Best Museums in Nicaragua

Nicaragua has a great selection of museums well worth a visit. Here are some of the best.

Head to Leon to see the Centro de Arte Fundacion Ortiz-Gurdian, with arguably the best art collection in the country. Nicaraguan artists are well-represented, and there are also works from unexpected names such as Picasso and Miro.

Elsewhere in Leon, the Museo de la Revolucion tells the story of the Sandinista revolution against the Somoza dictatorship. The city is also home to the Museo de Leyendas y Tradiciones, found in a former prison. It contains exhibits that combine Nicaraguan folk traditions with the history of human rights abuses that happened at the prison.

Over in Managua, the Huellas de Acahualinca make for a fascinating day out. The archaeological site is home to fossilized tracks of humans and animals. Another good option is the Museo Nacional, which has a lot of interesting pre-Columbian artifacts. If ancient history is your thing, head to Granada to visit the Antiguo Convento San Francisco, which also has a strong collection of artifacts.

For something more modern, visit the town of Niquinohomo to see the Sandino Museum, dedicated to the revolutionary leader.