12/08/2022 From Ometepe to Granada
We missed our ferry from Ometepe to the mainland by 2 minutes. (Even though the taxi driver was doing his best to get us there in time.) This is why we had to wait for another hour for the next ferry.
Back on the mainland we decided against the chicken bus this time and in favour of a taxi to get to our next place: Granada.
What to expect
Granada
Granada is historically one of Nicaragua’s most important cities, economically and politically. It has a rich colonial heritage, seen in its architecture and structure.
wikipedia
In Granada we stayed at the famous Selina Hostel, which is a chain all over Central and South America. We’ve heard great things about it and besides offering free yoga in the morning and other free activities, it has its own cinema room, library, restaurant, pool and club.
However, we were a bit disappointed: The (private) room was really basic, the food overpriced and the bass of the club was pumping into our room until 3 a.m. in the morning – we really are this old couple now.
Nevertheless, it was great to run into many backpackers we had met at other places on this trip.
Get a welcome drink at Selina Hostel
Unfortunately, Blake hasn’t been feeling too well since Ometepe. But we didn’t want to be antisocial. This is why we got the welcome drink in the evening and got to know some other backpackers there. It was a bit awkward though because everyone had to introduce themselves and had to name one characteristic that describes him/ her. Now I know how students feel on the first day in a new course.
Explore the bar and restaurant street
Thankfully our hostel is located right in the centre next to the Parque Central de Granada. So after the “meet and greet”, we walked around town and checked out the bar street that was on the other side of the little park.
13/08/2022 Granada
Do a free walking tour
In the next morning we did a free walking tour around town.
Granada reminds us a lot of Antigua in Guatemala with the colonial style and all the colorful houses. We really liked it!
Climb up the tower of Merced Church
On the tour we also paid a dollar to climb up the tower of the Merced Church, from where you had the best view over Granada and could look as far as Ometepe.
Try the streetfood
Back home I probably wouldn’t go to a café on my own. I can’t even give you a good enough reason why not. But on our travels I love checking out different cafés and I was craving something healthy. Therefore, a buddha bowl at the Garden Café seemed just right. And since Blake was on his soup diet (not voluntarily, he still couldn’t eat solid food unfortunately), I went on my own.
Paying 13€ (incl. tax and tips) for the bowl (and free tap water) is definitely expensive for Nicaraguan pricing. But with the 1€ streetfood the next evening I felt like I balanced it out again. 😉
Watch the lava at Volcano Masaya
Volcano Masaya
In the afternoon we went to Volcano Masaya. This is the only volcano in Central America where you can see the lava that closely.
We weren’t sure if we were ready for another hike up a volcano after hiking up Volcano Concepcion on Ometepe. But this time the driver drove us all the way to the crater where we could watch the lava with lots of other tourists 😉. I guess those sights are touristy for a reason. It was still very impressive to see the lava, especially when the sun was going down which made the lava light up even more.
14/08/2022 Granada
Spend the day at Laguna de Apoyo
Besides watching Volcano Masaya, there is one other famous tourist attraction near Granada: Laguna de Apoyo.
In the morning we went to Paradiso Hostel to spend the day at the lagoon, which is a volcanic lake. At that hostel you had to pay $7 usd for the entry. Kayaking and tubing was included in that – however, we didn’t do either of that.
Coming here with Olli, the German guy we had met at the border, we relaxed in hammocks, drank tasty smoothies (that may or may not have had rum inside) and cooled off in the lagoon.
Experience the Patron Saint Festivities of Granada
When the shuttle dropped us off back in town, Granada was unrecognizable: The town was filled with locals, who were all celebrating 500 years of Granada. I guess we came to the city at the right time 😉.
The patron saint festivities of Granada are celebrated in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption, from August 06 to 15 […]. One of the traditional activities of this festival is the equestrian parade, which is said to be one of the best in Nicaragua. The best riders in the country parade in the streets, with their best costumes and their spectacular horses of different breeds. […]”
mapanicaragua.com
There was a parade going on, stages were built up everywhere with different DJs, singers and dancers and locals were riding horses and bulls (!) throughout the narrow streets of Granada.
I didn’t like seeing the horses amongst all those people, but other than that it was truly an experience!
An “attraction” for the locals
Somehow we felt like an attraction ourselves, as people asked the Danish girl, who was with us, and me to take photos together.
Granada has also been the only town so far where I get constantly whistled at or even stared at. At one point last night, a car with four local guys stopped in the middle of the street with other cars having to wait behind him, only to tell me something about “bonita” and to blow me a kiss – while Blake was right beside me. I’m blaming the blonde hair.
However, I’ve never felt unsafe since we’ve come to Nicaragua.
We both really liked Granada! There is one big “must-do” we missed out on this time. This is why we will come back to Granada in a few days time.
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