A good starting point for travellers exploring Nicaragua's mountainous regions, Matagalpa (sometimes called the Pearl of the North) is surrounded by beautiful valleys and steep hills that contain coffee and cattle farms, Indian villages, volcanoes, and other interesting places to visit. The city has a uniquely German culture due to settlers in the region, and most of the residents speak English. Matagalpa is also a paradise for outdoor activities like hiking, bird watching and horseback riding.