Handycrafts Route

 

OLD MASAYA'S MARKET

 

In the 1990s, Masaya’s municipal government remade the old market into a handicrafts market aimed at drawing tourists to the city. The Mercado Viejo de Masaya, as it is known in Spanish, is in a central plaza framed by impressive old stone walls. Today, the wares on offer range from truly fine handicrafts, particularly the famous Masaya hammocks, to tacky Made-in-China tourist souvenirs, and everything in between.

The hammocks of Masaya are rightfully famous. They are still by and large made entirely by hand. Typically, a single family will make the hammocks at home, with one hammock easily taking several people a day or two to complete.

 

There are also handicrafts from around Nicaragua, such as masks from the different popular performances (e.g., the Gueguense) and ceramics from San Juan de Oriente.

 

 

CATARINA

 

It is a small and characteristic village of Nicaragua where people work in seedling nurseries, make handcraft and raise horses. Placed on top of a hill at 520 metres over the sea livel present a a very agreeable climate, the temperature is beetween 22 and 27 degrees.

 

On the highest point of the village you can find the Mirador Catarina that overlooks Apoyo lagoon. From here you can see the wonderful landscape of Cocibolca lake, the Mombacho volcano and of the town of Granada.

On the Mirador you can also eat several good dishes in a characteristic restaurant refreshed by the brize of the lagoon.