Must See

Caribbean Coast

The Corn Islands are the best known islands among the deserted coastline and virgin rainforest. Turquoise waters lap against the white beaches, and these undeveloped islands are a reminder of a time before big business altered the Caribbean for ever. Travellers can reach these Pacific coast islands by boat from Bluefields. The Corn Islands offer safe swimming and good surfing.

Granada

One of the oldest European settlements, once loved by pirates and marauders, Granada is now a romantic haunt for tourists. Located at the foot of the Mombacho volcano, the town has some beautiful buildings, including vibrantly painted colonial homes and lush gardens. A number of churches, parks and squares can also be visited, such as the neo-classical style Cathedral, the fortress-church of San Francisco and the Church of Jalteva.

Leon

León is home to most of the country's intellectual talent, and contains a university, religious colleges, several colonial churches and the largest Central American cathedral. Colourful, provocative and revolutionary graffiti graces the city walls, and the whole of the city is charged with an artistic buzz. Highlights of the city include the Ruben Dario Museum, which presents the history of poet Ruben Dario at his childhood home.

North of the city are the Hervideros de San Jacinto, natural sulphuric hot springs heated by the Telica volcano and fed by an underground river.

Managua

Nicaragua's capital was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1972 and the civil war in 1978-9. Now rebuilt, its museums are the greatest draw, the best of these being Las Huellas de Acahualinc, which contains the site where 9, 000 year old human footprints were found.

Volcanic crater lagoons surround the capital, where visitors may fish, boat or simply enjoy a picnic. Boats can be taken out on Lake Managua to visit the smoking Momotombo volcano and the shore villages. The adventurous can take a canopy tour above Tiscapa Lagoon, which sends visitors across the crater from platforms connected by zip lines.

Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve

One Nicaraguan experience not to be missed is hiking in the Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve, where visitors will be able to see a wide variety of orchids in the cloud forest. Climbing Mombacho Volcano itself offers some spectacular panoramic views.