Final Up to date
I’m simply over midway by way of a Central American journey, after beginning in Panama and dealing my manner as much as Mexico, a visit which I’m finishing in 5 months whereas working full-time on-line as a digital nomad.
Whereas each nation has been wonderful (I’m scripting this from the completely beautiful Antiqua, Guatemala) one nation has stood out as an surprising spotlight.
I’m speaking about The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes itself, Nicaragua.
Being American, most of all the things I had heard about Nicaragua earlier than planning this journey was not constructive, to say the least.
Let me wholeheartedly say that I’m so glad I didn’t hearken to the misguided warnings and that I used to be in a position to spend a month traversing my manner throughout this beautiful Central American gem.
@nomads_nook Replying to @bradxlee._19 📍Nicaragua🇳🇮 is positioned in Central America and is thought for its breathtaking sunsets and tropical seashores🌴 – #nicaragua #travel #traveltiktok #travelinspo #nicaragua🇳🇮 #tiktoktravel #nicaraguatiktoks #nicaraguatiktok #paradise – 📽: @david.tejada.73 @Leo Chavez @Go to Nicaragua @Colleen ♬ Me Gustas Tu – Sped Up Version – Manu Chao
Nicaragua is actually not the only country in Central America that is still a bit undiscovered, and there are many in this region that it’s best to add to your journey plans this 12 months.
Every single day and each new place in Nicaragua was a pleasing shock, however listed below are 8 issues that basically shocked me:
The Security
Let’s begin with the one factor that involves thoughts if you first hear about touring in Nicaragua. Is it secure?
Whereas some media protection on the nation and its management doesn’t paint the nation in the very best gentle, as a traveler there for a month, I by no means skilled something that made me really feel unsafe.
That being mentioned, I wouldn’t stroll round many locations after darkish, however I wouldn’t do that in most nations at present. Some research have proven that Nicaragua has a decrease crime price than its far more well-liked neighbor of Costa Rica (one other nation I by no means felt unsafe in).
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Nicaragua is the second poorest nation within the Western Hemisphere, and touring from one location to the following, you will note this firsthand.
There’s lots of poverty right here, though from what I noticed, it was principally within the countryside, and the cities didn’t appear to have too dangerous of a homeless downside.
At the moment, Nicaragua has a degree 3 journey advisory from the U.S. State Division, principally attributable to restricted healthcare availability and poor legislation enforcement points.
As a traveler, for those who keep in the primary vacationer areas reminiscent of San Juan Del Sur, Granada, Ometepe Island, Leon, and the Corn Islands, you need to be high quality, though I’d completely carry medical health insurance with you.
The Nature and Wildlife
For a rustic that is named the land of lakes and volcanoes, it positive has… properly, lots of them. One exercise many do right here is volcano boarding down the spectacular Cerro Negro, simply reachable from Leon.
I opted for a extra laid-back expertise and headed to Laguna de Apoyo simply outdoors Granada, the place you may chill and swim all day within the volcanic lagoon after which take a simple hike as much as the highest of Masaya Volcano to see the sundown and the effervescent lava (one of many solely locations on the planet you may see this!)
Nicaragua has about 7% of the world’s biodiversity, and you will note lovely nature in all places you flip. The birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, and all the things in between will shock you.
I skilled most of this on the wonderful Ometepe Island, the place I used to be awoken by howler monkeys, noticed spiders greater than my hand (in my bathe, no much less) and large iguanas simply chillin’ across the garden.
Except for these creatures, the sheer quantity of colourful and interesting birds I noticed in Nicaragua actually gave Costa Rica a run for its cash.
The Colours
On a stroll within the little city of Moyogalpa one night, I commented on all of the paint shops that this small city had. To which my husband replied, “Have you ever seen the homes?!”
I needed to snort as a result of, sure, in fact there’s a paint retailer on each nook, as a result of each home on this nation is painted some neon vibrant shade, one after the following.
The entire metropolis of Granada, for instance, seems to be prefer it might need been painted to be an Instagram backdrop, however nope. They’re simply colourful right here.
The colours of locations like this in Central America are one factor I’ll undoubtedly miss when this journey is completed.
The Seashores
Let me get this out of the way in which proper now; I’m under no circumstances a surfer. I’m far more of a let’s seize a drink and watch the sundown sort of traveler.
That being mentioned, I do respect a very good seaside city with a browsing vibe. The southern city of San Juan Del Sur is precisely that and makes a simple begin for any journey by way of Nicaragua, because it’s simply over the border from Costa Rica.
With a Jesus statue that can remind you of a mini Rio De Janeiro and extra locations to eat and drink than you may probably get by way of, this seaside city is one to remain some time and chill.
On the coast alongside the Pacific you will see different smaller cities, reminiscent of Playa Mardras and Playa El Coco, each good choices for a really quiet vibe. Within the northern a part of Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, you’ll find one other well-liked seaside city of Las Penitas.
Throughout the nation, positioned about 50 miles into the Caribbean, you will see the idyllic Corn Islands, and whereas I couldn’t embody them on this journey attributable to time, they’re undoubtedly on my radar for one more go to.
The Ease Of Journey
Earlier than this journey, I had lots of reservations about touring round Central America. I used to be uncertain if it will be simple to navigate the transportation and learn how to attain all of the (ever-growing) variety of locations I wished to incorporate.
Nevertheless, the very best factor about Central America is that getting from level A to level B will be as simple or as low-cost as you make it.
Rooster busses join the whole sub-continent roughly and oftentimes price lower than a cup of espresso.
Subsequent up is shared shuttles, which I used 99% of the time, principally attributable to time restraints and being previous and cranky and never wanting to hold my (additionally ever-growing) backpack round.
The place any customer will possible need to go in Nicaragua is properly related by transportation, and shuttle busses typically price lower than $30 an individual, with door-to-door drop-off.
It’s price noting that non-public drivers may also be fairly low-cost right here as properly, and I used them just a few instances after I couldn’t make shuttle instances attributable to work. The most effective tip is to get a card from one you want and hold utilizing them.
Undiscovered Gem
One factor that basically shocked me in Nicaragua (and in El Salvador as properly) is the variety of vacationers it appears to obtain. Now, there have been vacationers in all places we went; sure, this nation just isn’t a secret anymore, and other people do come right here.
@itsvivslifee Nicaragua – the land of lakes & volcanoes🌿🤍 #visitnicaragua #nicaraguatravel #travelnicaragua #nicaragua #volcano #traveltiktok #travelbucketlist #nicaraguatiktoks #visitcentralamerica #centralamerica ♬ video games – favsoundds
Nevertheless, what did shock me was the place these vacationers had been coming from. In my month of assembly folks, I will need to have solely come throughout 4 different American vacationers. Many I met got here from Australia, some from Germany and France, and some Canadians.
It appears to me that People would possibly nonetheless think about Nicaragua not fascinating sufficient or too harmful to go to.
Each of which couldn’t be farther from the reality.
Additionally, with an increasing number of flight options from the States, it couldn’t be simpler to succeed in this fascinating vacation spot.
Moreover, Nicaraguans might desperately use some extra vacationer {dollars} of their economic system, and so they deserve it.
The Historical past
One declare to fame of Nicaragua is that it gave the world one of many best names in Spanish literature, Ruben Dario. After spending his life as a diplomat, poet, and journalist, Daio is now a nationwide hero.
If you wish to see some lovely preserved historic cities, Leon, Granada, and Ciudad Antigua had been the primary established by Spaniards after they reached the shores of Nicaragua.
Wander their historic facilities and take within the structure and tradition; simply bear in mind to look each methods for the quite a few horse and buggies that zip round these streets all hours of the day.
The Worth-tag
Going into this journey, I knew some counties in Central America can be cheaper than others. For instance, I used to be ready for Costa Rica and Panama to be extra dear than Nicaragua and El Salvador.
And but, simply how cheaply you may get by in Nicaragua nonetheless shocked me.
Now, some areas undoubtedly price greater than others. For instance, San Juan Del Sur didn’t appear all that low-cost to me, particularly when it got here to lodging.
Nevertheless, it’s doable to seek out lodging on the otherworldly island of Ometepe for subsequent to nothing, and Granada additionally has many low-cost choices accessible.
Except for lodging, day by day bills reminiscent of transportation, sim playing cards, meals and drinks all additionally price lower than I anticipated.
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