Nicaragua

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.

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.

Every once in a while, a country really takes us by surprise, like our deep love affair with Mexico. We had an inkling we would love Nicaragua, and after spending six weeks here, it was easy as pie to come up with a long list of favorites. Read on for thirty three things we love about Nicaragua, in no particular order.

The buzz around spring break destinations has begun with internet top ten lists spouting out the usual spring break ‘hotspots’. Some people might prefer the predictable debauchery in places like Cancun, Acapulco or Panama City, but for those looking for warm weather, sunny beaches, cheap beer and, for the young ones out there, a lower drinking age, we have some alternative spring break destinations tips, after spending the past nine months traveling through Mexico and Central America…