Matagalpa is located 65 kms from Managua and has a very uneven topography. It is located in the highlands of central Nicaragua, next to Jinotega. Matagalpa is located on an irregular area surrounded by mountains with an elevation of 700 meters above sea level and a tropical climate particular to the Pacific plains. Frequent rain falls allow for the ecological growth of rich green vegetation. It is one of the largest geographically and most populated departments of Nicaragua.

The Central and Dario Park, the northern cuisine, the Sarandajo, the Polkas and the Mazurca dances, are part of the tourist attractions of the "Coffee Maker, The Pearl of the North (La Perla del Septentrión).

For you to learn more about the origin and development of coffee growing a visit to the Coffee Museum is a must. It offers information on the production of this red bean, including photos, farm tools, and other objects. You can also find old pre-Colombian ceramics and historic photos of Matagalpa. You may also visit the museum of the founder of the political party FSLN, Carlos Fonseca, a native of Matagalpa.

Matagalpa is the largest city within the department; it is surrounded by green mountains and watched over by the taciturn hill called “Buena Vista”, with an elevation of 1.442 meters above sea level.

The Apante mountain range, which is a protected reserve with abundant vegetation, offers tourists a place to hike as an alternative activity. The Cerro Apante will take you along its paths to the top, a good place to lookout for small mammals, butterflies, and other animals, and extraordinary natural landscape. At the top of the Cerro Apante you can get a magnificent view of the city of Matagalpa.

The Coffee Route:

Coffee plantations such as: Finca Esperanza Verde (Green Hope Farms), Selva Negra (Black Forest), Shamballah, La Leonesa, San Antonio, El Matasano and Las Delicias, are a part of local tour providers. We recommend visiting one of these plantations in order to experience coffee production during its harvesting period between November and February.

In the San Ramon area of Matagalpa, five co-op farms of small producers belonging to the Union of Agricultural Co-op Farms (UCA San Ramon / CECOCAFEN), produce and sell organic and gourmet coffee. These co-ops, La Pita, La Corona (The Crown), La Reina (The Queen) and El Roblar, provide rural community tourism.

Local Cuisine

Food made of corn.

Tamale Pisque, Sopa de Cuajada (Cheese Curd Soup), Tayuyá , Güirila, Yoltamal or Tamal Dulce (Sweet Tamales), Tortilla, Rosquillas (small like bagels), Hojaldras (Pastries), Rosquete, Atol de Maíz Nuevo (New Corn Atol), Buñuelos (Fritters), Marquesotes, Pio Quinto and Gofio.

Beverages made of corn.

Pinol, Tiste, Pozol, Chicha, La Cususa (known as corn wine), La Chicha Bruja (fermented corn beer) and Morir Soñando. The popular dessert is the Cusnaca.

Matagalpa Regional Dances.

La Mazurca Segoviana, El Jamaquello, and the Polka.

 

 

Black Forest Mountain Hotel

Located just 13 kilometers from Matagalpa, at 1,300 meters high. You can compliment your stay by touring the coffee farm, the barn, and walk through the virgin forest.
It is a wonderful place to watch the variety of flora and fauna, as well as enjoy the cool natural splendor of the weather. This will awaken your senses and make you want to learn more about the nature of Matagalpa.

Chagüitillo VALLEY - architectural beauty

It is a picturesque and attractive valley, within the jurisdiction of the city of Sébaco.

Here we can visit two archaeological sites of great value: the pre-Colombian Sanctuary “Museum of Chagüitillo”, also called Spirituality Ceremonial Altar. Located in the ancient rocks near an old stream, where a calendar carved by the local aborigines can be seen and the Deer Valley, where you can see petroglyphics.

Green Hope Farm

This farm is located 18 kms east of Matagalpa, in the city of San Ramon. This property is used to develop rural tourism, ecotourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, and ethno-tourism.

It has an altitude of 650 meters above sea level. This property has an extension of 52 acres with a pleasant and cool climate, good for hiking and camping; comfortable and picturesque lodging is provided.

Visitors can see the production of organic coffee, a butterfly farm, coffee tours; organic vegetables garden, and contemplate the flora while searching for the fauna which you will surely encounter.

San Miguel Agro-tourist Farm

San Miguel agro-tourist farm is a private property and located in lower Wasaka, 20 minutes from La Dalia. It is known for its climate, ranging between 19 º and 23 º C. It is about 500 mts above sea level.

When you visit the farm, you will find many pleasant surprises that you can choose from: like walking trails with trained guides, horse back riding, and learn about the coffee harvesting process.

You can also learn and explore about the cacao, native white almond, malanga, vegetables, citrus, and fruits crops. Visitors can also take advantage of the cool waters of the Tuma River. At night the local farmers provide the entertainment.

Dario City

Ruben Dario, our famous poet, was born in Metapa, provincial town of friendly and rural people. Today it is called Ciudad Dario, in honor of the prince of Castilian letters. You can visit the birthplace of Ruben Darío where, today, rises a museum located in the town center. This house legally belonged to Ruben Dario’s maternal aunt.

The poet was born in this place by coincidence, because his mother was on a trip to another destination.

In 1943, this place was declared a national museum. Each year in a small amphitheater, the Dariana week is celebrated, to commemorate the birthday of the great poet, with cultural events, poetry readings, dance, music, and the election of the Darian Queen.

City of Sebaco

It is the largest producer of vegetables and grains for export to national and international markets. It is located in the Sebaco Valley, 30 km. west of Matagalpa.

On the Pan-American Highway, street markets offer passersby carrots, onions, cassava, beets, cabbage, and much more. Next to Sebaco is Chagüitillo which has an interesting pre-Colombian Museum.

 

Apante Mountain/Peak

Apante Mountain/Peak is a solid mountain, located southwest of the city, declared a protected area.

In its summit, humid tropical forests are preserved, some are virgin forests, and you can also find pine and oak tree forests, as well as a varied fauna. It has an altitude of 1.442 meters above sea level. Apante means "land of two waters."

In this area we find a rich biological flora and fauna, as well as very specific tree species called: El Liquidámbar (styrciflua) typical and emblematic trees of this region like the Walnut, Oak, ferns, giant trees known as monkey tail and plants with medicinal properties such as Culculmeca, Balsam, La Peru, La Zarza, La Pirrilla, and La Suelda con Suelda. In this area, you can also find other species like Guatusa and the Spider Monkey.

In order for the tourist to enjoy and learn more about the mountains of Nicaragua, below there is a route that Segovians take when they go from Managua to the North of the country:

CERRO EL ARENAL

It is a protected area located 10 kilometers north of Matagalpa city, the climate is between 14 and 20 degrees, offering typical and varied flora and fauna.

Lyrical plantations of coffee consisting of rows of shaded coffee trees, where the vegetation is lush complete with orchids, begonias, helicons, aroids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns are there for your enjoyment, As well as an always cool weather surrounded by green forests growing at the foot of the mountains.

CERRO EL PICACHO

Located inside the Natural Reserve of El Arenal, we can find many different bird species such as: the green toucan, the urraca saya quinquelamp, the woodpecker, jilguero, the quetzal. As well as a variety of animals such as: small tigers, pumas, American lion, guardatinajas, butterflies, and the black eagle-Matagalpa’s bird.

Santa Maria de Ostuma is located inside of this reserve, on the side of the scenic road to Jinotega. It boasts of endemic species of flora and fauna, this place has a micro climate with delightful forest vegetation that can be seen in the upper valley of Waswali and the Palcila Valley. Birthplace of the great painter Leoncio Saenz. The locals mysteriously have the eyes and features of Spanish or European descent.

Gene Reserve Yucul

Located 18 kms from San Ramon, on the Jobo-Matiguas road. You can find a variety of pine forests- Spatulasp Tecunumani that can only be found in three places in the country.

Tests have proven that this variety of pine seeds is the best in the continent.

Musun Hill

The solid Musun Mountain is an old and eroded tertiary volcanic cauldron and is the last link to the Dariense Mountains.

It covers an area of 4.778 acres. Its altitude ranges between 300 to 1460 meters above sea level at its highest point.

Water is the main resource of this mountain with which it supplies the city of Rio Blanco and its communities. In this natural reserve you can swim in impressive waterfalls with natural pools.

The mountain top is usually covered by a light fog and around 53 varieties of orchids and ferns can be found there. Its predominant flora and fauna includes 3 different monkey species, ant-eaters, bears, toucans, scarlet and green macaw, chocoyos, owls, howler monkeys, sloths, and a variety of Bromeliads, orchids, and aralias.

 

 

Dirección: Del Banco CITI 1 1 cuadra al sur. Matagalpa
Delegada	Yohaira Hernández
	(505) 2772-7060
	yhchirino@yahoo.es