Travel Guide Masaya

"Cultural heritage of the nation" since 1989 and "capital of national folklore" since October 2000, Masaya is famous for its craft market and folklore heritage. Its inhabitants are sometimes nicknamed comeyuca (they eat a lot of yuccas!).Opinions differ as to the meaning of the town's name. According to some, it comes from the Nahuátl mazatl yan (where there are deer), or matza yan (where there are piñuelas). According to others, from ma atzallan (place between several waters). Still others, like indigenous scholar Alejandro Dávila, lean towards "where it rains fire" (ma saya, a variant of otomi). Pedrarias Dávila refers to the famous "fire-breathing" volcano in a letter to Charles V dated April 10, 1525. Masaya is also known as "the city of flowers".It would appear that the site's first inhabitants were Chorotegas from Mexico, who had undergone some Mayan influence. They settled mainly in Masaya and Monimbó (today the city's craft center). They were farmers and good craftsmen: the tradition has been perpetuated.Today, it is the capital of the country's smallest but most populous department. Many travellers prefer to head for Granada, but those who stay in Masaya love its authentic atmosphere.What's more, the proximity of Masaya National Park, the country's most visited national park, thepueblos blancos (white villages) and the Apoyo lagoon are all good reasons to spend a few days here and discover the region's heritage.