Artist and naturalist Alberto Gutiérrez is, some might say, a bit of a hermit – but a welcoming one who loves showing off his orchid-studded property, which is carpeted with coffee and accented with a dozen kinds of fruit tree. His pride and joy is a 40m stretch of cliff that he’s carved into an ever-evolving mural, with animals from Africa, the Amazon and Nicaragua, an Aztec sun, Jesus on the cross, his vision of downtown USA, Christopher Columbus and Sandino.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
24.51 MILES
A steep yet worthwhile hour’s hike from the cemetery and embedded in a boulder-crusted ridge is the town cross, originally placed here in 1703 by…
6.84 MILES
Be sure to stop by this moving gallery devoted to fallen revolutionaries, with displays of faded photos, clothes and weaponry. Check out the exhibit (with…
Templo Parroquial de San Rafael Arcángel
22.66 MILES
Beginning in 1955, the revered Father Odorico D’Andrea turned this antiquated cathedral into a labor of divine love. It’s impeccably restored, with a…
20.26 MILES
This destination for wildlife lovers is where you’ll find the best remaining patch of virgin cloud forest (although deforestation is a serious issue),…
26.35 MILES
Both coffee enthusiasts and nature lovers will be enamored with this fantastic private reserve with comfortable cabañas (dorm/room per person including…
2.44 MILES
In Tisey’s lower elevations, just 5km from Estelí, is the inspiring Salto Estanzuela, a gushing 36m waterfall that careens over a bromeliad-studded cliff…
18.91 MILES
A small layered waterfall feeds this lovely, round swimming hole enclosed by rock walls. The water flows from a local spring, so it's clean, and unlike…
14.84 MILES
This lookout point near Coyolito is perched at 1100m in the dry zone and offers fine views down the valley.
Nearby Northern Highlands attractions
2.44 MILES
In Tisey’s lower elevations, just 5km from Estelí, is the inspiring Salto Estanzuela, a gushing 36m waterfall that careens over a bromeliad-studded cliff…
2. Casa de Cultura Leonel Rugama
6.82 MILES
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 …
3. Galería de Héroes y Mártires
6.84 MILES
Be sure to stop by this moving gallery devoted to fallen revolutionaries, with displays of faded photos, clothes and weaponry. Check out the exhibit (with…
6.9 MILES
The 1823 cathedral has a wonderful facade and is worth a wander. A number of interesting murals can be seen in the surrounding blocks, although most of…
6. Museo de Historia y Arqueología
7.16 MILES
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…
14.84 MILES
This lookout point near Coyolito is perched at 1100m in the dry zone and offers fine views down the valley.
15.22 MILES
The lowest settlement in Miraflor, Coyolito is also the warmest and closest to Estelí. It offers magnificent views, especially from the Mirador La Meseta,…