Last Updated on February 20, 2022
The entire country rocks, literally. Yes, we did love Nicaragua that much, but actually we are talking about the fact that each evening, Nicaraguans around the country, gather together with friends and family, either in their front room or even outside, and rock the evening away in their rocking chairs.
The fact that the Nicaraguans build their houses with such an open front and keep their doors and windows wide open is a reflection of their open, even gregarious nature. Welcome, it says, talk to me, we are all a part of life in this town.
But even in the early mornings, as we made our way through the already-blazing hot streets, we caught glimpses of men and women, sitting in their cool living rooms, peacefully reading the paper and sipping their coffee in their rocking chairs.
Luckily, the rocking chair tradition is not limited to private houses – we had rocking chairs in many of our hostels and even in a few restaurants. It was a fun way to try out one of the aspects of ‘being Nicaraguan’.
As the sun set, we enjoyed some Flor de Cana rum, Nicaragua’s beloved rum, and watched the world go by from our rocking chairs. Flor de Caña is just as much part of life in Nicaragua as are the ubiquitous rocking chairs.
This rum, which has been made since 1890 at the bottom of San Cristobal Volcano, is not only popular with Nicaraguans, however: since 1959, it’s been exported to other countries and has become increasingly popular in the U.S. in recent year. It’s easy to see why: it has won more than 150 international awards since 2000 – so if you’re a rum lover and you visit Nicaragua, make sure to try some Flor de Caña (and if you want to buy some for your liquor cabinet, do it while you’re in the country. It costs a fraction of the price of what you pay for it in the U.S.)
And yes, it rocked!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures
Monday 21st of March 2011
Haha, I didn't spend enough time in Nicaragua so I don't recall any rocking chairs, however I definitely think that Nicaragua rocks!!!
Erin
Monday 21st of March 2011
I love rocking chairs so looking forward to that aspect of Nicaragua. I could do with somewhere comfy to sit right now...
jess
Monday 21st of March 2011
Anything but a plastic chair, right? ;) I loved rocking in these chairs, wanted to take some with me so bad!! You'll see some in Costa Rica too, but far less than in Nicaragua.
Ayngelina
Monday 21st of March 2011
Yes! I used to sit in a rocking chair at night with my host family and we would spend all night rocking and talking.
So funny that I forgot about it, but so unique to Nicaragua
jess
Monday 21st of March 2011
Oh that sounds wonderful... I wish we would have had the chance to 'rock' with the locals more than we did! We found that rocking chairs are quite common in Costa Rica, too - but people stay in their houses much more than in Nicaragua.
Charles McCool
Monday 21st of March 2011
So many rocking chairs, so little time. Love all the rocking chair pictures.
jess
Monday 21st of March 2011
Thanks, Charles! The rocking chairs are one of the things we loved most about Nicaragua.
Gorilla Safaris in Uganda
Monday 21st of March 2011
From these pictures, Nicaragua looks like the place to visit. It is always good to find information in destinations around the globe you would sometimes not think of.