The Nicaragua Tourist Board has launched the Coffee Trail, a new tourist route that will give visitors an authentic experience of the northern region of the country.

The Coffee Trail covers five regional departments – Estelí, Jinotega, Madriz, Matagalpa, and Nueva Segovia – and aims to show visitors the diverse culture, food, scenery and tourism products of this area.

Visitors following the route will travel through several coffee and tobacco plantations and stay in charming rural hotels or guest farmhouses where they can take part in everyday activities. They can hike through nature reserves, visit picturesque villages and towns, and see how the locals produce beautiful handicrafts made of marble, clay or tusa (corn skin). The local gastronomy is another main attraction, including several corn-based dishes.

In Matagalpa, travellers can find out more about the history of tobacco and coffee production in the area at the National Coffee Museum. The department of Jinotega is the country’s main producer of coffee, renowned for its quality. In Estelí, visitors can choose amongst several natural parks – Cerro Tisey-La Estanzuela, Miraflores-Moropolente, Canta-Gallo, and La Patasta – to enjoy beautiful scenery. Madriz is famous for its ‘rosquillas’, or typical doughnuts, perfect to accompany a good cup of coffee. Nueva Segovia is known for its colonial and revolutionary history, and the typical handicrafts made by the local indigenous community.

The Coffee Trail offers visitors a combination of indigenous traditions, history, lush natural landscapes and a rich biodiversity, together with the warmest welcome from the locals, to provide an authentic experience of Northern Nicaragua.

source: http://www.incentivetravel.co.uk / ITCM / Home> News> Venues & Events / Monday – July 29th, 2013