Granada
 Founded by the Spanish in 1523, Granada has many old ornate churches and old Spanish-style buildings which date back to the colonial period. It is sometimes called 'The Great Sultana' in recognition of its beautiful colonial architectural heritage. Even though it was badly damaged during the mid-1850s whilst being captured by the American William Walker, it is still a popular city and is one of the country's main destinations for international travelers.
Situated less than 30 km from the country's international airport, Granada is an excellent starting point for visiting some of the Nicaragua's main attractions. These attractions include viewing some of the active volcanoes in the area, enjoying a visit to a cloud forest ecosystem – something somewhat unique to the area – or enjoying some of the many beaches lapped by the Pacific Ocean. You can also take in the natural beauty of Lake Cocibolca or spend time amongst nature enjoy natural wonders such as the annual sea turtle egg-laying - Granada is at the center of it all!
When you're not out and about enjoying the wonders of nature, you can spend time discovering the city. Like most colonial cities in this part of the world, the whole metropolis is built around a main square known as Parque Central. This is really Granada's social, cultural and economic hub. It is around Parque Central that you will find Granada's cathedral, city hall, cultural centers, banks and hundreds of small shops and stalls which are dedicated to the sale of traditional food and hand crafted goods – the perfect place to get some mementoes of your trip. To the west of the main square, you will find the central market – great for fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese and meat.
You may also make your way down 'La Calzada' Avenue which is flanked by large colonial houses, known as casonas, and interesting churches. It ends on the lakeshore of Nicaragua Lake where you will find a beautiful boulevard for pleasant evening strolls. You will also find the 'Centro Turistico' here where you can enjoy restaurants, beaches and discos. Most of the attractions can be reached on foot and are most enjoyable.
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Leon
Situated in western Nicaragua, Leon is the second most important city after Managua. Blessed with graceful old architecture and a fascinating history, Leon has played a pivotal role in the country's history many times over.
Modern day Leon may not be as important as it once was, but it boasts the National University which has proved to be a constant injection of life to the city.
The original city of Leon was established by Spanish conqueror Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba in 1523 at the foot of the Momotombo volcano. Unfortunately the volcano exploded in 1610 causing the city to become damaged beyond repair and subsequently abandoned. A new city was established in Leon's current location with the official name of Santiago de los Caballeros de Leon – though the long form of this name is seldom used today. The ruins of old Leon – Leon Viejo – still lie at the foot of Momotombo and make for a fascinating tour.
Leon was the capital of Nicaragua for more than 200 years. It saw much friction in that time and some of the bullet-holes and cracks caused by the warfare can still be seen. Most of the wars were between the Liberals and the Conservatives. When the issue of the country's capital came up, the Liberals wanted Leon to remain the capital while the Conservatives pushed for Granada to become the new center of government. Managua was chosen as a compromise and thus Leon lost its long-standing position as the center of the country's government.
Most visitors to Leon come to see the town's interesting architecture. One of the most popular attractions is the 18th century cathedral which is the largest in Central America. Also of interest is the La Merced and the Xalteva churches, the Old Spanish Ammunition Fortress, the San Francisco Convent and the beautifully carved Casa de los Leones. However there are many more interesting old buildings to see. The hotels here provide a fairly good level of accommodation and the town is well worth a short visit. Leon is also known for being the capital of Leon Department and for it's manufacture of furniture, shoes and leather goods.
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Bluefields
 Situated on the south end of Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast is Bluefields – a small, unusual little town with a distinctive flavor. With a population of roughly 42 000 the town itself has little to see and do, even though it is Nicaragua's chief Caribbean port. The real attraction at Bluefields is the surrounding natural attractions.
According to legend, Bluefields is named after the Dutch pirate ‘Blauwveldt' who was the first to settle in the area. In the 16th and 17th century it served as a rendezvous point for English and Dutch buccaneers and soon became a port with some prominence. 1678 saw it becoming the capital of the British protectorate over the Mosquito Coast. Unfortunately, much of the progress made in this little sea port was destroyed along with the town in 1988, but it has been somewhat rebuilt and the current town of Bluefields is an odd mixture of past British colonial, west Indian cottages and Louisiana plantation influences. Most of the inhabitants are English-speaking but there is occaisional interaction with Indians from the Miskito, Rama and Sumu tribes that share the coast. While most of the town's inhabitants are friendly and relaxed, a visitor should remain cautious and alert at all times.
The area surrounding Bluefields is, in many respects, an ecological and cultural paradise. The tropical rain forest environment is full of plant and animal life that is just waiting to be discovered. It is also quite close to Monkey point, Rama and Corn Island making it the ideal departure point for these attractions as well as many other interesting parks and nature reserves. Corn Island is idyllic and makes for a great outing. Besides exploring the sandy beaches, crystal clear water and coral reefs, you can enjoy the opportunity to investigate a Spanish galleon which is just a short distance away from the island. There is no better place to go snorkeling, diving, fishing, swimming and sun bathing. Also of interest is the Pearl Lagoon and Keys, which are not far from Bluefields.
The trip to Bluefields is in itself an adventure. You can either travel by bus and then take a trip down the Escondido River or you can fly there from Managua. Whatever you choose, you are likely to find Bluefields to be a destination quite unlike any other.
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Chinandega
 Far up on the most north-western part of Nicaragua you will find the very attractive department of Chinandega. Peppered with interesting attractions and beautiful sights, you can be sure that Chinandega will prove to be a most delightful holiday destination with no shortage of things to see and do. Perhaps this is why it is fast becoming one of Nicaragua's most popular tourist destinations .
What is it about Chinandega that makes it so popular? Perhaps it's the beautiful forests and beaches? It could also be the magnificent volcanoes. Or it could even be the fact that Chinandega is one of the main producers of the high quality Flor de Cana rum. Or it could be the sites of historical interest that are just waiting to be further explored. Whatever it is, it drives thousands of visitors to this small part of the world every year as both locals and foreigners enjoy their time here.
The beaches of Jiquilillo and Corinto as well as the inlet of Paso Caballo are generally the most popular attraction in Chinandega. Every year people flock to them to enjoy the find sand and sun as well as the beautiful waters of the ocean. Some venture a bit further inland to the four volcanoes which can be found here. The dormant Cosiqoina Volcano has been declared a Natural Reserve and is located in the northern part of the department. The volcano has well forested slopes both inside and outside the crater and a lagoon in the crater. From its towering height of 859m above sea level, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Gulf of Fonseca and if the weather is good you can also see both Honduras and El Salvador – now that is a sight worth seeing! Southwards you will find El Chonco, El Apante and San Cristobal which is the biggest active volcano in the country. There is also the Natural Reserve Padre Ramos which is great for its watery ecosystems such as that found in its creeks and mangrove swamps.
If you enjoy a little history while on vacation, the city of El Realejo will prove fascinating. The city is quite old and was used as an important sea port during colonial times – even seeing the likes of several English pirates in times gone by. However, if that sort of thing bores you, you can be sure that activities such as hiking volcanoes and wetlands or taking a boat ride of the Gulf of Fonseca will prove more entertaining. Chinandega has a wealth of activities and attractions just waiting to be discovered.
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Map
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