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

Masaya Department #4 destination in Nicaragua 2023. The average rating score is 4.43 based on 3.259 traveler reviews, of 25 attractions. Timezone: America/Managua, current date and time: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 7:18.

Top things to do (25)

Top places to visit (28 attractions)

5.0 Volcano Divers Nicaragua (43 reviews)
- Volcano diving with a great outfit!
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Scuba & Snorkelling

What an experience. Arranged for transport to the lake and all the equipment was already ready. Water temperature was perfect for free diving and fun geological formations under the lake. Keep your eyes peeled for the larger rare fish that hide between the rocks! Great diving outfit. See more..
5.0 Guitarras Zepeda (11 reviews)
- Custom Made an Absolutely Gorgeous Guitar For Me
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops

Traditional luthier family business in Nicaragua - Established since 1934. The Zepeda family produces fine and aesthetic handmade guitars in a workspace in Masaya, Nicaragua. Today Sergio Zepeda runs the family business in 3rd generation. See more..
5.0 Cooperativa de Artesanos Quetzalcoalt (6 reviews)
- Pottery
Speciality & Gift Shops

This tiny colonial town is known for its pottery. Supposedly is the best place to buy gorgeous and inexpensive pottery in Nicaragua. We took a bus in Masatepe that dropped us off close to a roundabout and then we walk for less than 10 minutes. There are many small shops selling similar items. This Cooperativa de artesanos Quetzalcóatl is the most famous and they have really nice pottery. The quality is a bit better but it's also more expensive. We ended buy a beautiful vase in one of the small shops around it. We paid less than $10 and it's gorgeous, good quality and beautiful pattern. This market is way better than the other in Masaya. See more..
5.0 Casa Natal de Augusto Calderon Sandino (1 review)
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites

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5.0 Mirador De Diria (1 review)
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours Lookouts

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5.0 Mercado Municipal Ernesto Fernández (1 review)
- Buzzing with energy!
Farmers Markets
The Masaya Municipal Market is a great place to come to experience the local way of life. The market is a very popular place for locals to shop and there’s also a major bus station attached to the market. The market is filled with different vendors selling food and locally made goods. You can get pretty much anything you could possibly want there. The place has a lot of energy and is a fun place to look around. This market is called different things by different people such as the main market and confusingly some people refer to it as the old market and some people refer to it as the new market, so keep that in mind when trying to locate this place. See more..
5.0 Malecon De Masaya (1 review)
- Amazing sunsets
Points of Interest & Landmarks
This malecon area has recently been developed and they did a fantastic job with it! It’s a great place to come for a sunset walk and it is popular with locals doing exercise as well as families. There’s a children’s playground which even has an old aeroplane on display. There’s a few food kiosks scattered around and there are beautiful views of Lake Masaya and Volcano Masaya. See more..
5.0 Volcano Divers Nicaragua (43 reviews)
- Volcano diving with a great outfit!
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Scuba & Snorkelling

What an experience. Arranged for transport to the lake and all the equipment was already ready. Water temperature was perfect for free diving and fun geological formations under the lake. Keep your eyes peeled for the larger rare fish that hide between the rocks! Great diving outfit. See more..
4.5 Masaya Volcano National Park (1.337 reviews)
- Close look at an active volcano
National Parks

Very cool experience to visit Masaya volcano. I think this is as close as you can get to watch the lava lake inside caldera and it is boiling! We visit there just around dusk and early evening, perfect time to view the red lava making big waves inside the crater. Yup definitely recommend to take the night tour instead of day tour if you can. It can be reached from both Managua and Granada. See more..
4.5 Laguna de Apoyo (991 reviews)
- Cleanest water in Central America
Bodies of Water

This is a beautiful lagoon nestled in the crater of an old volcano. The water is a beautiful blue colour and the lagoon has some of the cleanest water in Central America. It’s a perfect place to go swimming and relax by the shore. There are a number of restaurants and hotels scattered along the shore of the lake. You can either go to the lagoon as part of a day pass with one of the hotels or there are some spots where you can get to the lagoon yourself. In some parts of the lake the water is nicely warmed by the volcanic soil underneath which is also very pleasant. This is one of our favourite places in Nicaragua and well worth the visit when you’re in the area. See more..
4.5 Mirador de Catarina (147 reviews)
- 5 star views
Lookouts

This lookout offers spectacular views over Laguna de Apoyo. There’s plenty of seats for you to sit and enjoy the view. There are some restaurants and souvenir stalls as well as vendors that walk around selling trinkets. There are horses that you can have a short horse ride on for a voluntary cost, which makes for a great photo opportunity. Entry costs 20 cordobas per person. There are bathrooms and parking on site. See more..
4.5 Museo del Parque Volcan De Masaya (113 reviews)
- Real live bats!
Natural History Museums

The Masaya Visitor’s Centre is a really interesting stop on the way up to Masaya Volcano. The exhibit is quite large and includes extensive information about the history of the volcano, a display with the costume of a daredevil that walked a tightrope across the caldera, and there were even real life bats living in the museum! If you need to go to the bathroom, they also have those facilities there and there is a cafe attached to the building. You could easily spend an hour here. See more..
4.5 Samaritan Tours (64 reviews)
- Amazing Bike Tour of Masaya
City Tours • Cultural Tours • Eco Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours

Nelson was a wonderful guide and has an amazing personality. I was able to complete a tour with him in the City of Masaya where we rode bikes to discover different artisan locations such as woodwork, leather work, bamboo weaving, creation of maracas and other local art. We were able to try local foods along the way. He is very knowledgeable in culture, history and local landmarks. I would recommend his tours in a heartbeat. See more..
4.5 Masaya Volcano (64 reviews)
- Abdalah Tours was great
Volcanos

Whats app. 505 8898 4722 Hugo was a great help on our visit to Granada. We booked a night volcano tour with him. Having grown up in Miami, he speaks perfect English and was very knowledgeable about the geology and volcanoes. He gave a guided tour of the museum which made the experience much more meaningful. He also knew a lot about animals of the area, many different species of bats including vampire bats and parrots that have adapted to the sulfur gas. He was also able to get us into and out of the viewing area right away when I noticed other groups waiting line. Only a limited number of people can be near the volcano at one time. Hugo also arranged transport to Managua airport and I felt safe with the driver who drove carefully and not crazy fast or swerving. Look for them at the beginning of the 'restaurant road' The first business behind the big white house. See more..
4.5 Centro de Visitantes Reserva natural Laguna de Apoyo (14 reviews)
- A beautiful lake in a volcano
Bodies of Water

The largest and cleanest volcanic lake in the country. See more..
4.5 Laguna de Apoyo Trips (3 reviews)
- Laguna Beach Club at Laguna de Apoyo
Nature & Wildlife Tours

Booking through Erick's Tours in Granada, I landed at Laguna Beach Club. What a delight! The view, the lake, the property and all the amenities, were amazing. With free kayaks and paddle boards, hammocks and shady chairs everywhere, the six hours I was there flew by. I felt totally transported. The staff were great, and I had one of the best, freshest meals I've had in Nica so far, nice surprise. I highly recommend spending a day there. See more..
4.5 Alfs (2 reviews)
- Lot's of fun for adults of all ages
Spent More than 3 hours Bars & Clubs • Cigar Bars • Karaoke Bars • Dance Clubs & Discos
We went midweek in the evenings. Good latin music, great staff, a separate room for dancing, two pool tables. We did it all: danced, played pool, drank and enjoyed the comfortable, quasi "dive Bar" atmosphere. We are a Latino/ American couple over age 40 who had a blast. See more..
4.5 Centro de Visitantes Reserva natural Laguna de Apoyo (14 reviews)
- A beautiful lake in a volcano
Bodies of Water

The largest and cleanest volcanic lake in the country. See more..
4.5 Laguna de Apoyo Trips (3 reviews)
- Laguna Beach Club at Laguna de Apoyo
Nature & Wildlife Tours

Booking through Erick's Tours in Granada, I landed at Laguna Beach Club. What a delight! The view, the lake, the property and all the amenities, were amazing. With free kayaks and paddle boards, hammocks and shady chairs everywhere, the six hours I was there flew by. I felt totally transported. The staff were great, and I had one of the best, freshest meals I've had in Nica so far, nice surprise. I highly recommend spending a day there. See more..
4.0 Masaya Crafts Market (332 reviews)
- Beautiful market!
Speciality & Gift Shops

Nicaragua Market is a small company that offers authentic Nicaraguan goods. We work closely to local artisans and the price you see is a reflection of our fair value after partnering with our artists. When you purchase Nicaragua Market products you are helping to ensure that the trade of local Nicaraguan artistry remains a viable small business. See more..
4.0 El Coyotepe Fortress (84 reviews)
- Worth a visit
Historic Sites

Go with a guide. There is so much history here, so tragic. I've talked about this place as much as any other we visited in Nicaragua. See more..
4.0 Iglesia San Juan Bautista (8 reviews)
- Church
Churches & Cathedrals

Didn't spend much time here but the inside was lovely with a black Jesus and loads of statues. Right near the square in town. See more..
4.0 Parque Central De Masaya (1 review)
- Food carts and people watching
Parks
Parque Central is a great place to come for people watching. There’s a nice relaxed atmosphere and plenty of food carts to buy something to eat. There’s a children’s playground and a church in the middle of the park. The park has a lot of shade and plenty of places to sit. See more..
4.0 Museo Arqueologico e Historico Davila Bolanos (1 review)
- Interesting small museum
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours History Museums
This recently opened museum was developed by relatives of Davila Bolanos, a hero of the Sandinista revolution. It includes geological and archaeological exhibits & historical photos. I was given an individual tour (in Spanish). It is 3 or 4 blocks south of Masaya's Parque Central & the large Mercado de Artesanias & admission is by donation. See more..
3.5 Mercado de Artesanías de Masaya (34 reviews)
- Great Shop
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

It was a great place to find a lot good culture gifts. Make sure you bring American money. Some of the shops do take credit cards. See more..
Freediving Nicaragua (0 review)
Saturday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Sports Camps & Clinics • Scuba & Snorkelling • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours

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Alfs (0 review)
Bars & Clubs
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Iglesia San Miguel (0 review)
Churches & Cathedrals
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