Ocotal, a beautiful city situated in the northwest of Nicaragua, has a population of about 38000. It is 13 miles from Honduras, on the Pan American Highway and is the capital of Nicaragua’s Nueva Segovia Department. Being surrounded by the Coco River and Cordillera Mountain Range the city is located in a valley that presents an exquisite pictorial landscape that attracts tourists from all over the world.
The history of Ocotal goes back to the year 1534, when the Spanish settlement took place in the regions near the city. The city was then shifted to a place, now called Ciudad Antigua. After the pirates of Caribbean attacked the place, the inhabitants left Ciudad Antigua and moved to Ocotal. In the year 1927, during the war between Augusto Cesar Sandino and Marine De Havilland, there were bombing attacks on the city of Ocotal.
Ocotal is now a different place altogether. It has all the important facilities like heath centers, hospitals, post office, police stations, cathedral, churches and courts for basketball and boxing. Agriculture is an important occupation of the people in Ocotal, who earn their living from different sources like cutting timber, farming and growing coffee plants.
During the recent times, there has been a huge enhancement in business and work opportunities in Ocotal. Entertainment options have also improved for the tourists. Bicycle riding is one of the well known activities in Ocotal which is quite thrilling and adventurous. The restaurants in Ocotal serve delicious food especially during festivals and events.