Things to do & places to visit in Madriz Department, Nicaragua

Madriz Department #8 destination in Nicaragua 2023. The average rating score is 4.87 based on 407 traveler reviews, of 12 attractions. Timezone: America/Managua, current date and time: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 3:05.

Top things to do (15)

Top places to visit (13 attractions)

5.0 Somoto Canyon Tours (300 reviews)
- Amazing!
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Canyoning & Rappelling Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

We booked the 6 hours canyon tour with accommodation and food at somotocanyontours and it was perfect. We got picked up at Somoto bus terminal and were taken back there the next day after our tour. The accommodation was super clean and everybody was so friendly. On the tour it was just us and our guide, Renaldo. He was so sweet and explained a lot about the nature, animals and history of the canyon. For the jumps (which were really all optional) Renaldo helped us up to the jumping point and even jumped first, so we could see that everything was ok. I would recommend somotocanyontours to anyone, who is visiting Nicaragua, because it’s a breathtaking experience and totally worth the travel up to the north. It doesn’t even matter, at what time of the year you are there. We were here in dry season and it was beautiful but Renaldo told us in rain season you can float through the canyon on tubes and see many beautiful orchids, which sounds amazing, too! See more..
5.0 Somoto Canyon Adventure Extreme (8 reviews)
- Amazing tour, great guide!
Boat Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

I did the 4 hours tour with Juan and it was amazing. He is a very knowledgeable guide with a lot of experience, who is doing everything to make his visitors happy. Unfortunately I arrived a bit injured due to a recent accident, but didn’t want to miss the opportunity to do the tour. Juan was very caring, patient and helped me to do the tour so I could experience beautiful Somoto Canyon. He even arranged for a horse without extra charge so I didn’t have to walk the final two kilometers. This is exceptional customer service and I couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you Juan for making this possible!! So if you go to Somoto Canyon you need to book a tour with Juan for the best tour. Highly recommended! See more..
5.0 Segovias Tours (2 reviews)
- Great experience!
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 AM Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

I did a one day tour with Segovias Tours visiting the Canyon and I had an absolutely wonderful day, accompaned by a guide as well as an interpreter. It was only the three of us, which allowed for a less 'touristy' feel of the tour. The tour offered amazing views and a cool experience of walking and swimig in nature's creation. There are options to the length of the hike, I personally did the longer one, which I think everyone who have no problem with walkig long distances should do. Worth noting is that the activity requires a bit more than basic mobility, which should be taken into consideration when choosing the length of the walk. I decide before hand to include a meal in my tour, which I was greatful for after all the walking. It was also a good experience to eat some traditional food. The guide brings along a water safe plastic box to carry your belongings in, but I recommend not bringing to much or heavy stuff. I traveled in Nicaragua on my own, however on this tour I did not feel loney at all. I had alot of fun with the two wonderful young men who accompanied me. I highly recommend it! See more..
5.0 La Laguna de la Bruja (2 reviews)
- Nice little place
Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water

We enjoyed visiting this little well-kept park. The trees in the area were beautiful. There was a tree top outlook, which was also very interesting. See more..
5.0 Wangki Tours (1 review)
- Cañón de Somoto y zona norte de Nicaragua
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Walking Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

Los tours al Cañón de Somoto se disfrutan al máximo con Wangki Tours. Pero también tienen tours guiados a montañas, lugares arqueológicos, tienen mucha información sobre historia y la cultura de la zona. See more..
5.0 Canyon De Somoto Con Juan Ordoñez (1 review)
- My Favorite Day in Nicaragua
Spent More than 3 hours Canyons

Canyoneering at Somoto was literally my favorite activity in Nicaragua. Juan was an excellent guide, and showed us all the best places to cliff jump. He was friendly and responsible, and had a great sense of humor. Highly recommended! See more..
5.0 La Laguna de la Bruja (2 reviews)
- Nice little place
Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water

We enjoyed visiting this little well-kept park. The trees in the area were beautiful. There was a tree top outlook, which was also very interesting. See more..
4.5 Somoto Canyon (75 reviews)
- So much fun!
Spent More than 3 hours Canyons

Somoto Canyon is one of the best adventure experiences to do in Nicaragua. We did a day trip here with Danny’s Tours our of Granada and it was a very full and fun day trip. The Somoto Canyon tour takes you on a hike through the canyon and once you reach the water you get to float through the canyon and there are a couple of places where you can even jump from a height of about 2 metres into the water. It is surprisingly cold in the water, and the canyon is quite shaded, so be sure to bring a warm change of clothes to change into at the end of the tour. The tour ends with a boat ride through the last bit of the canyon which is a relaxing way to end the trip. It’s surprisingly close to the Honduras border and you can even get glimpses of Honduras from one part of the hike. We had so much fun on our tour of Somoto Canyon and highly recommend this day trip. See more..
4.5 Somoto Extremo (5 reviews)
- Top Ten Experience of My Life!!
Canyons

This was such a wonderful adventure! Definitely use this tour guide company over all the other options. You start they day at your tour guide's house, essentially, and then rappel up (is that possible?) the canyon to the extreme end and float back down. You get to stop at a nice swimming hole on the way out and jump off some pretty big rocks! There are smaller options for the faint of heart. The guides were so nice and very competent and I felt totally safe the entire time. They give you a life jacket and carry a dry bag with your camera and wallet in it to keep them safe and dry. The other tour groups don't take you as far up the canyon, and you don't get to float down like with this one. They also have far fewer safety standards. Also, Somoto Extremo feeds you a delicious homemade meal when you get back to the house and are totally happy to cater to vegetarian or other diets. DO NOT MISS THIS ADVENTURE!! See more..
4.0 Parque Central De Somoto (13 reviews)
- Cute!
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Very cute place with a great coffee shop! They had the square decorated for Christmas. It is a very quiet place. See more..
Wangki Tours (0 review)
Multi-day Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Horseback Riding Tours • Day Trips

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Cotucproma (0 review)
Eco Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

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Finca Balcon del Canon (0 review)
Spent More than 3 hours Canyons

Adventure in the recently discovered Somoto's Canyon. Tour with local guides with food included. You can also camping with a nicaraguan family in their farm with the chance for learning some local activities as cooking, milking, riding horses... See more..