Mombacho Volcano Reserve -Nicaragua

Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve

10km from Granada, Nicaragua

Zipline & Coffee plantation tour

The tour begins with a thrilling canopy activity that has 17 in-tree platforms, 11 double lines and 3 hanging bridges.  You zip and swing thru the trees with the help of a guide.  

Talented local artists painted the walls at the welcome station at the bottom of the reserve. 

All suited up for the fun.

The last part is 50 foot vertical drop.  Super fun and scary!

Cafe Flores

Café Las Flores is one of Nicaragua’s best coffee companies.  For over three generations, the Palazio family has grown and sold coffee on the Mombacho Volcano. We had a few samples
of coffee and were able to walk the grounds checking out the coffee trees, the flowers and the view. 

Coffee tasting

Coffee drying area

Almond Trees

 

Masaya Volcano - Granada, Nicaragua

Masaya Volcano National Park

Granada, Nicaragua
March 7th, 2017

Masaya Volcano is located in Nicaragua's largest national park, and one of 78 protected areas of Nicaragua. This consists of two volcanos and multiple craters, the largest is Las Sierras.  It remains an active volcano and last erupted in January 2016.  We toured the volcano, hiked to the top of a crater, explored the lava caverns and went on a bat tour.  

Beautiful view. The black in the background is ash from one of the eruptions.

Las Sierras Crater 

This crater emits heavy concentrations of sulfur gas.  The gas impedes the view of the lava.  On a good day some are able to see a faint red glow from the lava.

Craters edge

Hiking to the top of a crater

"La Cruz de Bobadilla"

The volcano was feared by the locals.  They believed that if they sacrificed prisoners and others it would please the gods.  A priest, Father Francisco Bobadilla came to put a stop to the sacrifices and to exorcise the Devil.  He erected a cross, "La Cruz de Bobadilla"on the craters edge and blessed it.  The cross remains at the craters lip to this day but it is no longer open to the public.

View of the volcano from on top of the crater

Panoramic view of the crater (click on pic to enlarge)

Another active volcano in the background

Geared up for a tour of the bat caverns

Granada, Nicaragua

GRANADA, NICARAGUA

March 7, 2017

 Granada is the oldest colonial city in Nicaragua.

This town is filled with great markets, carriage rides, beautiful old churches and picturesque volcano scenery.  Streets are filled with vendors and crafts and the locals are very friendly.  Nice quaint town to visit in Nicaragua.

Catedral de Granada is the mother church of the Diocese of Granada.

Construction of this cathedral started in 1518 and was completed in 1561.
It's a beautiful piece of history and architecture.

Guadalupe Church

 Town Square Market

Iglesia La Merced Church

Oasis Hostel, Granada

This hostel has all of the comforts of home.  Nice rooms, free wifi, free computers use, free pancake breakfast, use of the kitchens, an indoor pool and all the hammocks you could ever want to relax after your day. I highly recommend this hostel. Staff was helpful and friendly.

The Pool  &  Free Pancake breakfast

The hammocks are so relaxing

 Lake Nicaragua boat launch to Ometepe Island

 Lake Nicaragua

Carriage rides around the beautiful city.

Shopping at the market

 We made our own guacamole and plantain chips

Local children playing

All images are by Stephanie Steward