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…
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…
Granada
A fantastic addition to the popular Garden Café, this sustainably minded boutique offers crafts, jewelry, clothing and artwork produced through NGOs and…
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…
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…
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…
Managua
Mostly a gourmet food store, Crafted for Connaisseurs sells boxes of handmade Nicaraguan Momotombo chocolates, superb Cielo Isla coffee, plus other single…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Managua
Simplemente Madera ('Simply Wood') makes gorgeous bespoke furniture out of sustainable Nicaraguan wood. They can help you with shipping your acquisitions…
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…
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…
Centro de Artesanía Cooperativa Quetzalcóatl
Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos
Stocking the work of a number of artists from around the village, this cooperative has a wide selection of inexpensive vases, plates, bowls, cups and…
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…
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…
Matagalpa
This fair-trade association sells brightly colored fiber arts from indigenous artisans in El Chile, corn-husk dolls, beaded jewelry, baskets and a…
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…
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…
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…
Granada
Swing in to this friendly store with a good selection of English-language books and maps, including numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks!
Managua
This bookstore on the premises of UNAN campus has a good selection of Nicaraguan and Latin American literature, history and poetry.
Managua
This bookstore has the best bilingual selection of books by local and international authors, as well as maps and magazines.
León
Well worth seeking out for the gorgeous handmade weavings, made by a local family co-op. Find them on Facebook.
Managua
Women's high-end fashion by Nicaraguan designer and fashion blogger Norma López.
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…
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…
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…
Managua
Adjacent to Barrio Bolonia, it’s convenient, with a cinema (with subtitled movies), lots of discount shops, Colonia supermarket, a couple of department…
Granada
A clothing boutique and handicrafts store specializing in produce from local cooperatives. Expect jewelry, purses, and gifts made out of bamboo, aluminum…
Estelí
An artisans cooperative with an extensive inventory that blends tourist kitsch with an array of excellent pottery and sculpted wood bowls.
León
A workaday marketplace located on the northeast edge of León's downtown; cheap place to buy fresh fruit and veg.
Managua
See and be seen at the discos, eateries and shops of Managua's most upscale mall.