Northern Highlands - Nicaragua - page 392

Buses depart from the main bus terminal ( 2732-3304) , 1km south of the parque central.
Border-bound buses stop to pick up passengers by the Shell station at the northern end of
town.
Ciudad Antigua (US$0.85, 40 minutes, 5am and noon)
Estelí (US$1.25, 2¼ hours, 4:45am to 6pm, hourly)
Jalapa (US$1.85, 2½ hours, 5:45am to 4:30pm, every 1¼ hours)
Jícaro (Ciudad Sandino) (US$1.40, 2½ hours, 6:15am, 10:45am, 3:20pm and 5pm)
Las Manos (Honduran border) (US$0.60, one hour, 5am to 4:40pm, half-hourly)
Managua (US$4.30, 3½ hours, 4am to 3:30pm, every 90 minutes)
Murra (US$2.10, 3½ hours, 5:15am, 7am, 8:45am, 12:30pm and 1:25pm)
Somoto (US$0.60, 1¼ hours, 5:45am to 6:30pm, every 45 minutes)
TOP OF CHAPTER
Dipilto
POP 200 / ELEV 880M
It would be hard to dream up a sweeter setting than what you'll find in this tiny mountain
pueblo 20km north of Ocotal, and just a 30-minute drive from Honduras. Think: narrow,
cobbled streets, surrounded by the pine-studded, coffee-shaded Segovias, carved by a
rushing, cascading river. The principal site is the Santuario de la Virgen de la Piedra , where
the radiant Virgin of Guadalupe blesses a kneeling pilgrim surrounded by fragrant gardens
that attract butterflies. Her faithful arrive on Saturday and Sunday to light candles and
voice their prayers. And if you land here on December 12, the Día del Virgen de Guada-
lupe, you can be a part of the festive love mob, which descends from all corners of the
northern highlands.
The majestic mountains around Dipilto are known for producing some of the best cof-
fee in Nicaragua. The brand-new Oficina de Turismo ( 2737-9047, 8925-5002; inside Al-
cadía) in the alcadía organizes hikes through 15 of Dipilto's stunning shade-grown planta-
tions with especially trained local guides. Several of the farms offer rustic accommoda-
tions, including Finca San Isidro (r per person incl dinner & breakfast US$20) , a charming old
hacienda with great views. The tourist office also organizes guided treks to quetzal nesting
grounds in the cloud forest on the 1867m El Volcán .