Must-see shopping in Nicaragua

  • Galería de Helio Gutiérrez

    Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos

    The recipient of more international awards than any other master in the village, Helio combines geometric, traditional and contemporary design elements in…

  • Garden Shop

    Granada

    A fantastic addition to the popular Garden Café, this sustainably minded boutique offers crafts, jewelry, clothing and artwork produced through NGOs and…

  • Nostalgia de Nicaragua Cigar

    Managua

    Step inside the humedor to choose from Nicaragua's finest cigars, hand-rolled in Mombacho and Estelí. Look out for Joya de Nicaragua, Padrón, AJ Fernández…

  • Red Clay

    Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos

    This stellar shop mostly stocks high-end pieces by Miguel Maldonado, winner of national and international awards, which blend traditional, geometric and…

  • Galería de Arte Ortíz

    Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos

    Internationally renowned José Ortiz produces very distinctive contemporary pottery known for its cubistic forms reminiscent of Picasso and its use of bold…

  • Crafted for Connaisseurs

    Managua

    Mostly a gourmet food store, Crafted for Connaisseurs sells boxes of handmade Nicaraguan Momotombo chocolates, superb Cielo Isla coffee, plus other single…

  • Esperanza En Acción

    Managua

    An excellent selection of fair-trade crafts from all over Nicaragua, made by 31 groups of local artisans. There is exquisite pottery, woven bags, jewelry,…

  • Artesanías Jacobo

    Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos

    Young artist Jacobo Potosme specializes in traditional pottery styles, combined with fine geometric detail. Some of his pieces combine several patterns in…

  • Cerámica Miguel Ángel

    Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos

    Miguel Ángel Calero, known locally as Michelangelo, is well-known for his finely detailed geometric pieces, as well as pottery influenced by pre-Columbian…

  • Soy Nica

    Granada

    Come here for stylish purses, shoulder bags, belts and other accessories made of Nicaraguan leather. You can see them being made at the workshop next to…

  • Simplemente Madera

    Managua

    Simplemente Madera ('Simply Wood') makes gorgeous bespoke furniture out of sustainable Nicaraguan wood. They can help you with shipping your acquisitions…

  • Mercado Roberto Huembes

    Managua

    Next to the southbound bus terminal, this sprawling beast of a market offers an authentic slice of Managuan life. There are labyrinthine rows of stalls…

  • Taller de Cerámica Ducualí Grande

    Northern Highlands

    This collective of women potters sells their fine work all over Nicaragua. It's located in the community of Ducualí Grande, 3km northwest of town. Any…

  • Rosquillas Vilchez

    Northern Highlands

    This workaday backyard is where the best traditional rosquillas (crusty cornbread rings) in town are produced. Each batch is baked in one of three massive…

  • Taller Casco Dablia

    Northern Highlands

    One of the best soapstone workshops in town. Visitors are welcome to come and watch the artisans work (but call first to make sure there is someone around…

  • Fábricas de Hamacas

    Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos

    One of several places where you can not only watch traditional hammocks being handmade by local families, but you can buy them for a fairer price than at…

  • Telares de Nicaragua

    Matagalpa

    This fair-trade association sells brightly colored fiber arts from indigenous artisans in El Chile, corn-husk dolls, beaded jewelry, baskets and a…

  • Cooperativa El Parche

    Granada

    Inside the Hostal Entre Amigos, this excellent gift shop sells crafts made by local artisans. What makes it special are the items made of recycled…

  • Mercado de Artesanía

    Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos

    While Masatepe's famous furniture market features beautiful hardwood and rattan furniture items that probably won't make it home in your backpack, the…

  • Doña Elba Cigars

    Granada

    If you aren’t heading to Estelí this trip, stop here for a cognac-cured taste of Nicaragua and a peek at the cigar-manufacturing process. You can even…

  • Fabrica de Chocolate Momotombo

    Managua

    These artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate makers create sweet concoctions using Nicaragua's finest cacao. Chocolate beverages, hand-crafted chocolates and…

  • Lucho Libro Books

    Granada

    Swing in to this friendly store with a good selection of English-language books and maps, including numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks!

  • Librería Hispamer

    Managua

    This bookstore on the premises of UNAN campus has a good selection of Nicaraguan and Latin American literature, history and poetry.

  • Frontera Books

    Managua

    This bookstore has the best bilingual selection of books by local and international authors, as well as maps and magazines.

  • Telar Manual Textil La Fé

    León

    Well worth seeking out for the gorgeous handmade weavings, made by a local family co-op. Find them on Facebook.

  • Kamañ

    León

    Handmade clothes from around Latin America, as well as crafts, toys and artsy postcards.

  • Niní Fashion Style

    Managua

    Women's high-end fashion by Nicaraguan designer and fashion blogger Norma López.

  • Jincho

    Managua

    Modern, urban Nica design for men and women.

  • Cerámica Negra Tradicional

    Matagalpa

    Mrs Rosa Ernestina Rodriguez has been crafting traditional indigenous black pottery sculptures for over 30 years and is a well-known local artist and…

  • Mercado Municipal Ernesto Fernández

    Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos

    This is the 'regular' marketplace – ie not the Mercado de Artesanías, which brings many travelers to town – though the mercado municipal also has a small…

  • Flor de Pino

    Northern Highlands

    Members of this small women's cooperative weave elegant baskets from pine needles. The products are absolutely charming, as are the women who make them…

  • Calzado Figueroa

    Estelí

    Get in touch with your inner cowboy with some genuine, handcrafted, Cuban-heel riding boots (from US$80 to US$100) at this high-quality leather workshop…

  • Plaza Inter

    Managua

    Adjacent to Barrio Bolonia, it’s convenient, with a cinema (with subtitled movies), lots of discount shops, Colonia supermarket, a couple of department…

  • Olé

    Granada

    A clothing boutique and handicrafts store specializing in produce from local cooperatives. Expect jewelry, purses, and gifts made out of bamboo, aluminum…

  • Artesanías La Esquina

    Estelí

    An artisans cooperative with an extensive inventory that blends tourist kitsch with an array of excellent pottery and sculpted wood bowls.

  • Mercado San Juan

    León

    A workaday marketplace located on the northeast edge of León's downtown; cheap place to buy fresh fruit and veg.

  • Plaza España

    Managua

    A shopping mall with high-street fashion, a decent supermarket and a food court.

  • Metrocentro

    Managua

    Upscale mall with restaurants, high street fashion and a good food court.

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