Nicaragua SAFE AND SOUND
It may be a tiny country but Nicaragua has an extraordinarily diverse mix of natural attractions including one of the world’s wonders, says Adam Coulter
N
icaragua is making a name for itself as a destination that offers a vast range of natural
attractions and outdoor adventures. One of seven countries that make up Central America, it is sandwiched between Honduras (to the north) and Costa Rica (to the south); the Pacific Ocean (to the west) and the Caribbean (to the east). Like most of its neighbours, Nicaragua
was wracked by civil war for many years from the early 1970s, making the country a no-go zone for tourism. However, a peace accord in the early
1990s led to political stability and a steady trickle of tourists followed. Fast forward to the second half of
2010 and tourists numbers just tipped over the one million mark, although the UK accounted for less than one per cent of that figure. One of the biggest barriers to selling Nicaragua is the misperception that the
22 June 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
civil war is still going on and it’s not safe to travel there. In fact, the country is probably the safest place in the region and certainly the ‘Nicas’, as they are known, are among the friendliest people in Central America. The country’s big appeal is the vast
range of sights that visitors can enjoy in a small area; from the mountainous, coffee-growing region in the north to the pristine Caribbean beaches and waves that are a paradise for surfers on the Pacific coast to the extraordinary natural wonder of Lake Nicaragua, with its twin volcanoes on the island of Ometepe (a biosphere reserve). Like many Central American capitals Managua is not the big draw: most tourists head to the towns of Granada, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, and also to Leon. The former is one of the best examples of the country’s colonial history with perfectly preserved Spanish-
NICARAGUA Top Selling Tips...
• The civil war is over and Nicaragua is safe! “ A lot of people still carry the misconception that there remains a war going on, but that ended 15 years ago!”
TOM HARARI country director, Steppes Travel
• It’s not just for backpackers… “It used to just attract backpackers but now with new boutique hotels it’s attracting people who are after more comfort and luxury” TOM HARARI
Clockwise: Sunset at Playa de Montelimar Beach; Trinkets at Masaya, Mercado; Little Corn Island; Antigua Cathedral, Managua; Flying high near Managua; An island denizen
style houses ranged around pretty squares and patios. It was a conservative stronghold
during the civil war, standing in contrast to the socialist stronghold of Leon, the second-largest city in the country and a rival in terms of its colonial heritage. Most tourists stick to the Pacific Coast
and the lakes area, where the infrastructure and most of the main sights and towns are. However, the more adventurous visitors are discovering an almost completely undeveloped Caribbean coastline with empty beaches and wonderful diving. There are very few roads on this side
of the country and just one town, the wonderfully named Bluefields. The Englishlishness of the name extends to a custom still practiced, May Pole dancing, exported by the Brits from nearby Jamaica in the 19th century! Not long ago, tourism was largely
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