Santa María is located in the extreme west of Nueva Segovia, morphologically it belongs to the northern land unit, which has the highest elevations in the country and is characterized by having an irregular relief.
Cave painting, Cueva del Duende
Towards the west of the municipality there is a sector with small elevations between 550 and 650 masl, to the east the elevations are higher with abundant vegetation that reach up to 1,200 masl The municipal seat is located at 770 masl
The most recognized sites for their natural attractiveness are the pine forests where you can enjoy the weather, nature, fauna and horseback riding. In the same way you can learn about the initiatives of local producers such as coffee cultivation and livestock.
Five kilometers from the urban area, in the community of Las Trojas, is The Cave of the Goblin, which is surrounded by nature and where you can see cave paintings and petroglyphs from the pre-Columbian era. It is located 100 meters from the main road that leads to the aforementioned community.
La Calera lime mine
The Aguas Calientes community It has hot springs. You can take walks and excursions in the surrounding forests and enjoy a relaxing and healthy bath.
The rivers of the municipality are important for conservation, since in addition to providing water to the communities, they are the habitat of species of flora and fauna. The rivers that cross the municipality are El Zapotal and Sipilde.
Santa María has very attractive streams such as the Onda stream, La Rastra stream, Palo Verde and others.
The representative flora species are oak, mahogany, macuelizo, pochote, laurel, ocote pine, granadillo, guanacaste, black wood, male cedar, oak, acacia and strawberry tree.
Among the representative fauna species of Santa María are: white-tailed deer, bare-tailed fox, coyote, quail, azulona, grackle, goldfinch, road runner or dog soul, parakeets, rattlesnake, hummingbird, garrobo, iguana, masacuate, coral, tamagaz, mica, guardabarranco, armadillo, guazalo, squirrels.
Goblin Cave
Venture to tour the canyon of the Cerros Pegados, interesting rock formation in the flow of Quebrada Onda that originates from the outskirts of the urban area of Santa María. Here you will see large rocks naturally overlapping and leaving small spaces for access to the lower part of the canyon occupied by pools of water in the rock on the ground.
The site is located almost 7 kilometers from the urban area, you can go in your own vehicle to the entrance of this site, then continue on foot. The accompaniment of a guide is recommended.
Visit the El Carrizal jump, where you have the opportunity to hunt and sport fish.
Meet the Cerro Azul or Lung of Modesto, in the La Calera community and Las Arañas hill, in the latter you can take a tour of the slopes of the mountain. Upon reaching the upper part, the trail leads to a place where it is presumed that it was a ceremonial site for the indigenous people of the area. You will find caves, remains of metate, petroglyphs and circular shapes in the rocks from which figures and ceramic vessels are said to have been found, in this site there is also an old cemetery and wells that were presumably used by our ancestors. On the ascent you can enjoy the landscapes of the municipality. It is advisable to make your trip in the company of a local guide.
Coyote
Explore the hill the flag, a natural viewpoint where you will have a panoramic view of remote places of the municipality and without much difficulty some towns of Honduras, as well as its roads and carts. It also offers an environment rich in vegetation, where pine and oak forests predominate, with fresh environments, conducive to meditation due to the peace and tranquility generated by the environment. The route to La Bandera can be done on foot contemplating the mountainous landscape of the pine forests and dry areas that predominate in this part of the municipality of Santa María.
Here you will meet the local people and observe the limestone mine, you can take tours of the place surrounded by thick forests and enjoy spectacular panoramic views once you enter the mountain, all this with an unbeatable cool climate. It is located 10 kilometers from the urban area of Santa María, on the main road that leads to the city of Ocotal. Arriving by private vehicle is the most recommended.
One more option to enjoy Santa María is taking a refreshing dip in the spa of the community of Los Plancitos, eight kilometers from the town center.
If you want to learn about the honey production process, you can travel to the community of La Carbonera, where you will be warmly received.
Here you will meet the local people and observe the limestone mine, you can make tours of the place surrounded by thick pine and oak forests, you will have spectacular panoramic views once entering the mountain in an unsurpassed cool climate. Located 10 kilometers from the urban area of Santa María on the main road that leads to the city of Ocotal. Arriving by private vehicle is the most recommended.
One more option to enjoy Santa María is taking a refreshing dip in the spa in the community of Los Plancitos, eight kilometers from the town center.
If you want to know the honey production process, you can travel to the community of La Carbonera, where the brothers Marvin and Jorge Vásquez will warmly welcome you.
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