Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Northern Highlands
Why Go?
You've officially escaped Central America's backpacker superhighway and arrived in a
place where colorful quetzals nest in misty cloud forests, and Nicaragua's best coffee and
tobacco are cultivated with both capitalist zeal and collective spirit. With a little time and
commitment you'll duck into ancient, crumbling cathedrals, get pounded by countless wa-
terfalls, explore recently discovered canyons, and pay tribute to the pirates, colonists, re-
volutionaries, artists and poets who were inspired by these fertile mountains and mingled
with the humble, open-hearted people who've lived here for generations.
On either end of the region are two up-and-coming cities; hardworking Estelí buzzes
with students, farmers and cigar moguls, while Matagalpa is slightly hipper, and better fun-
ded, thanks to nearly a century of successful coffee cultivation. All around and in between
are granite peaks and lush valleys dotted with dozens of small towns and infinite caffeine-
fueled adventures.
When to Go
The northern highlands stunning landscapes are at their best from May to October when the
wet season brings out vibrant shades of green and the many waterfalls are at their best. If
you plan on hiking, consider visiting from November to February when the weather is
fairly dry yet mild and the scenery is still lush. This is also the height of the coffee harvest,
which gives visitors the chance to not only drink endless cups of the stuff but also pick and
sort your own beans. The region's other cash crop, tobacco, is harvested from March to
April and cigar fans are able to follow the leaves from the fields to the rolling tables.
Best Places to Eat
»
El Pullaso (
Click here
)
»
La Vita é Bella (
Click here
)
»
El Pescamar (
Click here
)
»
Café-Arte Tipiscayán (
Click here
)
