Granada, a cultural extension of Guanacaste
Granada is the oldest city in Central America. It was founded in 1524, and it treasures its old colonial architecture. It is located 27 miles (45 km) from Managua on the north shore of Lake Nicaragua. The main highway, Managua-Granada, is a scenic route as are the majority of Nicaraguan roads. This colonial city offers so many different attractions that staying overnight at Granada is practically a must.
The Spanish conquistador Hernandez de Cordoba founded Granada in 1524 on the shores of the Great Lake in the shadow of the Volcan Mombacho. Since then, it has been attacked three times by French and English pirates, and in 1856 was set afire by the infamous American filibuster William Walker.
Today, Granada is still a thriving port and community set amidst an astonishing landscape. It offers a trip back in time with its colonial structures, folkloric heritage, and renovated architectonic jewels such as La Gran Francia and the Hotel Colonial to mention a few.
Riding through the streets of Granada in a horse-drawn carriage is one of the highlights of a trip to Nicaragua. Charming colonial buildings and Baroque churches alternate with others in Renaissance style all built around a beautifully landscaped central plaza which was common to the Spanish cities of the 16th century.
Granada is also a port on giant Lake Nicaragua. From the Tourist Center it will be easy for you to get a boat to visit Las Isletas just offshore, a beautiful archipelago of volcanic origin. A normal tour around the islands can take about an hour. Some of the 365 islands are inhabited and most are covered with a vast variety of unusual vegetation. The area is also rich with bird life.
Visitors to Las Isletas may feel like they are actually on the South Sea islands. The Isletas are separated by canals where fishermen, sitting patiently on Indian rafts, wait for fish to bite.
