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North AmericaNicaraguaRivas Department

Cárdenas

Rivas Department, Nicaragua · North America

About Cárdenas

Cárdenas sits on the route: 20 minutes from La Cruz, 33km from Ometepe Island.

Cárdenas is a town located in Rivas Department, Nicaragua. With a population of 1,204, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Cárdenas sits in Nicaragua. It's in the America/Managua time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Cárdenas to your route.

About Cárdenas

Cárdenas is a municipality in the Rivas department of Nicaragua, located on the southwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua. In 2002, the municipality of Cárdenas had threatened the government in Managua with secession and becoming part of Costa Rica. Costa Rica claimed that it would respect Nicaraguan territory and had no

Read more intention of annexing the municipality. [1]

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Cárdenas

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Cárdenas?

Cárdenas offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Cárdenas?

Plan your road trip to Cárdenas with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Cárdenas as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Cárdenas located?

Cárdenas is located in Rivas Department, Nicaragua, North America. The coordinates are 11.1964 latitude, -85.5089 longitude.

What is the population of Cárdenas?

Cárdenas has a population of approximately 1,204 people, making it a town in Nicaragua.

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Quick Information

Population
1,204
Continent
North America
Country
Nicaragua
Region
Rivas Department
Timezone
America/Managua
Coordinates
11.1964, -85.5089

Tags

North AmericaNicaraguaRivas DepartmentTown

Worth the detour from Cárdenas

3 notable places within an hour's drive.

natural wonder

Ometepe Island

A figure-eight island formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua, with petroglyphs, wildlife, and a lost-world atmosphere.

33 km · about 40 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Cristo de la Misericordia, San Juan del Sur

One of the tallest Christ statues in the world, on the headland above San Juan del Sur bay. A rough access road and short climb lead to a viewpoint over the whole Pacific crescent: best at sunset.

41 km · about 45 min drive

national park

Rincón de la Vieja National Park

An active volcanic park with bubbling mud pots, steam vents, hot springs, waterfalls, and diverse tropical dry forest wildlife.

45 km · about 50 min drive

Driving roads near Cárdenas

  • 41 kmCristo de la Misericordia, San Juan del SurOne of the tallest Christ statues in the world, on the headland above San Juan del Sur bay. A rough access road and short climb lead to a viewpoint over the whole Pacific crescent: best at sunset.

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Cárdenas.

La Cruz

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

19 km awayPop. 4,319

San Juan del Sur

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

40 km awayPop. 7,790

Altagracia

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

42 km awayPop. 2,771

San Jorge

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

43 km awayPop. 7,158

Moyogalpa

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

43 km awayPop. 3,940

Rivas

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

44 km awayPop. 30,000

Buenos Aires

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

45 km awayPop. 1,692

San José

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

49 km awayPop. 31,430

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence