Costa Rica Travel Posts

Things to do while in Granada

By Patrick Brunelle ⋅ October 17, 2009 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Granada is my favorite destination in Nicaragua. I went to Managua and really didn’t like it. It was the only place I had been to where I actually felt a little afraid. Managua, the capital city, was overrun by poverty and crime. I kept bumping into people telling me don’t go here, or don’t go there. There is a neat little spot called the red light, and as you can imagine there is some prostitution, but there are also a lot of neat little clubs to go out where normal people go out to have a good time.

Granada on the other hand, is a much cleaner, more tradition, and colorful city. It is nowhere as big as Managua, which actually adds to its charm. Here is my list of top things to do in Granada:

Las Isletas: Granada is located next to hundreds of little islands. Many of those islands are inhibited by families that have been there for generations. Seeing thewir way of life was a life altering experience for me. I found it really sad to see so many of them taken advantage of by outside investers paying a fraction of the value of their islands and placing large homes on them. I believe these islands will not be around for much longer unless something is done to protect the families living their.

Cafe Nuit: At night, cafe nuit is definitely the place to be. Cheap drinks, open air and live music ensure this is a happening spot in Granada. A nice mix of locals and tourist make up the crowd here.

Local Market: Tourist beware, this is a hectic place that is drowning with locals. Don’t bring or wear anything that is flashy, as crime is fairly current here. It is well worth the trip, as it is a real behind the scenes to have the people of Granada live. Poverty is rampant here, and there are many people asking for money, so be prepare for it!

So when you travel to Nicaragua, make sure to make a stop in Granada!