San Rafael del Norte facts for kids

Quick facts for kids San Rafael del Norte
Municipality
Parish Church of San Rafael del Norte
San Rafael del Norte Location in Nicaragua
Country	Nicaragua
Department	Jinotega
Area
• Municipality	90 sq mi (233 km2)
Elevation	3,517 ft (1,072 m)
Population  (2017)
• Municipality	22.147
• Density	0.2462/sq mi (0.09505/km2)
• Urban	6.060
Climate	Aw

San Rafael del Norte is a municipality (a type of local government area) and a town in the Jinotega department in Nicaragua. It is located about 188 kilometers (117 miles) north of Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua.

San Rafael del Norte is known for being the highest town in Nicaragua, sitting over 3,000 feet above sea level. This high elevation makes it a popular spot for tourists who enjoy hiking, swimming, and relaxing vacations.

Exploring San Rafael del Norte

San Rafael del Norte is located north of Jinotega. You can reach it by a forty-minute bus ride on a paved road. The town offers a mix of history, nature, and local culture.

The Catholic Church Murals

The Catholic Church in San Rafael del Norte is famous for its beautiful murals. These large paintings show scenes from the Catholic faith. One special mural shows the Temptation of Jesus in the desert. People have noticed that the face of the devil in this mural looks a lot like Daniel Ortega, who is the current President of Nicaragua. This mural was painted in the 1960s, long before he became president. So, this similarity is either a strange coincidence or a very old prediction!

Brother Odorico D'Andrea's Legacy

Many of the town's improvements came from an Italian priest named Brother Odorico D'Andrea. He arrived in San Rafael del Norte in 1953. He worked hard to build health centers, bridges, and projects that brought clean drinking water and electricity to the people.

Brother Odorico passed away in 1990. His stone casket is now in Templo Tepeyac, a special monument at the end of the town's main street. You can see a clear set of steps leading up to it.

The Town Church

Brother Odorico also helped a lot with fixing up San Rafael del Norte's main church. This church is in the center of town. It stands out because of its colorful stained glass windows and its impressive size. It looks very grand, especially compared to the small size of the town itself.

Blanca Aráuz's Home

San Rafael del Norte is also the hometown of Blanca Aráuz. She was the wife of Augusto C. Sandino, a national hero in Nicaragua. Sandino fought against American involvement in Nicaragua. He met and fell in love with Blanca in 1927 when she worked as a telegraph operator in the town.

Blanca's family house used to be a museum. It displayed historical items like old newspaper articles, letters from Sandino, and even American weapons. Unfortunately, the museum recently closed because the roof of the house collapsed.

Nature and Coffee Farms

San Rafael del Norte has a private nature reserve called El Jaguar. It's a popular place for visitors. It has many trails perfect for birdwatching tours. You can also find places to stay overnight there. There's even a special station for students and biologists to study nature.

Another interesting place is the Kilimanjaro coffee farm. Here, visitors can learn how coffee is made. You can also go horseback riding and do other fun activities. It's even possible to stay overnight at this farm.

Places to Stay

• Hotel Casita San Payo (Phone: (505) 2784 2327)
• Hotel Casa Real (Phone: (505) 2784 2422)

Getting Around

Local Bus Routes

These buses connect San Rafael del Norte with Jinotega, Estelí, and Yali:

• Trans. San Jose
• Trans. Zelaya
• Trans. Gloria
• Trans. El Jocotillo
• Trans. Chepita
• Trans. Jesus

Shuttle Bus to Jinotega

• Trans. Isabelia
• Trans. Jaime

Express Bus to Managua

• Expreso Arauz
  • From San Rafael to Managua: Departs 4:00 A.M., Arrives 7:30 A.M.
  • From Managua to San Rafael: Departs 3:30 P.M., Arrives 7:00 P.M.

Communication

• Radio Isabelia 89.3 FM
• Enitel (provides phone and internet services)

Fun Places to Visit

• Canopy La Brellera (a zipline adventure)
• El Jaguar Private Natural Reserve
• Tepeyac Retreat Center
• Los Encuentros
• Piscina Sabana Grande (a swimming pool area)
• Waterfalls
• Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon)
• San Rafael Cathedral
• Kilimanjaro Tourist Farm

See also

Learn more in Spanish!

In Spanish: San Rafael del Norte para niños