After we first determined that we had been going to be travelling long-term in Central America, Nicaragua was the vacation spot that I actually had my coronary heart set on. I heard from a great good friend who had gone backpacking that approach and dozens of journey bloggers that the nation was extremely lovely and grime low-cost, particularly in comparison with neighbouring Costa Rica. They had been completely proper.
Luke and I initially acquired caught up home sitting in Costa Rica (home sitters are in excessive demand there) for longer than we deliberate and ended up simply crossing the border to Nicaragua for fast visa runs. The quick pockets of time we spent in Nicaragua solely made me crave extra time there! Right here’s our information to travelling in Nicaragua and what to do when you’re there!
Why You Ought to Journey to Nicaragua
The backpacking scene is certainly rising in Nicaragua, nevertheless it nonetheless stays one of many least visited nations in Central America. It’s historical past of political unrest has put it a bit off the radar for a lot of travellers, however I’m fairly certain that’s going to proceed to vary when everybody realises how superior it’s (shhhh!).
- Unimaginable volcano hikes. In case you love a great hike, then the volcanoes in Nicaragua are a few of the coolest mountaineering spots round.
- Island life. Boasting the gorgeous volcanic island of Ometepe and the actually chill Corn Islands, Nicaragua is an effective place for many who need to take it straightforward.
- It’s sociable. Unexpectedly, we discovered the backpackers and expats in Nicaragua way more sociable than the opposite nations we travelled round. Possibly it’s to do with the nation’s laid again vibe…
- Gentle on the funds. Out of in every single place we travelled in Central America, Nicaragua in all probability got here out as the most cost effective nation so long as you averted the Gringo areas.
The place to Go in Nicaragua
Granada
The primary journey vacation spot for 99.9% of travellers to Nicaragua is Granada. This colonial gem is a haven for travellers who love ambling round and cafe tradition. I’ve to say although, there are quite a lot of expats right here and that’s positively pushed up the costs round city.
Leon
There are heated debates between travellers about which is healthier – Granada or Leon. Numerous travellers really feel that Leon is sort of a extra genuine, tough across the edges model of Granada. I’m firmly within the Granada camp however Luke sways in direction of Leon.
Ometepe Island
This twin volcanic island proper out in Lake Nicaragua is the right place to flee into nature. We got here again to Ometepe for a second time, and we’d positively do it a 3rd time spherical (uncommon for us!) We home sat on the island and had one of the best time cracking coconuts and getting used to native life.
Corn Islands
Regardless of being underdeveloped, the Corns Islands (Massive Corn and Little Corn) are completely filled with vacationers who need to shack up in a beachfront hut and move hours away in a hammock. The diving is respectable as effectively.
San Juan Del Sur
I’m placing this seaside city on the backside of the checklist as a result of, though a favorite with practically each backpacker we met, we gave it a miss. This seaside city is understood for being a celebration scene and that’s actually not our factor.
Granada
Issues to Do in Nicaragua
Nicaragua doesn’t have as many ‘vacationer sights’ as different locations in Central America, however that’s actually why I beloved it. Nicaragua is a rustic for exploring, the place that’s by boat, on a scooter, on a bicycle or on foot.
Amble round Granada
Granada is sort of a small place which makes it good for simply wandering round. Get pleasure from distant volcanoes, colonial structure and yellow painted homes earlier than nipping right into a scrumptious cafe. Among the finest cafes in Central America are primarily based right here, and I extremely advocate the Backyard Cafe and Cafe de los Suenos.
Stroll on the roof of Leon Cathedral
Leon has essentially the most magnificent white cathedral – it’s the most important in Central America! Depart the bustle of town streets behind and climb up onto the roof. The views throughout town and of the encircling volcanoes are superb at sundown.
Volcano boarding close to Leon
Volcano boarding is what practically each traveller to Leon raves about. Fact be instructed, I didn’t actually prefer it and would reasonably simply stroll up and down the volcano. However I’ve to confess that it’s a really distinctive expertise and the black volcanic sands of Cerro Negro are unbelievable.
Hike up Volcan Concepcion on Ometepe
Strap in your mountaineering boots and head up Nicaragua’s second tallest volcano. The hike all the way in which to the highest units you again about 8 hours, however you’ll be able to choose to – or be pressured to by unhealthy climate and landslides, like us – go simply half approach. We noticed howler monkeys for the primary time throughout this hike too!
Discover your individual seaside on Little Corn Island
Whereas the Corn Islands aren’t as quiet as they as soon as had been, there are nonetheless a lot of hidden seashores to be found. It’s good to stretch your legs a bit to search out one out, however Little Corn is, effectively, little, so it’s not too far to stroll. Then seize a coconut and relax.
Volcano boarding in Leon
Value to Journey in Nicaragua
We discovered journey in Nicaragua to be actually good worth. We caught to a funds of $26 a day every (not together with home sitting time), however you may get that right down to round $20 if you happen to had been budgeting laborious. We positively spent most of our time in fairly touristy spots which hiked our funds up a bit, however as quickly as you get off the overwhelmed observe it’s a lot simpler to maintain in verify. Check out our full breakdown of how a lot it price to journey in Nicaragua.
Security in Nicaragua
Nicaragua is far safer and has far much less crime compared to El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, nevertheless it’s not fully crime free. Whereas Luke and I by no means encountered any crime ourselves, we had been cautious and cautious to not keep out after darkish. All the tales that we did hear about backpackers being mugged or pickpocketed got here out of the seaside occasion city San Juan del Sur – make of that what you’ll. We additionally heard fairly a narrative a couple of cult on Ometepe Island from the couple we home sat for, so be cautious of that too.
Try our ideas for not getting mugged in Central America.
Extra Data on Nicaragua
In the long run, Luke and I spent fairly some time in Nicaragua however I nonetheless really feel like there’s hundreds extra to find. To learn up on some additional locations, try:
- Alongside Dusty Roads’ Nicaragua High 9
- Lake Nicaragua’s different islands
- Rewired and Retired in Nicaragua – a terrific weblog about native life on Ometepe Island written by the ladies who we home sat for on the market.
Oh, and don’t overlook to drink some Flor de Cana!