Drawn by its colonial architecture, immense and breathtaking lake, and long year warmed weather; Granada is one of principal tourism apex of Nicaragua the whole year around. You have to love it; the carriage pulled by two horses galloping around the city with the driver being your unofficial “tour guide”, the narrow pedestrian streets that extend all the way to the lake, the little kids playing in front of the majestic cathedral that robustly erects to be the admiration of natives and tourists.
When you walk on the streets of the city, you get this peculiar feeling you are traveling back in time. The old, colonial houses and cathedrals are tainted with hundreds of years of active history. You can feel the memories breathing out through the walls of the bright colored buildings. In the late 19th century, an American filibuster named William Walker captured Granada. Walker was president for a brief period of time and before running away due to the people’s rebellion against him, he burnt down the city almost to ashes. The city was reconstructed after this, mirroring its previous image, but we a closer humanitarian unity that is still perceptible in the city’s natives. As in the rest of Nicaragua, the “Granadinos” are friendly people who are proud of their city and are willing to help anybody that need assistance, no matter what nationality they are.
The city, being one of the main touristic centers of the country, has many activities that attracts eco-friendly travelers and makes them fall in love with the city and its offerings. The Mombacho volcano is full with trails to hike, a circuit of zip line encompassing over 20 different trees, and a great restaurant with an amazing panoramic view of the city and the lake. Down over the “downtown” area, you can take a stroll around the shore of Lake Nicaragua and pay 10 dollars for a boat ride around the islands that were formed by the eruption of the city’s volcano a couple of hundred of years ago.
As you can see, Granada has to be one of your stops when you travel to the gorgeous country. You have immerse yourself in the city and deeply enjoy its music, cigars, rum, and the warmth of the people that you will meet while spending some days and nights in this peaceful and antique environment.
