Rivas

Understand

From a tourist point of view, Rivas is mostly a travel hub. While it is by no means ugly, its buildings can't compete with nearby Granada, and it doesn't have a beach, so most people who like sea-related activities go on to either San Juan del Sur or Isla de Ometepe. But if you have to spend a day there, there is probably still enough to keep you entertained.

Rivas is the capital of the municipio (think county) Rivas which includes the port of San Jorge (boats to Ometepe) and also of the Rivas departamento (think state) which includes San Juan del Sur and the island of Ometepe. The departamento borders Costa Rica to the south the Pacific to the west and Lake Nicaragua to the east, so expect lots of people just passing through.

Get around

Rivas is not too big but from the bus terminal you might want to take a taxi or bicitaxi (bicicle-taxi; often slightly cheaper). Colectivos can be found about a block from the bus station.

Go next

San Juan del Sur Granada (Nicaragua) the colonial pearl locally known as la gran sultana for her namesake in Spain Ometepe via the port of San Jorge (just out of town, about 15 minutes by taxi) The Pacific beaches listed in the Do section of this article