Besides the full-grown alligators in the central park, there are not many tourist attractions, per se, in the city of Chinandega. Nevertheless, this regional capital makes a perfect base camp for volcano and beach expeditions, and provides a chance to see Nicaraguans coping with the hottest, driest part of their country.

The same threatening volcanoes looming over the city of Chinandega and its surrounding plains are also responsible for the high fertility of the soil. This attracted the first humans migrating through the area, the Nahuatl, who called their new home “Chinamilt,” (close to cane).

Poverty is rampant here, as it is in all Nicaragua, but Chinandega also boasts a prosperous community of old and new money, based primarily in sugar, bananas, peanuts, sesame, soy, and shrimp. Cotton used to be the number one cash crop, especially during the Somoza dynasty, but the deforestation and agro-chemicals associated with its production had disastrous environmental affects still being felt today. The agriculture activity of the region and proximity to the northern borders and Port of Corinto make Chinandega Nicaragua's most important agribusiness center.

Did we mention that it's hot in Chinandega? It's so hot in Chinandega, that even when it's not hot, it's still bloody hot. You'd be wise to drink at least a liter of water on the ride up, because you'll sweat it all out before you can walk to the park to see the alligators.

To explore central Chinandega by foot, you may as well begin with the alligators and turtles in the park. They are impressive beasts, for sure, but their captivity is utterly depressing (unless of course, you're into the whole Developing World zoo thing). Pick your spirits up with a self-guided tour of Chinandega's colonial churches and central market, and then find an air-conditioned spot to eat ice cream.

Excerpted with Author's permission from Moon Handbooks Nicaragua