Granada, Nicaragua
Along the northwestern shores of Lake Nicaragua sits the quaint town of Granada. Established in 1524 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, Granada offers a rich cultural experience peppered with old colonial charm. It is something of a time warp, where old world meets new with the clatter of horse-drawn carriages on the cobblestone streets intermingling with the busy sounds of modern traffic.
Peddlers working to earn a few dollars make their rounds in the town square below the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, selling hand-crafted souvenirs to wandering tourists. The square also offers many traditional Nicaraguan dishes like Vigorón, a dish made from yucca root, cabbage salad, and chicharrones, as well as delicious and refreshing agua frescas.
For 900 cordobas, or about 30 American dollars, two people can take a boat tour through the Isletas de Granada, a group of 365 small islands that formed from the eruption of Mombacho volcano thousands of years ago. Many of these islands are privately owned and feature stunning residences, while others have been made into small restaurants and bars that make for a great stop along the tour.
Tourists may also take a guided tour up to the top of the volcano Masaya for an eerie glimpse directly into the mouth of an active volcano for only a few American dollars. While the trip can be made during the day, it is most impressive at night when the deep red glow of the molten lava below lights up the caldera for a breathtaking and awe-inspiring sight. For this reason, night time is the busiest time and it is important to note that the tour stops at 10:00 P.M. Tourists must also be aware that there is nearly a two hour wait to get up to the top from the main road at the base of the volcano.
Nicaragua is full of cultural heritage and history, but nowhere as prevalent as in the town of Granada. The city exudes its own history with pride and abundance that is worn on the sleeve and in the eyes of every Granadan. It has beauty and charm that sets itself apart from anywhere else in Nicaragua with it’s easygoing lifestyle, where the only stress in one’s life can be seen rolling right off their shoulders.
