Maribios mountain range.
The physiography of the municipality is made up of geographical features such as mountains, hills, plains, volcanoes and coastal areas. The topography presents a volcanic area that includes the Pilas - El Hoyo, Momotombo, Asososca, Montoso, Chistata, Teotecasinte, Colorado, Las Palomas and Piscacho volcanoes.
The soils of the municipality are characterized by being moderately superficial, reddish in color, with subsoils derived from volcanic ash, rich in basic minerals. They are found on the almost flat and undulating sloping plains.
In the municipality, the Maribios mountain range stands out, with steep slopes and fragile, shallow or superficial soils. The piedmont area that is between 200 and 300 m above sea level, includes the Miramar plain, as well as the Larreynaga plain, located between the volcanic complexes of the Los Maribios mountain range, are the best soils with great agricultural production potential.
The Izapa and Sinecapa plains are located to the south of the municipality, they have poorly drained soils and a very heavy texture. The coastal marine zone is located southwest of La Paz Centro, where the confluence of the Izapa and El Tamarindo rivers is located, which includes areas of wetlands and estuaries.
Coast of Lake Xolotlán.
In La Paz Centro there are many places where you can enjoy nature. The Izapa-Tamarindo river and dam is an ideal place for aquatic recreation, rest and short walks.
The municipality has an abundant hydrographic network that measures about 170 kilometers where gallery forests are still preserved. Among the rivers are the river Sinecapa, Santa Ana, El Obraje, Izapa, El Tamarindo, Los Arcos, and the lagoons Asososca, Agua Dulce, El Cachital, La Sulfatosa, La Piedra, Monte Galán or Lagunas Gemelas and Lake Xolotlán.
nature tourism
La coast of Lake Xolotlan, It is one of the most admired scenic landscapes in the municipality, where you can enjoy the peace that exists in the place, the fresh wind and the possibility of capturing a good photograph as a souvenir.
The fauna and flora of the place is rich, you can find more than 20 species of tropical fish and more than a dozen birds. It is located 12 kilometers from the urban sector of the municipality.
Momotombo Volcano: one of the most representative natural sites of the municipality, its name in Nahuatl "Momol-tzon-pol", translates as a great boiling summit, it has a height of 1,297 meters above sea level.
Its main attraction is to climb it to the top and enjoy the beautiful view of the crater, the neighboring volcanoes and the island of Ometepe. Carrying out this activity takes time, so you can take the opportunity to camp and enjoy a beautiful night on the site observing the nocturnal fauna.
All this is possible if it is done with the company of a guide who has the entry permit from the company that manages the geothermal plant, or by hiring the services of a tour operator from Managua or León to enjoy a unique visit and safe.
Farm La California: it has hot springs and a typical hacienda house, with a wide corridor and with a magnificent view of Momotombo; It also has cattle that facilitate the practice of activities such as milking, horseback riding, tasting dairy products and taking advantage of the thermal waters for health treatments. It is a private estate so you must request prior permission to enter. It is located 15 kilometers from the urban sector of the town.
Asososca Lagoon: known as Laguna del Tigre, it has an area of 812,000 square meters and a depth of 35 meters; Its water is clear with a temperature of 29 degrees Celsius, which makes it perfect for a refreshing bath.
The lagoon is ideal for bathing, picnicking, observing the fauna of the site and enjoying the tranquility of this place, declared a Natural Reserve in 1991. It is located to the northwest of the municipality and it is always recommended to go with the company of a guide to fully enjoy of the visit.
Momotombito Island: It is a small island of volcanic origin, with a height of 350 m above sea level that is part of the Protected Area of the Momotombo Volcanic Complex. Here you can see pre-Columbian statues carved in volcanic stones and take walks through the area while learning about the flora and fauna of the site. It is located southwest of the Momotombo volcano, within Lake Xolotlán, approximately 12 kilometers from the Momotombo port.
Monte Galán Lagoon: It is of volcanic origin and has a surface of 0.97 square kilometers of water mirror with a temperature of 30 ° C. It has a varied fauna, in which lizards and turtles stand out, as well as bats and the volcano mouse. It is located at the northeast base of the Momotombo volcano.
Meet the volcan Las Pilas located 25 kilometers east of the city of León and 16 north of La Paz Centro. A beautiful place formed by several volcanic buildings that share the same base.
Here you can tour the volcano until you reach a characteristic fumarole of the place, in addition to taking ecological walks where the guide will inform you of relevant information about the volcano. Here you will enjoy beautiful panoramic views.
El Hoyo volcano.
Another ideal place for adventure is the vEl Hoyo volcano, It is a volcanic complex formed by several structures, the most emblematic that you will know is the hole located in one of its slopes. Here you can go horseback riding to get to the base of the volcano, go hiking, study the forest in the area, learn about the generalities of the volcano with your guide and take pictures of the landscape and the place.
If you want to stay to learn more about these volcanoes, you can do so in a nearby hostel located in the El Porvenir and Los Caleros region, 14 kilometers from the city of León.
El El Tamarindo estuary It is a beautiful arm of the sea with calm waters that lead to Puerto Sandino. It was declared a Nature Reserve in 1991; at the site you can take boat rides, observe birds -because it has an admirable mangrove- and capture beautiful panoramic views. It is located at the mouth of the Tamarindo River.
Another site of interest is the Izapa dam, coming from the river of the same name, which is dammed during the dry season, forming a pond that makes it easy for visitors to enjoy a bath in its waters, navigation in small boats, hook fishing and observation of aquatic birds. It is located 10 kilometers from the municipality, in the extreme south where the old and new roads join León.
The ecosystems in the municipality are:
El Tamarindo estuary.
Annual crops: representative crops are peanuts and sesame, which are grown in the northern area of the Momotombo volcano; and corn and sorghum, which is mainly located in the El Papalonal area.
Dry forest: It is characterized by shedding its leaves in the summer, many species are short, although there are variations in terms of structure and composition. Many of these forest fragments have been displaced by agriculture and livestock. This ecosystem also includes the kipukas, which are forests trapped between the lava flows of Momotombo in 1905. In the flat parts we find a bushy vegetation with an abundance of chichicaste plants.
Aquatic system: It is represented by the crater lagoons and Lake Xolotlán, some of them with concentrations of sulfur due to their proximity to the network of Pacific volcanoes.
The deciduous broadleaf forest on volcanic lava: it develops on lava flows; the species that dominate the landscape are the sacuanjoche, some ferns and orchids.
Tile Saint Paul.
Pastures: They can be natural pastures or improved for the maintenance of livestock. This can be presented in two forms: one of low profile, which is practiced together with agriculture and is used for subsistence dairy production, and the other modality is the one that is carried out as the main activity and involves a greater number of heads. of cattle and area for the pasture.
The species known as La Paz palm is widely used for the elaboration of roofs in typical ranches, which are in good demand nationwide. The clay is used for the creation of handicrafts and the elaboration of bricks and tiles. On the slopes of the Momotombo volcano, the use of volcanic activity for the generation of geothermal energy is carried out.
Among the representative species of flora are the quebracho, nancite, sacuanjoche, calf guácimo, cortez, tigüilote, güiligüiste, jiñocuabo, chocoyito, eared guanacaste, melero, strawberry tree and macuelizo oak.
Among the mammals are the coyote, ostoches, deer, coatis, guardatinaja, raccoons, armadillos and rabbits; and among the reptiles the green iguana, black garrobo, rattlesnake, cuajipal, black lizard are frequent, Pacific striped lizard and ñoca turtle.
Among the birds, the Nicaraguan carrot stands out, white-bellied chachalaca, blue-tailed hummingbird, giant charralero, tufted magpie and leaping toledo.
In the case of amphibians there is a warty toad, a yellow toad and a túngara toad; among the guapote fish, pepesca, sardine, crappie and tilapia.
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