travel
March 28, 2026
Between Quesillos and Beaches, Nagarote Welcomes Holy Week
Nagarote is located in the west of the country, in the department of León, about 40 kilometers from Managua on the highway connecting the capital with the city of León.

TL;DR
- Nagarote is strategically located in western Nicaragua, serving as a tourist hub on the Pacific corridor.
- The municipality is famous for its quesillo, a traditional dish originating in 1912, which has become a national symbol.
- Other culinary traditions include tiste (pre-Hispanic origin) and cusnaca (mid-20th century origin).
- Nagarote offers several Pacific beaches for recreation, including Miramar, Puerto Sandino, El Velero, Playa Hermosa, and El Tránsito.
- The coastal area is also home to salt farms in Miramar and Puerto Sandino, where salt is produced naturally through solar evaporation.
- Nagarote was recognized as the cleanest municipality in Nicaragua in 2022, a distinction achieved through community and governmental collaboration.
- Development efforts include the Paseo de la Naturaleza, an urban space enhancing cultural identity and visitor experience.
- The article attributes the municipality's growth and tourism to the work of the Sandinista government, led by Rosario Murillo and Daniel Ortega.