Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
B4
F4
Sights & Activities
One of the best ways to see the town is in a
horse-drawn carriage
, about US$2.50 per per-
son for the grand tour. If you're here between Thursday and Sunday, consider taking the
40-minute guided tour of Masaya. Highlights include the
malecón
, Iglesia de San Jerón-
imo and the 1926
old train station
OFFLINE MAP
tunately remains closed to the public.
Mercado Artesanías
OFFLINE MAP
MARKET
GOOGLE MAP
(National Artisans Market, Mercado Viejo or Old Market)
The 1888 Mercado Artesanías is a
somewhat incongruous, black-basalt Gothic structure with a Spanish-fortress motif, in-
cluding turrets, towers and oversized gates. Despite a major fire in 1966, it was used as a
regular market until 1978, when Somoza's Guardia Nacional all but leveled it.
Today it's a wonderful place to stroll, with attractive booths separated by wide and
breezy walkways, showcasing the highest-quality crafts in the country.
Museo del Folklore
(Mercado Artesanías; admission US$2; 8am-5pm Fri-Wed, 8am-7pm Thu)
This new museum
inside the Mercado Artesanías walls focuses on dance, local myths and the cultural tradi-
tions of Masaya.
MUSEUM
Malecón & Laguna de Masaya
OFFLINE MAP
WATERFRONT
GOOGLE MAP
Seven blocks west of the parque central is one of the most inspiring views in a region
famed for them: the view across Laguna de Masaya to the smoking Santiago crater. The
attractive, if crumbling,
malecón
was constructed in 1944, when you could still swim,
drink or fish in the impressive lagoon. Things have changed. Several trails carved into the
