Los Blancos Pueblos
In the areas around Granada and Masaya there are the "Pueblos Blancos" or White Towns – Nindiri, San Juan de Oriente, San Marcos, Niquinohomo, Masatepe, Catarina, Diria and Diriomo – small pueblos known all over the country as representing all things Nicaraguan with strong pre-Columbian roots and traditions. They are so named due to the traditional whitewash used on the houses, carburo, which is made from water, lime and salt. Each town has its own fiestas and artisan traditions including hammocks, furniture, ceramic, stone carvings, leather work, ornamental plants and more. Some of these villages enjoy wonderful views over the blue waters of Lake Apoyo and others are famous for its delicious homemade “cajetas” or sweets. A visit to this region is definitely worth your while.
Diriamba (from the Chorotega language diri-mba or big hills)
Tours are given here of the coffee plantations, 500 year old Ceiba trees and equestrian shows. Coffee samplings are provided and be sure to visit the coffee mill.
San Marcos
Birth place of the founder of the dictator Somoza family (Anastacio Somoza García). It is one of the larger towns with an estimated population of 30 thousand inhabitants. Somewhat famous for its coffee due to the altitude and cool weather, it is just a really nice place to live. Always cool yet minutes from Managua. Nicaraguans with money live here. It is also where the famous American university “Ave Maria College” resides (now Keiser university). Though a small university it is highly regarded and one of the few places where English is the primary language.
Masatepe (from the Chorotega language mazatl-tepec or place for deer)
The name of this former indigenous settlement comes from the Nahuatl language, standing for “Hill of Deer”. It has an attractive church dedicated to San Juan Bautista and a very peaceful central park where every afternoon locals gather. Masetepe is known for the production and sale of wooden furniture and for mondongo soup. This soup is a traditional Nicaraguan dish though it seems to taste better in this area. While Masatepe has the reputation, you can find many small furniture shops in the towns around Masatepe.
You will find here everything from sofas to chairs to bar stools to kitchen cabinets. The wood is beautiful though other materials are used such as bamboo and leather and the prices are quite good if you shop around. Remember, you can always negotiate. There is a wide variety of colors from the garish to natural tones.
Niquinohomo (from the Chorotega, means valley of the warriors)
The city of Niquinohomo is located west of San Juan de Oriente. It is the birthplace of the national hero Augusto C. Sandino and there is also a museum of Augusto Sandino.
Sandino is the most famous of Nicaragua’s heroes. He was well known and had a great number of sympathizers in the USA during the years of 1925-1934 when Sandino was fighting against USA Marines occupying Nicaragua.
San Juan del Oriente
San Juan de Oriente is a small town located near Catarina. Despite its appearance, this village is an important producer of pottery for Nicaragua. Many people are skilled in creating a wide range of beautiful pottery and the skills are passed down through the generations.
You will not be able to leave without buying some pottery. They range from the garish to the dull, rough natural look, large pots that could look good by the door to little delicate pieces. The small shops line the streets where the families sell their pottery and often you can visit the workshop where everything is created. Many of the artisans are glad to show you around and by buying some of their pottery, you can help ensure these families will be able to continue creating these handicrafts in their own backyards. Every shape and color is available.
Diriá and Diriomo
Last of the Witch Cities Diriomo is the twin town of Diria with one on each side of the main highway. Diria has a mirador to look over the Lake Apoyo though with less restaurants and activities. Diriomo has long been called the Witch Capital of the Meseta. There are still folk healers in the region, and these healers are publicly available, although you'll have to find them. If you are looking for things like a love potion or looking to increase your wealth, ask around. Although the towns of Diriá and Diriomo are called “The Towns of Sorcery” because of the legends about ghosts, witches and sorcerers, their residents specialize in preparing homemade sweets. The witches, who mostly use herbs, lotions and other natural recipes for their spells and cures, years ago considered forming a witches' labor union to protest their magical occupation being taxed as a business.
Catarina
Vistas and FlowersAs you drive near Catarina you will see plants and flowers lining the roads like colored ribbons. Every time we visit, we see new plants or flowers that are unknown to us. Everything from small ornamental plants to large palm trees are sold at ridiculously cheap prices. There is such a large variety of plants offered that even people living outside the department of Masaya visit Catarina to buy their plants. It is difficult to tell where one vendor’s area ends and the next begins since they are almost continuous. It makes Catarina look like a gigantic flower garden.
Remember that Catarina is at a much higher altitude. We live in Granada and many of the plants could not survive the warmer, more humid weather of Granada.
People come to Catarina not only for the plants and trees but also for the Mirador de Catarina, which offers wonderful views of the Apoyo Lagoon. You can also see the city ofGranada, Lake Nicaragua and the many surrounding volcanoes. Visitors include not only foreign tourists but also local Nicaraguans who come during the weekend to relax and enjoy the great view. There are many fine restaurants at the crest.
Nindiri
A beautiful, larger town of around 30,000 people and is located across from Masaya Volcano National Park. This historical area was almost destroyed by lava flows from the San Fernando crater in 1772. Miraculously Nindirí survived due to what some say was the active religiosity of its inhabitants who spent days in processions until the volcano was appeased. Nindirí has a pre-Columbian museum to show the visitors their strong indigenous roots.
Diriamba (from the Chorotega language diri-mba or big hills)
Tours are given here of the coffee plantations, 500 year old Ceiba trees and equestrian shows. Coffee samplings are provided and be sure to visit the coffee mill.
San Marcos
Birth place of the founder of the dictator Somoza family (Anastacio Somoza García). It is one of the larger towns with an estimated population of 30 thousand inhabitants. Somewhat famous for its coffee due to the altitude and cool weather, it is just a really nice place to live. Always cool yet minutes from Managua. Nicaraguans with money live here. It is also where the famous American university “Ave Maria College” resides (now Keiser university). Though a small university it is highly regarded and one of the few places where English is the primary language.
Masatepe (from the Chorotega language mazatl-tepec or place for deer)
The name of this former indigenous settlement comes from the Nahuatl language, standing for “Hill of Deer”. It has an attractive church dedicated to San Juan Bautista and a very peaceful central park where every afternoon locals gather. Masetepe is known for the production and sale of wooden furniture and for mondongo soup. This soup is a traditional Nicaraguan dish though it seems to taste better in this area. While Masatepe has the reputation, you can find many small furniture shops in the towns around Masatepe.
You will find here everything from sofas to chairs to bar stools to kitchen cabinets. The wood is beautiful though other materials are used such as bamboo and leather and the prices are quite good if you shop around. Remember, you can always negotiate. There is a wide variety of colors from the garish to natural tones.
Niquinohomo (from the Chorotega, means valley of the warriors)
The city of Niquinohomo is located west of San Juan de Oriente. It is the birthplace of the national hero Augusto C. Sandino and there is also a museum of Augusto Sandino.
Sandino is the most famous of Nicaragua’s heroes. He was well known and had a great number of sympathizers in the USA during the years of 1925-1934 when Sandino was fighting against USA Marines occupying Nicaragua.
San Juan del Oriente
San Juan de Oriente is a small town located near Catarina. Despite its appearance, this village is an important producer of pottery for Nicaragua. Many people are skilled in creating a wide range of beautiful pottery and the skills are passed down through the generations.
You will not be able to leave without buying some pottery. They range from the garish to the dull, rough natural look, large pots that could look good by the door to little delicate pieces. The small shops line the streets where the families sell their pottery and often you can visit the workshop where everything is created. Many of the artisans are glad to show you around and by buying some of their pottery, you can help ensure these families will be able to continue creating these handicrafts in their own backyards. Every shape and color is available.
Diriá and Diriomo
Last of the Witch Cities Diriomo is the twin town of Diria with one on each side of the main highway. Diria has a mirador to look over the Lake Apoyo though with less restaurants and activities. Diriomo has long been called the Witch Capital of the Meseta. There are still folk healers in the region, and these healers are publicly available, although you'll have to find them. If you are looking for things like a love potion or looking to increase your wealth, ask around. Although the towns of Diriá and Diriomo are called “The Towns of Sorcery” because of the legends about ghosts, witches and sorcerers, their residents specialize in preparing homemade sweets. The witches, who mostly use herbs, lotions and other natural recipes for their spells and cures, years ago considered forming a witches' labor union to protest their magical occupation being taxed as a business.
Catarina
Vistas and FlowersAs you drive near Catarina you will see plants and flowers lining the roads like colored ribbons. Every time we visit, we see new plants or flowers that are unknown to us. Everything from small ornamental plants to large palm trees are sold at ridiculously cheap prices. There is such a large variety of plants offered that even people living outside the department of Masaya visit Catarina to buy their plants. It is difficult to tell where one vendor’s area ends and the next begins since they are almost continuous. It makes Catarina look like a gigantic flower garden.
Remember that Catarina is at a much higher altitude. We live in Granada and many of the plants could not survive the warmer, more humid weather of Granada.
People come to Catarina not only for the plants and trees but also for the Mirador de Catarina, which offers wonderful views of the Apoyo Lagoon. You can also see the city ofGranada, Lake Nicaragua and the many surrounding volcanoes. Visitors include not only foreign tourists but also local Nicaraguans who come during the weekend to relax and enjoy the great view. There are many fine restaurants at the crest.
Nindiri
A beautiful, larger town of around 30,000 people and is located across from Masaya Volcano National Park. This historical area was almost destroyed by lava flows from the San Fernando crater in 1772. Miraculously Nindirí survived due to what some say was the active religiosity of its inhabitants who spent days in processions until the volcano was appeased. Nindirí has a pre-Columbian museum to show the visitors their strong indigenous roots.
