Set in the middle of Central America, Nicaragua is a naturally stunning country with a colorful history. Known as the “land of lakes and volcanoes” it also boasts extensive coastlines on the Pacific and Caribbean and an array of wildlife and terrain that rivals that of its better known neighbor just to the south, Costa Rica.
Today, after more than 18 years of political stability, Nicaragua is firmly on the map as a “go-to” destination. Tourism is way up, and retirees from the US, Canada and Europe are shifting their gaze from neighboring Costa Rica to the lower costs and relaxing pace of life of today’s Nicaragua.
For vacationers the allure is obvious: world-class surfing on the Pacific, volcanoes to hike all across the land, coffee farming and caballeros in the North, classic colonial towns like Granada and Leon in the center, and palm-studded Caribbean islands on the Atlantic side. Just a few of the activities available: surfing on the Pacific Coast, kayaking/bird watching, yoga and massage retreats, arts/crafts shopping in Masaya and Granada, horseback riding, jungle canopy rides, hiking the twin volcanoes of Ometepe Island, diving in the Corn Islands, sportfishing, golfing, spanish language studies and overnighting at a mountain-top coffee plantation. Or, you can just sleep in, read your favorite novel by the pool and relish the calm and quiet of Nicaraguan life.