Granada Journals

Whatalotta Granada

An October 2000 trip to Granada by scooby

Quote: A colonial city by a the big Lake Nicaragua, Granada has lots to see, both natural and historial.

Whatalotta Granada

Overview

Quote:

The Markets in Masaya are a perfect place to get all your souveniers cheap or replace stuff lost or stolen. Ometepe island which looms in the distance on the lake makes for great outdoor expedition. I finally saw Howler Monkeys there on my hike up Madera.Quick Tips: The ladies cooking on the outdoor grills serve excellent food. Best Way To Get Around: Buses are dependable, but there are also trucks that cruise around and take people for cheaper than the bus (not that the buses are expensive or anything). The ferry from Granada to Ometepe is a little pricey but a very nice day trip across the lake. It only runs 4 days a week, so check the schedual before making plans. Alternativel...Read More

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Hospedaje Central

Hotel

Quote:

The coffee here is free and the owner, Bill, very entertaining if you get a chance to talk to him. People laze around the large and colorful sitting room which doubles as a restaurant. The inside feels like a cool place to be, as if you got into a pre-party without paying the cover. The big room is full of christmas lights and colorful murals. The rooms and dormotorio are average but cheap, $3-7.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 10, 2000

Hospedaje Central
Calle Central
Granada, Nicaragua

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Iglesia Convent of San Francisco

Attraction | "Iglesia Convent of San Francisco and More"

Quote:

The convent was built in the 1500's. It's got tons of petroglyphs and pre-colombian statues, probably more than on Ometepe. The museum also shows the games that indigenous peoples used to play along with other artifacts. The building is very beautiful but, unfortunately, most of it is currently under construction, or rather restoration. The building has lots of history. William Walker occupied it in the 1850's. Some of his men are buried in the basement. In 1921 it was invaded by the US marines. Somoza used it, and the Sandanistas invaded it in 1979. It is now owned by the government and not the church. Also check out... Polvera: Gun Powder storage up by the...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 9, 2000

Iglesia Convent of San Francisco
Southwest of parque central
Granada, Nicaragua

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Mirador de Catarina

Attraction | "Mirador deCatarina"

Quote:

I got off of the main road from Masaya and walked up the cobblestone street passing under an archway of hanging plants. Past a pueblo church, the street ends at a huge lake, a former volcano. There an active volcano to the right and Granada and Lago Nicaragua in the distance. I had ice cream, a double scoop of pistachio and rum raisin (which I always mistake for chocolate chip). It was truly serene. In the town there are about 30 nurseries with almost every type of flora available in Nicaragua.

To get there from Granada, take the bus to Masaya or Managua. Get off at the Catarina exit. Cross the street and take another bus to Catarina. It should only take about a half hour.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 9, 2000

Mirador de Catarina
Catarina
Granada, Nicaragua

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Masaya Volcano National Park

Attraction | "Masaya"

Quote:

There is everything in this gigantic maze. This is the best place to buy a hammock, or really anything else you might need. Big hunks of cheese, tripe, american t-shirts, household products, and bikes. I got a watch for $1.50 that has actually lasted almost a month. There is also the old market down the street which is no good for bargains but the architecture is cool. It looks like an old castle.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 9, 2000

Masaya Volcano National Park
Masaya
Granada, Nicaragua