BEST TRAVEL AND VACATION DESTINATIONS IN NICARAGUA
LITTLE CORN ISLAND, NICARAGUA
Diving (don’t forget to visit Blowing Rock), snorkeling, beach combing, relaxing, dancing, star gazing, hiking, swimming, baseball watching, sun bathing, yoga, massage, adventure getting there, no cars or motorized vehicles, walk everywhere, shore fishing, sea fishing, warm Caribbean sea, pirate ghosts, good food, cold drinks, friendly people and English spoken. Step back in time to a Caribbean from 50 years ago, where Spanish, Miskito and English cultures come together in perfect harmony. We may be a bit biased, but we think Little Corn Island may be the best destination in Nicaragua and for sure the best destination on the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua. Reserve your ideal hotel stay for cozy boutique oceanfront hotel and bungalow/cabins on the beach at Little Corn Island Beach and Bungalow Eco Lodge, hotel and bungalows. From Managua you can be dipping your toes in the gentle warm surf on a secluded beach on “La Islita Poqueno” in only a few hours.
BIG CORN ISLAND, NICARAGUA
Diving, snorkeling, fishing, beach combing, relaxing, dancing, star gazing, baseball watching, warm Caribbean sea, cold drinks, friendly people and English spoken. Step back in time to a Caribbean from 50 years ago. But “La Isla Grande” has cars, roads and more people than it’s little sister, Little Corn Island. Come to Big Corn to enjoy a mix of cultures that are truly dynamic and fun. Spend the majority of your time on Little Corn Island, not Big Corn.
Pearl Keys, Nicaragua
Connect through Bluefields and Pearl Lagoon on a regularly scheduled commercial panga that winds its way through river and estuary and find your self at the “pearls” of the Caribbean. Only and hour off the Miskito Coast by panga, these isolated, sandy islets are palm tree shaded, undeveloped (for the most part) and surrounded by a shimmering azure sea. When the weather is right, you can take a day trip to the keys from Little Corn Island.
Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua
The jump off point for the Pearl Keys this community is isolated from connecting roads and has not quite joined the modern age when it comes to tourism. Don’t expect a fancy hotel, exceptional service or international food. Do expect an adventure getting there, unique Miskito culture and friendly folks.
RIO SAN JUAN, NICARAGUA
The Rio San Juan River flows east from the incredibly large inland lake “Lake Nicaragua” (second largest fresh water lake in Central and South America) and forms much of the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The border (the river), at times disputed, offers great fishing and the opportunity to see remote, rural Nicaragua. In the 19th century, the river itself was the front runner to be part of a trans isthmus canal prior to the completed construction of the Panama Canal. Rare fresh water Bull Sharks and myriad other fresh water flaura and fauna make this a fisherman’s paradise. San Juan de Nicaragua (formerly known as Greytown) sits at the mouth of the river on the Caribbean coast.
Ometepe, Nicaragua
Volcano Concepcion (active) and Volcano Maderas (dormant) worked together to form the largest island in one of the second largest fresh water lake in Central America and South America. Remote and dusty, the island of Ometepe supports agriculture and tourism. Hundreds of years ago, pirates sailing up the San Juan river from the Caribbean made this island a major stop to plunder and rejuvenate. Now you can swim in the lake, hike the forests, climb the volcano’s, check out the petroglyphs and stone idols of ages past and enjoy a very unique part of Nicaragua.
Granada, Nicaragua
The first of Nicaragua’s cities to embrace tourism, Granada has an amazing history, a beautiful plaza and main church as well as lots of stuff for tourist to do. At the invitation of one of two fighting political parties, William Walker was invited to come to the country (in the 1800’s) and try to help them consolidate power. One of the last things “Bill” did as he and his men left Granada was try to burn it to the ground. Dominated by Mount Mombacho, Granada now provides nice accommodations, delightful food, lots of adventure tourism and a “modern” respite for you travels around Nicaragua.
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Like to surf in Nicaragua? Party too? Then this just may be the place for you. A beautiful beach and bay lined with multiple restaurants, bars and hotels the action goes well in to the night and right through ’til dawn. Not far North of here, the original trans isthmus canal (before the Panama Canal) was slated to enter the Atlantic.
Metagalpa, Nicaragua
Know as the “Pearl of the North” this city is the largest one in the North of Nicaragua. More mountainous terrain and it’s inland location help it offer up rafting opportunities, waterfalls, and vast agricultural areas where among other things they grow tasty coffee.
MANAGUA, NICARAGUA
You have to fly into Managua. It is fun to experience the chaos of Managua and find the hidden places that offer history, food, culture and that feel of being somewhere growing no where fast.
Masaya, Nicaragua
Between Managua and Granada, Masaya and the surrounding communities are the handiwork capital of Nicaragua. Individual communities specialize in different items. Some ceramics, some furniture, some flowers, and on and on. In a country that has not developed a “souvenir” marketplace, this is a great area to pick up a nice hammock or beautiful piece of art to take home as part of your memories of Nicaragua.
Leon, Nicaragua
Know for it universities, Spanish language schools, heritage and history this city was once one of the power centers of Nicaraguan turn of the 20th century politics. Pitted against it’s southern rival, Granada, the political struggle was ongoing and epic. Today if you want to bask in the reflected glory of higher education in Nicaragua, visit this beautiful city and enjoy.