The Regions
Nicaragua has three distinct geographical regions: the Pacific Lowlands, the North-Central Mountains and the Atlantic Lowlands. Nicaragua is administratively divided into 15 departments (states) and two autonomous regions. The departments are subdivided into municipalities (municipios).
The Pacific Lowlands
Located in the west of the country, these lowlands consist of a broad, hot, fertile plain. Punctuating this plain are several large volcanoes of the Maribios mountain range, including Mombacho just outside Granada, and Momotombo near to Leon. This region is the most populous with about 27% of the nation's population living in and around Managua, the capital city, on the southern shores of Lake Managua. From the Honduras border traveling south, you will find many natural beauties that include a chain of high volcanoes, lagoons and picturesque towns, such as León, which is one of the oldest and most important cities of Nicaragua, waiting for you. Taking the Carretera Masaya from Managua, you will start a great journey starting in Masaya and going southwards to Rivas near the Costa Rica border. It is a zone with great contrast as you will find everything from archaeological places to the most beautiful colonial towns and natural wonders. Distances between places are short being easier to travel this zone. The eastern coast of “Lago Nicaragua” is known as cattle country. This is a very rich and productive land with colorful towns and valuable archaeological sites.
In addition to its beach and resort communities, the Pacific Lowlands is also the repository for much of Nicaragua's Spanish colonial heritage. Cities such as Granada and León abound in colonial architecture and artifacts.
Chinandega
Chinandega is 72 miles north of Managua, (19 from Leon). This small town has the best hotel in the north of Nicaragua. From here you can explore the fascinating volcanoes like San Cristobal, Cosiguina and El Hoyo (The Hole). This is an agricultural area where you will find hundreds of banana plantations, as well as peanuts, sorghum and sugar cane. Jiquilillo Beach is a few minutes away and it's famous for surfing. Also 7 miles from Chinandega is the old city of El Viejo, with its famous Basilica, a Mecca for catholic pilgrims.
León
Founded by the Spanish "Conquistadors" in 1524 at the bottom of the Momotombo Volcano. It was later relocated in 1610 further north 53 miles (90 km) from Managua because of constant earthquakes and volcanic eruptions . The 1 hour and 30 minutes ride on the scenic road to León from Managua, borders the Xolotlán Lake or Lake Managua with an impressive view of Momotombo and Momotombito volcanoes. Only León and Granada have a substantial of the old colonial homes and buildings.
Managua
The capital of Nicaragua since 1852, is your entry point to the country. The name comes from the Nahuatl language mana-huac (big contained water). Previously, the capital had alternated between the cities of León and Granada. The city has a population of about 1,680,100. Since the 90s, with the war period in the past, the city has been slowly rising, there are important commercial and industrial centers and is the economic center of the country and government. You will find modern malls, night clubs, casinos and everything else expected in a major city in Managua.
Masaya
This city is located 17 miles (28 km) from Managua. Because it's many interesting places and its proximity to Managua, Masaya is convenient for any tour plan. Takes its name from the Indian Nahuatl language: mazatl-yan or land of the deer. This is the shopping capital for tourists.
Granada
This is the oldest city in Central America that remains on its original site. It was founded in 1524 and treasures its old colonial architecture. Located 27 miles (45 km) from Managua on the north shores of the Lake Nicaragua. The main highway Managua-Granada is a scenic route as the majority of Nicaraguan roads. Once in this colonial city you will find many different attractions along with fine restaurants and hotels. This is where the largest concentration of expats live.
Pueblos de la Meseta (White Towns)
This region is located 27 miles (45km) south of Managua, at an elevation of 1,375 feet (500 mts.) above sea level. The weather is cooler than other areas with richer vegetation and many different flowers and colors along the roads. Coffee is the main production in the area, as well as flowers, pure blood horses, rocking chairs, wicker furniture, leather shoes, etc. Many small towns that tourists can visit, have been there for centuries, even before the arrival of Columbus to America. Catarina View Point is generally included in tours around the Masaya Area.
Rivas
This is one of the most historically interesting areas of the country. The first Indian tribes coming from the north established their habitat in the isthmus of Rivas. The first contact between the Spanish Conquistadors and the Indians took place a few kilometers from Rivas on the road to San Jorge. The United States history has an important page here. During the Gold Rush years (1852-1860) San Juan del Sur (south of Rivas) served as the Pacific port for the ships to San Francisco. Thousands of Americans crossed from New York to the West Coast via San Juan del Norte, the San Juan River, Lake Nicaragua and San Juan del Sur. Another page of the American history was written in Rivas. The William Walker saga. During the filibuster years of American expansionism to the south, after the invasion of Sonora in Mexico, came the battles for Nicaragua. Rivas still has some of the streets and colonial houses of the war years.
Ometepe Island
This incredible island formed by two volcanoes is located on Lake Nicaragua. The Concepción volcano rises to 4,430 feet (1,610 mts.) above sea level and the Maderas volcano 3,833 feet (1,394 mts). Moyogalpa the main city and port is 25 miles (43 km) south of Granada. You can reach Ometepe via the port of San Jorge in Rivas, near the border with Costa Rica, where you can take a scheduled ship for a 1-hour ride to the island. A ferry service with capacity for cars as well as passengers is also available. From the moment you arrive to Ometepe you realize that you are in a different world; unique in its kind. The presence of the volcanoes is constant as life circles around these two colossus of nature. The Concepción is a dormant volcano and the Maderas is extinct covered by a deep cloud forest and a lagoon on the top of the crater. The island was a ceremonial place for ancient Indian culture. Proof of that are the many petroglyphs and stone idols are found in different archaeological sites and in the Altagracia town as well.
San Juan River Region
The San Juan River flows 180 Km from the “Nicaragua Lake” to the Caribbean sea. It is the natural border with Costa Rica. The whole area is considered a tropical rain forest. The bio diversity is spectacular. All along the river you will see hundreds of different bird species like: Chestnut Toucans, Harpy eagles, Boat billed herons, Great Egrets, Jacanas and Cormorants. Other species as caimans (crocodile), turtles, monkeys, and red arrow frogs are also found. This is an area of natural wonders, important natural reserves and historical importance. During the 1849 Gold Rush it served as a passageway for all the American travelers, because of its natural inter-oceanic waterway. San Carlos is the beginning town for your journey. You can travel from “Managua” to “San Carlos” by plane, or you can take a boat from “Granada” or “San Jorge”. A great lake with an amazing archipelago, plenty of colorful houses, a big river, historical places and natural wonders.
Solentiname
This beautiful group of islands located at the south end of the Lake Nicaragua is a Natural Reserve. Birds or monkeys are the only inhabitants on many of them. The main island is Mancarrón where the Solentiname Hotel is built. This is a remote and secluded area. Local artists are famous for their naive paintings and colorful balsa woodcarvings. Food is excellent. The nearby San Juan River offers many ecological attractions.
The Central Region
This is an upland region away from the Pacific coast, with a cooler climate than the Pacific Lowlands. About a quarter of the country's agriculture takes place in this region, with coffee grown on the higher slopes. Oaks, pines, moss, ferns and orchids are abundant in the cloud forests of the region.
If you are looking for the best jungle experience in Central America, visit the cloud-covered forests of the Nicaraguan North. Over 3000 ft. above sea level, these mountains offer majestic forests of mahogany, cedar and pines, covered with orchids and moss, providing an idyllic setting for hiking and eco-tourism. Mountain hotels, small trails and protected areas are some of the wonders of this zone of the country.
Estelí
89 miles north of Managua, there is a valley and town named Estelí. For more than a century this town has been a center of commerce for the neighbor towns. The climate is cool; the view of the surrounding mountains is beautiful. The elevation is around 750 and 900 Mts. above sea level.
Matagalpa & Selva Negra (Cloud Forest)
Matagalpa (native for “confusing town”) is located 87 miles (145 km) from Managua at more than 4,000 feet (1,455 mts) above sea level. Matagalpa has a beautiful panoramic highway that starts in the city of Matagalpa and extends 30 kilometers to the city of Jinotega.
Selva Negra was originally a coffee farm called Hammonia from its German settlers, the farm evolved into a protected forest. Many birds live in these woods, including the Quetzal and the more modest Trogons Elegance. The Selva Negra Hotel has 23 bungalows and 11 additional rooms distributed along the forest surrounding the main building that serves as lobby and restaurant (food is excellent). A beautiful lagoon gives that especially peaceful touch. Trails within the forest allow visitors to observe birds, orchids and other species that live in the forest.
Bird life in the forests of the central region includes the resplendent Quetzal, goldfinches, hummingbirds, jays and toucanets.
Jinotega
The capital city of the Department of Jinotega is the City of Jinotega. The Department of Jinotega produces 80% of the nation's coffee. It has a population of about 51,000 as of 2005 living inside a vast valley surrounded by mountains. Located near Apanas Lake, Jinotega is known as "La Ciudad de las Brumas" ("City of Mists") for the magnificent whisks of clouds continuously feathering through the top of the valley. The view from Jinotega reaches up to 140 kilometers away up to the volcanic range near the Pacific coast.
The Atlantic Lowlands
This large rainforest region, with several large rivers running through it, is very sparsely populated and is the second-largest rainforest in the Americas after the Amazon in Brazil. The Río Coco forms the border with Honduras. The Caribbean coastline is much more sinuous than its generally straight Pacific counterpart. Lagoons and deltas make it very irregular.
Nicaragua's tropical east coast is very different from the rest of the country. The climate is predominantly tropical, with high temperature and high humidity. Around the area's principal city of Bluefields, English is widely spoken along with the official Spanish and the population more closely resembles that found in many typical Caribbean ports than the rest of Nicaragua.
Virtually untouched, the Caribbean coast is a heaven for nature lovers. It is the largest region of Nicaragua, as it covers 46% of the national territory and has about 450 Km of beaches. Barely populated, this area offers lowlands and rain forests, where rivers are the main transportation way. The Caribbean Coast was settled by the British and that is the reason why English is widely spoken. Most of the indigenous inhabitants are “Misquito”, “Sumo” and “Rama Indians”. There are two major areas in the Caribbean Coast: the Northern and Southern Atlantic area. They have autonomous governments, and they are both wonderful treasures for fishing, scuba diving and eco-tourism.
A great variety of birds can be observed including eagles, turkeys, toucans, parakeets and macaws. Animal life in the area includes several different species of monkeys, ant-eaters, white-tailed deer and tapirs.
Bluefields
The capital of the "South Atlantic Autonomous Region" is located on the Caribbean shores of Nicaragua, 178 miles (315 km) from Managua. You can get there by air (1 hour) with 2 to 3 daily flights operated by La Costeña and Air Atlantic (16 to 26 seats) or for more adventure by land driving 6 hours to El Rama and from there by river boats, cruising the Escondido River. A typical Caribbean town with a mixed culture and island flavor. Nature's presence is strong all around this town with wide rivers and small jungle canals. Still undiscovered by massive tourism, allows the discretionary naturalist traveler an opportunity to see very different cultures like Misquitos, Jamaican descendants, original Sumus and Ramas in their isolated habitat. These beautiful and unspoiled islands are the perfect place for snorkeling and scuba-diving.
Corn Islands
Located in the Caribbean Sea 53 miles (90 km) from Bluefields. 1:30 hr flying time from Managua with La Costeña. The main production of the islands is fishing and lobster. You can eat a delicious lobster plate for under U$ 10.00. The big Corn Island is 11 square km and the Little Corn Island is 2 square km. Tourism is just starting even though the beauty of the crystal-like sea and white sand beaches is incredible. Services are still influenced by the local relaxed way. Snorkeling and scuba diving around the islands is possible. Beautiful coral formations.
The Pacific Lowlands
Located in the west of the country, these lowlands consist of a broad, hot, fertile plain. Punctuating this plain are several large volcanoes of the Maribios mountain range, including Mombacho just outside Granada, and Momotombo near to Leon. This region is the most populous with about 27% of the nation's population living in and around Managua, the capital city, on the southern shores of Lake Managua. From the Honduras border traveling south, you will find many natural beauties that include a chain of high volcanoes, lagoons and picturesque towns, such as León, which is one of the oldest and most important cities of Nicaragua, waiting for you. Taking the Carretera Masaya from Managua, you will start a great journey starting in Masaya and going southwards to Rivas near the Costa Rica border. It is a zone with great contrast as you will find everything from archaeological places to the most beautiful colonial towns and natural wonders. Distances between places are short being easier to travel this zone. The eastern coast of “Lago Nicaragua” is known as cattle country. This is a very rich and productive land with colorful towns and valuable archaeological sites.
In addition to its beach and resort communities, the Pacific Lowlands is also the repository for much of Nicaragua's Spanish colonial heritage. Cities such as Granada and León abound in colonial architecture and artifacts.
Chinandega
Chinandega is 72 miles north of Managua, (19 from Leon). This small town has the best hotel in the north of Nicaragua. From here you can explore the fascinating volcanoes like San Cristobal, Cosiguina and El Hoyo (The Hole). This is an agricultural area where you will find hundreds of banana plantations, as well as peanuts, sorghum and sugar cane. Jiquilillo Beach is a few minutes away and it's famous for surfing. Also 7 miles from Chinandega is the old city of El Viejo, with its famous Basilica, a Mecca for catholic pilgrims.
León
Founded by the Spanish "Conquistadors" in 1524 at the bottom of the Momotombo Volcano. It was later relocated in 1610 further north 53 miles (90 km) from Managua because of constant earthquakes and volcanic eruptions . The 1 hour and 30 minutes ride on the scenic road to León from Managua, borders the Xolotlán Lake or Lake Managua with an impressive view of Momotombo and Momotombito volcanoes. Only León and Granada have a substantial of the old colonial homes and buildings.
Managua
The capital of Nicaragua since 1852, is your entry point to the country. The name comes from the Nahuatl language mana-huac (big contained water). Previously, the capital had alternated between the cities of León and Granada. The city has a population of about 1,680,100. Since the 90s, with the war period in the past, the city has been slowly rising, there are important commercial and industrial centers and is the economic center of the country and government. You will find modern malls, night clubs, casinos and everything else expected in a major city in Managua.
Masaya
This city is located 17 miles (28 km) from Managua. Because it's many interesting places and its proximity to Managua, Masaya is convenient for any tour plan. Takes its name from the Indian Nahuatl language: mazatl-yan or land of the deer. This is the shopping capital for tourists.
Granada
This is the oldest city in Central America that remains on its original site. It was founded in 1524 and treasures its old colonial architecture. Located 27 miles (45 km) from Managua on the north shores of the Lake Nicaragua. The main highway Managua-Granada is a scenic route as the majority of Nicaraguan roads. Once in this colonial city you will find many different attractions along with fine restaurants and hotels. This is where the largest concentration of expats live.
Pueblos de la Meseta (White Towns)
This region is located 27 miles (45km) south of Managua, at an elevation of 1,375 feet (500 mts.) above sea level. The weather is cooler than other areas with richer vegetation and many different flowers and colors along the roads. Coffee is the main production in the area, as well as flowers, pure blood horses, rocking chairs, wicker furniture, leather shoes, etc. Many small towns that tourists can visit, have been there for centuries, even before the arrival of Columbus to America. Catarina View Point is generally included in tours around the Masaya Area.
Rivas
This is one of the most historically interesting areas of the country. The first Indian tribes coming from the north established their habitat in the isthmus of Rivas. The first contact between the Spanish Conquistadors and the Indians took place a few kilometers from Rivas on the road to San Jorge. The United States history has an important page here. During the Gold Rush years (1852-1860) San Juan del Sur (south of Rivas) served as the Pacific port for the ships to San Francisco. Thousands of Americans crossed from New York to the West Coast via San Juan del Norte, the San Juan River, Lake Nicaragua and San Juan del Sur. Another page of the American history was written in Rivas. The William Walker saga. During the filibuster years of American expansionism to the south, after the invasion of Sonora in Mexico, came the battles for Nicaragua. Rivas still has some of the streets and colonial houses of the war years.
Ometepe Island
This incredible island formed by two volcanoes is located on Lake Nicaragua. The Concepción volcano rises to 4,430 feet (1,610 mts.) above sea level and the Maderas volcano 3,833 feet (1,394 mts). Moyogalpa the main city and port is 25 miles (43 km) south of Granada. You can reach Ometepe via the port of San Jorge in Rivas, near the border with Costa Rica, where you can take a scheduled ship for a 1-hour ride to the island. A ferry service with capacity for cars as well as passengers is also available. From the moment you arrive to Ometepe you realize that you are in a different world; unique in its kind. The presence of the volcanoes is constant as life circles around these two colossus of nature. The Concepción is a dormant volcano and the Maderas is extinct covered by a deep cloud forest and a lagoon on the top of the crater. The island was a ceremonial place for ancient Indian culture. Proof of that are the many petroglyphs and stone idols are found in different archaeological sites and in the Altagracia town as well.
San Juan River Region
The San Juan River flows 180 Km from the “Nicaragua Lake” to the Caribbean sea. It is the natural border with Costa Rica. The whole area is considered a tropical rain forest. The bio diversity is spectacular. All along the river you will see hundreds of different bird species like: Chestnut Toucans, Harpy eagles, Boat billed herons, Great Egrets, Jacanas and Cormorants. Other species as caimans (crocodile), turtles, monkeys, and red arrow frogs are also found. This is an area of natural wonders, important natural reserves and historical importance. During the 1849 Gold Rush it served as a passageway for all the American travelers, because of its natural inter-oceanic waterway. San Carlos is the beginning town for your journey. You can travel from “Managua” to “San Carlos” by plane, or you can take a boat from “Granada” or “San Jorge”. A great lake with an amazing archipelago, plenty of colorful houses, a big river, historical places and natural wonders.
Solentiname
This beautiful group of islands located at the south end of the Lake Nicaragua is a Natural Reserve. Birds or monkeys are the only inhabitants on many of them. The main island is Mancarrón where the Solentiname Hotel is built. This is a remote and secluded area. Local artists are famous for their naive paintings and colorful balsa woodcarvings. Food is excellent. The nearby San Juan River offers many ecological attractions.
The Central Region
This is an upland region away from the Pacific coast, with a cooler climate than the Pacific Lowlands. About a quarter of the country's agriculture takes place in this region, with coffee grown on the higher slopes. Oaks, pines, moss, ferns and orchids are abundant in the cloud forests of the region.
If you are looking for the best jungle experience in Central America, visit the cloud-covered forests of the Nicaraguan North. Over 3000 ft. above sea level, these mountains offer majestic forests of mahogany, cedar and pines, covered with orchids and moss, providing an idyllic setting for hiking and eco-tourism. Mountain hotels, small trails and protected areas are some of the wonders of this zone of the country.
Estelí
89 miles north of Managua, there is a valley and town named Estelí. For more than a century this town has been a center of commerce for the neighbor towns. The climate is cool; the view of the surrounding mountains is beautiful. The elevation is around 750 and 900 Mts. above sea level.
Matagalpa & Selva Negra (Cloud Forest)
Matagalpa (native for “confusing town”) is located 87 miles (145 km) from Managua at more than 4,000 feet (1,455 mts) above sea level. Matagalpa has a beautiful panoramic highway that starts in the city of Matagalpa and extends 30 kilometers to the city of Jinotega.
Selva Negra was originally a coffee farm called Hammonia from its German settlers, the farm evolved into a protected forest. Many birds live in these woods, including the Quetzal and the more modest Trogons Elegance. The Selva Negra Hotel has 23 bungalows and 11 additional rooms distributed along the forest surrounding the main building that serves as lobby and restaurant (food is excellent). A beautiful lagoon gives that especially peaceful touch. Trails within the forest allow visitors to observe birds, orchids and other species that live in the forest.
Bird life in the forests of the central region includes the resplendent Quetzal, goldfinches, hummingbirds, jays and toucanets.
Jinotega
The capital city of the Department of Jinotega is the City of Jinotega. The Department of Jinotega produces 80% of the nation's coffee. It has a population of about 51,000 as of 2005 living inside a vast valley surrounded by mountains. Located near Apanas Lake, Jinotega is known as "La Ciudad de las Brumas" ("City of Mists") for the magnificent whisks of clouds continuously feathering through the top of the valley. The view from Jinotega reaches up to 140 kilometers away up to the volcanic range near the Pacific coast.
The Atlantic Lowlands
This large rainforest region, with several large rivers running through it, is very sparsely populated and is the second-largest rainforest in the Americas after the Amazon in Brazil. The Río Coco forms the border with Honduras. The Caribbean coastline is much more sinuous than its generally straight Pacific counterpart. Lagoons and deltas make it very irregular.
Nicaragua's tropical east coast is very different from the rest of the country. The climate is predominantly tropical, with high temperature and high humidity. Around the area's principal city of Bluefields, English is widely spoken along with the official Spanish and the population more closely resembles that found in many typical Caribbean ports than the rest of Nicaragua.
Virtually untouched, the Caribbean coast is a heaven for nature lovers. It is the largest region of Nicaragua, as it covers 46% of the national territory and has about 450 Km of beaches. Barely populated, this area offers lowlands and rain forests, where rivers are the main transportation way. The Caribbean Coast was settled by the British and that is the reason why English is widely spoken. Most of the indigenous inhabitants are “Misquito”, “Sumo” and “Rama Indians”. There are two major areas in the Caribbean Coast: the Northern and Southern Atlantic area. They have autonomous governments, and they are both wonderful treasures for fishing, scuba diving and eco-tourism.
A great variety of birds can be observed including eagles, turkeys, toucans, parakeets and macaws. Animal life in the area includes several different species of monkeys, ant-eaters, white-tailed deer and tapirs.
Bluefields
The capital of the "South Atlantic Autonomous Region" is located on the Caribbean shores of Nicaragua, 178 miles (315 km) from Managua. You can get there by air (1 hour) with 2 to 3 daily flights operated by La Costeña and Air Atlantic (16 to 26 seats) or for more adventure by land driving 6 hours to El Rama and from there by river boats, cruising the Escondido River. A typical Caribbean town with a mixed culture and island flavor. Nature's presence is strong all around this town with wide rivers and small jungle canals. Still undiscovered by massive tourism, allows the discretionary naturalist traveler an opportunity to see very different cultures like Misquitos, Jamaican descendants, original Sumus and Ramas in their isolated habitat. These beautiful and unspoiled islands are the perfect place for snorkeling and scuba-diving.
Corn Islands
Located in the Caribbean Sea 53 miles (90 km) from Bluefields. 1:30 hr flying time from Managua with La Costeña. The main production of the islands is fishing and lobster. You can eat a delicious lobster plate for under U$ 10.00. The big Corn Island is 11 square km and the Little Corn Island is 2 square km. Tourism is just starting even though the beauty of the crystal-like sea and white sand beaches is incredible. Services are still influenced by the local relaxed way. Snorkeling and scuba diving around the islands is possible. Beautiful coral formations.
