Destinations>> Jinotega

The picturesque department of Jinotega is set among valleys and high ridges and is one of the largest departments in the country, located only 140 kilometers (87 miles) from the capital, in the northern mountains of the central region.

The name Jinotega is from the nahualt word that means “place of the gumbolimbo trees”. However, as it is always covered in mist and has a temperate climate, the departmental capital, Jinotega, is popularly known as the “City of the Mists".

This department, with mountain elevations that form part of the Isabelia Chain, was founded in 1891. It has long valleys and includes the artificial lake of Apanas, home to one of the most important hydroelectric plants in the country: Asturias, which supplies electricity to a significant portion of the nation.

The main economic activity in Jinotega is agriculture and coffee is the primary crop.

With its extensive valleys and hills, this department has extraordinary natural landscapes that may be appreciated from its hillsides. Jinotega’s towns are: San Rafael del Norte, La Concordia, San Sebastian de Yali, Wiwili de Jinotega, Las Praderas del Cua and San Jose de Bocay

Tourist Attractions

Historical: San Rafael del Norte and its churches, the Asturias hydroelectric plant; coffee plantations in the mountains of Jinotega; Miskito villages on the banks of the Coco River.

Scenic: The valleys of Jinotega, Pantasma and Bocay; Lake Apanas, Kilambe Massif, Mount Ucapina; the rapids on the Coco River, waterfalls along the Bocay, Wina and Amaka Rivers.

Ecological: Pine and mayflower tree groves in the highlands of San Rafael del Norte and Yali. Kilambe Massif; the Bosawas Great Reserve – located between Jinotega and the North Atlantic Autonomous Region – is the largest reserve in the country; virgin tropical humid forest and cloud forests with great biodiversity.

Churches of Jinotega

Cathedral of Jinotega

The tall and elegant white towers of Jinotega’s modern church stand out among the cypress trees of the central park.

The Church of San Rafael del Norte.

The facade of this beautiful church includes two towers and a dome. Its interior boasts a series of murals and other works of art acquired through the work and good taste of Franciscan Father Odorico D´Andrea, who was a missionary in this area for many years. San Rafael del Norte is also famous as the area where the guerilla army of Augusto C. Sandino developed.

Other Tourist Attractions

La Peña de La Cruz

To the west of the city of Jinotega, the Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross) can be observed, with an altitude of 800 meters (2,625 feet). It is quite steep and hard to reach and it has become a tradition for hundreds of Jinotega Catholics to climb the hill.

According to the story, the cross was placed on the hill in Jinotega by Friar Agustin Morel de Santa Cruz to prevent the hills from falling. The friar put the cross there to protect the city as it is surrounded by hills and mountains.

Apanas Lake

This is an artificial lake that was formed in 1964 by damming the Tuma River, in order to generate hydroelectric energy for the Central American Plant. The lake also offers fishing and tourist opportunities.

Peñas Blancas Massif

One of the tallest mountains in Nicaragua is Peñas Blancas, located between the departments of Matagalpa and Jinotega. It has a number of different peaks, the tallest is 5,741 feet (1,750 meters) above sea level and is covered with coffee plantations. At the summit there is a cloud forest, thus the massif has been declared a natural reserve.