From your vacation rental - Casa Gallo - there are many things to Do & See while visiting Granada:
- Stroll
the town, and especially the Central Park.
- Drive or taxi to Masaya Volcano, where you will park right on the
edge of the crater. 25 minutes one way
- Visit the New Artisan's Market in Masaya. 20 minutes one way
- Lunch at the Mirador restaurants, Catarina, overlooking Lake Apoyo and Granada and Lake Nicaragua. Shop in the village
of Catarina. 20 minutes one way
- Visit San Juan del Oriente, a village of ceramics, near Catarina. We like the
cooperativa there, higher prices but excellent quality. 20 minutes one way.
- Visit Masatepe, and the roadside
furniture shops and factories - rattan, wicker, wood furniture. 20 minutes one way.
- Visit the San Simeon Lodge
(you can make reservations at Casa San Francisco) for a day trip or overnight, or the Norome Resort , both at at waters edge
at Lake Apoyo. Restaurants, swim in the crystal clear waters. Also a pleasant overnight. 20 minutes one way.
- Cruise the Isletas at Granada, 350 islands where homes are being built, the islands created 20,000 years ago when nearby
Mombacho Volcano blew its top. Have lunch at Hotel Isleta La Ceiba. 10 minutes to the docks. Another option is to see the
islands by kayak.
- Ascend nearby Mombacho Volcano in an old Russian truck, to magnficent viewpoints of Granada
and Lake Nicaragua. Hiking trails.
- Take a canopy tour on Volcan Mombacho.
- From Granada, visit Managua
(one hour), the Pacific Beaches. The five star Montelimar (all-inclusive) (one hour) for a day trip or overnight; or the charming
beachtown of San Juan del Sur (1:30). Travel to the delightful mountain coffee plantation of Selva Negra (3 hours)for an overnight. - Daytrip to Ometepe Island can be arranged through Oro Travel, though it is a long
day. Better yet, have them arrange an overnight. Also, a day trip can be arranged to the spiritual island of Zapatera,
where the large stone figures on display at Convento San Francisco came from. If you are staying at Casa Gallo, you
can pack lightly with all your other travel possessions remaining at Casa Gallo. Jose of Casa Gallo will spend that
night that you are away, at the house, so all items will be secure.
There is more to do, of course,
these are some suggestions. Enjoy your Nicaragua vacation!
Kayak tours of the isletas - starts at about $25 for
2 1/2 hours Masaya National Park-Masya Artisans' Market-Catarina-San Juan del Oriente- starts at $25 depending on number
in group Mombacho Cloud Forest & Canopy tour-starts at $50 1 Day Ometepe-Oro Travel quotes $82.50 (Granada-San
Jorge-Ferry-Ometepe-Ferry-San Jorge-Granada) This is doable, return about 6:30 p.m. Granada. Check Oro Travel and Tierra
Tours for pricing for a specific group size on any of these tours. Horseback tours are offered by Janice Gallagher of
GPS, with some beautiful rides out of their higher elevation finca at Diriomo, 20 minutes from Granada. For more information,
go to the www.gpsnicaragua.com website.
Airport and other transport
If you are a single passenger,
you may have to pay the double rate, $32 with Paxeos (www.paxeos.com) (desk in luggage area of MGA) or $45 with Oro Travel (information@orotravel.com). Pricing depends on group size, so be sure to check with each. In every case, Oro Travel will deposit you or
pick you up at the place you are staying. Both are reputable. Casa Gallo has used Oro Travel for airport
pick-up/departure and tours for a number of years. Costa Rica Vacation Rental. If you are
interested in extending your trip to Costa Rica, we can whole heartedly recommend Casa de Serenidad at Playa Flamingo on the
northwest Pacifc Coast of Costa Rica. The Casa has four stunning ocean front apartments, and is secluded on the Flamingo
Peninsula. Our friends Don and Babe Hopkins own and manage these apartment rentals. For more info, check out www.casadeserenidadcostarica.com Playa Flamingo is 150 road miles from Granada. Tica bus or Nica bus will take you from Granada to Liberia, Costa
Rica, and from there you can rent a car or take a taxi to Playa Flamingo, which is an hour from Liberia. One option
for travel is to fly into Managua, and after your stay at Casa Gallo, and trip to Playa Flamingo, fly out of Liberia.
American, Continental, and Delta serve both airports. Costa Rica Fishing: Highly recommended
is Game Fisher II out of Playa Flamingo, operated by Capt. Richard and Mellissa Chellemi. Richard is one of the very
top prize-winning fishing captains in Central America.
. Click here for Game Fisher II info:
Nicaragua Medical Tourism The Hospital
Metropolitano Vivian Pellas is a rather new hospital on the Carretera Masaya (on the Granada side of Managua) very modern
and well regarded for its medical staff, care, and nominal costs. The hospital offers orthopedic, plastic and reconstructive,
general and other surgery procedures. The hospital has recently offered its services for those interested in medical
tourism. Reports of those who have taken advantage of the hospital's services have been very complimentary.
Casa Gallo is a convenient and comfortable place to stay for you and your family during pre-surgery and any post-surgery
recuperation period. Casa Gallo is only 35 minutes to the hospital on the four lane highway to Managua. While
you can take advantage of the excellent medical services of Hospital Vivian Pellas, you will have the added benefit of the
experience of living briefly in the historic city of Granada with the fine accommodations of Casa Gallo. We can
arrange transportation, and even arrange some meals prepared for you right in Casa Gallo should you wish. Click here for the link to Hospital Metropolitano Vivian Pellas.
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It may be that your time is short in Granada, and a vacation rental such as
Casa Gallo does not suit your itinerary. In that case, here are some recommendations for other paces to stay as well
as places to eat: Places to Stay:
The best located
are the Colonial Hotel, just off the Central Park, and Hotel Alhambra, on the Central Park and the new Hotel Colon, also on
the west side of the park as is the Alhambra. Hotel Colonial rooms are charming and comfortable, central outdoor pool and
bar; a cozy place. Alhambra has been remodeled, boasts a great view of the Central Park across the street from its veranda.
The Hotel Gran Francia is just off the Parque Central, very nice. A new boutique hotel well located near the Convento San
Francisco is Casa San Francisco (505-552-8235) Four blocks from the Central Park is the La Bohemia, managed by part-owner
Lucy Bartlett. No restaurant or bar, but good reports, heavily discounted rates this first year of operation.
Open for 5 months, the El Almirante, a couple of blocks from the central park, uses some solar and other eco-friendly features,
comfortable bedrooms, this large hotel also has a restaurant and bar, rates now in the $50 plus range as they build business.
Nevertheless, with a 3 day minimum, if you put a pencil and paper to the numbers, you may find Casa Gallo a better value than
a hotel, plus a great deal more amenities, not to mention the incomparable experience of lodging in a historic old home in
the oldest city of the Americas and the ability to prepare any meals you wish, with total privacy from the outside world. Places to eat:
1. The Zaguan, behind the Cathedral, for charcoal grilled
steak, chicken, has been popular in recent years, but service and food quality has slipped.
2. Mediterraneo. A
couple of blocks towards the Lake (east) from the Gran Francia. Great food, ambiance in a courtyard setting, seafood, paella,
varied menu. Perhaps a bit pricier, but this is relative, would be cheap in the States. Has been in operation for a number
of years. Try the chocolate crepe for dessert.
3. The Archangel Restaurant at the Gran Francia Hotel. (On the southeast
corner of the Park. Most expensive in Granada, but this is relative, would not be expensive in the States. Good food
in air conditioned comfort. Have a drink upstairs on the balcony and watch the action at that corner of the Central Park.
4. Doña Conchi's.(at the corner of the block that Mediterraneo is on, towards the Lake) Like Mediterraneo,
v. good food, varied menu, very charming and romantic place to take your loved one. Sangria a specialty. Lots of nooks to
sit in. More expensive.
5. Try the charming Tercer Ojo and their crepes; nightly specials; great wine selection,
cappucino, etc., at this little cafe run by Glenda and Marco. Italian oriented, library area, comfy seating, and Bhudda very
much a presence in this intriguing venue. Relatively new deli next door.
6. Breakfast - Nica Buffet, Edward is
the proprietor. Banana pancakes, omelets, etc., cheap, funky, fun. One block south of sw corner of Central Park, then around
the corner to mid-block. Kathy's Waffle House across from the Convento San Francisco. Good and inexpensive. Try the
pecan waffles or Sandy's Special, a bowl of fresh fruit, yogurt, and granola. Draws even the Managua crowd on Sunday's.
7. Casa San Francisco, charming & good food. Reasonable prices. New chef.
8. Cafe Dec Arte has closed, and this venue that became Pasta Pasta has also closed.
But the good news is that there is still a kitchen operation there that will bake cakes, chocolate chip cookies, and other
goodies to order.
9. Pizza: Telepizza and Don Luca (wood oven). Both recommended. I like the house salad that
Telepizza offers. Deep dish or thin. Telepizza is 1/2 block towards the lake from the Central Park. Don Luca is towards the
Lake from the Park on Calzada. Monna Lisa across the street not quite as far. Don Luca specializes in thin crust pizza. Have
good reports on Monna Lisa's pizza.
10. Nuestra Casa. Excellent "down home" food, ribs, shrimp, steaks,
even veal! Reasonable. Meals prepared by the owner, Three-Fingers Jimmy, who also plays the guitar and sings on occasion.
West of the Park three blocks.
11. The Roadhouse. USDA meat, great hamburgers, air cond. On La Calzada towards
the lake from the Park.
12. Coffee Shops: All relatively new. Next to the Colonial Hotel, the Euro Cafe.
Lawrence & Thelma Ginsburg proprietors. Panini Sandwiches, any type of coffee based drink you would want, gelato in wonderful
natural fruit flavors, and pastries. Try their Mocha Frappé. The Maverick Reading Room and Coffee Lounge
(midway between the north end of the Park and Bancentro) closed in August 2010.
13. Famous for its whole
fried fish is Las Colinas. Swept dirt floor, huge, yet last time I was there Presidential candidate's wife and a group of
Managua ladies eating there. South part of Granada, you will need a taxi, and then restaurant will get you a taxi back to
city center. You must try this.
14. Rostipollo. Closed
15. Across the park from Rosti Pollo,
the new Tip Top, a fried chicken chain you will see in C.A. and Nicaragua. This is inexpensive, a quicker meal than the more
formal restaurants. I'm glad to see the variety.
16. Garden Café. New entrant, with great sandwiches,
wraps, soups, smoothies, seating around the garden in this old colonial home one block south of the Central Park on Libertad.
Now also serves breakfast, and has trays of lemon cake, brownies, and other pastry items at the caja (so unfair!) and you'll
probably be tempted to take something with you when you pay your bill.
17. Café Chavalos - closed. 18.
The Alhambra Hotel has not been known for its restaurant food, but very recently has improved dramatically, good yet reasonable
menu, service very good, and of course the wonderful view of the park as you dine and drink. There are quite a few other
places to eat, 10 restaurants have opened in the past few months, several on La Calzada from the Central Park towards
the lake. Most have outside seating as well as inside tables.
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