Adventure in Nicaragua
The time is now to explore Nicaragua. Though the country’s history is filled with war, political unrest, corruption, financial turmoil, and a massive earthquake in 1972, it is filled with a surprisingly loving and generous people. Nicaragua is not short on marvelous nature, exotic plants and animals, colorful arts and traditional music, and, despite the war and quake, some amazing architecture and beautiful buildings and cities throughout the country.
The cities that are primed for a visit vary, from the capital of Managua to the ancient cities of Granada and Leon, all of which carry the stories of this remarkable country. Buildings still stand in their original style and serve as a photographer’s perfect subject for those looking to chronicle what remains. The colorfully painted buildings are a symbol of a lighter time and a style that keeps the streets a work of art unto themselves.
While the major cities all have iconic churches and buildings, smaller towns, such as San Juan Del Sur, Masaya, and the islands of Ometepe, carry their own beauty and noteworthy stories. Although it’s a fairly small country, there are different worlds to be discovered here. From the culture of Blue Fields to the Caribbean feel of the Corn Islands to the city life in Managua, this pint-sized country offers a realm of differences all waiting to be explored and discovered.
Hiking Nicaragua
The endless stretch of volcanoes along Nicaragua’s Pacific coastline has not only created rich organic soil for the staple of coffee plantations that help provide for this country, but it has also become a place where Mother Nature is clearly just showing off. The vistas from the top of each volcano are breathtaking, and the environment on each is so different you may feel like you’re on different continents, with locales as varied as the black volcanic sand of Cerro Negro and the Apoyo Lagoon, where you can swim away the day in the warm crater of a dormant volcano. The hiking on the almost-perfect conical volcano of Momotombo, which can be viewed from almost anywhere in Nicaragua, is unparalleled. Not letting a resource slip by, there is also a geothermal plant at the bottom, taking advantage of this unique resource of energy. As one of the highest volcanoes in Nicaragua without a clearly marked trail to the top, this is definitely a challenging adventure.
Adventure Activities
Once you’ve “snowboarded” down the face of Cerro Negro’s black sands and climbed through the caves of the active and smoking Masaya Volcano, there are still endless adventures to be discovered. You can zip-line through the lush green mountainsides of the jungle, or take a horseback ride or ATV tour for a more grounded experience. Walking by foot will slow you down enough to catch a glimpse of monkeys, sloths, and other jungle wildlife. To speed it up a bit, you can head to the shark-infested Lake Nicaragua and go wakeboarding, tubing, jet skiing, or knee boarding with a view of the volcanoes in the distance. Surfing in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean in San Juan Del Sur also makes for an amazing way to spend the evening, as does hiking to one of the many waterfalls hiding in the forests.
Nightlife
While the outdoors is unbelievable in Nicaragua, the nightlife is also something to check out. Locals pride themselves on enjoying the finer things in life, and the big cities are not lacking in nightclubs, local music events, or festivals. Learn about Nicaraguan folklore tales by watching them acted out in at local theaters and carnivals. These fables passed from generation to generation and recount withstanding the hardships that this beautiful country has endured. Karaoke is a great way to get in some singing, as well as some laughs, or check out a local discotheque to show your dance moves. With no lack of love for music and dancing, this Latin country will be sure to show you a good time.
Final Word
Nature, the outdoors, rich culture and history, arts and music, as well as a kind and warm-hearted collection of locals, Nicaragua is the next up-and-coming location for intrepid travelers. Embark on the journey now, while prices are still low in comparison to its Central American neighbors. View the wonders of this world from the eyes of a local, and fall in love with the peaks and valleys that make this tropical paradise so enticing. Whether hiking through the thick forest or walking along the concrete jungle, you’re sure to get wonderfully lost in Nicaragua for as long as your vacation days allow.