What to do and see in Matagalpa, Nicaragua: The Best Places and Tips

February 7, 2018 Misti Hsu

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

Matagalpa 61000, Nicaragua
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 249 reviews

Matagalpa Tours

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

Del polideportivo el brigadista 4 duadras al este., Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 44 reviews

Nativos Tours

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

Calle Bartolome Martinez | Reserva Natural Cerro Apante, Matagalpa, Nicaragua +505 2772 0108
Excellent
93%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 84 reviews

Escuela de Espanol Colibri

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

Cerro El Calvario, Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Excellent
53%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 79 reviews

Mirador El Calvario

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

Matagalpa, Nicaragua +505 2772 0108
Excellent
57%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Cerro Apante

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

Km 1 carretera la Dalia, Matagalpa, Nicaragua +505 2772 2002
Excellent
50%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 91 reviews

El Castillo del cacao

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)

Policia 1 Al Norte, Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Excellent
55%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

Catedral

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

From the city of Matagalpa you will go 40 kilometers towards the town of La Dalia and get off in the community of La Empresa, Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Excellent
88%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22 reviews

La Cascada de la Luna

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

Carretera Matagalpa, Matagalpa, Nicaragua +505 8713 3741
Excellent
63%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Cascada Santa Emilia

Reviewed By Stines P - Tilburg, The Netherlands

Beautiful spot just outside of Matagalpa City. Well paved stairs down to the restaurant and waterfall. Nice spot to swim. Not just a regular waterfall, this scenery is wonderful.

10. Selva Negra Coffee Tour

Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Selva Negra Coffee Tour

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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