Granada, Nicaragua

Rising above the shores of Lake Nicaragua (the tenth largest lake in the world and the only one with freshwater sharks) Granada is one of the oldest Spanish colonial cities in the New World. A lively commercial and cultural center, Granada was frequently raided in its early years by Caribbean pirates. In the 1850s the city was briefly occupied by William Walker, the United States adventurer who declared himself dictator of Nicaragua.

The cool lake breezes, lovely colonial style architecture, and vistas of the towering Mombacho volcano make strolling through Granada a scenic delight. Located one hour south of Managua, Nicaragua's capital city, Granada provides access to many of the cultural and natural wonders of the country. The Masaya National Volcanic Park, with its smoking craters, stunning views and pristine lake, is 30 minutes away. Boat excursions from Granada take you to Ometepe, a large island with a nature preserve, extensive hiking trails, and numerous petroglyphs and archaeological sites. The Archipelago of Solentiname, a paradise of islands in the southern part of Lake Nicaragua, is home to a world-renowned artists colony, which was also an important center of resistance to the Somoza dictatorship. The Pacific beaches to the west, pristine rainforests to the east, and the Costa Rican border to the south are all within easy reach.