Nicaragua - Useful information for your trip

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, its capital city is Managua. It is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean sea to the south. Due to its geologic morphology, its land is rich in volcanoes and the country is frequently subject to eruptions and earthquakes.

The most important lakes are Lake Nicaragua, also called Cocibolca, the largest in Central America and full of volcanic islands, Lake Managua, also known as Xolotlan, round-shaped and presumably originated from a volcano, and Laguna Apoyo, famous for its brackish waters.

The climate in Nicaragua is varied: the area comprised between the lakes Nicaragua and Managua and the Pacific Ocean is rather dry and not very rainy; the central plateaus are characterized by a more temperate and humid climate; finally, the climate is tropical in the Caribbean coast, with high temperatures and heavy rainfalls.

The central mountains are covered in oaks, pines, moss, ferns and orchids, while the fauna includes humming birds, jays and toucans. The vast rainforest is protected in the northern part by Bosawàs biosphere reserve and south by Indio Maìz biological reserve. This area exhibits five feline species, including jaguars and cougars, three species of monkeys, one species of tapir and three types of ant-eaters.

Economy in Nicaragua still relies mainly on agricolture,which takes up about 60% of the entire national exports. It is based on the cultivation of bananas, coffee, sugar and tobacco. Tha banking system, tourism, light industry, fishing, commerce and mining are growing anyway.

Three are the cities that will take visitors' breath away: Managua, the capital, with its surprising buildings, such as the municipal Cathedral and Palacio nacional, Granada, with its amazing boat tour through its lake islands and finally Leon, with the possibility of a trip to Cerro Negro volcano. One of the most appreciated sightseeings is also Mombacho volcano and the nearby natural reserve close to Granada. Here in fact it's possible to admire the immense tropical rainforest lying underneath.