Overview
Headquarters: Granada - "The Great Sultan of the Great Lake"
Satellite Site: Boaco - ¨City of the Two Storeys¨
Satellite Site: Matagalpa - ¨Pearl of the North¨
Satellite Site: León - "The Intellectual Center of the Nation"
Satellite Site: San Juan del Sur - "The Quintessential Nicaraguan Fishing Village"
Map

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Overview
Nicaragua, frequently mentioned as a ¨favorite¨ country among travelers and students familiar with Central America, is the largest country in Central America.  In contrast to the familiar images prompted by a conflictive and controversial past, today, Nicaragua provides images of wide-open sand beaches, colonial cities, coffee farms and friendly people along with the lakes and volcanoes that define the landscape throughout the most populated and visited areas of the country.  Sharing the regional stigma of economic disparity and high poverty levels associated with developing countries, Nicaragua stands out as being one of the safest countries in Central America.  Nicaragua is taking advantage of this opportunity by increasing tourist offerings and promoting a variety of activities and destinations including coffee tours, nature reserves, community tourism, empty beaches and treks making it a country with perhaps the brightest future to prosper from tourism in the region.

Although it is the largest country in Central America two of the three distinct geographic regions claim the majority of the population and attractions.  The Pacific Low Lands are home to such well-known sites as the colonial wonder Granada, the oldest colonial city in the Americas; the largest fresh water lake in C.A., Lake Nicaragua, home to the world’s only species of fresh water shark; and tropical paradise in Rio San Juan.  The North Central Highlands bode coffee-routes of organized coffee cooperatives and rolling agricultural and cattle lands.  Whether on the relaxing on the coast, living the past in a colonial city, or learning about coffee production in the highlands, the people of Nicaragua stand out as being some of the most open and friendly in Central America.  Get to know the people and the country and maybe you’ll want to find yourself among the many expat and international inhabitants calling Nicaragua home.

Headquarters: Granada - The GreatSultan of the Great Lake
Nearly two hundred thousand people live in the small department home to one of the oldest cities in North America.  The majority of the regional population lives in the capital city, Granada.  Francisco Hernández de Córdob founded Granada, nestled in the northwestern shores of Lake Nicaragua, in 1524.   Currently relegated to being the fourth largest city in Nicaragua, Granada was historically considered to be the sister capital to Central America to Antigua, Guatemala. 

More recently, travelers, tourists and students alike have frequented Granada, considered to be the tourism hub of Nicaragua.  The city’s rich colonial history can still be seen in the architecture and layout, but is not the only reason the region attracts visitors.  Popular with hikers, outlying trails and other outdoor offerings allow trekkers an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views and beautiful scenery.   A growing presence of expat and an international mix of inhabitants ensure the abundance of creature comforts.  A walk through the center of town promises a mix of incredible colonial architecture, diners eating outside at quality restaurants and cafes with international offerings, bars, stores, internet centers and hotels.  The walk leads to the expansive shores of Lake Nicaragua where a boat can be hired to explore the Islets of Granada, formed by over 300 tiny islands.  Granada’s colonial splendor and beautiful surroundings offers something for everyone.

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Satellite Site: Boaco - ¨City of the Two Storeys¨
Post Spanish arrival the region developed into an agricultural and cattle region famous for its cheese and milk.  Pristine agricultural areas mark the rolling hills and natural beauty of the region where tourist attractions are many, but tourists are not.   With a population of over three hundred thousand, a quarter of the country’s agricultural production and dairy products come from the Boaco department. Nicaragua’s oldest petroglyph, majestic canyons, and forest reserves can all be found in Boaco as well as a renowned ¨milk fair¨ held during July every year.   Boaco, the capital city, aptly nicknamed the ¨City of the Two Storeys¨ due to the staggered landscape, is located 80 km from the capital city, Managua.

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Satellite Site: Matagalpa - ¨Pearl of the North¨
Located in the northern region of the country, the department of Matagalpa offers fresh temperatures, high elevations and different vegetation than the Pacific Lowlands.  Nearly five hundred thousand people live in the region making it the second most populous behind Managua.  Geographically situated for coffee production, the region has come to be known as Nicaragua’s coffee-capital.  Following gold prospects in 1850, German immigrants planted the first coffee plants and descendents still live in the area today.  More recently, Matagalpa has become a base for visitors seeking to explore the coffee-route.  Focused on promoting local farms the coffee-route allows visitors to learn abut the coffee production from start to finish as well organic and sustainable methods being applied by local farms. The region also boasts attractions such as waterfalls, natural reserves, old gold mines, and Ciudad Darío the birthplace of the famous Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío renamed in his honor.

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Satellite Site: León - "The Intellectual Center of the Nation"
It is no wonder the department of León calls the attention of any traveler or tourist planning a trip in Nicaragua.  Within the ten municipalities that compose the department of León, attractions include Pacific Ocean beach villages, wide open sand beaches, hot springs, volcanoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site in León Viejo, and a colonial city in León.  

Founded in the same year as Granada, León, the capital city of the region maintains a colonial feel and holds a collection of famous churches, such as La Merced and El Calvario, which visitors are encouraged to visit.  The city’s history is interesting and active marked by city abandonment due to volcanic activity in the early 1600´s, a devastating pirate attack in 1685, and alternating national capital status shared with Granada until Managua assumed the position.  With a current population of roughly two hundred thousand people, León is the second largest city in Nicaragua.

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Satellite Site: San Juan del Sur - "The Quintessential Nicaraguan Fishing Village"Situated in the southwestern corner of Nicaragua, just kilometers from the Costa Rican bored, San Juan del Sur is a small ocean village.  With volcanic hills to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, San Juan del Sur offers a unique feel, friendly environment and plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy the beach. Surfers have found the area to be an excellent spot that is considered to be relatively ¨unspoiled¨ in comparison to Costa Rican beaches.  One of the most frequented spots in the country by tourists and travelers, inhabitants are open and welcoming.   Many earn a living by fishing in the ocean waters and inlets, but the increase in tourism in recent years is an important source of income which the locals recognize and appreciate and thus, treat visitors with kindness. 

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