Top Things to do in Matagalpa
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What to do and see in Matagalpa, Nicaragua: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Matagalpa, Nicaragua including Matagalpa Tours, Nativos Tours, Escuela de Espanol Colibri, Mirador El Calvario, Cerro Apante, El Castillo del cacao, Catedral, La Cascada de la Luna, Cascada Santa Emilia, Selva Negra Coffee Tour.
Restaurants in Matagalpa
1. Matagalpa Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 249 reviews
Matagalpa Tours is a Nicaraguan Tour operator specialized in creating sustainable travel experiences, connecting Nature, Adventure and social-cultural activities. We can provide your customized tour around Nicaragua and we are the experts for authentic destinations in the central region, Northern Mountains and Caribbean.
Reviewed By Dana R
Did the sustainability something full day tour. Morning coffee farm tour with lunch was very good. Afternoon hike with waterfall swim was middling. Great group and always nice to have the day planned out for you. Hike was only so so for me. But overall my review of the day was quite positive. Would likely do another tour with them.
2. Nativos Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By Sigifredo S - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Memo (nickname for Guillermo) is thoughtful, very well informed, funny and attuned to the people he leads. He lead two of us through the cloud forest, commenting on the flora and fauna. Teaching us about the different types of jungle forest. He has a five star recommendation from me.
3. Escuela de Espanol Colibri
Overall Ratings
5 based on 84 reviews
We are a small and cozy school with personal attention. Our school is situated in a beautifully restored building in the city center. The classrooms are spacious with high ceilings, natural light and lots of fresh air. It is the perfect environment for focusing on your Spanish!!!Packages by week include 2 to 6 hours of classes a day, family homestay including three meals a day and a weekly excursion or tour. Our teachers do speak English as it can be helpful in some cases. Classes tend to be in Spanish only."Learn, Know, and Feel Our Language and Our Culture". We offer volunteer.
Reviewed By lillyd121 - Cincinnati, Ohio
My boyfriend and I spent three weeks at the Matagalpa Spanish School and we were delighted with the quality of the teaching, our noted improvement in language skill over our stay, and the fantastic homestay the school arranged. This is a great place not just for young students, but for all ages. We participated in the afternoon activities as well, which allowed us a glimpse of the local traditions and better insight in to Matagalpa.
4. Mirador El Calvario
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Jessica B - Montreal, Canada
It's a hard hike up there, but it's totally worth it. You see the town and the surrounding Mountains. You can go through the catholic church's property where you can see some crosses (easy 30 minute walk) or you can go through the natural reserve Cerro Apante (a hard 1h30-2h hike). I've only been through Cerro Apante. For 30 cordobas (US$1), you can walk in the reserve all the way to the cross.
5. Cerro Apante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By SoBeRetired - Miami Beach, FL
We hiked over the Cerro Apante, with a guide, from Matagalpa to the town of San Ramon, about 16 kilometers. The hike is only for the fit and experienced with good hiking shoes, but the rewards are there: beautiful birds, howler monkeys, lovely orchids, and we saw one sloth. A guide is absolutely necessary to go beyond the mirador, as trails cross back and forth, go through coffee plantations, and so on.
6. El Castillo del cacao
Overall Ratings
4 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Rick M - Munich, Germany
The Castillo is a must visit for chocolate lovers. I can recommend taking a guided tour where you will be shown the inside of the factory. You will learn everything about their process of making chocolate.
A tasting and some tea/coffee is included. Afterwards you have the possibility to purchase some chocolate bars in the shop (highly recommended)
7. Catedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Wapikianimoosh - Gimli, Canada
Cathedral San Pedro is Matagalpas principle Catholic Church and is adjacent to the city's Central Park. It's immense size seems quite ordinary from the exterior, but the interior is pure artistry.
The ceiling alone is worth the visit with all its decoration and adornments. It is primarily painted white which seems to somehow set all things into a more peaceful and relaxed state. A visit to the Cathedral is just the recipe to alleviate the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
8. La Cascada de la Luna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Located 40 kilometers away from the city of Matagalpa in the community of La Empresa is one of the most beautiful Waterfalls in all of Nicaragua. Cascada de la Luna is a 40 meter waterfall that overlooks the lush nicaraguan forest. Our cooperative operates ziplining across the waterfall as well as hiking tours and kayaking.
Reviewed By IolaniHale - Honolulu, Hawaii
My wife and I truly enjoyed this experience! It costs 150 córdobas per person (about $6) with the funds going to support the local town. We tipped both of our guides another 25 córdobas each. In case you're wondering, the term they use for "zip-line" in Nicaragua is "canopy" (which is the same in neighboring Costa Rica). We would be hesitant about bringing young children (8 and below) as the trek back includes crossing the river by walking on top of a submerged retaining wall. Depending on the water level, it could be a little dicey for little ones as there is no rope to hold on to. Directions to get here are included in the 2016 Lonely Planet - Nicaragua book on page 200.
9. Cascada Santa Emilia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
10. Selva Negra Coffee Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Selva Negra's Coffee Tour is the only full coffee experience you will encounter. Touring an active functioning coffee farm during coffee harvest (November to February) you will see the process that your favorite drink undergoes. The rest of the year, you will still get to tour the farm, since coffee works go on all year long. Selva Negra is much more than coffee, we're a full almost self-sustainable farm and ecolodge.
Reviewed By Jason Y - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Booked a full day tour with transportation included from our Managua hotel (booked through VIATOR); Nice guide/driver for the day; had a nice lunch in Matagalpa; excellent tour at Selva Negra; very informative and beautiful grounds. But was a very, very long day with the 2.5+ hour drive each direction from Managua.
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