ABOUT GRANADA

Granada
Granada is one of Nicaragua's most important cities and the country's main destination for international travellers. For centuries it has been called 'The Great Sultana' in recognition of its beautiful colonial architecture. 
Granada is 40 Km South East of Managua and less than 30 Km from the capital city's international airport. It is an excellent starting point for exploring some of the main attractions in Nicaragua and the neighbouring Costa Rica, from active volcanoes to unique cloud forest ecosystems, from the beautiful islands on Lake Cocibolca, or Nicaragua , to the endless beaches of the Pacific Ocean where every year, between August and October, thousands of turtles lay their eggs. 
As all colonial cities in Central America, Granada is built around its main square (Parque Central) that represents the city's social, cultural, and economic hub. Around the Parque Central visitors find Granada's cathedral , the city hall, important banks, cultural centres, as well as a myriad of small shops and stalls selling traditional food and handcrafts. 
A few block to the West of the main square is the central market. There, reasonably priced tropical fruit, fresh vegetables, meat, cheese, and freshly caught fish from the lake are sold on wooden stalls since the early hours of the morning. 
The best way to explore Granada is on foot, wandering along its narrow streets. Explore the most remote corners of this fascinating city and have a quick look inside the 'casonas' (the large colonial houses). You'll discover their lovely inner patios, filled with tropical plants, and the shadow of their rooms, furnished with the characteristic rocking chairs. 
One of the most important Granada 's avenues, know as 'La Calzada', starts on the left side of the Cathedral and runs all the way to the lake. La Calzada is flanked by large colonial houses (casonas) and historical buildings, such as the church of 'La Virgen de Guadalupe'. At the West end of La Calzada, runs the lakeshore, or 'malecón'. It is a lovely, recently remodelled boulevard, refreshed by a virtually constant breeze. At the South end of the malecón is the 'Centro Turístico', or Tourist Center, an area of restaurants, discos, and beaches.
There is plenty to explore in and around Granada, you can easily spend 3-5 days without getting bored. Just a few high lights:

Historic Granada: You can wander in the buildings and stores around Parquet Central, also known as Parque Colon, including the Palacio de Cultura Joaquín Cuadra Pasos on the west side. On the south east corner La Gran Francia, a building dated back to the founding of the city and which has been reconstructed to reflect the finest colonial architecture of that period. On the north end of the plaza on the right side, you'll see a stone portico with lions, the only surviving portion of the original building burnt by William Walker. Today it is Casa de los Tres Mundos, an arts and cultural center where you can catch an exhibition or arts rehearsal. If you walk north to the edge of the park, then one block east, you can visit the museum located in the oldest church of Central America. Convento e Iglesia de San Francisco, founded in 1529, houses archeological treasures from Isla de Ometepe, a primitive art exhibit and historical displays with some English information. 
Horse drawn carriages, called los coches, are another way to tour the city. Look for the Spanish tiles marking the city highlighting historical sites and events, including the homes of past presidents and the exploits of William Walker.
On the west side of the city you can explore an interesting old cemetery with tombs of both the rich and the poor dating back more than a century. One block east is Fortaleza La Pólvora, built in 1749. If the fortification appears to be closed, knock on the gate. Once inside, you can climb a turret for a food view of the city. 

The lake with it`s islands: Walk by Lago Nicaragua for the cool breeze and views. Just off Granada in the lake is Las Isletas, made of more than 360 islands, created when the Mombacho Volcano exploded 20.000 years ago. This is a beautiful excursion in a setting of tiny tropical islands, richly covered in vegetation and many with holiday mansions. In addition to the interesting flora and fauna on one island there are remnants of a fort, El Castillo San Pablo, built in 1784. 

Volcan Masaya: If you'd like to experience the sights and smells of an active volcano, you can visit Masaya Volcano National Park, which has walking trails and a visitor center. 

Traditional and handicraft markets of Masaya: The Masaya markets are known as the center of Nicaraguan arts and crafts and are in the town of Masaya. The most popular of the markets is Mercado Viejo. 

Volcan Mombacho: The Mombacho Volcano Reserva with its thick cloud forest, cool climate, well marked trails, biological station, and wonderful views of Granada and Las Isletas, is an hour drive from Granada and should not be missed. Zipping through the trees on lines, a canopy tour on the slopes of Mombacho is popular for the fun factor. 

Lagoon Apoyo and the white villages: Laguna de Apoyo is a volcano crater lake that can be seen from Mirador de Catarina. Only a half hour drive from Granada you reach the mirador by going through the village of Catarina, known for its nurseries of wonderful flowering plants and for local crafts. From one of the crater side restaurants, you can enjoy cool wind, an amazing view and often, musicians performing. On the crater's edge, accessible via a different road visitors can hike, swim, kayak and windsurf. 

Ometepe Island
The pacific beach town San Juan del Sur
Copyright of this section Waves Magazine, Granada / Nicaragua; Tel. 552-3053 
Please check our TOURS section for further descriptions of the mentioned high lights and the tours we can book for you. Don`t miss to explore the beautiful surroundings of Granada and Lake Nicaragua. They are one of it`s kind. 

NICARAGUA FACTS

General Information 

• Official name: República de Nicaragua (Republic of Nicaragua) 
• Area: 130.668 Km². 
• Nicaragua is the largest Central American country. (aprox. 50.000 square miles). 
• 9.240 Km² of the Nicaraguan land is covered by fresh water lakes and crateric lagoons. 
• 8.000 Km² of this area belongs to the Lake of Nicaragua and 1.000 Km² to the Lake of Managua.
• Population: 5,2 million inhabitants (est. 2003); density per sq mile: 103 
• Language: Spanish (official), English (in the Caribbean zone), Miskito and other Amerindian languages are also spoken. 
• Religion: Roman Catholics 85% ; Evangelics, Protestants and others 15% 
• Government: Democratic Republic 
• President: Daniel Ortega since 2007) 
• Capital: City of Managua (The country's most important trading center.) 
• Currency: Cordoba, US$1.00 = C$ 22,50 (December 2010)
  Sometimes the people calls the currency Peso instead of Cordobas. 
• Time: Nicaragua shares the American Central time (6h behind GMT). 
  There is no daylight-saving time in Nicaragua.

WHY NICARAGUA?

Climate
The climate is basically tropical and there are only two seasons, the dry and the wet season. Sometimes they are as well called summer and winter (in Spanish: verano e invierno). Nicaragua is divided into three different zones according to their climate. The Pacific zone, in the west and close to the lakes of Nicaragua and Managua, is tropical, dry and with relatively little precipitation. It is characterized by its high temperatures between 27ºC and 32ºC (81ºF and 90ºF) in the rainy season and between 30ºC and 35ºC (86ºF and 95ºF) in the dry season. Summer runs approximately from November to April and Winter from May to October.
The sub-tropical zone is located in the center of the country and because of its altitude the air gets more refreshing eastwards. From the center towards the Caribbean coast the climate is humid, tropical and high in precipitations which is prefect for a flourishing tropical rainforest. 
Finally, there is the Atlantic zone, with a climate that is either tropical or tropical humid, sometimes with heavy rains and high temperatures, typical for the humid tropical forest.


Culture 
Earthquakes and warfare have destroyed much of the Nicaraguan cultural heritage but colonial building can still be found in the cities of Leon and Granada. 
Poetry is the most popular art in Nicaragua and the poet Ruben Dario (1867- 1916) is worldwide known as the "Prince of Spanish and American literature". Later the turbulent years of the 50's and 60's created a new generation of revolutionary poets and novelists. 
The Nicaraguans like to mix dance and theatre and you can often enjoy shows in Managua, Masaya, Diriamba, Matagalpa, Leon and Granada. One of those popular theatrical inspired dances is "El Güegüense" that satirically represents the impression of Nicaragua's indigenous people by the first arrival of the Spanish. 
Nicaragua's calendar is full of Patron Saint Festivals and celebrations that involve lots of religious symbols and signs which are influenced by the ancient indigenous cultures that are still present thanks to the oral tradition. All celebrations have a solemn mass that is conducted by the local priest or the diocesan bishop. 
Following the saints' images, people offer flower arrangements and give offerings of little gold and silver objects. This is especially common in the Pueblos Blancos (White Towns), near Granada City. Everybody take part in the celebrations. Children, parents and the elderly, dance, sing and pray. Food and music are the main components of these manifestations along with Equestrian Parades and Bullfights. 
Music is a very important element in the Nicaraguan society and is heard everywhere. Latin American music, such as salsa, merengue and romantic songs, are popular as well as pop and rock from Europe and the United States. The English-speaking town Bluefields on the Caribbean coast is a center for reggae music brought there by the regions black population. 
Most popular among Nicaraguan artworks are hammocks, rocking chairs, soapstone carving and basketwork, which can be purchased all over the country. A special place for handicraft is the Solentiname Archipelago in the southeast of Lake of Nicaragua. The people of the region makes their living from artwork and paintings that are being produced in almost every house on the islands and the site is a popular destination for artists from all over the world looking for a quiet place where they can find inspiration to be creative. 


Gastronomy 
The Nicaraguan food as in all Mesoamerican countries is based on corn. Corn has a deep cultural meaning. It is believed that Quetzalcoatl, a mythical and historic celebrity who was considered the civilizer and guide of Mesoamerican people, put a grain of corn on the lips of the first woman and the first man and first after they ate this they became able to think and work. Nowadays corn is the main ingredient used in cakes, spirits, confectionery, drinks, desserts, etc. Cassava, beans and chili pepper are also widely used as ingredient in different Nicaraguan dishes. 
The most popular food in Nicaragua is the "Gallo Pinto", which consists of rice and beans and sometimes combined with chicken or beef and also plantains, potatoes and salad. Seafood is popular along the coasts. Corn is part of the everyday diet and is consumed as pastries, deserts and the famous "Nacatamales" made of maize pasta, filled with meat and vegetables and wrapped in banana leaves. Other popular and traditional dishes are: "Fritanga" a combination of rice, beans, fried sliced plantains, salad and meat, pork and chicken. "Quesillo", a tortilla served with cheese and sour cream. "Vigorón", is a boiled cassava top with cabbage salad and chicharron (fried pork skin), cabbage and yucca. "Tortilla" is a thin corn bread involved in almost every Nicaraguan dish. "Caballo Vayo" is made with a tortilla which you wrap any ingredient as for example meat, chicken, avocado, crushed cheese, etc. "Rundown" is a stew made of cassava, breadfruit, green banana and other vegetables and fish in coconut sauce. 
"Wabul" is a delicious purée that is served warm and made of bananas and breadfruit mixed with coconut milk. 
The drink "Pinolillo", made of toasted corn and cocoa, is so popular that the Nicaraguans call themselves "Pinoleros". All kind of fruit juices are consumed daily and made of tropical fruits such as granadilla, pineapple, papaya, watermelon etc.

Copyright of this section Amigo Tours, Granada / Nicaragua; see www.amigotours.net