Destinations >> Somoto, Madriz

The department of Madriz is located in the central region of Nicaragua. Somoto is the capital city.

Situated some 190 kilometers (118 miles) from Managua, Madriz is a relatively small department, but it still has some important archeological sites in the northeast. These include petroglyphs that, according to experts, date back to the year between 600 and 800 A.D. This territory used to be called "Las Segovias"

Only 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Honduran border, near the El Espino customs outpost, we find the town of Somoto, peaceful and mountainous, with both alluvial and dry soils.

There is a colonial-style church in the plaza that has been preserved over time; it is one of the oldest. Recently it was declared part of the cultural heritage of Nicaragua.

When you visit this area, do not forget to visit the small town of Palacagüina, where –as the songs of the Mejia Godoy brothers tell us – you will find delicious corn rosquillas and viejitas (plain and sweet corn and cheese biscuits).

Towns in this department include: Totogalpa, Yalagüina, Palacagüina, Telpaneca, San Juan de Rio Coco, San Lucas, Las Sabanas and Cusmapa.


Tourist Attractions:

Historical: Churches of Somoto and Totogalpa; Ruins of Yalagüina.

Scenic: Cusmapa Overlook and the El Chorro Waterfall in San Juan de Rio Coco.

Ecological: Cloud forest on Mount Pataste quetzals are said to still exist.

Totogalpa Church
Totogalpa is a small Segovian town, located between Somoto and Ocotal, which has a beautiful church. The final construction of its single tower, in 1871, was undertaken by all of the town’s faithful. When the construction was completed, they celebrated with a popular festival and copious libations of chicha (fermented corn drink) in guacales (fruit rind cups), according to Thomas Belt, an English naturalist who participated in the festivities when he passed through the town.