Islets of Granada
Lake Cocibolca Lake Nicaragua, whose waters bathe the municipality, is the most important water resource in Central America and the second most important in Latin America. It is a national and international benchmark, rich in tropical fauna and flora, attractive for walks, fishing, landscape contemplation, research and recreation in general.
There are 365 islets that adorn Lake Cocibolca near the city of Granada, of volcanic origin, and constitute a tropical paradise full of leafy trees and native fauna. The boat rides and the stay on the islets is an unforgettable experience for the visitors and a source of livelihood for the local communities.
Within these islets is the Island of El Castillo, in it is the San Pablo Fortress, it was built to defend itself from adversaries in 1670. Characterized by its configuration as a military fort, it has a high cultural value.
Likewise, the Asese Peninsula with characteristics similar to those of the islets are intertwined with some productive practices and constitutes part of the lung of the municipality. In it is located Cerro Posintepe from where spectacular views of the city, the lake, the Mombacho Volcano and the peninsula with all its beauty are contemplated.>
Other attractions are the Malacatoya, Tipitapa, Acoto, Manares, Pital, Dorado, Ochomogo rivers, among others, as well as ravines that still conserve gallery forests and serve to connect ecosystems and habitat for wildlife.
Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve: Mombacho Volcano, known as the “Sultan” at 1,345 m asl, is one of the biological islands of the Pacific of Nicaragua and one of the last remnants of cloud and dwarf forest in the country, very important for research and where species survive unique in the world. The cloud forest and dwarf forest ecosystems have a cool climate, remain covered with clouds almost all year round and are always green.The cool climate, coffee cultivation and spectacular views make Mombacho one of the obligatory stops for any visitor who arrives in Granada.
In the nature reserve, there are emblematic flora species for the municipality such as the maxillaria mombachoensis orchid, which is a unique species in the world, and the friedrichstaliana freziera tree, which is an endemism shared between Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Among the endemic fauna species of the country located in the nature reserve are the salamander (Bolitoglossa mombachoensis) and the butterfly (Napeogenes tolosa mombachoensis).
mombacho
The Zapatera Archipelago National Park and its wetland system, designated as a wetland of international importance (Ramsar site), are notable for their abundance of pre-Columbian rock art, idols carved in black basalt and petroglyphs. The archipelago also has a great diversity of flora and fauna, among which several species of birds endemic to the country have been recorded.In this archipelago they found the famous sculptures that today are housed and on display in the Statuary Museum in El Convento San Francisco of the city of Granada.
The Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve located to the west of the municipality, is one of the best preserved lagoons in the country and maintains important values of native fauna and flora. Due to its surprising landscapes, it is very visited for rest, hiking and recreation.
nature tourism
The Spanish conquerors called it the sweet sea, the Granadans call it Lake Granada and today it is generally known as Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca.
On the Cocibolca coast is the Granada Tourist Center, here you can find a wide variety of restaurants and bars to meet your needs, also know the Granada pier and enjoy a bath in its warm waters.
With an eminent natural greenery, vigilant and cautious, the Mombacho Volcano observes its city, this is a magical place that will captivate you from your arrival and allows wonderful views for lovers of nature and photography.In this natural reserve you can go hiking, choosing between its three trails:
The Crater Trail: With a kilometer of distance that can be covered in an hour and a half, it is self-guided or hire the services of a guide if you wish. This trail offers the opportunity to walk through the only cloud forest in the Pacific of Nicaragua and get to know the local flora and fauna species, it takes you to the dwarf forest with fumaroles and a spectacular view to the north where you can see the city of Granada , the islets, the Asese Peninsula, the Apoyo Lagoon and the Masaya Volcano National Park.
El Tigrillo Trail: Two kilometers long, it can be covered in 2 ½ hours, the degree of difficulty is moderate, a certified guide is required to cover it. It is a route that takes you to viewpoints such as the Isletas de Granada, the vast Lake Cocibolca and the highest peak of Mombacho.
Islets of Granada
El Puma Trail: with four kilometers of extension it is covered in four hours, the degree of difficulty is high. Certified guide is required to tour it. This trail is designed for those visitors and groups who want to spend more time in contact with nature in the reserve and are willing to invest more physical effort, this tour penetrates the virgin jungle of the cloud forest, borders the main crater of the volcano in which In the center there is a fumarole emitting permanently sulfurous gases.>
Its route is winding with ups and downs between ravines; viewpoints with spectacular views such as Los Vientos at 1,145 m asl, La Roca 1,222 m asl and the new Vista de Águila Viewpoint.
Get to know the Mombacho Volcano tunnel on a tour of this majestic colossus where you will be surrounded by nature and can capture good views of the site, it is an activity that you cannot miss.
Zapatera Island is one more option; Here you will be able to observe abundance in pre-Columbian rock art, monuments, ceramics and pre-Columbian petroglyphs, you can also take a tour of the Las Banderas hill located on this island and enjoy the natural landscape.Another option is to make a stop at Isla El Muerto, where you will observe an interesting platform decorated with petroglyphs, an ancient ceremonial center from pre-Hispanic times.
In 1983 it was declared a National Park and currently offers tourist services distributed in the different communities that make up the island.
The two areas best known for their tourist offer are: Sonzapote and Santa María, the first a community rural offer and the second a remodeled farm house to offer accommodation and health, nature and rest activities. In both areas you can enjoy the peace of nature and the historical wealth of the island.
El Finca Laguna Azul Recreational Center It is a site that you must visit; It is located a few kilometers from Granada, on an old dirt road that connects these two municipalities. It is a farm of 250 blocks distributed between the skirt and the edge of the Laguna de Apoyo.
Heron
From this place you can see the Mirador de Catarina, the city of Granada, the old colonial churches, the islets and the Mombacho Volcano, has well-equipped cabins and apartments to stay (air conditioning, private bathrooms, kitchen, terrace, living room and hammocks), in addition to a beautiful and large pool to cool off.
This farm has two trails, one that goes to El Chapernal and the other that leads to Cerro Motastepe, which is the highest part of the entire nature reserve, which can be climbed on foot or on quad bikes. There is also a path that goes down to the lagoon, both require good physical condition. Here you can observe and monitor native and migratory birds.
Community rural tourism
The community of Sonzapote, is located 35 kilometers from the city of Granada, it can only be reached by water from Puerto Asese or Granada pier, transportation is not offered on a daily basis, therefore a private trip must be hired which lasts approximately one hour and is normally offered by the people of the community. The inhabitants are dedicated to fishing, agriculture, accommodation, food and guided tourist services.
Islets of Granada
Another option for rural community tourism is the Charco Muerto Community, where the Claudia Chamorro # 2 Cooperative is located, 25 kilometers from the entrance to Monte Verde (km 61 ½ Granada - Nandaime highway) on the shores of Lake Cocibolca. It has an area of 772 blocks, where you can see areas of agricultural production, forest, scenic landscapes and the homes of the families that kindly serve and share with the visitor.
The community has two beautiful beaches, a natural viewpoint, food area, lodging, boat for water tours and guide services.
You can organize the trip with the Ricardo Morales Aviles Cooperative in Granada or go on your own in a private vehicle to Casa de Tejas (entrance to Monte Verde at km 61 ½ Granada – Nandaime road, 25 kilometers on a dirt road), at this point there are two ways to get to the community , one on foot ascending the hill and the other by boat, the two ways allow you to live a different experience and contact with the people and nature of the area.
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Tourist Offer Map
