Caribbean Coast
This lovely partially dammed swimming hole, 4km north of town on the road to Managua, is framed in cascades of water and has been popular with picnickers…
Must-see attractions in Nicaragua
Corn Islands
The museum in this wooden building next to the stadium won't hold your attention very long with its pictures of old beauty queens, preserved lobsters and…
Northern Highlands
This crumbling colonial-style building was the former home of local girl Blanca Aráuz, who went on to become Mrs Augusto César Sandino, wife of Nicaragua…
Northern Highlands
This tiny and rather sorry looking museum just off the Parque Central has some pre-Columbian pottery, ancient wine goblets and other colonial treasures…
Managua
Founded in 1960 as a Jesuit school, this is one of Nicaragua’s premier universities, with a curriculum heavy on science and alternative technologies, Che…
Caribbean Coast
The central plaza is constantly buzzing with man gossip thanks to the steady stream of ranchers, who come to get their boots shined next to El Lustrador,…
Caribbean Coast
The closest thing Bilwi has to a decent beach, this place is about as far from a Caribbean fantasy as it's possible to get, but folk still tramp up here…
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…
Caribbean Coast
You'll probably feel familiar with Pearl Lagoon's iconic church before you even reach the Caribbean, as it graces Nicaragua's 20 Cordoba banknote…
Granada
This lakefront tourist center has restaurants, discos, sandy beaches, kids' play areas, and picnic spots, though the location is no good for swimming and…
Museo de Historia y Arqueología
Estelí
In a large, concrete, faux-indigenous pyramid on the north side of town, Estelí's museum has a small but interesting collection of pottery and petroglyphs…
Northern Highlands
The lovely lake that gives its name to the entire area has an attractive position surrounded by farmland. Sadly, however, the use of chemicals by some…
Granada
North of Parque Central is Plaza de la Independencia, also known as the 'Plaza de los Leones.' The obelisk is dedicated to the heroes of the 1821 struggle…
Northern Highlands
This modern concrete church has a high, rectangular bell tower that looks at first glance like a water storage facility. It's a popular reference point…
Caribbean Coast
Bluefields' best green space is a popular meeting point with impressive 25m-high trees sprouting bromeliads in the canopy and a monument to the six ethnic…
Managua
This not-particularly Japanese park, nestled in the back blocks of the Metrocentro area, is a great place for a bit of time out. There are plenty of trees…
Estelí
In the bullet-hole-marked former home of a high-ranking Somoza official, the Casa de Cultura offers a range of art, dance and music classes to locals …
Northern Highlands
This simple monument is a popular teenage hangout at night, but also remains a vessel for many an abuelita’s (grandmother’s) humble prayers. The views…
Caribbean Coast
The beautiful wooden church has been replaced by a concrete structure, but it's still worth swinging past for Saturday-morning services to listen to the…
Managua
The Managua branch of Nicaragua’s oldest university (the original is in León, the former capital) was founded in 1958 and has more than 24,000 students.
Managua
The grocery store called 'La Vicky' doesn't stand here anymore, but locals still use it as a point of reference for navigating the town.
Little Corn Island
On the southern side of the island, this remote beach faces the open water, which has quite a few rocks. Scenic rather than idyllic.
Corn Islands
This diminutive church with its singular tower was founded in the 1850s and is a local landmark on the north side of the island.
Managua
A cute and shady little neighborhood park with the requisite benches, snack kiosks and even a laid-back bar in the middle.
Caribbean Coast
This elegant peach-colored colonial church fronts the leafy central park and is dedicated to the patron saint of Boaco.
Matagalpa
The 1751 Iglesia Molagüina, in the center of town, is the plainest of Matagalpa's churches, but has nice gardens.
Managua
A former casino (now closed) and current landmark that locals use to give directions in the area.
Granada
The city's old hospital ruins are a landmark locals often use when giving directions.
