Carazo stands out for its beautiful beaches, coffee farms, Nature Reserves, joyous religious and regional festivities full of the color of national folklore.
It is located near the chain of volcanoes of Nicaragua, but it is the only department in the region that does not have volcanic cones. It is one of the smallest departments in terms of territory in the country, but rich in culture, traditions, gastronomy, nature and rural community tourism.
It is known for its beautiful beaches and for the religious festivities that take place almost all year round in each of its municipalities. Its climate is cool and it is located on a plateau 700 meters above sea level.
Additionally, the Escalante-Chacocente wildlife refuge is located in this department, where sea turtles lay their eggs.
To visit the department of Carazo, is to know the comedy - dance El Güegüense, which dates from the colonial era, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the municipality of Diriamba, is a mixture of theater, dance and music that was named in the year 2005 Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It is a scathing expression of protest against colonial rule, a satirical drama.
How to enjoy Carazo?
Agricultural farm Jorge
It can be reached by car from the main gate of the Diriamba municipal cemetery 3 km to the southwest in the community of San Tole.
The JORGE agricultural farm was founded in 1997, 4 production systems were established (agroforestry, silvopastoral, orchard and reforestation) it has 27 ½ blocks, educational talk services are offered for the protection and improvement of the environment, horseback riding, It has three different trails and on each trail there is a viewpoint that can be explored on horseback or on foot. There are tour guides with knowledge in each of the production systems, in turn it has swimming pool services for adults and children and at harvest time the different items are sold at low costs.
Tickets
Waskatan River, Diriamba
This place is ideal for being in contact with nature, swimming in the fresh waters, camping with your family, bird watching and wildlife watching.
Entrance is totally free
Forest Waterfall
It is located at a distance of 12 km from the departmental capital Jinotepe, from the municipal cemetery on the way to the community of Ojochal passing by the municipal landfill, take the detour to the right always straight until you reach the community of El Bosque, ending the cobblestones, continue straight until you reach the entrance.
It is a site very visited by Jinotepinos and people from Caracas during the summer weekends, it is an ideal destination to practice adventure tourism and carry out activities such as: bird watching and howler monkeys. The waterfall has an adequate flow to take an exquisite bath.
Free pass.
Cascalojoche River
Located from El Gigante junction 700 meters. to the south, very close to the Ramón López neighborhood and its access is on the road, this spa offers a natural pool, where visitors can bathe, swim, enjoy the sun and appreciate nature, you can also do activities such as: bird watching and hiking.
Free pass.
La Chorrera
Located in the community of Santa Elena, 2 km west of La Conquista Central Park.
This is a spa that is part of the tourist offer of the municipality of La Conquista. It is a completely natural site and you can go camping and enjoy the flora and fauna that it has. This site can be visited at any time, since access is completely good and safe.
Free pass.
El Caimito River
It is located 3 km west of Central Park, take the right road until you reach the site.
It is a place very visited by many locals and other people from other municipalities, this place has pools where they come to spend the night or spend summer nights with the family. It can be visited any time of the year and you can watch birds and be in contact with nature.
Free pass.
Golden Triangle Natural Park - Jinotepe
Jinotepe – San Marcos Highway in front of the Santa Rosa residential complex, is a place where you can be in contact with nature. It has straw kiosks to spend a pleasant afternoon with the family.
Opening hours: Every day from 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.
Free pass.
Chacocente Wildlife Refuge
Located by the sea, 123 km from Managua, it preserves a dry tropical forest, it is a place where the Olive Ridley turtle spawns, it is one of the only two places in the Nicaraguan Pacific where four species of turtle arrive to spawn, among which stand out Lepidochelys Olivacea (Paslama) and Dermochelys Coriacea (Tora), it is definitely a spectacle of nature to observe between the months of July to January of each year, both the arrival of turtles, as well as the birth and journey of the small turtles to the sea.
National Ticket
Foreign Entry
Surfers
Students
Lomas del Viento Ecotourism Center
In this center the visitor can be in contact with nature, enjoy the sound of birds and howler monkeys that appear at the top of the trees in the mornings and afternoons, in addition to walking along the paths until reaching the viewpoint.
Tickets
Tonantzin Agroecological Reserve
It is a place of multidisciplinary convergence of specialist scientists, professors, professionals in the subject, the study in question of the work of conservation and protection of the environment and the biodiversity of the reserve is shared with the visitors, accompanied by the investigative and scientific Has made. Monitoring of animals such as birds, monkeys, reptiles, butterflies, rabbits, foxes and others is also carried out. You can go hiking through ancient trees, camping, natural and cultural tours, cycling.
Tickets
Las Peñitas Spa
This natural beauty is located at km. 56 road to La Boquita, Diriamba. In this spa, the visitor can enjoy the calm waters, be in contact with nature, can taste the barbecues, walk along the trails and go horseback riding.
Tickets
farm the quebracho
This farm is located on the outskirts of the city of San Marcos at Km 44, San Marcos – Masatepe highway. You must make an appointment to enter the facilities. You can bring food and cook on site or eat the food they offer. The specialty of the place is soups and you can taste a delicious coffee grown on the farm. Activities include: camping (you bring your own tent), bonfires, hiking and bird watching.
Tickets
The Beaches of La Boquita, Casares and Huehuete
They are popular beach resorts with infrastructure, bars and restaurants very close to the coast. La Boquita is an ideal tourist center for sunbathing, swimming or surfing. Casares is ideal for fishing and is the means of support for the community. Huehuete is a more private area, to get there you must go by private vehicle.
Minor Basilica of San Sebastian, Diriamba
The first stone was laid in 1,894 and construction was completed in 1,939. On the ceiling there are paintings with biblical themes, made by the Austrian Juan Fusc Holl in 1958 and an oil mural of the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian by Master Rodrigo Peñalba Martínez. In it resides the image of San Sebastián and of Spanish origin.
Free pass.
Shrine to Our Lord of Esquipulas
It is a temple built in 1923 in an eclectic style. Its façade is completed with a bell tower and a pediment. Inside it preserves the ancient relics of the Silver Cross and the Black Christ, an image carved in orange wood. It is a local custom to make a pilgrimage in carts to pay promises and reach “La Pilita” where it is said that the image of the Lord of Esquipulas appeared.
Free pass.
Santiago de Jinotepe Parish
With a colonial structure, a High Altar. In the year 1739 the Mombacho volcano erupted, the simple hermitage of adobe and the grass deteriorated, remaining in terrible condition and the need arose to build a parish. In 1863 its construction was completed, here the patron saint festivities begin in honor of Santiago, recognized by the traditional top of saints, presentation of the dances of Los Diablitos and Las Inditas.
Free pass.
Dry Tropic Ecological Museum, Diriamba
It is also important to visit the Museo Ecológico Trópico Seco, which has an exhibition of stuffed species of flora and fauna from the Carazo department, and has various photographs, paintings and other illustrative media in its different thematic rooms. It also offers a small library with themes related to nature. To visit this museum you must make an appointment in advance.
Tickets
Painted Hands Caves
A place formed by two large rocks, where it is believed that the indigenous people engraved their hands, some painted ocher. There are also drawings of animals on them.
Located in the community of San Pedro de los Molinos, in the municipality of San Marcos, the tour begins at the Central Park, we arrive towards the corners and turn right on the Pan-American Highway towards Managua, at km 30 we arrive at the entrance to La Danta, we travel 6 km to the west until we reach the community of San Francisco, we enter the Santa Celia farm, we can travel 1 km ½ to the northwest and walk 600 meters until we reach the place.
In addition to visiting the petroglyphs, just 3 km to the west in the community of El Dulce Nombre you can taste the “arrimadas” tortillas and fresh curds made by the locals in an artisanal way.