We knew little about Nicaragua the first time we went. We were always intrigued – and a little bit uncertain, but maybe that was a hangover from the 1980′s.
Three years ago, we spent a few winter weeks exploring Costa Rica and on the suggestion of friends, took a week, and hopped a flight from Liberia to Granada. The view was spectacular, the flight a little bumpy and our first glimpse of Nicaragua was the quirky Granada airport – a bit of a throwback.
But, that is all in the past and there is no turning back. Bottom-line, we have fallen heads over heals for Nicaragua. We have been back a few times. OK it doesn’t work for everyone – but it works for us. There is the beauty of historic Granada, the spectacular ocean beaches, Lake Nicaragua, Laguna de Apoyo, Ometepe, and the impressive line of volcanos that run the length of the country.
We still haven’t visited the Miskito Coast, Corn Islands, or the Bluefields but we have driven to Matagalpa, the mountains of northern Nicaragua and the Selva Negra. Last trip we drove down to Rivas, parked the car for a few days, and took the ferry to Ometepe for some hiking and exploring.
Spending time in Leon and getting to know Managua will have to wait because Granada keeps pulling us back and we need to work on the Bachata (it’s a dance – our website has a youtube link) and need to keep working on our Spanish.
Granada, the oldest Colonial city in the Americas, is a gemstone that in the past few years has been picked up, polished off and is beginning to shine. Located only one hour from the capital of Managua and 1 ½ hours from the Pacific coast, Granada is a great place to make a base and travel the country.
We generally rent a house in Granada for a few weeks – the prices are very reasonable when compared to elsewhere in the world. Renting a car is not difficult nor is it too pricey. It is easy to pickup and drop-off the rental car at the Managua airport. Then, we settle in, enjoy the pace, the local culture, meet the friendliest people and always have the notion that back home is someplace faraway.
To learn more about our trip to Nicaragua, or for ideas about other great trips, please visit our website www.mygreatlists.com
Leave a comment
Comments feed for this article