Museo Ecológico Trópico Seco

Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos


Nicaragua’s first natural history museum (sort of) offers informative, if low-budget, displays that focus primarily on the ecosystem of the Río Grande de Corazo and turtles of the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Río Escalante Chacocente. It's sometimes inexplicably closed.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos attractions

1. Gaia Estate

1.88 MILES

Birdwatching and coffee tours are conveniently rolled into one at Gaia Estate, a lush, 90-acre organic coffee farm. Over 150 species of birds live here,…

2. Reserva Natural Chocoyero-El Brujo

8.27 MILES

This 184-hectare natural reserve, 30km outside Managua, is a small wilderness enclave within easy reach of the capital. Imagine: a hardwood forest, dense…

3. Reserva Ecológica La Maquina

9.68 MILES

Take a dip in the pools beneath spectacular waterfalls at this lovely nature reserve, then explore the short hiking trails that traverse the 154-hectare…

4. Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya

10.14 MILES

Described by the Spaniards as the gates of hell, the craters that comprise Volcán Masaya National Park are the most easily accessible active volcanoes in…

5. Biblioteca Augusto C Sandino

10.34 MILES

This simple corner building was the childhood home of revolutionary leader Augusto C Sandino. Now it's a library and small museum devoted to Sandino…

6. Malecón & Laguna de Masaya

12.06 MILES

Seven blocks west of the Parque Central is an inspiring view in a region famed for them: across Laguna de Masaya to the smoking Santiago crater. The…

7. Mirador

12.2 MILES

Catarina’s main claim to fame offers views across the startling blue waters of Laguna de Apoyo to Granada and Lago de Nicaragua all the way to Ometepe…

8. Iglesia María Magdalena

12.21 MILES

Iglesia María Magdalena, sort of the sister church to San Sebastián, is where many of Monimbó's most important festivals begin or end.