Located in the Pacific region of Nicaragua, it is made up of the municipalities of Rivas (Departmental Capital), Tola, Belén, Potosí, Buenos Aires, San Jorge, San Juan del Sur, Cárdenas, Altagracia and Moyogalpa, the latter located on the Island of Ometepe.
Three large tribes settled in this land: the Caribies, Chorotegas and Nicaraos; territory of the wise Chief Nicarao or Nicaragua, an area known during the conquest as the Valley of Nicaragua. In addition to being a transit corridor for the colonization of the country, it was a bridge for ancient migrations of paleo Indian groups and pre-Columbian tribes.
Rivas was the first Nicaraguan territory exploited by Spanish colonizers initiated by two expeditions, the first under the command of Captain Gil González Dávila in 1522 and the second in 1524 commanded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba.
Previously known as “Valle de Nicaragua”, it was elevated to the rank of “Villa de la Pura y Limpia Concepción de Rivas” in 1720, in honor of Captain General Francisco Rodríguez de Rivas, president of the Audience and Captaincy General of Guatemala, during colonial times.
Enmanuel Mongalo, a Rivense teacher full of patriotism, burned the inn in the city before the invasion of filibuster hordes led by the bloodthirsty William Walker on June 29, 1855, a heroic feat known as the First Battle of Rivas, the first defeat of the Yankee filibuster.
“Bays of Sunset and Adventures”
On the Pacific coast with excellent and numerous beaches is San Juan del Sur, so popular for its wonderful beaches close to each other, surrounded by vegetation, flora and fauna, with magical legends such as the treasure of the pirate Morgan, which is hidden under its sands.
The lush, beautiful and horseshoe-shaped San Juan del Sur Bay is the territory of beaches such as: Marsella, Majagual, Ocotal, Remanso, Ostional among others and the Wildlife Reserve "La Flor" a massive turtle spawning site in the world. (Among the 8) in the world.
San Juan del Sur Bay is frequently visited by national and international tourists. It is a must-see destination for cruises from the USA, Canada and Europe. On its beaches you can enjoy the wind, water sports, hiking, canopy, diving and surfing and the scenic beauty of its sunsets.
During Holy Week, it becomes a riot of shows, concerts and night-time parties. These events are known as “Beach and Sunbathing Nights”.
La Flor Wildlife Refuge and Playa el Coco
Beach-La-Flor
The most famous beach south of San Juan is La Flor. This beach has been declared a Wildlife Reserve due to the multiple mass arrivals of Olive Ridley turtles that occur year after year between the months of July and January.
During this nesting season, and perhaps for thousands of years, thousands of female turtles invade La Flor at night to lay their eggs. This phenomenon is called “arrivadas” (arrivals), and it occurs repeatedly. Approximately 50 days after each arrival, thousands of small turtles are born and immediately head for the sea. Both events can be seen at Playa La Flor, which is managed by an environmental NGO.
To the north of Flor is Playa El Coco. This crystal-clear beach is a bit isolated, which makes it a good place to relax and enjoy the tranquility and natural surroundings. There are also other beaches further south, but there is not much tourist infrastructure. You can reach any of them by an improvised road, for which you will need an all-terrain vehicle, especially in the rainy season.
Ometepe Island
Ometepe is a word of Nahuatl origin that means Ome: two and tepetl: Hills with an area of 276 square kilometers, is the largest island in the world in a freshwater lake, this "Sacred Site" where the gods lived, as the Island is known, includes the municipalities of Moyogalpa and Altagracia nestled in Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca, guarded by the volcanic colossi El Maderas and El Concepción.
In pre-Columbian times, it was populated by Caribisis tribes from South America, Chorotegas, Nahuas and other tribes, and a large number of petroglyphs distributed throughout the island attest to their indigenous experience.
Its fauna stands out: Garrobos, Cusucos, Pizotes, White-faced Monkeys among others; birds such as grackles, herons, magpies etc.; in its waters Guapote, Gaspar, White Shark, Sawfish, Snook and Tilapia. In its flora tree species predominate such as: Guanacaste, Pochotes, Laureles, Genízaros and the showy Madroño.
Altagracia
Altagracia or Aztagalpa during the pre-Columbian era was populated by Chibcha tribes, descendants of the Chorotegas and Nagrandanos, strong, robust Indians, great sailors, ingenious and industrious. They settled on the coasts of San Miguel, Culco, Taguizapa, Calaiza, San Silvestre and around Cerro Maderas. During the colonial period it was known as the Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Concepción. With the name of Pueblo Grande de Moyogalpa it was elevated to the category of town in 1871.
It is said that its ancient inhabitants were industrious people, since they made trunks, baskets, wastepaper baskets and luxurious household and personal ornaments from the reed material, which they sold in the squares of Rivas and Granada. They were also known for being strong, robust and expert sailors on the lake. Read more about Ometepe
Maderas Volcano
The Maderas Volcano, with an elevation of 1,394 m, was born about 800 years ago as a result of a strong explosion that created its current crater of 400 m x 150 m. It belongs to the Cordillera del Fuego, which runs through Central America and part of Mexico and South America. The Dry Tropical Forest predominates, with a varied flora and fauna. It is covered by deposits of undifferentiated pyrocyastos and lava. (Volcanic Rock)
Concepcion Volcano
The volcano was born in the Quaternary period of the Cenozoic era, with a height of 1,610 meters and 31 meters above sea level, with a perfect cone. In pre-Columbian times, it was known as Choncoteciguatepe by the Chorotegas: "Brother of the Moon" and Mestliltepe "Hill that menstruates"
Its first eruption took place in 1880, which lasted one year. The second in 1883 and the successive ones in the years 1889, 1902, 1907 with three years of burning; 1921, 1924 and the last in 1957.
moyogalpa
Moyogalpa in the ancient Mexican language Nahuatlaca which means "Town of Mosquitoes" founded 10,000 years before Christ, its first settlers were the Olmecs, Toltecs, Chibchas, Tiwanacos, Nahuas, Mayas and Aztecs, the last to settle were the Chorotegas and Nicaraguas according to historical sources, they are direct descendants of the Moyogalpaes.
They were great sculptors, farmers of corn, yams, potatoes; excellent potters and with deep religious roots where they worshipped their gods.
