It’s a hustling, bustling center of town. As in so many Spanish colonial towns, Parque Central (or Central Park, if you prefer) forms the heart of a grid that radiates out through the streets.
With the distinctive three peaks of Catedral de Granada towering above, the park itself is both a showpiece and a living, breathing public space. There are fountains and statues dedicated to mothers and to beloved Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario. And while it gets sleepy in the heat of the middle of the day, despite the shade offered by the covering of ficus, mango, poinciana, and palm trees, by sunset it becomes a lively hive of activity. The park’s many benches offer a wonderful spot to sit and watch the world go by.
On the western side of the park, brightly painted horse-drawn carriages line up, waiting for tourists to come along for a ride around the town. On the northern side is a row of tourist market stalls selling things you really don’t need but that can make cute gifts. The eastern side feeds into Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square), the bustling pedestrian street Calle La Calzada lined with bars and restaurants, and Granada Cathedral. On the southern side is the relatively low-key city hall. On each of the four corners is a kiosk where the house specialty is the Nicaraguan dish of vigaron.
Photos of Granada’s Parque Central
Map
Where to Next?
Travel Advice for Nicaragua
You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Nicaragua (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.
The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Nicaragua here and the Australian Government's here.
Health & Vaccinations
The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Nicaragua here.
Guidebooks for Nicaragua
If you're looking for a guidebook to make the most of your visit, these are some of the most popular ones currently for Nicaragua. Some are available in both paper and e-book formats.
- Kaminski, Anna (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Maddicks, Russell (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Lonely Planet Nicaragua
- Lonely Planet (Author)
- Surfers guide book to traveling in Costa Rica
- Offers plenty of helpful hints
Travel Insurance For Your Trip to Nicaragua
I never travel without travel insurance, and I've run into several situations where I've had to make claims. I consider it essential.
But shopping for travel insurance can be a pain and confusing. Thankfully, there are some travel insurance comparison sites that show you a wide range of plans, make it easy to compare coverage, and can save you money at the same time. And the coverage can be much better tailored to your specific needs than the checkbox offering at travel booking sites or through your credit card.
These are some good places to shop for travel insurance for your next trip to Nicaragua :
Hopefully, you won't need it, but if something goes wrong, you'll sure be glad you have it!