Forget whatever it is that you think you know about Nicaragua. No longer the war-torn land of guerilla warfare, the largest country in Central America is fast becoming the hottest name on the block for 2014 – and considering it’s half the price, half as busy and doubly as worth visiting as its popular neighbour Costa Rica, it’s not hard to see the appeal.
Offering something for every traveller, here’s why you should be moving “the land of lakes and volcanoes” straight to the top of your bucket list.
If you like history…
Granada: Colonial splendour
One of the oldest colonial cities in all of the Americas, Granada boasts heaps of charm alongside its well-preserved architecture. Built on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, spend your days climbing the tower of Iglesia de la Merced to enjoy the views over the city or take a trip to Convento y Museo San Francisco, the oldest church in Central America.
Long established as the country’s centre of trade, Granada is a heady mix of antiquity and tranquillity, with a cosmopolitan twist thrown in. Image source
León: Cosmopolitan buzz
Bursting with energy, flowing with excitement and burning with fiery liberalism, León is Nicaragua’s culturally rich and intellectual hub. Home to lively cafes, a plethora of artsy galleries and a vibrant nightlife, there’s plenty to see and do both day and night: hit the museums, browse the food markets or visit León Cathedral, Central America’s biggest.
Sure, Granada has breath taking grandeur by the bucket load, but León is the city that will capture your heart. Image source
If you like relaxing…
The Corn Islands: Undiscovered Paradise
Perched quietly in the Caribbean Sea, 40 miles from the eastern coast of Nicaragua lay the Corn Islands (Islas del Maiz). A pair of enchantingly small islands, picture horseshoe bays and rugged coves and you won’t be far off track. To get there, you’ll likely arrive at Big Corn Island (Isla Grande del Maíz), but Little Corn Island (Isla Pequeña del Maíz) is actually where you’re sure to want to spend your days, with a simple ferry taking you between the two.
Little Corn is peopled by less than 1000, is entirely free of cars and holds a peculiar spell over all who visit. Of course, Big Corn is practically paradise too. Image source
San Juan del Sur: Backpacker beach town
If you’re a fan of dusty, laidback surf towns then San Juan del Sur is just the place you’ve been looking for. Still definitively off the beaten track yet rated in the top five surf spots in the world, San Juan del Sur is home to beachside bars, a super relaxed atmosphere and a multitude of tanned gringos alongside unassuming locals.
It’s the kind of place you’ll pitch up for a few days before finding yourself still there, enjoying a cold beer on the beach, much longer than you ever intended. Image source
If you like culture…
Matagalpa: Coffee lover’s heaven
The city of Matagalpa lies in the northern highlands and is the perfect starting point for visiting the surroundings coffee plantations. There’s not much else to see or do in the city but if you’re a lover of coffee, then you’re definitely in the right place!
Take a visit to the Selva Negra plantation – one of the country’s best producers of coffee – and learn all about the creation of the world’s most popular drink. Image source
Diriá & Diriomo: The magic touch
Two twin towns built right across the road from one another, Diriá and Diriomo are known as bewitched villages with a history deeply steeped in black magic. Regarded for years as “towns of sorcery”, the streets are lined with tarot card readers and fortune tellers; the shops home to herbal medicines, witchdoctors and healers.
With an unmistakeable and enchanting air of witchcraft and sorcery, a visit to these twin towns is one tell the grandchildren about! Image source
If you like getting active…
Isla de Ometepe: For the outdoorsy types
An island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, Isla de Ometepe is born of two volcanoes rising majestically out of the waters. Here, there’s a ton of things to do if you’re a fan of the active lifestyle, from horse riding along the shores of the beach to kayaking down the River Istian or hiking up to the stunning San Ramon Waterfall.
Fishing is practically Nicaragua’s national pastime and there’s no better place than the lake surrounding Isla de Ometepe to stretch your fisherman legs. Image source
Cerro Negro: Volcano boarding
The youngest volcano in Central America, Cerro Negro only appeared from the ground in 1850. However, young or old, it didn’t take long for the residents of Nicaragua to discover the fun that it offered: volcano boarding! That’s right, here’s your chance to grab a board (probably easiest as part of an organised tour) and bodysurf your way down the sandy-smooth slopes of a real-life active volcano.
Where else can you (safely!) do that? Image source
What else?
It’s safe to say that Nicaragua’s capital city of Managua is best treated as little more than your starting off point, one from which to explore the rest of the country. In other words: fly in and get straight out because there are plenty of better options!
Of course, this country remains a low level risk when it comes to safety – it’s not exactly a developed tourist resort, but things have come a long way. Stick to the regular stuff (don’t travel alone at night, don’t wave your iPhone or digital camera around, look after your belongings (especially on public transport), stay alert at ATMs…) and you shouldn’t encounter any more problems than usual!