Granada has a long colonial history

As both the first town that Spain's conquistadores established in Central America and the epicenter of Nicaragua's current tourism boom, Granada is a brightly painted city of extremes: old yet new, relaxed yet active, exotic yet comfortable. Nowhere else in Nicaragua will you find the colonial architecture, community spirit, and breathtaking landscape that Granada offers to both the casual and extended visitor. Granada is at once both the oldest city on the continent and the most developed tourist destination in Nicaragua. Some consider this "colonial jewel" to be the future of Nicaraguan tourism.

There is good reason for Granada's recent tourism boom. It is a fascinating city - full of bright colors, violent history, lake breezes, and the sounds of horse-drawn carriages. Granada is the place to meet other vagabonds with whom you'll swap stories over a few liters of cold beer or fruit juice in the tropical shadow of Volcán Mombacho. This is also your base camp for boat trips through the Isletas and canopy tours in the Mombacho cloud forest. There's even an occasional ship to Ometepe and the Río San Juan - but not so fast! Slow down and check into one of the funky hospedajes for a couple of nights. Take in some Granada before going back to the wilds of Nicaragua. Nowhere else in the country will you find such an array of excellent restaurants set against a rainbow of architecture. This is less a "city" than a large, relaxed colonial town, where most evenings find the people out on the sidewalks, talking and laughing. Walk the streets, tour the churches, then enjoy a free concert in the park; there is much to love about Granada.

From either your hotel balcony or the veranda of your newly purchased colonial getaway, your view of Granada features a sea of red-tiled roofs and church steeples, the verdant slopes of Volcán Mombacho, and the breezy expanse of Lake Cocibolca. Outside of Granada proper the Laguna de Apoyo is a cerulean swimming hole inside a forested, ancient volcanic crater with low key communities living both at water's edge and at the crater's lip above; between the two the trees are full of monkeys. And Mombacho itself is increasingly gaining attention for its quiet and reclusive lifestyle and the relatively cool climate. Foreigners who choose Granada and the gorgeous regions on all sides enjoy being part of the casually growing clusters of colorful foreign characters who congregate in the city's many restaurants, cafes, bars, and plazas. Granada has charm, creature comforts, and a bustling real estate market. It also offers volunteer opportunities, a cultural smorgasbord of sites and entertainment, and no shortage of nearby tourist activities (kayaking, hiking, swimming, crafts shopping). Granada is popular for good reason, and this is reflected in the number of expats and tourists.

A great place to experience some music