This industrial town in Northern Nicaragua classes as the cigar capital of Central America. Surrounded by national parks and rural villages, this place is ideal for observing the authentic lifestyles of local Nicaraguans, as well as getting out in nature for tranquillity and amazing wildlife.

Estelí has two big bus terminals with buses coming from the north and south. Chicken buses are the usual (and most of the time the only way to move around, apart from shuttles, Ubers or taxis) way to get to Estelí. Prices depend on where you will be coming from and will usually cost just a few dollars.

⭐ Nature – 8/10

⭐ Cultural experience – 8/10

⭐ Local food – 9/10

⭐ Low budget – 810

I arrived to Estelí on a bus from Managua and paid 90 córdobas. It took around 3 hours. There are no tourist shuttles going directly to Estelí.