Nicaragua Travelogue

Nicaragua is one of the hidden gems of Central America.  It has a reputation as being a politically corrupt and poverty-stricken country, and this reputation is not without merit. Nigaragua is also one of the most beautiful countries I have visited.  It is an ideal country to go backpacking in and has a lot to offer.  There are colonial towns, lush jungles, beautiful beaches, volcanoes and mountains to climb and interesting wildlife.  And you can travel and see all of these places on the cheap.  It really is one of the most affordable countries to travel around in.  When I went, I was able to travel on $20 a day or less.

Worried about the hotels there?  Don’t be!  There are tons of great hostels, little inns and camping sites for you to stay in.  Many of them are as cheap as $5-10 a night.  The food is great and safe.  And a meal can cost as little as a couple of dollars.

Although Nicaragua wasn’t the safest place to travel in the 80’s and 90’s, today it is one of the safer countries to travel around in all of Latin America.  The local people are very friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand.  They also love to chat with foreigners. 

One of the most appealing aspects of Nicaragua is that it is not overcrowded with tourists.  You could go days without seeing another Gringo.  You can travel the countryside and stay at little inns in relative peace and quiet.  It is the ideal country to “Get Away From It All.” 

Apart from all of the natural beauty, such as the volcanoes, jungles and unspoiled beaches, a visit to Nicaragua wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Granada.  Granada is a colonial gem of a city that is situated on the shores of Lake Nicaragua.  The colonial architecture is stunning and beautiful.  It is a must see and one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America. 

I know people who fly into Managua, the congested, dirty  capitol of Nicaragua and immediately get on the bus for Granada. Indeed, the two times that I have been there, I probably spent a total of three days in Managua while I have spent about three weeks in other parts of the country.  Managua has its nice areas and has a few good museums, but the hustle and bustle of the city is a big turn-off for many.  Every time I was there, it was Hot and Humid and uncomfortable as well.  And for some reason, it seems that all of the insects in Nicaragua congregate in Managua! 

A friend of mine recently wanted to know which country he should visit in Central America.  He had two weeks and wanted to stay in just one country.  I told him Nicaragua.  The natural beauty of the countryside, the cities, the little villages, the beautiful beaches and the friendly people will definitely not be a disappointment.  And with the price of traveling there, you could spend the same amount of money during two weeks in Nicaragua that you would spend in one week in Costa Rica.