Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
colonial centerpiece, but it's the views from its gates, of fuming Volcán Masaya, that add
depth to your prayers.
Sleeping & Eating
ECOLODGE
$$
Centro Ecoturístico Flor de Pochote
( 8885-7576;
www.flordepochote.com
; dm/cabins US$10/35; )
A 4km downhill walk or
US$2
moto
ride from town, this beautiful ecolodge lies within the Reserva Natural La-
guna de Apoyo, perched right on the crater rim. Cabins sleeping two to four are scattered
around the 10-hectare finca and are made from natural materials. You can access the
lodge's trails for US$1.
Meals (US$4) are served to guests in an upstairs dining room in the main house with
even better views. Walking trails crisscross the property, where scores of bird species, in-
cluding falcons, vultures and hummingbirds, can be seen.
Mondongo Veracruz
(Iglesia, 3c N; dishes US$2-6)
Masatepe is best known for delicious, steaming bowls of
mon-
dongo
(tripe soup marinated with bitter oranges and fresh herbs, then simmered with
garden vegetables for hours). This is the best place in town to sample the stew (and a tra-
ditional side of Flor de Cana Rum).
NICARAGUAN
$
NICARAGUAN
$
Leónor Barquero Tamugas/Nacatamales
(Parque central, ½c O; large/larger tamagus US$1/ 1.20)
This spot specializes in a local favorite,
the
tamagus
. It is like a
nacatamale
(banana-leaf-wrapped bundle of cornmeal, meat, ve-
getables and herbs), but made with sticky rice instead of cornmeal.
Dulcería Chepita
(Antiguo Estación Ferrocarril, ½c O)
A favorite sweets shop.
NICARAGUAN
$
Getting There & Away
Buses leave the parque central half-hourly for Masaya (US$0.50) and Mercado Roberto
Huembes in Managua (US$1.30, one hour), while minivans make the run to Jinotepe
(US$0.50, 15 minutes) when full.
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