Print this trip dossier

Journey Latin America asks you to accept cookies for performance and social media purposes. We use cookies on our website to personalise content, evaluate website traffic and enhance performance. You can delete or restrict cookies via your web browser. To get more information about these cookies and the processing of your personal data see our Cookie Policy. Do you accept these cookies and the processing of personal data involved? Find out more

Nicaragua: Matagalpa and the north

Matagalpa is a breath of fresh mountainous air where liberal descendants of coffee plantation owners rub shoulders with Sandinista-supporting subsistence farmers.

The cool climate is perfect for growing vegetables and grazing cattle while pristine cloud forest provides the perfect environment for shade-grown coffee and is a boon for birders and hikers. In addition to coffee, Nicaragua’s best chocolate is produced in this area. Matagalpa is also the birth place of Sandinista founder, Carlos Fonseca: the house is now a small museum.

View all holidays

Self-drive Nicaragua: Adventures by road

Private journey

11 days from £1,582pp

Our insider tips for Matagalpa and the north

Claire Milner

This is possibly the best place in the country to eat steak as the climate is perfect for farming. The steak I enjoyed was as good as anything I’d eaten in Argentina !

Rafe Stone

The National Coffee Museum is well worth a visit if you want to know a bit more than the average coffee tour offers.

Jamie Swan

If heading north from Managua take the time to stretch your legs with an 800m stepped climb to Peña De La Cruz for fantastic views over the city and surrounding mountains.

Tailor-made holiday

Speak to an expert Travel Consultant or send us your enquiry today.

Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for over 37 years.
We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.

Design my trip

03098589426

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Articles you may like

Browse our inspiration area of the site. It's packed with insider travel tips, Top5s, competitions, events, recipes and holiday ideas for Central and South America sure to whet your travel appetite.

Our favourite multi-country holidays

Q&A: Rafe Stone in Nicaragua

Nicaragua: Contra to Expectations

Where should I spend the Christmas ho...

More inspiration

Journey with the UK's NO1 specialist in travel to latin america

Meet Our Specialist

Ben Line, Travel Consultants

Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Manager of the Tailor-made Department.

We love latin america

A passion for the region runs through all we do

All our Consultants have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America

Up-to-the-minute knowledge underpinned by 40 years' experience

travel with confidence

Fully bonded and licensed

ATOL-protected

On your side when it matters

Book with confidence, knowing every penny is secure

The real latin america

Our insider knowledge helps you go beyond the guidebooks

We hand-pick hotels with character and the most rewarding excursions

Let us show you the Latin America we know and love

Feefo - Gold Trusted Service 2018

Food and Travel Magazine Readers' Awards - Tour Operator of The Year 2016

Selling Travel Agents Choice Awards - Best Tour Operator to Latin America 2016

Sunday Times Travel Magazine - Editor's Award 2013

Guardian and Observer Travel Awards - Top Ten Small Tour Operator: 2012

Sunday Times Travel Magazine Awards - Best Value Tour Operator 2011

Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards - Top Ten Specialist Tour Operator 2016

Wanderlust Readers' Travel Awards - Top Ten Tour Operator 2015

British Travel Awards - Best Small Tour Operator to Central and South America 2012

Latin American Travel Association - Award for Customer Service 2012

Sunday Times Travel Magazine Awards - Best Specialist Tour Operator 2011

Share this Page

Social share page will open in new window

Send a friend

First name*

Last name*

Email address*

Friend's first name*

Friend's last name*

Friend's email address*

Your message

Would you like to receive our insider tips, offers and holiday advice by monthly emails? You can unsubscribe at any time and we do not pass on your details to third parties.

Nicaragua: Matagalpa and the north

Visit Us