By Carlos Melia
Other than the beauty of the natural attractions of Nicaragua, such as the Mombacho Volcano or Lake Nicaragua, I have to say that one of my favorite this to do was to visit the town of Granada. Known to be one of the oldest cities in Central America, this petite colonial town stands out to me as a must visit destination. I might best define it as a small version of Cusco, Peru.
(Photo Album) The charming town of Granada
The city is located two hours and thirty minutes from Guacalito de la Isla, where the MUKUL Resort is located, and one hour from Managua and the International Airport. It has an estimated population of 110,326, and a rich colonial heritage, seen in its architecture and structure.
Founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, Granada is alledgedly the first European city in the mainland Americas. Unlike other cities that claim the title, the city of Granada was not only the settlement of the conquest, but also a city registered in official records of the Crown of Aragon, and the Kingdom of Castile in Spain.
Despite the many nearby attractions, like the volcano and lake mentioned above, a day visit or even an overnight stay in Granada would be highly recommended, if you happen to visit Nicaragua.
Where to eat: Well, we tried El Zaguan restaurant and it was pretty good. Live local music and great local food. Only steps away from the main square. Other alternative options would be the Tranvia Restaurant.
But please, do me a HUGE favor and stop by Cafe de las Sonrisas. Not only is it a lovely cafe, but you will also be helping with a fantastic cause. This cafe supports teens with hearing problems. There, you can see how they create beautiful hammocks like the one I am on as I write this piece.
Where to stay: Well, if you choose to stay overnight, I would recommend the Hotel Dario. Charming hotel with a colonial atmosphere, completely refurbished, in a neoclassic building style of the early nineteenth century, catalogued as a building of historic interest.
But if you want the ultimate premium experience, then you will have to wait for a while untl the same owners of MUKUL Resort reopen the Casa Pellas. Not much to say right now, other than that I visited the house and was presented with the project. I already know it will be so chic and unique, not only in terms of luxury, but also as a local, true Granada experience. I just hope they stay true to the heritage of Granada and infuse the place with charm and local culture.
So, now you know, if you visit Nicaragua, a stop or (my choice) an overnight in Granada is a MUST. Then you can continue to the Emerald Coast and Guacalito de la Isla to the MUKUL Resort.
Here, you can read all my past and current posts on Nicaragua.
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Carlos Melia is a Travel Expert, Blogger, Niche Marketing Consultant, Jetsetter, and Bon Vivant, who travels around the world discovering what's new and cool in Luxury Travel and Hospitality. His reviews on hotels, restaurants, destinations, and attractions, based on his own experiences as an OUT Gay Traveler can be found at www.carlosmeliablog.com
