Nicaragua Bare Essentials: Swimwear and a Hammock

Nicaragua, with its 720 km long coastline in the Pacific and Atlantic, 28 volcanic formations, thousands of lakes, lagoons and rivers, and mesmerizing nature reserves, has a variety of attractions to satisfy even the most demanding tourist. All these features, aside from the availability of various international flights, delicious cuisine and lively people, combine to make Nicaragua one of the top value destinations.

Nicaragua is a retirement hotspot, according to International Living. So let us guide you through what we believe are the country’s must-go tourist sites and must-do activities, while visiting the land of lakes and volcanoes.

San Juan del Sur: Home to one of the top 10 beaches in Central America, according to the 2012 Traveler’s Choice, San Juan has emerged as an ideal destination for the adventurous traveler, eco-tourist and retiree alike. Surrounded by popular surfing beaches as well as majestic virgin beaches, San Juan del Sur is perfectly suited for every type of tourist. Here there are numerous hotels to choose and verities of cuisines to taste. If you’re a nature lover, visit Playa La Flor, a wildlife refuge where every year hundreds of sea turtles arrive to lay their eggs.

Ometepe Island: Declared as Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO, Ometepe Island is home to two majestic volcanoes. Why it is so famous is because it is the largest volcanic island inside a fresh water lake. Ometepe is currently one of the destinations admired for its nature, hospitality, beautiful landscapes, a rich archeological background, relaxing beaches and numerous natural reserves rich in biodiversity. If you have a lot of energy, you should try hiking the Concepción Volcano, which is 1,610 meters high and is still active.

Granada: Standing out for being one of the oldest cities in American mainland, Granada is a city with great cultural richness. This well preserved city features many colonial buildings and is within close proximity of Lake Nicaragua, known for captivating 365 islets archipelago of volcanic origin. This city offers a vibrant nightlife where tourists and foreign residents enjoy dancing to Latin vibes, savoring the typical Vigorón dish and drinking locally made rum. If you are looking for a relaxing, cultural and low-cost retirement destination, this could be your choice in Latin America.

Río San Juan: The Río San Juan is truly an enchanting site located at the southern border of Nicaragua, offering a variety of attractions. San Carlos, the department’s main city, is a rustic 16th century port city with all the amenities for a nature lover. It is the point of entry to the San Juan River and to the Solentiname archipelago, known for its balsa wood artisans. Other must-see attractions include the historic El Castillo, a fortress built during the times of the Spanish colony; the traditional Greytown and, of course, the majestic San Juan River, whose waters were navigated by Mark Twain back in the 1860’s.

Corn Islands: The Corn Islands, formed by Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island, are located in the Caribbean, surrounded by turquoise calm waters and white sandy beaches. Because of coral reef, diving and snorkeling are the must-do activities. Stunning coral structures and abundant marine life make this underwater world a beautiful sight. When visiting, be sure to try some of the local dishes such as coconut bread and rondon soup, made with fish, potato, vegetables and coconut water. The Corn Islands are the perfect relax getaway, where all you need is a swimwear and a hammock.