"Nicaragua - a top country to visit" Top 5 Page for this destination Nicaragua by hanula

Nicaragua Travel Guide: 1,674 reviews and 5,783 photos

Don't just pass by Nicaragua in two days...

Nicaragua by Rubén Darío, Nicaragua's national poet

Madre, que dar pudiste
de tu vientre pequeño
tantas rubias bellezas y tropical tesoro,
tanto lago de azures,
tanta rosa de oro,
tanta paloma dulce,
tanto tigre zahareño.

Yo te ofrezco el acero
en que forjé mi empeño,
la caja de armonía
que guarda mi tesoro,
la peaña de diamantes
del Idolo que adoro
y te ofrezco mi esfuerzo,
y mi nombre y mi sueño.

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Nicaragua is an absolutely fabulous country to visit. Most tourists just drive through Nicaragua in two days without seeing anything and without even realising what they are missing. So check out my travel tips to see what you might miss before you make the same mistake ;-)

By the way, you shouldn't be put off by Nicaragua's dark past as, contrary to Nicaragua's reputation, it is actually the safest country in Central America!

Nicaraguan people are polite, easy going and have an excellent sense of humour. Because Nicaragua has until recently been quite untouched by tourism there are many "off the beaten path" places to visit.

It is also really easy to get around the country along the Pan American Highway and other roads because there are no big mountains to cross!. Buses are cheap and there are frequent connections to almost any place.

There is a lot to see in Nicaragua alone!

Miraflor nature reserve in the north

Nicaragua has very rich nature (volcanoes, cloud forests, sea...) and an interesting mixture of history and cultures from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean.

Top tips for visiting:
>The city of Granada by Lake Nicaragua
> Masaya national park (active crater) and the city of Masaya with its beautiful market place (buy hammocks from the producers)
> San Juan del Oriente (ceramics) and Catarina with a beautiful view of the Laguna de Apoyo (collapsed) crater lake.
>Ometepe island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua
>Pochomil beach on the Pacific side
>Surfers like San Juan del Sur on the Pacific side, which is a touristy yet very pleasant littel village with many nice and quiet beaches within easy reach.
>San Carlos on the southern shores of Lake Nicaragua and Río San Juan that starts from there (don't just go to San Carlos but take a few days to explore the river and the national park)
>Pearl lagoon village on the caribbean side is an absolutely charming place and still off the beaten path (take a boat from Bluefields)
>Little Corn Island is also worth a visit because of its coral reefs and diving opportunities. The big island is, by the way, not half as nice as the small one.
>León is a beautiful and lively city that was the colonial capital of Nicaragua.
>There many nature parks and volcanoes within easy reach all around Nicaragua.

Why not head towards north?

Estanzuela waterfall just south of Estelí

Many tourists visit nature parks in the south of the country. If you want to be a little different you should take a bus to Estelí in the north. It is a nice and fresh place to stay in to explore northern Nicaragua's nature parks (Miraflor, Cantagallo, Tisey) and cities, which are definitely still off the beaten path.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Many interesting places to visit within easy reach, nice people
Cons:Managua is an ugly city, don't waist your time there
In a nutshell:Beautiful country with lovely people and nature

Last visit to Nicaragua: Aug 2003
Intro Updated Aug 19, 2003
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Reviews (41)

Corn Islands - Big Corn Island has nice... Things to Do (12)

Big Corn Island is not haf as nice as the small one but you will pass by it on your way to the Small Corn Island... more travel advice

Women of Mozonte making nacatamales - Nicaragua

National dish - Nacatamales Restaurants (1)

Nacatamales is the most typical Nicaraguan food. It is smashed corn and potatoes wrapped in a banana leaf along with... more travel advice

Granada cathedral and local boys - Nicaragua

Granada Things to Do (12)

Granada is one of the oldest European settlements in the Americas. You can just walk around the town and adore... more travel advice

Laguna de Apoyo and San Juan de Oriente Things to Do (12)

In Mirador de Catarina (entrance fee) you can adore the fantastic scenery to the crater lake, Laguna de Apoyo, and eat... more travel advice

Shopping (8)
See All What currency?
Sports & Outdoors (2)
See All Real Estelí...¡fútbol!
Hotels (11)
See All Accommodation for back packers in...
Local Customs (1)
Entering someone's house politely

Travelogues (1)

Written Nov 9, 2003

2 photos

Leon - the most politically aware city in Nicaragu

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Comments (11)

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Sininen Jan 10, 2006 at 11:17 AM

Hei Hanna! Upea Nicaragua sivu! Tuli ikävä sinne, ehkä lähden uudelleen vielä joskus.
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trek06 Aug 19, 2005 at 9:04 PM

Good Job, waundered around Nicaragua for month of June 05. It's still a great unspoiled place to discover. Great pages!
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BorderHopper Jul 23, 2005 at 11:58 AM

I really enjoyed reding through your NIcaragua pages. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us.....your tips will be of great value when we go toNicaragua in August. Happy travels!
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Calor Nov 30, 2004 at 3:09 PM

Good Nicaragua tip..I was trying to go there this year but couldn't..
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tatyanap Mar 3, 2004 at 9:43 AM

Great page! Good job!
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lenoreva Nov 21, 2003 at 12:55 AM

You've been a busy little bee since I visited your page last - hope all is well! Lenore
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jayhawk2000 Nov 9, 2003 at 9:54 AM

super page, thanks for sharing!
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Christian.Lafont Oct 5, 2003 at 2:49 PM

Useful tips, packing list and addresses. Thanks. I plan a trip this November. Other recommendations ? Thanks.
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Hermanater Aug 15, 2003 at 6:11 AM

Some of the best rum I have tasted. (I only drink rum) Went horse riding in San Jaun Del Sur (ended up on a nag) Enjoy your time there
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Aquamantos Aug 14, 2003 at 5:42 PM

Very interesting info about Nicaragua, hope to see some pics soon! :o)