.
Southwestern Nicaragua
Ask your taxi driver to point out this monument, suspended from a gleaming half-arch above the traffic, which marks the spot where conquistador Gil…
