The most beautiful natural sites to discover Nicaragua

Created in 1880, the central square, called the Parque Colon, was baptized twelve years later to celebrate the anniversary of Discovery of the Americas. In its centre, which was once the parish of the city, today stands a monumental fountain (Fuente de los Tritones) dating from 1880; Artist Pedro Vargas completed the sculptures. It's nice to be there for fresh fruit juice.

The majestic Concepción volcano dominates the entire island of Ometepe and is surrounded by a 2,200-hectare nature reserve, which includes a dwarf forest on its eastern slope, swept by violent winds. The volcano is still active, as evidenced by the incessant gas escaping from it. The last eruption dates back to 1957, but lava spewing was reported in December 1999.

Volcanic activity gives off fumes, and it is not advisable to go as far as the crater (although it is possible). To hike, you need to be accompanied by a guide to ensure you don't get lost (trails are not always easy to spot). To contact a guide, simply ask at your hotel. The guides at Villa Paraíso (in Playa Danto Domingo) are more expensive but generally much more competent; they not only guide you, but also explain the history, flora and fauna.

The climb requires a good level of fitness: 16 kilometers long, it takes between 8 and 10 hours, starts early in the morning, and the gradient is significant, as you'll be starting out just 130 meters above sea level. The first 2 km take you to the foot of the volcano, followed by a section through the jungle, and then an arduous, windy climb. Once up there, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the island and lake. A challenging but unforgettable experience!

Punta Jesús María is a pretty beach with panoramic views of the lake and Concepción volcano, and artisanal fishermen. If you're in Moyogalpa, the easiest way to get there is by bike or scooter. Alternatively, you can get there by bus. The translation of its ancient indigenous name meant "whale's back", and it's true that you can recognize a whale's back when you're on the point. Access is subject to a fee (US$1), but the place is well worth a visit, especially at sunset.

The Charco Verde lagoon (entrance fee: US$5) is accessible via a short walk starting from the Hotel Chico Verde (you may encounter a few monkeys). It's a lovely place to swim in its green water, and you'll have a lovely view of the island's two volcanoes. Also worth a visit is the butterfly aviary. Allow around 2 hours for your visit. Please note! The lagoon is also the home of Chico Largo, the legendary witch of Charco Verde. And be warned: she doesn't like people taking photos...

A few kilometres east and north of the city, the famous Cordillère Cordillère protects one of the most beautiful natural sites in Nicaragua. It is a small 30 km long cordillera bordered by vertical cliffs more than 100 m high in some places and houses many vestiges of an indigenous civilization, probably always the same chontales civilization. You can camp one night at the top of one of these mountains, in the middle of a former cemetery, between tombs and remains of pre-Columbian dwellings. The views during the walk and the summit are stunning.

Of course, you can go independently if you master Spanish, or through the DETOUR agency to go into trek with a professional French guide and/or a local guide passionate about archaeology that knows by heart every corner of the Cordillera and its secrets.

Grave robbers, no, there is nothing shining under these stones and it is strictly forbidden to search or take a rest of pottery as small as it is, due to penalties and severe fines. Walkers must be careful, by rubbing with grass grass, to bunches of ticks sticking to the skin.

A cluster can contain some tens to a few hundred ticks, of almost invisible size to normal adult tick size (depending on the stage of development). They can cause you tickle and surprises once the cluster spread on your trousers without your knowledge. So beware of the high grass along the trails, watch your pants and ask your guide to tell you the good stuff before the departure to avoid and repel them.

Outside the park, you can bathe in the "La Golondrina de los Valles", in the river within an authorized area, that is, below the water catchment area. Magnificent bathing site composed of three beautiful small pozas or natural pools.

Las Piscinas, 5 km west of the city, is thermal waters. You can bathe in a variety of rustic pools that are fed by a crystalline natural spring water source.

If you've come so far, you'd be wrong not to go on an excursion in the surrounding area. The Río is perhaps even more wonderful than the San Juan River. There is no public transport, so the services of a private boat (you may have come from this way of San Carlos, which is still the simplest solution and the one that leaves the most freedom… unless it is the most economical!). The Indigenous Matagalpas who live on the banks are not very accustomed to seeing travellers, so it is appropriate to respect a certain distance and never lack respect. Some compare the river to a "mini Amazon". The pure adventurers (but here we are talking about adventure in the strongest sense of the word) can try to embark on the frail cast of the Matagalpas, who returned to their community after making use of the usage (and occasionally emptied bottles of rum… in your company perhaps).

Please note that the Managua tour operators can also organize a trip to this region. Prepare for a certain amount of money.

Near the village of San Juan del Norte, you can swim in the Blue Lagoon (Blue Lagoon): The waters are warm and quiet (no sharks… and no crocodiles a priori!).

El Ojo de Agua, also known as the "natural pool", was originally a truly natural pool, with lush vegetation. Work was carried out to turn it into a real swimming pool, whose crystal-clear water is still that of the spring from the Maderas volcano. Loungers to rest on, a bar for a bite to eat or a drink... in short, a very pleasant place to swim and spend a relaxing half-day. Entrance fee applies. 2 km from Santo Domingo beach and 5 km from Altagracia.

The Maderas volcano (a 4,100-hectare nature reserve) is home to a pretty lagoon in its 1,394-m-high crater; the cloud forest at the summit echoes with the howler monkey's howl, and the fauna is interesting. The trails are not easy and progress is strenuous: allow at least 6 to 7 hours' walking, sometimes more. Bring plenty of water and sturdy walking shoes. The last part of the climb is particularly strenuous. But don't panic, others have done it before you: just breathe and don't take anything lightly.

The San Ramon waterfall is especially worth seeing during the rainy season (May to November), as it is reduced to a bare minimum the rest of the year. The climb is steep but not difficult; it's the heat (depending on the season) that's the problem. Remember to take plenty of water with you. From the biological station, allow at least 1h30 for the climb (3.5 kilometers). You can also go as far as the second parking lot: from there, it's a 40-minute walk for 1.5 kilometers. At the top, you can go for a swim, which is a welcome change after the climb!

A pretty white-sand beach on an island in Bluefields Bay. The ideal place to relax, swim, sunbathe... and even go kite-surfing, for example. Please note: visit the beach on a windy day, as the sandflies (small mosquitoes) from the nearby mangroves are quite voracious. Lanchas (motorboats) visit regularly. They leave from the market pier. Allow 15 minutes for the crossing. They only leave when full, so you may have to wait a while.

This beautiful lagoon, located on the Rio Esconfra, is surrounded by a tropical forest. Here you will see budgies, and with a little chance of toucans. As follows: The restaurant located on the shore also rents horses.

The village of Pueblo Nuevo is home to some 1,500 inhabitants, a mixed population blending very different cultures: Creoles, Miskitos, Ramas, Garifunas, Mayagnas, Ulwas... A visit to the Kahka Creek reserve is an experience that brings you face to face with the indigenous peoples and the surrounding nature. The tropical rainforest offers dense wildlife (including tapirs). Contact the foundation directly to organize your stay.

This natural reserve is located on one of the highest mountains surrounding Matagalpa (elevation 1 150 metres). One cannot miss it, it is the one where a large white cross (33 m high) is asked, illuminated at night. During the hike you can see small waterfalls, squirrels, lizards, different birds and butterflies… From the top of the mountain you can enjoy a nice view of the city and its surroundings.

Situated in the south-east of Matagalpa, this view is 854 metres away and offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city. Ideal for making nice photos.

The canyon of Somoto has been open to tourism since 2004 after its «discovery» by a group of Czech and Nicaraguan geologists. Its original name is the canyon of Namancambre (the name of a large tree in nahuatl language). Its existence has been well known to the local population for many years, but tourism development in the area is very recent. A real geological marvel, of volcanic origin, was formed following a fracture in pyroclastic deposits resulting from a strong volcanic activity in the region 5 to 10 million years ago. With erosion, the canyon widens gradually, reaching 150 metres high in its narrowest part. The canyon is almost 6 km long and gives birth to the Rio Coco, the longest river in Central America (which leads to the Caribbean in Cabo Gracias a Dios). These waters are quite fresh (given the high temperatures in the region, it is very pleasant), quiet and shallow (no rafting possible). We're doing the water hike, that's going down the river by alternating walking and swimming. It is open to visitors all year round, but access is sometimes restricted in the event of heavy rains (September and October). Whether you are alone or in groups, the prices of the tours offered in the canyon do not change really. The canyon of Somoto becomes a little more popular every year with international visitors. There is no need to be very sporty to go there and many well-trained guides will accompany you.

Petit Tower: This excursion is preferred by nicaraguyennes families (weekends, holidays and holidays, periods to avoid for more tranquillity). Go to the main entrance to the canyon, pay the entrance fee, and walk 30 minutes; The small boats wait (pay $ 25 C) to climb the river over 300 meters. You can then swim, observe the entrance (or rather the exit) of the canyon and jump from the top of several large rocks.

Average tower: count around US $ 20 for 3-4 hours (lunch is sometimes included). This circuit starts upstream from the river, and then descend it over 2,5 km, with small jumps of 1 meters compulsory in some passages (and possibility to jump up to 15 meters high for fans of strong sensations). Note that the tour starts with 2 km walking on a trail to reach the river. Finally, you arrive at the exit of the canyon (the place described in the small tower above).

Grand Tour: count around US $ 25 for 5-6 h excursion (only more expensive than the average tower). We walk only 500 meters to reach the river, and then we descend the entire canyon over 6 km.

Watchtowers Trail: If you don't want to wet and/or prefer walking, we recommend this hike about 3 h. Attention, the difference being important, it is better to be in good physical condition and have good shoes, especially as the trail is quite rugged. Superb views of the canyon, especially from the three watchtowers (views). At the end of the trail you will reach a small self-sufficient farm, the Finca Mejia, where it is possible to eat and spend the night.

Declared biological reserve in 1991, the Miskito Miskito are a set of 76 small islands covered with palm trees and mangrove trees spread over an area of about 120 kilometres, at the level of the Cabo Gracias a Dios and to Puerto Cabezas, 45 kilometres from the coast. The greatest cayo is called Big Cay; It is 37 km ² and there is drinking water. According to legend, he would be inhabited by the ghosts of pirates who came to the Atlantic coast several centuries ago… so that nobody sleeps, and that the island is only visited during the day. There are little cabana of stilts fishing. However, it is very complicated and therefore very costly to go there. Apart from the budding explorers, nobody visits the Miskito Miskito at the moment. In spite of all the small paradise islands? Instead, we recommend the Cayos Perlas (access from Laguna de Perlas via Bluefields).

The charming statue at the entrance invites you to enjoy. Etienne, the owner, wanted to make this site an alternative to his hotel in the city centre to allow his clients but also outside visitors to spend a day in calm and on the edge of the water. Solar panels, a beautiful palapa, hammocks placed on white sand, a big barbecue: The day is good at Coco beach.