We were a little nervous about driving through Nicaragua. Almost everything we read said it was dangerous due to cartels and political unrest, especially for two female nomads, but driving around it was not a viable option for us either. So, we decided to visit Nicaragua anyway, and I’m happy we did! We avoided the big cities and headed straight for places known for their natural beauty. We were rewarded with picture perfect scenery and that undiscovered tranquility that is rare in today’s over traveled tourist world.
Things to Do
Nicaragua is loaded with gorgeous places, active volcanos, and cultural delights. My favorite spots were the island of Ometepe, the Volcano Masaya, and the charming beach town of San Juan Del Sur. Ometepe is a small volcanic tropical island with a plethora of recreational activities, from mountain climbing to biking and surfing.
Volcanos
The Volcano Masaya is one of only a handful of active volcanoes where you can stare down into the crater and watch lava bubble and explode below. Located only about 12 miles south of the capital Managua, it’s known for being Nicaragua’s largest and oldest national park. You can drive right up to the crater, park and walk a short distance to the edge where you can peer down at the lava below. It’s spectacular, and if you go during the day the view of the valley below is breathtaking!
San Juan Del Sur
You know those little gem beach towns that are still relatively undiscovered, well, San Juan Del Sur is one of those little treasures. Situated on a horseshoe-shaped bay, the quaint thatched-roofs, along with a welcome lack of high-rise buildings make you never want to leave. In fact, many expats and nomads have done precisely that. You’ll love the dollar beers, live music, and cheap, delicious food. It’s a perfect tropical escape, a great place to surf, feel sand on your toes, and layback in a hammock.
Safety
Nicaragua is basically locked down at night. Nearly every building, storefront, and restaurant have a front gate surrounding their terrace or courtyard that is locked tight at dusk. As a result, you often can’t venture out at night, even if you wanted to. It takes a little getting used to, especially if you’re used to roaming free. We never felt unsafe in Nicaragua, but we were also extremely cautious. Keep a low profile and stay in groups as much as possible.
Tips and Tricks
ATMs in Nicaragua are problematic. Sometimes they’re out of money, sometimes they didn’t like my card, but for whatever reason, it seems I was always searching for an ATM that would give me cash. Also, many businesses will only take cash. So, I highly recommend getting cash at the airport and stashing it in several different places. American money is widely accepted, but it’s best to have plenty of Cordoba.
Spanish Versus English
In other Central American countries like Costa Rica and Guatemala, English is spoken almost as much as Spanish, but that is not the case in Nicaragua. I cursed myself for not speaking better Spanish. At the very least you should have a good translator app or pocket dictionary on hand. It was especially a problem at the boarding crossing. We couldn’t figure out what they were saying, why they needed money, or what was legitimate and what was a scam. It was one of the more stressful border crossings I’ve ever experienced.
Nicaraguans, in general, don’t like to talk about political unrest or politics. Don’t draw attention to yourself by talking about such topics. Try to keep a low profile and avoid any discussions about government.