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• There are several volcanic crater lagoons in the environs of Managua – centres of watersports and residential development with boating, fishing and picnicking facilities. Laguna de Xiloa is the most popular of these lagoons. Hire a boat on the shores of Lake Managua to visit the still-smoking Momotombo volcano and the shore villages. You can also take a safe and refreshing dip in Nicaragua's volcanic crater lagoons. (Bathing in Lake Managua should be avoided due to contamination, although steps to clean up the lake are being taken.) Bathing is possible in the Laguna de Tiscapa. Meanwhile, a canopy tour above Tiscapa Lagoon flies visitors across the crater from platforms connected by zip lines.

• Discover León, the intellectual capital of Nicaragua. It contains a university, religious colleges, the largest cathedral in Central America and several colonial churches. Also worth visiting is the Ruben Dario Museum, which unveils the history of poet Ruben Dario at his childhood home. Colourful, provocative and revolutionary graffiti graces the city walls, and the whole of the city is charged with an artistic buzz. North of León are the Hervideros de San Jacinto, natural sulphuric hot springs fed by an underground river which is heated by the Telica volcano.

• Located at the foot of the Mombacho volcano, Granada has many beautiful buildings to walk around, and has faithfully preserved its Castilian traditions. The cathedral has been rebuilt in neo-classical style. Also of interest are the Church of La Merced, the Church of Jalteva and the fortress-church of San Francisco.

• Kayak on Ometepe Island, since this offers a good chance of spotting monkeys hanging from the trees!

• Beaches on the Pacific coast offer safe swimming, as do those on the Caribbean, including the popular Corn Islands. You can get here by boat from the small but important port of Bluefields, and the beautiful, coral-fringed Corn Islands (Islas del Maiz) are worth it. The larger of the islands make a popular Nicaraguan holiday resort, with good surfing and bathing facilities. Elsewhere, one hour’s drive from Managua are the Masachapa and Pochomil beaches. Montelimar Beach Resort is the largest of its kind in Central America. A visit to the El Velero beach is recommended, where surfing is excellent. The Pacific coast has a number of fine beaches, including El Coco, Marsella, Ocotal, San Juan del Sur and many others which are located in the south of Nicaragua in the department of Rivas. These beaches are distinguished by their unique and beautiful surroundings, and a number of touristic developments are underway in this region.

• Hike in the Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve - a wonderful experience that should not be missed. It is possible to see a wide variety of orchids in the cloud forest. Climbing the volcano itself leads to spectacular panoramic views.

• Take to the skies onboard a hot air balloon for the best aerial view of Nicaragua's volcanic craters.

source: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/198/top_things_...erica/Nicaragua.html