Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MASAYA & MESETA ARTS & CRAFTS
Masaya itself has been famous since the days before the arrival of the Spanish for its excellent
craftsmanship, including leather, woodcrafts and so much more. Intur (
Click here
) has an excel-
lent map of town showing where the various workshops are - you're welcome to drop in, have a
look around and, of course, buy something.
Top Buys
»
Hammocks
(US$10 to US$20 for the simple ones, US$25 to US$50 for the nice ones) Bulky
but beautiful, Nicaragua's signature craft is made right here in Masaya.
»
Naive paintings and balsawood carvings
(US$8 to US$200) Glowing colors and tropical
subjects are a window on the exotic Islas Solentiname.
»
Black ceramics
(US$3 to US$20) Typical of Matagalpa and Jinotega; smooth, heavy ceramics
are specially fired for a deep black sheen.
»
Natural fiber weavings
(US$3 to US$10) Whether it's the light, flexible
jipijapa
hats of
Camoapa, the elaborately patterned reed mats from Masatepe, or even the woven palm-leaf crick-
ets (US$0.25) that every enterprising eight year old in Nicaragua has on offer, you'll find it here.
»
Carved jícara shells
(US$1 to US$5) You've probably seen the shiny green seeds hanging
from the rangy-looking trees, one of the first plants ever domesticated - not for food, but for the
shell. Carvings on durable cups and bowls range from simple to stunning, and are priced accord-
ingly.
»
Soapstone sculptures
(US$20 to US$50) They don't take up much space, but these sensually
smooth marmolina sculptures from San Juan de Limay will weigh you down.
Orientation
The Mercado Municipal (Mercado Nuevo) and main bus station are about six blocks to
the east of Parroquia de la Asunción, past the Mercado Artesanías.
The neighborhood north of La Asunción contains most of Masaya's restaurants and ho-
tels, as well as famed Iglesia de San Jerónimo.
Continue for about 1km and you'll reach the old train station and the main road to
Managua. The entrance to Fortaleza de Coyotepe is 2km to the north, and Parque Nacion-
al Volcán Masaya is about 7km further.
Information
BAC
(cnr Calle La Reforma & Av El Progreso)
