Masaya is a small colonial town only a half-hour drive away from Managua. At such a short distance from the capital, Masaya is worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Managua. A safe, quiet walking city lined with small shops and street vendors Masaya is a tourist magnet. The preservation of arquitecture gives us a taste of Old Nicaragua.

Across the street from the red star pharmacy an old lady spends her days selling pan de leche and cosa de horno. In the afternoon fritanga (street food) vendors start tricling out onto the streets. Always the same familiar faces. People in Masaya have worked hard to preserve their culture and traditions, to be unspoiled by foreign influences.

In one side of town is the Mercado viejo or mercado artesanal. Here you will find only local masaya art. Anything from wood, leather, weaving and even dolls made out of corn husks. There are few food vendors in this market since it is dedicated to offer local artists a platform to present and profit from their hard work. This market is the most visited by tourists, the artwork is of truly good quality and the prices, though mostly reasonable, negotiable. As with any other market it would be wise to walk around  comparing prices before making a decision. Most artists are willing to offer discounts and will honor their offers when you come back from comparing prices. Many vendors speak a little English.

On the other side of town is the new market which has become the Mercado Municipal. The market covers 4 blocks with 850 covered stands and 1,200 outdoor stands. This is where regular people buy the basics like rice, beans, corn, meats, and vegetables. There is also an arts and crafts section where you can find the same quality work as the artisan’s market at highly discounted price. The catch? The market is much more crowded which doesn’t appeal to many tourists, but the effort is worth it.

Masaya, its markets and its many attractions including nearby Masaya Volcano are well worth a visit. Don’t forget to put it on your vacation checklist, visit Nicaragua’s arts and crafts capital.

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