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Nicaragua Travel |
Jinotega NicaraguaThe Jinotega department is the second largest in the Republic of Nicaragua and is situated in the north of the country. The capital city of the department bears the same name and is situated inside a deep valley, nearby an artificial lake. The city of Jinotega has probably one of the most violent modern histories to date in Nicaragua and that has formed the community to what it is today. Neither the city nor the department is very friendly for tourists but they will kindly take the help from any volunteer that shows up. Keep on reading to learn more about Jinotega, both the city and the department. Jinotega Nicaragua – Some infoWith its area of 9,755 km² and population of around 300.000 the department of Jinotega is the second largest in Nicaragua. It is situated in the far north of Nicaragua and borders to Honduras. The department stands for 80% of the countries production of coffee so there is no question how they support themselves. The city Jinoega, which works as the department’s capital, lies in a vast and deep valley nearby an artificial lake named Lake Apanas and has 51.000 inhabitants. The city is also known as La Ciudad de las Brumas, which means City of Mists in English, simply because the clouds that moves through the jungles on the mountainsides surrounding the city. Jinotega Nicaragua – HistoryBoth the city and the department were settled by Spanish families and used the natural valley as a meeting point for all the farmers working on the land surrounding it. The name derives from the Nahuatl word Xinotencatl which most probably translates into means Neighbors of the Jiñocuabos. The Jiñocuabos was a praised tree by local tribes as a healing tree and can be found surrounding Jinotega even today. From 1927 and forward the hillsides of Jinotega was harbouring rebel opponents to the sitting government and battles raged both in and out of the city for over 50 years. Today the city is peaceful but the hard blows both against the infrastructure and the spirits of the people living there has left the city poorly developed. Jinotega Nicaragua – Tourist attractionsAlthough Jinotega is a rather nice city with a lot of spectacular views it is far from friendly for tourists. There are some hostels and restaurants but not much more of interest for the general tourist. For those interested in coffee would be interested to visit the city of Jinotega during the harvest period when all of the coffee grown in the Jinotega department passes through this town in just a week or so, it is a crazy sight to behold. Jinotega Nicaragua – Volunteer workFor those going to Nicaragua to perform some volunteer work there will most probably be lots to both see and do. There are organizations that can be contacted before leaving home or local organizations in Jinotega city which really will appreciate all the help they can get. Although most people speak Spanish there are some that know English working in the local volunteer organisations. Jinotega Nicaragua – Getting thereTo get to Jinotega from the capital of Nicaragua, Managua, you have to take one of the express buses that leave from the city. The travel will take around 3,5 hours so be sure that you are ready for it, it will not be very comfortable but at lest it is not expensive. Ask around in Managua to find the right bus terminal.
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