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Off Ometepe Island on the 6 a.m. ferry. Next stop: Granada.

One of Central America's oldest colonial cities

Granada is one of the top tourist towns in Central America, with plenty of churches and buildings still standing from the Spanish colonial period. The yellow-and-white cathedral sits proudly next to the central park, and a row of horse-drawn carriages (around US$10 and up — negotiable) waits in front. Climbing on for a slow loop around town is a fine way to see the place.

Granada cathedral
Granada's cathedral. The yellow and red dome stands out against the blue sky.
Horse-drawn carriages in Granada
Horse-drawn carriages lined up in front of the central park, waiting for tourists.
Cathedral square in Granada with food stalls
The square in front of the cathedral. Food stalls and locals filling the space.
Calle La Calzada in Granada
Calle La Calzada — Granada's main street running from the cathedral to Lake Cocibolca.
Granada central park
Granada's central park. The fountain and bandstand still carry a colonial-era feel.

Convento San Francisco

Walking through town you'll come across the Convento San Francisco — a 16th-century convent now turned museum. It displays pre-Columbian pottery and ornaments dug up around Granada and on Zapatera Island in Lake Cocibolca.

Convento San Francisco
The Convento San Francisco — Granada's most well-known convent-museum.
Pre-Columbian pottery
Pre-Columbian pottery found in the area. Animal-shaped spouts are characteristic.
Pre-Columbian decorated bowl
A bowl with red and black geometric patterns. Hard to believe it's centuries old.

Vigorón and Toña

Walk through the streets and you'll see local food everywhere. Granada's signature dish is vigorón — yuca, chicharrón (fried pork rind), and a cabbage salsa, served on a banana leaf. Cheap and filling. The local beer Toña is also cheap, and good.

Vigorón — Granada's signature dish
Granada's vigorón — yuca, chicharrón and salsa piled on a banana leaf.

Soy Nica — worth coming to Nicaragua just for this shop

The best find in Granada was a leather shop called Soy Nica. Wallets, belts, bags — all at prices you'd never see in Japan, and the quality isn't bad. Honestly, I think this one shop alone is reason enough to come to Nicaragua.

Hot dog and Toña in Granada
A hot dog and a Toña at a bar along Calle La Calzada. Cheap, and good.
Granada is set up for tourists — relatively easy and safe to walk around by Nicaraguan standards. If you like leather goods, this is a town you should not skip.

Places I visited

1
Parque Central, Granada
Parque Central, Granada, Nicaragua / The town's central plaza, ringed by the cathedral and other colonial-era buildings
2
Convento San Francisco (museum)
Calle La Calzada, Granada, Nicaragua / A 16th-century convent turned museum, with a pre-Columbian pottery collection
3
Soy Nica (leather shop)
Calle La Calzada, Granada, Nicaragua / Local shop selling handmade leather goods
Nicaragua Granada Colonial Architecture Central America Travel Notes