Greetings, still researching my trip to Nicaragua. I'm trying to determine whether I'd like to spend a week in Esteli or Matagalpa more. I would like to visit both, but I'm trying to determine which city offers more within the limits to see and do, as well as the outside. I've been researching MIraflor, and would really like to go there. But a friend of mine speaks highly of Matagalpa as well. I plan to take Spanish classes and look into volunteer options in the area. I'm a 25 year old solo female traveler with interests in experiencing the language and culture. Any help would be appreciated.
1
boomer1
I've not been to Matagalpa but I have been to Esteli and the thought of a whole week there would fill me with horror. Noooooo......
4
davegttph1
I visited Esteli for 3 nights which was more than enough, not much at all to see or do. A waterfall a 2 hour trek north of the city was the highlight. Market was small and dusty. Nice place and nice people but certainly nothing much to do.
6
helennistic
I am also planning my trip to Nicaragua and want to go around there. I thought of sleeping in the reserva miraflor itself for maybe 2 nights, I read that you can book rooms from UCA in Esteli and that it is an easy bus ride from there. Then I thought of moving on to Jinotega for some hiking and stay there instead of matagalpa, but I guess you are looking for a place to base yourself and stay longer as you want to study. If you are there at the beginning of february and feel like having company to hike around, let me know as I will also be travelling as a solo female traveller.
Have a nice trip !
7
kolpez
What's dark about it Boomer? It's bright if you visit during daytime, :-) but true, that will only reveal what Boomer says. Estelí is rather not very pretty and quite uneventful, but so is Matagalpa, if it's the towns themselves we're talking about. Matagalpa has a nicer setting though.
Now around them, there's plenty to do. Miraflores near ES is a must IMO. So I would check out ES first, and if you get bored, hop on the bus to MT. It's only a few hours - and you can even make a very nice trip out of it if you do ES - Miraflores (or ist Miraflor? I never know), stay there for however long you fancy, and then take the bus that cuts through the Miraflores reserve and gets you onto the Jinotega road, passing by Selva Negra and hey presto, you're in Matagalpa.
That's whatt I would do if I had a week between ES and MT.
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