Jinotega () is a department of

Nicaragua Nicaragua (; ), officially the Republic of Nicaragua (), is the largest country in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Managua is the countr ...

. Its departmental head is

Jinotega Jinotega () (derived from Náhuatl: ''Xiotenko'' ‘place next to the jiñocuajo trees’) is the capital city of the Department of Jinotega in north-central Nicaragua. The city is located in a long valley surrounded by the cool climate and D ...

. It is located in the north of the country, on the border with Honduras. The Department of Jinotega has a population of 483,404 (2021 estimate) and covers an area of 9,222 km². It is one of the 15 most extensive departments in the country. Founded on October 15, 1891. The city of Jinotega "Las Brumas" is the departmental capital of the homonymous department with an urban population of 53 265 inhabitants in the year 2017. It is located in a valley at an altitude of 1,003.87 meters above sea level with a cool climate at an average temperature of 25 °C and a distance of 142 km from Managua (2h 44 min, by Carr.Panamericana / Panamericana Nte./CA-1). ''Source: National Institute for Development Information (INIDE) - Nicaragua. Statistical Yearbook 2016 - 18'' The department generates its own power through Lake Apanás Dam, which is also a tourist attraction. Isabelia Mountain Range contains several cloud forests peaks and massifs such as Chimborazo (1,688 m), Datanlí Diablo (1,550 m) with "la Bujona" waterfall. Also, Penas Blancas Massif (1,700 m) containing several water drops, and Bosawás Biosphere Reserve, the largest biosphere reserve in Central America with about 22,000 km².

Points of interest

There are various restaurants and markets throughout the department of Jinotega, that serve various fruits, vegetables, meats, and drinks. The city of Jinotega is in the vicinity of the artificial Lake Apanas. The town of San Rafael del Norte located about 20 minutes north of Jinotega City, was General Sandino's Headquarters against US Marine's forced occupation of Nicaragua in the late 1920s and early 1930s. San Rafael has a really nice neoclassical parrish church across the leafy Main Square, and a small museum dedicated to Sandino and his wife,

Blanca Aráuz Blanca Stella Aráuz Pineda (25 May 1909 – 2 June 1933) is the first National Heroine of Nicaragua. She was noted as a telegraphist who assisted the guerrilla forces during the United States occupation of Nicaragua and who negotiated with Pres ...

Attractions and places of interest

In the city of Jinotega

Museum and Library

*Museo Municipal, on north side of Central Plaza: it covers archeology, history and antiques displays. *Biblioteca Municipal: within the same premises as the museum.

Temples and Parks

*San Juan Bautista Cathedral, on the city's Main Avenue has remarkable neoclassical interiors, a beautiful wooden retable and pulpit, delicate statuary and great views from the bell towers. *Church of Our Lady of Angels, near La Salle College. *Otto Casco Park: with a basketball court, near the bus station to Managua, and Victoria Motta Hospital. *Central Park: a tree covered square with a fountain, a central gazebo for Christmas displays, skateboard tracks, and wifi connection. Surrounding the park are San Juan Cathedral, the Mayor's Office, the City Museum, the Public Library, the Social Club, UNAN (National Autonomous University of Nicaragua), and several hotels, and restaurants.

Panoramic Views of Jinotega

*Travel up the steps to the top of "Peña de la Cruz", the path of many pilgrims to fulfill promises to la Santa Cruz (Holy Cross).

In the municipalities of the department of Jinotega

Natural, historical and religious attractions

*Town of La Concordia, birthplace of General Benjamin Zeledon. *Town of San Rafael del Norte, where General Augusto C. Sandino married telegraph operator Blanca Aráuz. *Tepeyac Shrine in San Rafael del Norte, where "the Servant of God" Fray Odorico D'Andrea carried out several pastoral works and town improvements. *Canopy tours of "La Brellera" on the outskirts of San Rafael del Norte, experiencing the sensation of "flying" on the trees. *Visits to "El Jaguar" Nature Reserve.

Rural and community tourism experience

*Tours of "Datanlí - El Diablo" Natural Reserve to enjoy its cloud forests and "La Bujona" waterfall while guided by locals and sharing daily activities. *Lodging at "La Bastille" Ecolodge. *Farm holidays in Santa María de Pantasma. *Ecotours at "La Fundadora" and "Vida Joven" farms located on the Jinotega - Matagalpa road. *Natural and cultural experience. *Visits to Bosawás, declared by UNESCO a Biosphere Reserve, and to "Peñas Blancas" Massif known for its white cliffs and sharp water drops among misty cloud forests. *Nature tours among coffee fields in Mount Kilambé Nature Reserve, near the town of Wiwilí, and "Santa Maura" farm to learn about the cultivation of this grain called the "green gold". *Visits to Volcan "Yalí" Nature Reserve. *Adventure tourism on Lake Apanás where sport fishing activities and rowing boat competitions take place. This lake is a habitat for a great variety of lake flora and fauna.

Municipalities

# El Cuá #

# La Concordia #

San José de Bocay San José de Bocay is a town and a municipality in the Jinotega department, Nicaragua. With an area of 3,990.40 km2, the municipality of San José de Bocay was officially created on March 13, 2002, as a result of the division of the El Cu ...

# San Rafael del Norte # San Sebastián de Yalí # Santa María de Pantasma # Wiwilí de Jinotega