Things to do in Matagalpa & Jinotega

The twin towns of Matagalpa & Jinotega are located some 130kms north of the capital, Managua, and as part of the Northern Highlands, are surrounded by beautiful, mountainous countryside, a wide variety of flora and fauna as well as Nicaragua’s finest coffee.

At a typical altitude of some 700 metres (approx 2,300 feet), the region around Matagalpa & Jinotega is also known for its benign climate, pleasantly warm without ever being oppressively hot, with cool, comfortable mornings and evenings.

While the towns of both Matagalpa & Jinotega date back to Spanish colonial times, neither can really compare to either Leon or Granada as visitor attractions. A visit to the region is therefore very much suited to those with a love of nature and the great outdoors rather than history & culture.

Things to see and do in Matagalpa & Jinotega

Birdwatching

Perhaps the number one reason for visiting the countryside around Matagalpa & Jinotega is to enjoy its birdlife which, because of the altitude and terrain, is very different to that found in the lowlands of Nicaragua, especially South East Nicaragua, another popular region for birdwatching.

Species found in the Northern Highlands include trogons, warblers, oropendolas, wrens, hawks, parrots, toucans, woodpeckers, white-ruffed manakin and the keel-billed toucan. If you’re very lucky, you might even spot the resplendent quetzal.

Selva Negra

In the hills north of Matagalpa, on the road to Jinotega, is Selva Negra, a private nature reserve popular with locals and a smattering of adventurous foreign visitors.

Located within the cloud forest, and with its own accommodation, there are options to go hiking, birdwatching, cycling and horseback riding as well as learning all about coffee cultivation.

Penas Blancas

The Macizos de Peñas Blancas Nature Reserve is part of the extensive Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, north east of Matagalpa & Jinotega.

Within the Reserve, and at 1745 metres, the Penas Blancas Massif is one of the highest points in Nicaragua and owes its name (blancas = white) to the colour of its rocks.

Due to its elevated location, the Reserve is characterized as a Cloud Forest, ie a tropical rainforest that is permanently shrouded in fog.

There are numerous options for hiking within Penas Blancas, with varied mammals and birdlife not found in the much hotter lowlands to the south.

Coffee

Around half of Nicaragua’s coffee output comes from the estates around Matagalpa & Jinotega, most of them dating back to the 19^th century when mostly German immigrants settled in the region.

As well as Museum of Coffee in the town of Matagalpa, there are a number of coffee farms in the region that welcome visitors. If you time your visit right, you can even join in with the harvest (late October to February).

El Chile Indigenous Community

The Telares El Chile is a weaving workshop where local, indigenous women act as ambassadors for the traditions of their community. With your guide, you will learn about their history as well as their weaving process which turns out beautiful carpets, bedspreads, bags, purses and more.

You will then proceed on a short hike to the Cerro El Chile viewpoint from where you can take in panoramic, 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside. You will then return to the community to enjoy a traditional lunch with a local family.