Jalapa is a mountain town with a population of around 13,200 people. Being a highland town it is very popular among those hiking the mountains, serving as a good base to stop for a rest. Until several years ago, this town was still quite isolated and was uncomfortable with foreigners, nowadays tourism is part of everyday life.

Around and closeby
La Jungle Municipal Reserve is a 40 hectare rain forest reserve. You can get there by car or hike for about 3km from Teoticacinte. You will need a guide. Teoticacinte is another place worth of visiting. Basically it is famous for the 1500 year old town that is slowly being excavated.

Sightseeing
The coffee fincas are an interesting option to explore, although in general they are not very tourist-friendly. Las Nuberones is particularly famous for coffee plantations, and pine forest. Finca Selva Verde has a waterfall which means that they probably see more tourists than the others. Don’t forget to look out for the La Cueva del Tigre, which has a petroglyph calendar inside. La Esperanza is a women’s co-operative centre. They are known for their handicrafts made from pine needles, something found here in abundance. Feria de Maiz or the Corn Festival is a great event, if you make it here in September. There are corn contests, theatre and dances which you can partake in.

Getting there
You can either take the bus or cycle down the paved road.There are buses to and from various destinations such as El Porvenir, El Jicaro, Managua, Ocotal, and so on.