Granada, Nicaragua is alive with passion, fresh food, and unique local voices. From the candy-colored colonial buildings to the old-world carriage rides, Granada evokes a sense of wonder and artistic splendor. The city is packed with intriguing architecture, artisan workshops, galleries, coffee shops, gardens, parks, and scenic lake views that spur Granada’s intellectual curiosity and artistic expression.



One element in particular has captured visitor’s attention: the doors. Granada, Nicaragua is known for its intricate and colorful entryways, so much so that the city has earned the nickname “the City of Doors.”

Spanish-style houses and large wooden doors line Granada’s brick streets. The doors highlight the talented artists and woodworking tradition in Nicaragua. Many open up to beautiful lobbies, lush green gardens with mango trees, water fountains, and interior courtyards.

Often, the doors are painted in or cast against empowering colors like: ruby reds, sea-foam blues, and canary yellows. Artists, locals, and tourists alike enjoy capturing the colorful doors on film. Check out these Instagram-worthy shots:











Granada’s combination of exquisite architecture, scenic lake views, and stunning city streets fosters a sense of wonder and worldly charm. This charm is the result of Granada’s rich intellectual and artistic tradition.

Nicaraguans have used art as an outlet for political and social commentary for generations. The Vanguardia literary movement in 1927 is one of the most famous examples of artistic expression in Granada. This movement, led by poet and teacher, Jose Coronel Urtecho, encouraged Granada’s citizens to challenge traditional thinking. Today, this tradition is still alive and manifests itself in everything from street art and park exhibitions to the annual International Poetry Festival which draws poets and professors from across the world.



Granada is alive with flavor, tradition, and stellar artisanal beauty. Here at Pacaya Lodge & Spa, we work with a network of 16 local artisans to promote Nicaraguan culture. These artisans use local woods, fibers, and traditional resources to build the lodges, beds, furniture, cabinets, blankets, hammocks, fixtures, and more. We are honored to have them and share their story at the lodge. We will host weekly exhibitions to feature these artists and share their unique stories and craft with guests.



We hope you will have a chance to visit the City of Doors while you are here. Don’t forget to bring your camera.

Pacaya Lodge & Spa is less than half-an-hour away from Granada. We provide daily shuttles to the city so that you can explore the markets, parks, churches, scenic views of Central America’s largest lake and more.

Pacaya Lodge & Spa also offers a number of tours and excursions to Granada including horse-drawn carriage rides, guided city tours, artisanal tours and more. These tours provide guests with the opportunity to browse outdoor markets, stroll through the Plaza Central, and admire the city’s iconic sites, cathedrals, architecture, and world renowned doors. Check out our tours here. 

Come visit!

Celebrate Ladies Day at Pacaya Lodge & Spa! Under the direction of internationally-acclaimed Chef Bismark Hernandez, Pacaya Lodge & Spa’s Ladies day menu comes alive with elegant twists: from mouthwatering lobster medallions to a rich chocolate terrine dessert, your taste buds are in for a treat.

Join us for this elegant evening at Laguna de Apoyo’s first luxury resort. Prepare for a night of live music, island bar drinks, exquisite floral decorations, chocolates, champagne, and scenic views of the crater lake, while we celebrate and show appreciation for all the special women in our lives.

 

Ladies Day Menu

$90.00 per person

All ladies receive a welcome rose

Amuse Bouche:

Tuna tartar accompanied by a trio of avocado mousse, soy reduction sauce, and tamarind

Starter:

Homemade gravlax salmon paired with sweet dill cream and truffle oil

Main Course:

Lobster medallions paired with an organic vegetable ratatouille

Dessert:

Chocolate terrine topped with cashews and accompanied by a side of vanilla ice cream, mint, and strawberry coulis.

We look forward to having you at Pacaya Lodge & Spa. Please fill out the following form to make a reservation now.

Picture waking up on a warm, sunny Sunday morning in Granada, Nicaragua. The scent of strong Nicaraguan coffee drifts through your open window with the breeze. You enjoy a mango from your garden for breakfast and then head out into town. You pass beautiful brick roads, colorful doors, intricate and poetic street art, open plazas, stunning cathedrals, and plenty of friendly faces.

Maybe you stop by the market to pick up some organic produce or perhaps you drop in for a ceramics class at the local studio. In the afternoon, you pack it up and head to Laguna de Apoyo for an afternoon yoga session, or travel a bit further to the beaches on the Pacific, where crashing waves are a gentle, afternoon lullaby.

If this dream day sounds right up your alley, you may want to consider retiring in Nicaragua. More and more couples are taking the leap and escaping the cold winters to luxuriate in Nicaragua’s scenic and affordable splendor. Learn why!



Nicaragua has Year-Round Gardening, Exquisite Birding, and Abundant Natural Reserves: 

Nicaragua is a gardener’s paradise. Blessed with seven types of forest and millions of plant species, including 800 species of orchids alone, there are plenty of opportunities to explore exquisite gardens and grow your own produce year-round.

Bananas, mangoes, avocados, lemons, coconuts, and guava are just a few of the delicious tropical fruits grown in the region. If gardening isn’t your speed, you can still enjoy freshly-grown tropical fruits, organic coffee, soups, sauces, meats, spices, and more at Granada’s colorful Central Market and visit food trucks in the city’s old world plazas.

For those looking to explore Nicaragua’s 80 protected reserves, we recommend El Chocoyero and Montibelli Natural Reserves. These reserves are full of diverse flora and fauna including brilliant parakeets, guardabarrancos, sloths, monkeys, and butterflies. For a list of recommended parks and gardens, check out Lonely Planet’s hot list here. Be sure to bring your binoculars, birding books, and more to this bio-hotspot.

 

Nicaragua has an Intellectual and Vibrant Art Scene: 

Nicaragua is famous for its art scene. Nicknamed the “City of Doors,” Granada is renowned for its colorful intricate doors, vibrant street art, colonial architecture, and poetry celebrations. Every year, Granada hosts the International Poetry Festival, which draws hundreds of award-winning poets from across the globe and contributes to the city’s intellectual and artistic vibe. Granada is a wonderful town for walking or biking. Horse-drawn carriage rides are also offered for those looking to take an architectural tour of the city’s most beautiful churches and museums.

There are a number of activities outside of Granada for those wishing to experience Nicaraguan art at a community level. Visit the Pueblos Blancos for a chance to discover the tradition and talent behind Nicaraguan craftwork. Artisans in the Pueblos Blancos are famous for their woven hammocks, colorful ceramics, paintings, basket weaving, carpentry, and more. These artisans make use of traditional materials such as locally grown bamboo, wood, banana fibers, and clay. The locals here are incredibly friendly and many will invite you into their studios and workshops to see the process. They also offer a variety of classes and educational opportunities.

Nicaragua’s intellectual splendor, vibrant artisan communities, and architectural prowess combine to make the country the perfect place to retire.

 

Nicaragua has Affordable Health Care and a Low Cost-of-Living:

Not only is Nicaragua the safest country in Central America, it is also one of the most affordable places to live right now. In 2015, Nicaragua tied for first as the least expensive place to live in International Living’s cost-of-living 2015 index. Although electricity and gasoline are more expensive than in other countries, housing, help, services, food, and health care cost significantly less in Nicaragua. Another major bonus is that household help is relatively inexpensive so retirees can receive daily assistance if needed. Several reports suggest that couples can get by comfortably on $1,200 a month and live in luxury for fractions more.

Another perk of retiring in Nicaragua is that the government offers a comprehensive benefit package to international retirees which includes no taxes paid on out-of-country earnings and a variety of other benefits listed here.

Furthermore, Nicaragua’s private health care costs significantly less than in the U.S. or Canada. A visit to the doctor in Nicaragua costs roughly $20-$40, and doctors provide longer, more individualalized attention to patients. Many will even make house calls for the same cost.

Nicaragua’s walkable towns, affordable healthcare, friendly doctors, and kind locals make Nicaragua an ideal place to retire. The affordability of the country comes with another perk: you can retire earlier!

Pacaya Lodge & Spa is the Perfect Place to Relax:

Laguna de Apoyo’s first luxury resort offers a number of excursions, spa experiences, and yoga retreats that retirees won’t want to miss. Take a dip in the refreshing waters of the crater lake, enjoy a world-class meal at Restaurante Guardabarranco, rent a private casita, handicap-accessible room, or take advantage of our tours and excursions to local natural reserves, city centers, and art workshops. Bask in the glory of retirement and treat yourself to a massage with our certified therapists. This boutique luxury resort is the perfect place to test out retirement in Nicaragua or take an overnight or day trip to once you make the move.



Follow these links to discover the variety of services, excursion packages, and fabulous dining options we offer. We’d love to hear from you or help you plan your stay in Nicaragua.

 

Originally founded in 1524, Granada is one of Central America’s oldest cities. With easy access to both coasts, charming colonial architecture, delicious local cuisine, and a vibrant art scene, Granada is a popular destination for international festivals and celebrations.

Basically, there is always something fun happening in Granada, and next week is no exception! Beginning on the 14th of February, Granada will host the twelfth annual International Poetry Festival. Hundreds of poets from 66 countries will gather to celebrate this ancient art.

 



What Happens at the International Poetry Festival?

The International Poetry Festival celebrates poets from around the world (and is also the largest poetry festival in the world). This year’s theme is “the poet: a being illuminated by the radiance of grace.” The festival will honor the centennial anniversary of the death of the Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario. Dario is famous for initiating the Spanish-American movement known as modernism (which combines elements of romanticism, symbolism, and parnassianism).

In addition to poetry readings and award ceremonies, the festival will also take advantage of Granada’s open plazas, parks, churches, and markets to host a number of events. There will be folkloric dancing, craft fairs, book fairs, food stands, literary workshops, roundtables, classes, and more. Spectators are encouraged to join these events, stroll through Granada’s Parque de Poesia (complete with statues of famous Nicaraguan poets), try some local produce and strong Nicaraguan coffee, and enjoy the festival.



 

Who Will Be There?

There are a number of award-winning poets attending the festival including Pulitzer Prize winners Vijay Seshadri, Gregory Pardlo, and Rae Armantrout. To read their bios, visit the official International Poetry Festival website.

Over 70 Nicaraguan poets will participate in the festival. To see a complete list of poets participating in the festival and a breakdown by country, please visit this page.

 



History of Poetry in Nicaragua:

Nicaragua is famous for its Vanguardia literary movement. The movement started in Granada in 1927 and was led by poetry students: José Coronel Urtecho, Pablo Antonio Cuadra y Joaquín Pasos. The goal of the movement, according to Coronel, was to “initiate a struggle to get the public attention through artistic expressions, intellectual scandal, and aggressive criticism.”

Influenced by similar movements in Europe, the Vanguardia movement revolutionized Nicaraguan art and encouraged artists to adopt more radical, surreal, and confrontational styles. Travelers can visit La Merced Church in Granada where these poets held their revolutionary meetings or take part in any number of festival events including the most revolutionary event of all: the Poetic Carnival.

The Poetic Carnival, an annual event at the International Poetry Festival, is dedicated to the Vanguardia movement and celebrates the idea of banishing intolerance, ignorance, and indifference from life. Every year, the carnival addresses a different theme and Nicaraguans parade through the streets in traditional folklore costumes to take action. This year, the Poetic Carnival plans to address the “pain of cutting down trees,” in order to raise awareness for the environment.

 



Here at Pacaya Lodge & Spa:

A defining feature of our lodge is that we celebrate local voices and artists. The poetry festival provides an opportunity for guests to experience an authentically Nicaraguan experience. We offer daily shuttles to Granada so that guests can check out the splendor of this colorful city and its historical charm, and our staff are trained to interact with guests and inform them about local happenings and history.

We hope that guests will take advantage of all that Nicaragua has to offer while they are here, and we encourage them to stroll through Granada’s picturesque parks, plazas, and markets. Between the world-renowned colorful doors, the scent of coffee wafting through the streets, and the friendly locals, Granada is a must see. It’s less than a 25-minute drive from the lodge.

Click here to check out the cultural tours we offer in Granada and to find out more about our commitment to promoting local artists and celebrating Nicaraguan culture.

We hope that you will be able to check out the International Poetry Festival this year in Nicaragua, or that you plan a trip for next year!

Offering the perfect blend of culture, romance, and adventure, Nicaragua is the ultimate wedding destination. Nicaragua’s stunning beaches, vast jungle canopies, and towering volcanoes provide an ideal setting for romance, memorable photographs, and unforgettable travel experiences. Other draws include the old-world colonial architecture in Granada, historic cathedrals, friendly locals, sense-of-tradition, local rum, and affordable prices. The allure of this cultural gem and the ease of getting here–from Managua International Airport–make this destination a must.

Discover our top 5 reasons to exchange vows in Nicaragua:

1) Unique Photographs

  If there is one photograph you’ll be looking at for the rest of your life, chances are it’s of your wedding day. Make the most out of this photo-op by photographing your special day in the most picturesque place possible. Nicaragua is home to unique backdrops including: the crater lake at Laguna de Apoyo, the rolling waves and beaches on the Pacific, Volcan Masaya, Granada’s colorful buildings and world-famous doors, elegant street art, and the city-wide views atop the bell tower of Iglesia de La Merced. For a glimpse of some beautiful Nicaraguan wedding shots (and to imagine yourself as a newly-wed in Nicaragua) check out The TwoofYou Photography.



2) Friendly Locals and Authentic Nicaraguan Culture

Nicaragua offers far more than stunning views and gorgeous beaches. Nicaraguans are some of the most kind and genuine people in the entire world, and the country is ranked as the safest country in Central America. Engage with local artists in the famous Pueblos Blancos communities, where you can find exquisite pieces of furniture, wall art, hammocks, table centerpieces, and more. Decorate your wedding venue with this local artwork or take it home to remember the special occasion. Other opportunities to immerse yourself in local culture include everything from dancing to local marimba bands to cigar rolling stations, and (depending on what time of the year you visit), fabulous local celebrations to keep the party going.



3) Nicaragua’s Famous Rum

You can’t visit the country without trying Nicaragua’s specialty rum: Flor de Caña. This locally produced rum has won more awards than any other rum since 2000. 150 awards to be precise. Wedding guests will love celebrating your special night with this smooth local drink. Treat your guests to the Nicaraguan specialty drink “El Macua,” for an authentic taste of Nicaragua. This tropical blend of Flor de Caña rum, guava juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup is the national drink of Nicaragua and is not to be missed.



4) You’re Already in a Honeymoon Destination

Good news! If you host your wedding in Nicaragua, you are already in a dream honeymoon destination. Look no further than the beaches of San Juan del Sur, the UNESCO bioreserve of Ometepe Island, or the picturesque Chocoyero Natural Reserve for your sources of entertainment and relaxation. We guarantee that your guests will want to explore too.

Spend your vacation relaxing beachside or jumpstart your marriage with a bit of adrenaline. Take on Nicaragua’s famous ecotourism endeavors such as birding in the wildlife reserve, volcano boarding at Cerro Negro, or ziplining through the 1500ft drop at the Mombacho Nature Reserve. For a bit of romance, charter a private sailboat from San Juan del Sur or horseback ride through the picturesque Nicaraguan Countryside. The options are endless.



5) Pacaya Lodge & Spa

If you are looking for the perfect place to host your wedding, look no further than our luxury, boutique resort. Nestled into the jungle canyon of the Laguna de Apoyo Natural Reserve, Pacaya Lodge & Spa offers photo-perfect views of the crystal-blue crater lake, private casita bedrooms, a full-service spa, exceptional service, friendly and accommodating staff, authentic Nicaraguan artwork, and incredible food.

Internationally-acclaimed Chef Bismark Hernandez prepares customized full course wedding menus, contemporary desserts and more. His melt-in-your-mouth, rich Nicaraguan flavors are always the talk of the party and his signature dishes are inspired by seasonal produce and local farms. In addition to serving organic local food, the lodge has a social mission to support local produce and schools (so not only will your food be organic, but proceeds from your wedding will go towards supporting local educational goals). You have to feel good about that.

Pacaya Lodge & Spa works with couples to plan memorable wedding experiences. Our certified massage therapists offer customized massages to couples who want to unwind before the big day, and our infinity pool provides the perfect retreat for guests. With stunning vistas, exceptional service, world-class food, and a full-service spa, Pacaya Lodge & Spa is the perfect boutique Nicaraguan resort to host your wedding at.



6) Nicaragua is Incredibly Affordable and Safe

Even after including airfare in your expenses, the cost of a wedding in Nicaragua is much more affordable than your average 150 person wedding in the U.S. Book your flight a few months in advance, and flight prices often beat out domestic flight prices in the U.S. For example this May, a flight to Nicaragua falls in the $200-$300 range. Add this to the fact that services and amenities in Nicaragua are generally less expensive, and many hotels are willing to offer all inclusive packages, and you’ve hit the jackpot.



7) Dare to be Different

Need we elaborate? Plan a wedding your friends will be talking about for years. For more information on hosting your event at Pacaya Lodge & Spa please email info@pacayalodge.com or check out our romantic packages online.