City of Estelí
A charming city surrounded by lush green mountains, possessing a rich archaeological and historical legacy, CENAC Estelí is located 148 kilometers north of Managua (approximately 2 hours by car), just off the Panamerican highway
Estelí is rich in archiological and palenteological vestiges. Numerous prehistoric treasures have been found in the area.
The Natural Reserve, Tisey,Estanzuela, is located in the Central Region of Esteli and St. Cruz. It sits 700 - 1500/ 700 - 1500 feet above sea level with a climate between 15°C and 24°C.
The protected area of Estelí has many tourist attractions. The beautiful mountains are a result of volcanic activity.
There are three bodies together in Tisey. The river Varela, Salale and Sinecapa.
The Reserve Miraflor, was established in 1991. It is a beautiful natural reserve covered in lush green flora. The land is used to cultivate coffee, pineapple, cotton and cattle. It also possesses important minerals.
Miraflor is located at 1380 meters altitude. It's an area with foggy mountains, beautiful forest, and a vast lagoon formed of volcano craters. It's a place for legends because of a resounding rumble.
Another legend tells about Apaguis Caves or Calpules. These are places that have been excavated by the natives because they expected to find clay containers with golden dust inside.
The city of Estelí is located in the NW region of the country. Its altitude is 838 meters above sea level with a climate between 22°C to 30°C. It is commercial, industrial and agricultural. The center of the city is the hub of activity. There are many festivals that take place throughout the year.
One of Estelí finest attractions are just north of the city, Pueblo Nuevo. There you will find handmade crafts and beautiful views.
Estanzuela waterfall is another main attraction.
Come to Estelí and we will show you the beauty of the land and her people
City of Granada
A hub of activity for locals and tourists alike, the famous colonial city of Granada was founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524 and sits at the edge of the warm waters of Lake Cocibolca, nestled midst the indigenous community of Xalteva.
We are proud to have opened our newest CENAC site in the oldest city in the New World, not far from the modern capital city of Managua
The first inhabitants of Granada, the Chorotega population encountered by the Spanish explorer inhabited important on both north and south side of the Volcán Mombacho. Today's Granada was in the northern Lake Nicaragua province of Nequecheri, and was dominated by the heavily populated settlement of Xalteva. The original wall, which divided the Spanish and Indian sectors of Granada, can be seen today just south of the Xalteva church. In 1585 a French chronicler described a religious procession in the city as rich in gold and emeralds, with Indian dances that lasted, without rest, for the duration of the procession.
Granada became a major commercial centre on the New World. The prosperous city was attacked on a least three occasions by British and French pirates coming up the San Juan and Escalante rivers, and much of old Granada was burnt by filibuster William Walker in 1856, but Granada, the third largest city of the republic, still retains many beautiful buildings and has faithfully preserved its Castilian traditions and colonial charm. The style has been called a mixture of Nicaraguan baroque and neoclassical. Granada's history has given the city a delicious visual mix of Spanish adobe, and tile roof structures and Italian, inspired neoclassical homes with ornate ceiling work and balconies. However, most of the houses maintain the southern Spanish trademark interior garden and large, airy corridors.
Actually the centre of the city, about 10 blocks from the lake, is the Central Park, with many trees and food stalls selling Granada's famous vigorón, a popular dish of friend pork skins, yucca, and cabbage salad served on a big banana leaf. GRANADA has several easy landmarks, starting with the central, tree-lined plaza (known alternately as the Central Park and Parque Colón) and the Cathedral on its east side.
Calle Calzada extends east along the north side of the cathedral and runs straight to the municipal dock. A number of hospedajes and hotels are clustered along this street. Walking west from the main plaza, you'll come to the Xalteva neighborhood and eventually the cementery and road to Nandaime
Taxis are numerous and cheap, and of course, there are the horse carriages, which you can always find on the western side of the plaza.
