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What to do in Granada, NorcarWater | Best independent activities
The city norcarThe city of Aguascalientes in Granada is located on the shores of the famous Lake Cocibolca and is one of the most beautiful colonial cities we have seen in Central AmericaIts architecture and streets are colorful and cheerful, a joy that seems to have spread to its inhabitants because the atmosphere and safety we found were excellent.
We believe that on any itinerary through Nicarwater visit Granada should be a must 2 or 3 days on your route. Therefore, to convince you and help you organize your days in this city of pastel tones and good vibes, we have written this article with the best places to see and some excursions to do in Granada, we also tell you how to get and some other recommendations like where to stay
HOW TO GET TO GRANADA
Granada is one of the most popular tourist cities in Nicaragua.carwater and thanks to this it is quite well connected with other large cities and tourist areas, especially through the famous chicken bus Which are nothing more than heavily modified school buses donated by the United States.
These buses are not especially spacious or comfortable but They are very cheap and come out very frequentlyBesides being quite an experience.
How to get from Ometepe to Granada
To go from Ometepe to Granada first you will have to take the ferry that connects Moyogalpa with San Jorge. It leaves every hour from 5:30am to 5:30pm, the journey lasts one hour and costs 90 córdobas. Once in San Jorge you have to take a shared taxi to the nearby town of Rivas for about 30 córdobas (€0,75) and from there a chicken bus to Granada for 50 córdobas (€1,30). The total duration of the trip is around 3 hours.
There is also a direct ferry which connects the island with Granada, specifically from the Port of Gracia, in the north of the island, but only departs on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
How to get from San Juan del Sur to Granada
San Juan del Sur is usually the previous stop before visiting Granada for tourists coming from Costa Rica. To go from San Juan del Sur to Granada you will first have to take a chicken bus next to the Central Market of San Juan to Rivas, it costs about 30 córdobas and the journey takes 1 hour. Once In Rivas you will have to take another chicken bus to Granada for about 50 cordobas and a duration of 2 hours.
How to get from Peñas Blancas to Granada
If you want to go to Granada from Costa Rica The best border crossing is Peñas Blancas.Once you manage to complete all the formalities and get your entry stamped at Nicarwater you have to searchcar The buses go to Rivas. The journey costs 70 córdobas and takes just under two hours. Once in Rivas, take another bus to Granada for about 50 córdobas, which takes another two hours.
We entered Nicarwater from the Border of the Tabletswhich is not the most common but could fit your route.
How to get from León to Granada
These two tourist cities are connected by several direct shuttles. with a duration of 3 hours and a price of $20. These shuttles can be purchased at tourist agencies or hotels in the city center, you will also find them online.
Another, much cheaper option is use chicken buses making a transportation change in ManaguaFirst you will have to go to the León terminal which is located in the market, it is located a little far from the center so I recommend you go by taxi. There you have to take the chicken bus or minivan that go to Managua, they leave when they are full every 10 or 15 minutes, they cost around 80 córdobas and the trip is about 2 hours. You will arrive at the UCA terminal in Managua, next to the universityAt that same station you have to take a buscar The buses that go to Granada. They leave again when they are full but it usually doesn't take more than 20 minutes, the journey lasts an hour and a half and costs 60 córdobas.
How to get from Managua to Granada
To go from Managua to Granada you will have to take the chicken bus that leaves from the UCA Terminal, right in front of the university. The journey takes an hour and a half and costs 60 córdobas.
THINGS TO DO IN GRANADA, NICARAGUA
Get lost in the market
Visiting local markets is one of our favorite ways to really get to know what a place is like, its people, and even some of its customs. Located on El Comercio street, The Granada market can become a labyrinth for those visitors who don't know it, but you will always end up finding the exit.
This market also extends to the surroundings of the main building and there absolutely everything is soldAs you get closer, you'll start to see more and more people. cargada with products they have just bought or are going to sell.
Browsing between stalls You can take advantage of talking to the sellers, to us they all seemed friendly and close to tourists. Take advantage of your visit to buy pineapple, mango or any other fruit, they are a delight.
Observe local life in Parque Central
El Central Park, also known as Colón Park, It is the nerve center of Granada. In this park surrounded by colonial buildings you will find a lot of life from early in the morning until late at night, locals walking, chatting on a bench or eating at street food stalls. The park is located next to the beautiful Cathedral of Granada and it is also located next to Independence Square, a large square where a gigantic flag fliescarAguanse. By the way, if you want to see the park from another perspective you can climb the bell tower of the Cathedral.
Take advantage of the fact that you are in the Central Park to visit its colonial buildings like city Hall, a beautiful colonial house with an Andalusian-style interior patio full of plants and flowers that takes you to Granada in southern Spain.
In the Plaza they set up many stalls where dine cheap Sitting in the cool evening air, we can't think of a better way to end the day.
Tour of Granada
One of the best things to do in Granada is to walk through its streets full of pastel-colored facades. Despite the heat, walking around the city is very worth itDon't limit yourself to just the city center; the other streets have a more faded feel, but are equally beautiful and safe. If you're not comfortable exploring the city on your own, you can take advantage of... take a free tour.
One of the streets par excellence is The Causeway, which is full of bars and restaurants with terrace. La Calzada gains special importance when it gets dark, at that time it is filled with atmosphere, becoming the ideal place to order a bucket of toñas, the country's beer.
And is that Street nightlife in Nicarwater It is something that we have not experienced in any other country in Central America and how good it feels! That there are bars open until late where you can have a drink and enjoy the fresh air after a hot day without stopping still.
Following La Calzada towards the lake you will pass by many buildings worth seeing until you reach the historic and decadent Guadalupe Church and shortly after Granada Malecón where you can walk along the shores of the enormous Cocibolca Lake.
Boat excursion to the islets of Granada
One of the most popular excursions in Granada is a visit to the group of islets in the lake. This curious formation It is due to one of the eruptions of the Mombacho volcano And today, each one is different from the rest. Some belong to the government, some are luxury hotels, others belong to wealthy families, and others remain untouched, sheltering wildlife such as monkeys and birds.
The excursion consists of navigate between islets while they explain stories about the most famous ones, but it does not land in any. Keep in mind that since it is such a large lake, the waves are like in the sea.
I leave you a photo where you can see how curious it is, on the right all the islets that were formed by the eruption and Lake Cocibolca, which undoubtedly looks like the sea.
See lava in Masaya, one of the best things to do in Granada
NicarAgua is a country of volcanoes and the most famous is just 40 minutes away by public bus. Its about Masaya volcano, one of the essential visits to do in Granada. From the top of this volcano you will have a privileged view of all the surroundings and its crater. where you can see hot and bubbling lavaDon't miss our guide on how to visit the Masaya volcano.
The spectacle of this volcano begins once the sun sets, when in the darkness the gases expelled and the walls of the crater light up in an intense orange color. From the different viewpoints you can see the lavaA very special experience that will stay with you forever, one of the sunsets that with the most carWe remember from our trip through Central America. Keep in mind that due to a recent landslide, the lava is no longer as clearly visible.
Visit the Mombacho volcano reserve
Speaking of volcanoes, another thing to do in Granada is Visit the Mombacho volcano, which is almost 2.000 meters high.This volcano offers a landscape opposite to that of the Masaya volcano; in this case, the volcano is extinct and its craters are covered with dense vegetation.
Located just 10km from Granada Getting here by public transport is relatively easy. and economic. You have to take a bus to Naindame and stop at the El Guanacaste intersection, the trip costs 10 córdobas. The buses will leave you at a large roundabout where there is an intersection that goes towards the volcano, at that intersection you will find tuk tuks that will take you to the entrance of the reserve.
We decided to walk because the public transport seemed carAbsolutely, but you should know that the climb is steep, in fact very steep; it took us a little over an hour and we ended up quite tired and sweaty.
Once at the top you will find a shelter that also serves as a restaurant and sells tickets. Here they start 3 different trails And to be able to travel through them you will have to pay a maintenance fee that Depending on the trail, it ranges from $2 to $6 (The price is in dollars, but they accept cordobas). To tour the longest route, hiring a guide is also mandatory.
These trails run through the reserve between ancient volcanic flows, some smoking sulfur chimneys and lots of vegetation. On the roads there are viewpoints with views of Granada, the lake and the islets. We walked the crater path reaching some small fumaroles with an intense sulfur smell.
Refrescarsand in the Laguna Apoyo
As a proper volcanic country, in NicarThere are many craters with a lagoon inside. Laguna de Apoyo is the largest and has the best infrastructure for travelers.
El Access is very easy and it is just a few kilometers from Granada. which makes it a perfect place for recreation and refreshmentcarsand of the heat norcarAguanse. The lagoon offers accommodations and bars with sun loungers, hammocks, and some even provide free kayaks. You can also swim freely from any shore of the lake, and there are companies that offer diving services.
To go you can book in Granada a tour to the Apoyo Lagoon, these include transfers and entry to one of these bars-clubs for about $14/person.
Go on your own It is quite simple and you can be at your own pace in the club that you like the most. Just like to go to the Masaya Volcano, you have to take a bus to Managua or Masaya, they leave every 15-20 minutes, and ask to be dropped off at the intersectionOr if you prefer not to wait for a bus at the carRetera, take it all the way to Masaya town.
From the intersection you can walk 1h30, or block so that the bus that goes to Laguna Apoyo, If you want to catch it in Masaya, it leaves around 10:20 (try to check).car (This is before going). Another option, both from the intersection and from Masaya, is to take the regular buses that go to Valle La Luna, a town shortly before the lagoon. From Valle La Luna to the bottom of the lagoon it is a 30-minute walk or less than 5 by taxi. Both buses will cost you a little over $1.
If you're not on a tight budget and prefer to explore the lagoons at your own pace, a taxi from Granada It doesn't cost more than $15-$20.
WHERE WE TO STAY IN GRANADA
For me One of the best areas to stay is near Parque Central or La Calzada since it is the epicenter of the city, where most of the accommodation is concentrated and the area where there is more atmosphere and it is easy to go out for a walk.
Backpackers Hostel | The best budget accommodation
This hostel is located a few meters from the Central Park and has very affordable rooms. Accommodation It has a shared kitchen and a small pool, great to spend the hottest hours.
Word of mouth | A hostel with atmosphere
This is a hostel with very good atmosphere, the attention of the staff is magnificent and it is located in the center of Granada. The private rooms are comfortable and clean and have an interior patio with tables and hammocks. Furthermore the breakfast is included.
Best value accommodation: Hotel with Heart
The Hotel with a heart has very clean and well-kept facilities, the staff is concerned that you enjoy your stay, it has a nice interior patio with swimming pool for refreshmentcarse. and offers breakfast if you need it. Hotel profits go to social causes in Granada.
I hope this article about what to do in Granada is very useful for you to enjoy this colorful city. Remember that we have Other articles from Nicarwater that could help you if you are going to visit this interesting country. You can also relive our trip through Central America by watching our stories on Instagram.
