The most striking church in town has been repainted a brilliant purple with a mix that uses huevos de amor (fertilized chicken eggs) donated by parishioners. It’s a national historic landmark, and the destination of an annual caravan of some 150 carretas (wooden ox carts) from Masaya each year. They arrive on April 23, the anniversary of San Jorge’s miraculous appearance on the coast of Lago de Nicaragua. The ensuing fiestas patronales include parades, rodeos and several ceremonial dances.
Nuestra Señor de Rescate
Southwestern Nicaragua
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Reserva Natural Volcán Mombacho
27.51 MILES
It’s been a few decades since this 1345m volcano, the defining feature of the Granada skyline, has acted up, but it is still most certainly active and…
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19.61 MILES
Climbing this 1394m volcano is challenging but worthwhile. Guides are required for the seven- to eight-hour round-trip trek (with four to five hours of…
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13.29 MILES
This massive (and active) volcano is an Ometepe landmark. The seven- to 10-hour hike up loose volcanic stone to the summit of this looming peak can be…
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8.78 MILES
The excellent Museo Numismástico (Money Museum) documents the troubled history of the Nicaraguan economy through its coins and banknotes. Across the road,…
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Refugio de Vida Silvestre Río Escalante-Chacocente
27.26 MILES
The main event at this remote wildlife refuge is the mass arrival of female turtles (at intervals between July and December), who crawl up onto the sandy…
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19.64 MILES
This stunning 40m waterfall is one of the jewels of the island. The 3.7km trail begins at the Estación Biológica de Ometepe. You can drive 2.2km up to the…
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Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Flor
21.64 MILES
One of the principal laying grounds for endangered olive ridley and leatherback turtles, this wildlife refuge (locally called by its shorter name, 'La…
14.61 MILES
This 25m statue of Jesus – one of the tallest in the world – overlooks the town from its perch 2km to the north. Take the one-hour hike up from the north…
Nearby Southwestern Nicaragua attractions
1.13 MILES
Ask your taxi driver to point out this monument, suspended from a gleaming half-arch above the traffic, which marks the spot where conquistador Gil…
2. Monumento Emannuel Mongalo y Rubio
2.08 MILES
This monument honors the local schoolteacher who was instrumental in the capture of William Walker during the Battle of Rivas in 1856.
3. Iglesia Parroquial de San Pedro
2.31 MILES
This 1863 church on the eastern side of Parque Central is worth a look for its attractive classical facade, and a lovely fresco in the cupola showing a…
4. Museo de Antropología e Historia
2.52 MILES
If you have some time to kill in town, this 200-year-old house is the place to go. Inside you'll find some moth-eaten taxidermy, a wall of myths and…
5. Iglesia San Francisco de Asis
2.63 MILES
Four blocks west of the Parque Central, this beautiful wooden church (1778) is notable for several well-carved saints and an underground tunnel running to…
6.57 MILES
Just outside the town of Esquipulas, this well-signed sand spit stretches out into the lake for more than 1km at the height of the dry season, when lake…
7. Galería de Arte Casa de Artista
6.96 MILES
Near the beach, local artist Abel shows off his work – from nudes and still life to landscapes. Swing by and have a look; it's signposted from the main…
8.78 MILES
The excellent Museo Numismástico (Money Museum) documents the troubled history of the Nicaraguan economy through its coins and banknotes. Across the road,…