Matagalpa for Foreigners
Sightseeing
Peñas Blancas
wonderful waterfall and botanical experience
On the road from Matagalpa, you can find exceptional organic vegetables, fruits and flowers to bring home. The climate is exceptional and the best in Nicaragua (aka not hot at all, very pleasant).
If you make to Jinotega, expect a less wilder nightlife than Matagalpa. There are hotels by the city center, which have bars next to them and great food in the morning.
Jinotega
On the road from Matagalpa, you can find exceptional organic vegetables, fruits and flowers to bring home. The climate is exceptional and the best in Nicaragua (aka not hot at all, very pleasant).
If you make to Jinotega, expect a less wilder nightlife than Matagalpa. There are hotels by the city center, which have bars next to them and great food in the morning.
This lake is north of Matagalpa and passed Jinotega. It's beautiful scenery of not just water but lost of rain forest and mountains. Great spots to have "guapote" and other local fish.
Lake Apanás
This lake is north of Matagalpa and passed Jinotega. It's beautiful scenery of not just water but lost of rain forest and mountains. Great spots to have "guapote" and other local fish.
From Matagalpa towards Managua this makes for a great scenic drive in general. If you make it to Sebaco there is a great local market there plus a very popular spot for "guirilas" or baby corn tortillas that are sweet and delicious with local cheese (cuajada) and beans
Sébaco
From Matagalpa towards Managua this makes for a great scenic drive in general. If you make it to Sebaco there is a great local market there plus a very popular spot for "guirilas" or baby corn tortillas that are sweet and delicious with local cheese (cuajada) and beans
Be sure to bring cash as they don't take credit cards. However, a great place to have a quick snack and a drink. Great winds and views from up there.
Mirador Calvary
Be sure to bring cash as they don't take credit cards. However, a great place to have a quick snack and a drink. Great winds and views from up there.
This is a great place for a clean pool that you can reserve or share with the public. Generally speaking "La Dalia" as the place is known to locals has decent service and food, but it seems a bit more expensive than most places.
Hotel Escuela Laguna de San Martín
NIC-5This is a great place for a clean pool that you can reserve or share with the public. Generally speaking "La Dalia" as the place is known to locals has decent service and food, but it seems a bit more expensive than most places.
Food scene
This is one of my favorite food spots. It's not cheap, but as a Nicaraguan I believe that they have a very good spoon. I've visiting over 50 countries and still think their is amazing and at a great value.
Restaurante La Pradera
NIC-3This is one of my favorite food spots. It's not cheap, but as a Nicaraguan I believe that they have a very good spoon. I've visiting over 50 countries and still think their is amazing and at a great value.
Given the COVID-19 crisis I took severe precautions and still recommend this place not only for their great safety standards, but also their great seafood.
Whether you try their marinera soup or shrimp fried rice or anything else on their menu, you can't go wrong.
Very friendly people as well and a well run spot.
Restaurante Pescamar
Given the COVID-19 crisis I took severe precautions and still recommend this place not only for their great safety standards, but also their great seafood.
Whether you try their marinera soup or shrimp fried rice or anything else on their menu, you can't go wrong.
Very friendly people as well and a well run spot.
This place has really good food and amazing mountain views. The second floor has really great views of the mountains on the west. There is also a children's play area upstairs as well as a lounge downstairs for folks that want to have a drink and food in a more casual setting.
Restaurante Casa Blanca
This place has really good food and amazing mountain views. The second floor has really great views of the mountains on the west. There is also a children's play area upstairs as well as a lounge downstairs for folks that want to have a drink and food in a more casual setting.
Best soups in town. They have chicken, beef and other local specialties including great natural drinks like narajilla, cebada, cacao and others.
Comedor Las palmeras
Best soups in town. They have chicken, beef and other local specialties including great natural drinks like narajilla, cebada, cacao and others.
The restaurant has some great pizza and it's located about 15 minutes from Matagalpa in San Ramon. The drive and location are very scenic. They have a hotel as well if you decide to stay in the woods.
Hotel y Restaurante El Sueño de la Campana
The restaurant has some great pizza and it's located about 15 minutes from Matagalpa in San Ramon. The drive and location are very scenic. They have a hotel as well if you decide to stay in the woods.
Sapori D'Italia
Italian food options include pasta, pizza and salads. Outdoor seating is available.
Restaurante la Vita e Bella
This place has a great ambiance and Italian food.
Bar w/ Food
This place has an open floor plan with ventilation, which makes safer than other places to eat or have a drink. The food options seem limited, but the drinks and music are good.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Artesanos Bar
Avenida Drive Bartolome MertinezThis place has an open floor plan with ventilation, which makes safer than other places to eat or have a drink. The food options seem limited, but the drinks and music are good.
Good place to have a drink outdoors in open air. Plenty of food choices, but I personally recommend the nachos and tostones (fried plantains)
El Barcito
Good place to have a drink outdoors in open air. Plenty of food choices, but I personally recommend the nachos and tostones (fried plantains)
This is the closest thing to a club in Matagalpa. The downside is that it's hard to believe that the air is clean. Pre-COVID this was a great spot to hang out. Good music and drinks. Lots of locals come here to dance.
Woods Lounge Bar
This is the closest thing to a club in Matagalpa. The downside is that it's hard to believe that the air is clean. Pre-COVID this was a great spot to hang out. Good music and drinks. Lots of locals come here to dance.
Things To Do
If you like zip lining this is the place for you. They rent a beautiful cabin for overnight stays which can easily sleep two to three people. There is a local staff that operates a restaurant during the day.
The are trails nearby that you can explore on your own if you like to hike.
Side note: you will be in the wild here and scorpions and other critters are not unusual and part of the landscape.
Canopy Tour La Brellera
If you like zip lining this is the place for you. They rent a beautiful cabin for overnight stays which can easily sleep two to three people. There is a local staff that operates a restaurant during the day.
The are trails nearby that you can explore on your own if you like to hike.
Side note: you will be in the wild here and scorpions and other critters are not unusual and part of the landscape.
This is a great hike for the believer and non-believer. You can expect to take about 2.5 - 3 hours to complete the journey up and down.
There are great views from the top so plan on taking some photos, but I recommend to taking your cellphone or wallet up.
MOUNTAIN OF PEACE
This is a great hike for the believer and non-believer. You can expect to take about 2.5 - 3 hours to complete the journey up and down.
There are great views from the top so plan on taking some photos, but I recommend to taking your cellphone or wallet up.
Located 40 kilometers away from the city of Matagalpa in the community of La Empresa is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Nicaragua.
The local cooperative operates ziplining across the waterfall as well as hiking tours and kayaking.
Waterfall Moon
Located 40 kilometers away from the city of Matagalpa in the community of La Empresa is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Nicaragua.
The local cooperative operates ziplining across the waterfall as well as hiking tours and kayaking.
This place is coffee farm that offers a hotel with a restaurant in a beautiful natural setting. They offer coffee tours and among other amenities.
11 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Selva Negra
This place is coffee farm that offers a hotel with a restaurant in a beautiful natural setting. They offer coffee tours and among other amenities.