Things to Do in Granada: Gringo Street and More

Granada is a beautiful colonial city, and the most popular tourist city in Nicaragua. It’s easy to tour because most of the sights are within a few blocks of the central park: hotels, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions all together. Here are my recommendations of things to do in Granada, including “Gringo Street”.

Must Do: Climb to the Top of Iglesia Merced

For the best views in the city, pay $1 to climb the circular staircase up a few flights (it’s not that high) to the top of Iglesia Merced. The exterior of the church is very pretty, but it’s the chance to peer behind the gated facades of all the buildings for a slight glimpse into the courtyards beyond. It’s a popular tourist spot, but the climb is quick even if it’s busy when you go.

Iglesia Merced Things to do in Granada Nicaragua
Iglesia Merced
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More Food and Drink in San Juan del Sur

For a small town with a downtown of about 3 blocks plus a beach strip, there are a ton of boites, bars and cafés, so this is my second round up of the food and drink in San Juan del Sur. I have moved on to new spots in Nicaragua, but I never got bored in San Juan del Sur.

Bocadito Tapas

Bocadito Tapas is the only place in San Juan del Sur where I was able to get a properly chilled glass of sauvignon blanc. Not even Pelican Eyes had this! It is a key selling point. They also have a nice front patio and some very tasty tapas which are not pricey either. Nothing is pricey in San Juan del Sur, which is an excellent enticement for visiting the town!

Bocadito Tapas
Bocadito exterior

La Vecchia Signora

A few of us from Spanish school took a night off from our home meals and enjoyed some pretty good quality pizza at La Vecchia Signora. Located right in the middle of town, it’s run by Italians who are crazy fans of Italian football club Juventus – you can tell the moment you step in. We split a couple of different pizzas and they were good – especially when all you’ve been eating for three weeks is gallo pinto!

Pizza La Vecchia Signora food and drink in San Juan del Sur
mmmm delicious pizza
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Cooking Class – Eating Nacatamales in Someone’s Backyard

I got to participate in a really fun activity in San Juan del Sur: a cooking class! We learned to cook a local food at a local’s house. This is my experience cooking and eating Nacatamales in someone’s backyard in Nicaragua.

What are Nacatamales?

Nacatamales are a traditional Nicaraguan food and a twist on the tamales most of us have had in Mexican restaurants. Cooked in banana leaves over a flame for hours (4-5 in this case), they are very big and contain meat, corn meal, rice, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, peppers and mint.

Here in Nicaragua, they are popularly served for special occasions like Christmas and Sunday breakfast.

Learning to Cook Nacatamales

You know my Spanish school organizes all sorts of fun activities to keep us students busy and entertained! Well, one of them was this cooking class. A group from the Spanish school went to a local’s house to learn how to cook nacatamales on a Friday afternoon.

Do you like trying the local food when travelling? Read about the food and drink of Iceland and the Caribbean island of Bonaire

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