Northern Highlands - Nicaragua - page 385

all over Nicaragua. It's located in the community of Ducualí Grande, 3km northwest of
town. Any northbound bus will drop you at the intersection on the Panamericana, from
where it's a 1km walk to the community. In the village, take a left at the basketball court
and look for the small sign.
Condega's most unique attraction is the riveted twin-engine bomber used by the FAN
(Nicaraguan Air Force) to bomb the region. It was shot down on April 7, 1979. Now it
sits, tagged in lovers' scrawl, at Airplane Park , the local make-out point overlooking
mountain mesas. Alongside the aircraft is a faux control tower mirador (admission US$0.20)
which offers fantastic views of the town with its tiled roofs and palm trees jutting out of a
canopy of green. To get to the park, climb the steep dirt trail across the street from the mu-
seum.

Sleeping & Eating
Several cheap and tasty carne asada (barbecued meat) stalls are located on the northeast
corner of the park.

Hospedaje Baldovinos
( 2715-2222; Parque Central; s/d/t US$10/15/20; ) Set in a lovely colonial house with a
vibrant internal courtyard, this family-run hospedaje (guesthouse) offers simple, cool
brick rooms with tiled bathrooms. The most comfortable and atmospheric choice in
Condega.

GUESTHOUSE $

Hospedaje Framar
(

GUESTHOUSE $

8353-4647; Parque Central; r US$6) Very basic rooms with shared bathrooms.

Getting There & Away

Buses depart from Condega's new bus terminal on the Panamericana for the following
destinations:

Estelí (US$0.60, 45 minutes, 6am to 7pm, every 20 minutes)
Ocotal (US$1, one hour, 7am to 7pm, every 45 minutes)

Somoto (US$0.80, one hour, 4:15am to 5:45pm, every 40 minutes)

TOP OF CHAPTER