Eddy Kuhl

In order to get to Matagalpa, either from Managua or from the International Airport you have three alternatives: 1.You can rent a car in the airport lobby, and take "Carretera Norte" heading north, it takes 2 hours to get Matagalpa City. 2. Public Bus, the other alternative is just outside the Airport to take a bus heading to Matagalpa, the bus takes 2.5 hours and it cost less than 5 dollars. 3. Hitchhiking going north to Matagalpa just outside the airport is also ok, you more likely get a free ride from a will driver of a pickup truck. On the way to Matagalpa you will pass by the following little towns:Tipitapa, San Benito, Maderas, Calabazas, just outside Ciudad Dario, Sebaco, then in kilometer 130 you get to Matagalpa. Once in Matagalpa you can go to kilometer 140 on the Highway to Jinotega to the well known Selva Negra (Black Forest) Mountain Resort, good for mountain hiking, horse backriding, birdwatching, food and lodging. If you keep going north 30 kilometers you get to the City of Jinotega, and 15 kiometers ahead is the City of San Rafael del Norte, here is the original house of Blanca Arauz, Gral. Sandino´s wife, which has been converted into a Musseum, visit also the Tepeyac Sanctuary and the oil paintings inside the local Church. Farther north is the biggest Natural Forest Reseve north of the Amazons, named Bosawas. From Matagalpa you also can go to the town of San Ramon (12 kilometers) it is near the Indian Community of El Chile, remaining of the Matagalpa ethnic group, here you may have the chance to observe the old Indian textile factory (ask local residents) Matagalpa neighborhood farms are good place to practice EcoTourism, Agritourism, Adventure hiking, Trekkling and the Tour del Cafe. For food ask for the local Nacatamal, strong black coffee, rosquillas, and Güirila or Indian Tortilla.