Part of the reason I started this blog was to provide travel advice on countries I have visited. Part 1: Nicaragua
Nicaragua: TRAVEL TIPS
Backpackers and tourists are just beginning to explore Nicaragua. Last year (2006) , for the time in country's history, tourism was the highest producing economic sector. Here are a few travel tips:
Best Guide Book: Moon Handbooks Nicaragua (2005) by Randall Wood and Joshua Berman. Both are former Peace Corps volunteers who have extensive knowledge of the country . Lonely Planet El Salvador/Nicaragua gleams over valuable information and offers mediocre travel itineraries. Take the good travel book with you!
Budget for backpackers:
Hostel/Hotel: $7 to $10 a night
Food: $3/meal
Bus tickets: $2 for a 3 trip
Suggested Itineraries/Highlights (3 weeks):
- Granada! Beautiful colonial city. Allow two days. Food? Check out Telepizza (calzones are only $2.25). Hostel? Try Monkey Hut
- Isla de Ometepe: two active volcanoes to hike.
- San Juan del Sur: southern Pacific beach town
- Leon: Granada's colonial rival and located in the northwestern corner of Nicaragua
- Esteli: the third-largest city, located in the northern highlands, has a progressive feel and is a great hopping off point for the Nicaraguan mountains
- Selva Negra, the ecotourism farm in Nicaragua rainforest
- Corn Island, located off the Atlantic coast, has a British/Creole influence. It's like a mini-Jamaica in Nicaragua.
Managua: A quick word of advice. There is a great deal to see and do in Nicaragua and would advise leaving Nicaragua's capital as soon as possible. Managua makes up for its' few tourist sites by offering massive amounts of urban sprawl and crime. From the airport, it is possible to take taxis directly to bus stations. Avoid Managua, if at all possible.
Buses: The bus system is cheap and relatively efficient. Express buses are usually charter buses; second class buses are usually discontinued American school buses. Bus schedules are not posted; just ask the locals.
Border Crossings: Unless you are extremely versed in immigration procedures or hold a high degree of Spanish, I highly recommend taking the TicaBus between countries. Its employees cross borders daily and are familiar with border-crossing procedures; this allows for an efficient and speedy exit and entrance. The TicaBus runs daily between Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
