- Nana K

WHAT’S NICARAGUA MAKING?

Most of you know that Nana winters in Costa Rica. Every 90 days, however, foreign expats are required to leave Costa Rica.  Most of us choose to take a 2 to 3 day “time-out” in Nicaragua. This weekend, my dear husband and I took a mini-vacation to Granada.

Granada is a wonderful city full of restaurants, nightlife, culture, and many sights to see!! Handicrafts are one of the most important industries of Nicaragua and the variety of products is extensive. Check them out……

One of the best places to find local handicrafts is in a local market and that’s exactly where I went. To the Masaya local market. Masaya is approximately 30 minutes from Granada and is famous for its markets.

If you go, know that there are two markets in Masaya; the tourist market and the local market. The tourist market, also called the craft market, has the same merchandise in a prettier setting but you will, of course, pay gringo prices! Therefore, Nana recommends trying to find the local market.

Leather workers make their products right in the markets of Masaya
PHOTO FROM TRIPADVISOR _ PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN

In either market, you will find many artisans selling their wares. There is a wealth of classic Nicaraguan crafts that are unique to this country. Beautiful ceramic pottery, hammocks, wooden goods, leather bracelets and hats, and so much more can be found here! And don’t forget to bargain

LEATHER

Nicaragua is one of the world’s largest producer of leather shoes. The 1,300 leather workshops that operate in Nicaragua generated revenues of $50 million in 2015, reaching a production of 9 million pairs of shoes.

At the local market you will find miles and miles of leather including shoes, purses, wallets and belts. Nana bought a cute pair of leather sandals for $3.00 and a purse for $15.00!

A stall in a Nicaragua wayside selling leather goods

CERAMIC POTTERY

Men and women artisans in Nicaragua produce both traditional and modern pottery pieces that are world renowned. Made from clay deposited by past volcanoes, pottery from Nicaragua is mostly decorative as it is fired using a low-temperature technique so the vases do not hold water. 

Decorative ceramic pottery of all shapes and sizes can be found throughout Nicaragua

HAMMOCKS

The Hammocks of Nicaragua are considered to be the most luxurious of all hammocks, and among the most beautifully adorned. These are some of the most bright and colorful hammocks I have ever seen. Nana even found one made special for baby!

A baby hammock in bright pink

BASKETS

I am not sure if Nicaragua is famous for baskets but the market sure had a wide variety of shapes and sizes!

Hundreds of baskets of all shapes and sizes

NICARAGUA PAINTINGS

Local artists use bright colors and simple designs to create gorgeous paintings that suit every liking. Artwork is not only available in the markets or on the street, there are many unique art galleries scattered throughout Granada.

Art in the park on a Nicaragua street

THE FAVORITE SOUVENIR OF NICARAGUA

You haven’t been to Nicaragua if you don’t have at least one personalized maraca! Everywhere you turn, you will find these wonderful engraved instruments hand carved in front of your eyes with your name and a symbol of Nicaragua – birds, turtles, flowers, volcanoes and more!

This nice man made some for four of our grandbabies!

I hope you get a chance to visit this wonderful area of Central America. We really enjoy our “time-out” and will be back again next year!

Hasta luego!