Nicaragua

In 300 days of travel, we have had some amazing ups and disappointing downs, and share with you here our top & flop moments, travel mishaps, favorite experiences and travel recommendations.

300 days on the road… almost exactly 10 months of backpacking! Looking back on Day 1 arriving in Las Vegas back in April to where we are now, we still can not believe how much life, experience, adventure – and work! – we have been able to squeeze into these 300 days.

No matter how long we are in Central America, there are still things which amaze us…

The Globetrottergirls Polaroid of the Week this week focues on the horse-drawn carriage, which remains one of Nicaragua’s most popular, and definitely the coolest, forms of transportation.

If you’re going to go flying down a volcano on a board, you should at least have a good idea what you’re getting into. Read on for the experience of two volcano-boarders (us!) while in Leon, Nicaragua.

We met Frank walking through the jungle on Little Corn Island. For $1.50, he offered to climb up the tree and cut two coconuts open with his machete for us. You don’t turn down coconuts, and you sure don’t turn down a man with a machete in a jungle.

When you travel long term, your budget becomes your Bible. This is why we wanted to share a break down on how much it cost for us to travel through Central America – including all the splurges and island vacations.

The cooking course in Leon was not exactly what we expected, but turned out to be an unforgettable glimpse into Nicaraguan life. We wouldn’t have had it any other way. (No Indians, young or old, were harmed in the making of this meal).

Nicaragua’s Ometepe Island is the largest fresh-water island in the world, formed by two volcanoes which jut out of Lake Nicaragua. Major changes are happening here as a result of tourism, but beyond the newly paved road, the traditional village life on Ometepe remains…for now.

Nicaragua 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.