Granada

Founded in 1524, the city of Granada is one of Central America’s oldest and first colonial cities. The city faces the vast Lake Nicaragua, which leads out to the Atlantic Ocean through the San Juan River, providing an important trade route. With it’s cobbled streets, European style buildings, churches and parks – Granada was the conquistadors showcase city. Today the city attracts a steady stream of tourists, with a multitude of activities and sights on offer.

ACTIVITIES

Our first day began with a full day tour of the city, with a visit to Masaya Volcano at the end. First stop, Iglesia de La Merced an old Spanish era church. We climbed up to the top of the church’s bell tower which gave us our first 360 view of the city from above.

Iglesia de La Merced

The view at top of the bell tower

A boat trip on Lake Nicaragua followed, as we left the port we passed through several inhabited islets on the lake. Many of the larger islets have been bought up by the rich, building large luxury homes but there also poorer families that live here. Wildlife is in abundance, we saw monkeys and various tropical birds.

Navigating through the islets of Lake Nicaragua

On the lookout for wildlife

Out of town, we ventured to Laguna de Apoyo (a crater filled lake from an old extinct volcano) and stopped at Laguana Beach Club for lunch and an opportunity to kayak and paddleboard on the lake.

Laguna Beach Resort two main residents

For a spot of souvenir shopping we stopped by Masaya Crafts Market where local handmade goods can be bought, as well Cuban style cigars.

The final activity (saved the best for last) was a trip to see the active, Masaya Volcano. We opted to see the volcano at night so the lava would be more visually intense. But we didn’t go far, the rain that day had caused the park to close temporarily. When the rain hits the lava, an increase in harmful gases are released deemed too dangerous for visitors. So we waited and waited in our bus, with the rum punch flowing, time passed and we were eventually allowed in 3 hours later.

We drove up to the crater’s edge in high anticipation, as we got closer to the top we saw the sky lit up in a red glow and masses of steam from the volcano. 10 minutes was the maximum time allowed for visitors which was enforced by the park rangers, all of us took as many photos as we could…

Masaya Volcano

An impressive sight, starring straight into crater full of red hot lava – it was definitely worth the wait.

WHERE TO STAY

We stayed at Hotel Los Chilamates a modern hotel, comfortable air conditioned rooms and a swimming pool for guests. It’s located 15 minute walk from the old town. For a city escape and close to nature, there is small selection of hotels situated on the islets of Lake Nicaragua.

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WHERE TO EAT

Granada has a lovely selection of resturants and cafes dotted around the city. You will be amazed at the prices for a venue that normally looks pricey. We ate at The Garden Café restaurant, set in a charming colonial building with seating arranged around the landscaped courtyard. For the best street food and taste of national dishes, there is a really good food stall at the corner of Parque Central, facing the church.

TIPS

Granada is relatively safe, but do be careful with your valuables and for female travellers walk in groups if possible (at night) or take a taxi.
Expect possible delays when seeing Masaya Volcano, it’s a busy place and they only limit 10-15 minutes max at the top. For photographers, have your cameras preset, batteries fully charged and use a tripod.
The US Dollar is widely accepted and can be withdrawn from certain ATMs marked with a $ sign, we used the local currency instead: Nicaraguan Cordoba as the rate was better when exchanged from our home currency.

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