Set between the Pacific Ocean and a jagged range of active volcanoes, León was Nicaragua's colonial capital for 297 years. This city is home to more than 12 colonial period churches, each one unique has a unique design, from tiny parish size chapels to the mighty Cathedral, Central America's largest church. León is also the home of Nicaragua's greatest passion, poetry, the origin of numerous internationally renowned poets, including the national hero Rubén Darío, considered one the Spanish language's 5 greatest literary figures. León has two very good hotels, and is perfect for setting off to visit Nicaragua's Maribios Volcanoes for hiking or kayaking in the Juan Venado Nature Reserve. Masaya City is considered the cradle of folklore in Nicaragua. Masaya could be the richest crafts center in Central America. Famous for its restored 19th century open air artisan market, every street in Masaya's indigenous Monimbó neighborhood is home to at least one artisan workshop. The town's residents are best known for their hammocks, but handmade leather, wood, and fabric products are also prevalent. The visitor will often by amused to find the artisans of Monimbó making crafts that carry the name Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, and even Guatemala. The reason is simple, much of the "native" crafts of those countries are made in Masaya by the artisans of Monimbó. Masaya can be visited from Managua or Granada hotels just 30 minutes away. Masaya Volcano is in the province of Masaya and could be the most accessible active volcano in the world. A paved road runs to the summit of the smoking Santiago crater, just 29 km from the center of new Managua. The park's maximum elevation is 635 meters above sea level measured from the extinct cone of San Fernando where views of the lake valley are priceless. The ancient caldera houses more than 7 volcanic cones and a crater lake, all of which are protected by the Masaya Volcano National Park. The park's landscape seems to be a Martian or moonscape, and its most famous residents are the crater dwelling parakeets which live in the toxic inner walls of the active Santiago crater. Santiago's last eruption was in April of 2001. Laguna de Apoyo, or Apoyo Crater Lake, is the biggest of Nicaragua's spectacular 14 lake filled craters and has good lodging along its shores, as well as access from good hotels in Managua (1 hour) and Granada (30 minutes). The interior of the crater is a nature reserve and home to more than 145 species of birds, howler and white face monkeys, and rare species of fish. Granada or the "Gran Sultan" is one of Latin America's most beautiful colonial cities. This ancient town founded in 1524 on the shores of mighty Lake Nicaragua and is full of history and Spanish colonial charm. It is famed as one of the oldest European settlements in the western hemisphere. The city's precious architecture and history is unforgettable; There is not more famous destination inside Nicaragua, with visitors coming from around the world to enjoy its timeless beauty and quiet charm. Granada is also a great jumping off point to visit numerous nature reserves, beaches, and villages in the region. Montelimar is a beach resort with all inclusive service located just over 1 hour from Managua. The resort is built around a farm with interesting political history and although it is fairly mainstream, those who want to do nothing but relax and eat have found their spot. The beach is long and deep with dark gray sand and a long gradual sandy shelf that extends well into softly breaking waves. Montelimar Resort is located 1 hour and 20 minutes east of Managua.
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