Esteli

Estelí is a city in the Northern Highlands of Nicaragua. Estelí continues to be a Sandinista stronghold and you can see almost as many murals bearing witness of this as in León. It is also a center of the coffee- and tobacco- growing industries of Nicaragua.

Get in

 * From the Honduran border, you can take a bus to Ocotal, then from Ocotal to Estelí. As Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala have a border agreement you should not have to pay for crossing the border; however, some officials will still collect a fee.
 * From the south, there are frequent buses from Managua and other points. Buses from Managua every 30 minutes.
 * From León : Also expressos (a regular one leaves about 09:30 from the north terminal).
 * From Jinotega: The buses leaves at 05:00, 07:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00, C$50 (córdobas), every 2 hours.

There are two bus stations both on the Pan American about 100m from each other. The southern is smaller and better organised but more buses come and go from the north. Most main destinations are served by both though so you will need to check both for times, etc.

Both stations are a little out of the main town (C$15-20 in a collective to the Parque Central 2007). 20 minutes walking from the Parque Central. Turn left at the first paved road and then right about 4 blocks later - when you hit the main north/south street (with lots of shops, comedores and people around).

Get around
Local buses (C$4 to any destination) and shared taxis (C$12 in the central area and no more than C$20 within the city. Agree on the price before you get in). You can easily walk around the city center.

See
Lots of beautiful murals in various places around town.

Do





 * The Esteli region is also home to many fine cigar companies, most of whom will allow a prearranged tour, and some of whom offer special package tours of their factories (Drew Estate, in particular).
 * The Esteli region is also home to many fine cigar companies, most of whom will allow a prearranged tour, and some of whom offer special package tours of their factories (Drew Estate, in particular).
 * The Esteli region is also home to many fine cigar companies, most of whom will allow a prearranged tour, and some of whom offer special package tours of their factories (Drew Estate, in particular).
 * The Esteli region is also home to many fine cigar companies, most of whom will allow a prearranged tour, and some of whom offer special package tours of their factories (Drew Estate, in particular).

Buy

 * There is a public market called El Mercado Alfredo Lazo at the south end of town. Easy to find or just ask. Just north of that market are lots of leather shops. Good stuff at good prices. For example, you can probably get a custom made pair of boots for around US$50.

Learn
There are a number of Spanish schools in the town.
 * CENAC, on PanAmerican Hwy near intersection with Calle 6 SE. +505 2713 5437
 * Sacuanjoche Spanish School, about 7 blocks east of PanAmerican Hwy near Calle 1 SE. +505 2713 7580
 * Viva Spanish Esteli (part of Viva Spanish Programs), vivaspanishprograms@yahoo.com
 * Viva Spanish Esteli (part of Viva Spanish Programs), vivaspanishprograms@yahoo.com
 * Viva Spanish Esteli (part of Viva Spanish Programs), vivaspanishprograms@yahoo.com

Go next

 * Miraflor Nature Reserve
 * Somoto and its canyon
 * To León: A 15-person mini-shuttle leaves the bus station when it fills up, C$75, 2 hours.

Esteli