Located between the Cocibolca and Xolotlán lakes, Masaya is the smallest department of Nicaragua and one of the most densely populated. It is part of the so-called Metropolitan Region of Managua.

The Masaya department is very touristy, famous for its crafts, culture and folklore, as well as having enormous natural potential. Masaya is worth visiting and getting to know in depth.

Municipalities of Masaya

Masaya has a varied territory. In the southern municipalities, Catarina, La Concepción, Masatepe, Nandasmo, Niquinohomo and San Juan de Oriente, the terrain is rugged and has elevations of more than 500 meters above sea level, as well as temporary river beds that descend from the Meseta de los Pueblos, from Carazo and flow into the Laguna de Masaya. The northern municipalities, Masaya, Nindiri and Tisma have a flat territory, characteristic of the Interlacustrine Plain.

The capital of the department has the same name as the department and is known as the city of flowers. Located just 30 kilometers southeast of Managua, Masaya is also the main producer of crafts at a national level. Be sure to visit its two markets, the New and the Old, to see and buy crafts from all over the country. With a beautiful old town, it has attractions without equal in the country, its ancient Coyotepe fortress or the boardwalk are very interesting to see. It also has a great tourist and recreational offer, hotels, lodgings, bars, pubs and discos.

The City of Masaya

Masaya is one of the most important cities in Nicaragua. Located southwest of Managua, from which it is separated by just 28 km, and 14 km north of Granada, it is located on the shore of the lagoon of the same name and at the foot of the Masaya volcano – also called Popogatepe, “burning mountain” in Chorotega.

Masaya, formerly called “Mazatlan”, a word that derives from the Nahua language – a variant of Nahuatl or Pipil – and comes from the word mazatl which means “deer” and the particle -tlan which denotes “site or place”. That is, “place of deer”.

It was built by the Spanish conquerors next to an indigenous town called Monimbó. A name that is currently used by the indigenous community of Monimbo.

The culture of Masaya

It is known as the “City of Flowers” ​​and “Cradle of Nicaraguan folklore”. Nicknames that were given to it because it is the city where the flowers that are sold to the rest of the country are grown and because of the cultural nature of the city, where several traditional dances and dances were born, as well as most of the crafts.

The “Masayas” – inhabitants of the city – are well known for their artistic skills and in the creation of crafts.

Masaya’s location in Nicaragua makes it an important transport hub. It has an active agricultural manufacturing industry, such as tobacco (cigar manufacturing) and natural fiber processing.

Masaya’s crafts

Craft production is very important, it can be said that it is the center of Nicaraguan crafts, with a very strong pre-Columbian cultural component, mainly wood, leather, ceramics, stones and fabrics are worked. Industrially, shoes, leather products, soap and starch are also produced.

In this sense, it is very interesting to know the different craft centers and the small workshops where exquisite pieces are made.

Masaya Market

In this sense, a visit to the Old Market of Masaya is highly recommended, where you can see a bustling Nicaraguan market specialized in crafts and tourist products.

The market is equally interesting for its old appearance, although it was recently restored, a characteristic appearance was maintained that will take us back to later years. This is located just one block away from the Central Park.

A visit to the New Market is also highly recommended, where you can make daily purchases and learn firsthand about the daily work of the people. In addition to seeing the typical local products.

The History of Masaya

Architecturally, Masaya has a lot to offer us. Standing out is the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, located in the central park of the city and built in 1750, which is of great interest as it is almost completely preserved in its original state.

As is the church of San Jerónimo, which was built in 1833 and houses the image of the Patron Saint of Masaya, with one of the most slender bell towers in Nicaragua.

Also worth visiting are the churches of San Juan, San Miguel and Magdalena, located in the Monimbó neighborhood.

The Monimbó neighborhood

The Monimbó neighborhood deserves special attention as it is the place where the indigenous people of Monimbó are located. Located south of Masaya and specialized in the manufacture of crafts, it is impossible to visit it without buying some of the ones that are made in the countless workshops of artisans that are located in their homes. There you can buy hammocks, shoes, bags, ceramics, etc. at reasonable prices. You can also learn first-hand how they are made.

The Monimbó natives are known for their hospitality, and are respected nationally for their heroic contribution to the national war against Walker in 1856, as well as during the American occupation in 1912 or in the revolutionary uprising of 1978, which is currently commemorated every year with a march.

The Coyotepe Fortress:

Located at the entrance to the city of Masaya coming from Managua and placed on a hill from where you can see the entire city, the fortress was built at the end of the 19th century and can be visited for a symbolic fee that is paid upon entry.

In addition to appreciating the beautiful views, in El Coyotepe you can feel the recent Nicaraguan history first hand. It was an important stage during the wars of the beginning of the last century, but it is sadly famous for having been the prison for political prisoners, revolutionaries and opponents of the Somoza regime, characterized by the practice of the most vile atrocities against people.

Another very interesting place with a very pleasant view is the Malecón de Masaya, a walk from where you can enjoy beautiful views of the Masaya Lagoon, with the Masaya Volcano in the background. On the walk you can also find several points of sale of crafts and hammocks.

The old railway station

built in 1926 and now rehabilitated as a workshop school, is of interest to learn about the history of the country that sold its railway in the 90s.

The festivals in Masaya:

The calendar of celebrations of Festivals in Masaya is very dense, so it is very easy for your visit to coincide with a local festival. Especially, if your visit coincides with one of the typical Catholic festivals.

On January 6th the celebration of the Passage of the Child God is celebrated. During Holy Week the celebrations begin on the Sunday of San Lázaro, during which the parishioners take their pets to be baptized at the church and continue daily until the end of Holy Week. In April there is a celebration in honor of the Lord of Miracles. In May the feast of the Cross and in June, July and August all the saints of the heavenly court, as well as the virgins, although of lesser interest.

The most important festivals take place on September 30th and are in honor of the patron saint of San Jerónimo. Many activities are organized during them, such as processions full of flowers, cultural events, folk dances, etc.

During all the festivals in Masaya, the locals use the characteristic costumes of the Toro-Venado. Especially during the Carnival season, when they are becoming more and more known nationwide.

The Toro-Venado:

Among the folk events that have been born in this land, the “Toro Venado” stands out for its uniqueness. It was born as a procession for a promise to the patron saint of the city, San Jerónimo, and soon became a carnival. The procession, in which the venerated image is still carried, is a costume parade where only men participate, many of them dressed as women. The union of ancestral customs with Christian ones has given rise to this cultural expression that is especially rooted in the indigenous community of Monimbó that occupies the populous neighborhood of the same name. In its most authentic, indigenous aspect, the Toro-venado seems to have an expression of mockery against the Spanish conqueror.

Agüizotes Festival:

The Agüizotes Festival or simply “Los Agüizotes” is a traditional Nicaraguan celebration held annually as a tradition of the inhabitants of the city of Masaya since the mid-twentieth century and which takes place on the last Friday of October, with a previous celebration on Thursday night with the long-awaited “Vela del Candil”.

Tourist places in Masaya:

The Masaya Volcano

A few kilometers from the city of Masaya is the Masaya Volcano Natural Reserve, where it is possible to observe the lava and the smoky gases coming from its interior from the Santiago crater. Known since the time of colonization as “The Mouth of Hell”, touring the Reserve is an experience that cannot be missed.

The Masaya Lagoon

Less known but of equal interest is the Masaya Lagoon, located in the Masaya Volcano National Park. Of great interest to nature and excursion lovers.

The Apoyo Lagoon

One of the greatest attractions of this department and the country is the Apoyo Lagoon Nature Reserve, where apart from enjoying its landscapes, its natural surroundings, its crystal-clear waters and refreshing baths, you can do a number of activities such as hiking, horseback riding, kayaking or paragliding.

In the surroundings of the lagoon there is a great variety of services aimed at satisfying the needs of visitors, from food, to the sale of crafts, culture and entertainment, as well as where to stay.

Catarina and the viewpoint

If you visit the Apoyo Lagoon you cannot miss visiting one of its most famous viewpoints, such as El Mirador de Catarina, in the municipality of Catarina.

The Tisma Lagoon Nature Reserve

If you are interested in nature, you can visit the Tisma Lagoon Nature Reserve, which is one of the RAMSAR sites. It is a wetland of lake origin formed by the Tisma Lagoon, the Tisma Playuela, the Amapa Lagoon, the Poneloyo Estuary and part of the Tipitapa River. Its territory extends across the departments of Managua and Tipitapa, the latter in the municipality of Tisma.

The White Villages

In the department of Masaya there are some municipalities that make up the so-called “White Villages” (Catarina, San Juan de Oriente, Niquinohomo, Nandasmo, Masatepe /from the department of Granada, Diriá and Diriomo). Their name comes from the white color in which the walls of their houses are painted with lime. Another characteristic of the White Villages is the production of handicrafts, highlighting ceramics, saddlery and the production of wicker and wood furniture. Its streets and roads are painted in a thousand colors and filled with the smells of the flowers and plants in its nurseries.

In Nindirí you can learn about the history of this department by visiting the Tenderí Museum and the Nacudari Ethnographic Museum.

Niquinohomo, the birthplace of the General of Free Men, Augusto C. Sandino, was declared a National Historical Heritage Site in 2002.

Gastronomy of Masaya

If you visit Masatepe, be sure to try what is said to be the best modongo soup in the country.

How to get to Masaya:

Getting to Masaya from Managua is very easy. You must take the Masaya highway for 30km, located south of the capital, recently remodeled and perfectly signposted. The same highway will take you to the neighboring city of Granada. To get there by bus from Managua, you can take them from the UCA bus stop, they leave frequently and take you quickly to your destination.