Nagarote

About halfway between Managua [1] and León [2], the historic village of Nagarote (Chorotega for “the road of the Nagarands”), whose claim to fame is an enormous old genícero tree dating to the time of Columbus, whose broad branches shade the small market.

The tree and a statue of Diriangén are two blocks north and one block west from the central park. The Casa de Cultura is located one block south of the tree.

Nagarote is also nationally renowned for its quesillos, a snack of mozzarella-like string cheese, sour cream, and onions wrapped in a hot tortilla. Enjoy them at any of the roadside restaurants that cater to León–Managua travelers, many of whom plan their trips around a stop in Nagarote for cheesy goodness.