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Nicaragua Information
Nicaragua is best known not for its
landscape or cultural treasures, but for the 1979 Sandinista
revolution and subsequent Contra war, in which the people rose up in
hope only to be derailed by US-orchestrated interference. The
Sandinistas are no longer in power and the prevailing economic
ideology, dictated by the likes of the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), involves widespread privatization
and deregulation. This high-speed 'structural adjustment' has reduced
inflation, provided ready cash for the business elite and left much of
the rest of the country unemployed or in a state of sticker shock.
The good news is that throughout this
period human rights have largely been respected and the country's
battles are now confined to the political arena. Nicaragua is a
fascinating destination for those travelers who shun seeing 'sights,'
have an awareness of history and enjoy getting to know a country on a
grassroots level.
Warning
Since the end of the civil war, armed
criminal groups have operated out of the northern sectors of the
country, especially along the Honduran border. Travelers visiting the
border region should exercise a special measure of caution.
Full country name:
Republic of Nicaragua
Area: 129,494 sq km (50,180 sq mi)
Population: 5.2 million (growth rate 2.6%)
Capital city: Managua (pop 1 million)
People: 69% mestizo, 17% European descent, 9% African descent,
5% indigenous peoples
Language: Spanish, English Creole, Miskito
Religion: Roman Catholic 73%, Protestant 16%
Government: Republic
President: Enrique Bolanos
GDP:
US$2.2 billion
GDP per capita: US$452
Inflation: 11%
Major industries: Coffee, seafood, sugar, meat, bananas, food
processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum
refining and distribution, beverages, footwear
Major trading partners: Canada, Japan, Germany, Venezuela, USA,
the rest of Central America
Facts for the Traveler
Visas:
Citizens of the UK, USA, the Scandinavian countries, Guatemala, El
Salvador, Honduras, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and European Union
countries do not need visas and are issued a tourist card (US$5) valid
for 90 days on arrival. Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and
European countries that do not have reciprocal agreements with
Nicaragua will require either a visa or a tourist card allowing a
30-day stay.
Health risks: cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria,
rabies, typhoid
Time: GMT/UTC minus 6 hours
Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz
Weights & measures: Metric, but the gallon is used for gasoline
(petrol)
When to Go
Nicaragua has two distinct seasons,
the timing of which varies from coast to coast. The most pleasant time
to visit the Pacific or central regions is early in the dry season
(December and January), when temperatures are cooler and the foliage
is still lush. With the possible exception of the last month of the
dry season (usually mid-April to mid-May) when the land is parched and
the air full of dust, there really is no bad time to visit.
Nicaraguans spend Semana Santa (Holy
Week) at the beach; all available rooms will be sold out weeks or even
months in advance.
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Events
Each town and city in Nicaragua has
annual celebrations for its patron saint. These celebrations (fiestas
patronales) include distinctive masked processions and mock
battles involving folkloric figures satirizing the Spanish
conquistadors. The most famous of these saints' days are held in honor
of San Sebastian (January) and Santiago (July).
Managua's main patronal fete is known as Toro Guaco.
Money & Costs
Currency:
gold córdoba
Meals
- Budget: US$3-5
- Mid-range: US$5-20
- Top-end: US$20 and upwards
Lodging
- Budget: US$3-5
- Mid-range: US$5-15
- Top-end: US$15 and upwards
Comfortable travel in Nicaragua costs
in the range of US$30-50 a day. A moderate budget will fall in the
US$20-30 a day range if you hire a car occasionally. Budget travelers
can get by on between US$10 and US$20 a day if they confine themselves
to public transport. The Caribbean Coast is a bit more expensive than
elsewhere in the country.
While the last several years have
witnessed the rapid expansion of the private banking system,
traveler's checks remain difficult to cash, except at border crossings
and in Managua. Casas de cambio such as Pinolero and
Multicambios provide the service, but it's not easy to find a bank
that will do so. All over Nicaragua, many moderately priced hotels and
restaurants accept credit cards, and in some parts of the country,
even most of the cheapest places accept them. Note that Nicaraguan
córdobas cannot readily be changed in any other country.
Most Nicaraguans do not leave tips in
inexpensive restaurants. In good restaurants you could leave up to 10%
of the bill. Some restaurants include a service charge with the bill,
and this is usually clearly shown. Don't confuse a tip with the
nationwide 15% value added tax that is shown on each bill. Be certain
to bargain in large outdoor markets.
Attractions
Managua
The capital of Nicaragua is spread
across the southern shore of Lago de Managua and is crowded with more
than a quarter of Nicaragua's population. It's been racked by natural
disasters, including two earthquakes this century, and since the 1972
earthquake the city has had no center. Those returning to Managua
after a few years will notice marked changes. An improving economy has
produced a construction boom. It will be obvious, however, that the
recovering economy has not benefited everyone, as poverty is still
widespread.
Several of Managua's attractions
stand around the Plaza de la República, including the lakeside
municipal cathedral, which has been reconditioned with help
from foreign donors and is now open to the public. Near the cathedral
is the recently renovated Palacio Nacional, which has two giant
paintings of Augusto Sandino and Carlos Fonseca at the entrance.
The Huellas de Acahualinca
museum houses the ancient footprints of people and animals running
toward the lake from a volcanic eruption. The Museo de la
Revolución has interesting historical exhibits with an emphasis on
the revolutionary struggle of this century. There are also several
lagunas, or volcanic crater lakes, which are popular swimming
spots.
Barrio Martha Quezada
is a residential district with many simple, cheap guesthouses and
places to eat. This is where backpackers tend to congregate. On
weekends there's dancing and partying around Plaza 19 de Julio.
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Around Managua
The large volcano at the center of
Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya National Park , which still steams
and belches, is surrounded by smaller volcanoes and thermal springs.
Legends say that the Indians used to throw young women into the
boiling lava to appease Chaciutique, the goddess of fire. The Spanish
believed it was the entrance to hell, inhabited by devils. Entrance to
the park is only 14 miles (23km) southeast of Managua.
The Laguna de Xiloá, a
stunning crater lake 12 miles (20km) northwest of the city, is a
favorite swimming spot. At El Trapiche, 11 miles (17km)
southeast of the city, water from natural springs has been channeled
into large outdoor pools surrounded by gardens and restaurants.
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León
León is traditionally the most
liberal of Nicaragua's cities and remains the radical and intellectual
center of the country. Monuments to the revolution, including bold
Sandinista murals, are dotted all over town, and many buildings
are riddled with bullet holes. Though scarred by earthquakes and war,
the city is resplendent with many fine colonial churches and official
buildings. Its streets are lined with old Spanish-style houses
that have white adobe walls, red-tiled roofs, thick wooden doors and
cool garden patios. Its cathedral is the largest in Central
America and features huge paintings of the Stations of the Cross by
Antonio Sarria as well as the tomb of poet Rubén Darío. The Galería
de Héroes y Mártires has a display that includes photos of those
who died fighting for the FSLN during the 1978-79 revolution.
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The Caribbean Coast
Unlike the rest of Nicaragua, the
Caribbean coast was never colonized: It remained a British
protectorate until the late 1800s. The only part of the
rainforest-covered coast usually visited by travelers is Bluefields,
but some visitors also head out to the Corn Islands (Islas del Maíz).
The journey from Managua to Bluefields involves a five-hour
boat trip down the Río Escondido. Bluefields' mix of ethnic groups -
including Indians (Miskitos, Ramas and Sumos), blacks and mestizos
from the rest of Nicaragua - makes it an interesting place, and the
people here definitely like to have a good time; there are several
reggae clubs and plenty of dancing on the weekends.
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Granada
Granada, nicknamed 'La Gran Sultana'
is reference to its Moorish namesake in Spain, is Nicaragua's oldest
Spanish city. Founded in 1524 by conquistadores, it rumps up against
the imposing Volcán Mombacho on the the northwest shore of
Lake Nicaragua. With its access to the Caribbean Sea via the lake
and the San Juan River, Granada has always been a main trade center.
Today the town is relatively quiet and a major literary center, and
retains its colonial character. It's a wonderful walking city, with
most major attractions, including the Cathedral and Parque
Colón, within a few blocks of the plaza. When you're ready to cool
off, the lake is only a 15-minute walk away. The Assumption of Mary
(August 15) is the town's biggest party day
Las Isletas
Las Isletas is a group of 356 small
islands just offshore from Granada in Lago de Nicaragua. The locals
make a living out of fishing and growing tropical fruits such as
mangoes and coconuts, and there is a remarkable variety of bird life.
The island of San Pablo has a small fortress built by the
Spaniards to protect against British pirates in the 18th century.
Isla Zapatera is protected as a national park and is one of
Nicaragua's most important archaeological areas. Giant stone statues
erected by Indians in pre-Columbian times have been moved elsewhere,
but you can visit other ancient tombs and structures. There are more
tombs and some interesting rock carvings on Isla del Muerto
(Island of the Dead).
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Archipiélago de Solentiname
The Archipiélago de Solentiname, in
the southern part of Lago de Nicaragua, is the site of a communal
society established for artists by the poet Ernesto Cardenal. The
islands are known for their distinctive school of colorful primitivist
painting. They are a great place for hiking, fishing and taking it
easy. Boats to the Solentiname islands depart from San Carlos, on the
southeastern corner of the lake.
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Corn Islands
The Corn Islands (Islas de Maíz),
about 70km off the coast east of Bluefields, are made up of two
islands. The larger island is only about 6 sq km, and the other
island, 18km away, is only about 1.5 sq km. Like other islands near
the Caribbean Coast, the Corn Islands were once a haven for
buccaneers. Nowadays, the islands (especially the larger one) are
popular holiday spots, with clear turquoise water, white sandy
beaches, excellent fishing, coral reefs for diving and an unhurried
pace of life. Rumor has it that an Italian company is planning to
invest US$30 million in Little Corn Island. Those interested in
enjoying the island's remoteness will want to visit soon, before it
starts getting built up.
Activities
The Selva Negra (Black Forest) near
Matagalpa, the mountains in the north and the islands in Lago de
Nicaragua offer great hiking. Among the many spectacular
volcanoes of interest for climbers are Volcán Masaya and the
two volcanoes on Isla de Ometepe, Madera and Concepción. Lago de
Nicaragua offers fantastic opportunities for fishing, and
surfing is popular at Poneloya beach, near León, and at Playa
Popoyo, near Rivas.
Culture
Earthquakes and war have obliterated
much tangible evidence of Nicaragua's cultural heritage, especially
its colonial architecture - although León retains many fine old
buildings. Poetry is one of Nicaragua's most beloved arts, and no
other Central American country can match its literary output. Rubén
Darío (1867-1916) is known as the 'Prince of Spanish-American
literature,' and recent work by Nicaraguan poets, fiction writers and
essayists can be found in most bookshops. Bluefields, the largely
English-speaking town on the Caribbean coast, is a center for reggae
music. The Archipiélago de Solentiname in Lago de Nicaragua is famous
as a haven for artists, poets and craftspeople. Sandinista street art
in the form of modernist murals is especially prominent in the
university town of León.
Spanish is the language of Nicaragua,
but English and a number of Indian languages are spoken on the
Caribbean coast. The main religion is Catholicism, although there are
a number of Protestant sects such as the Pentecostals and the
Baptists. The Moravian church, introduced by British missionaries, is
important on the Caribbean coast.
A typical meal in Nicaragua consists
of eggs or meat, beans and rice, salad (cabbage and tomatoes),
tortillas and fruit in season. Most common of all Nicaraguan foods is
gallo pinto, a blend of rice and beans, with cooking water from
the beans added to color the rice. Other traditional dishes include
bajo, a mix of beef, green and ripe plantains and yucca (cassava),
and vigorón, yucca served with fried pork skins and coleslaw.
Street vendors sell interesting drinks such as tiste, made from
cacao and corn, and posol con leche, a corn-and-milk drink.
Nicaragua boasts the best beer and rum in Central America.
Environment
Nicaragua is the largest country in
Central America. It's bordered to the north by Honduras, to the south
by Costa Rica, to the east by the Caribbean Sea and to the west by the
Pacific Ocean. The country has three distinct geographic regions: the
Pacific lowlands, the north-central mountains and the Caribbean
lowlands, also called the Mosquito Coast or Mosquitía. The fertile
Pacific lowlands are interrupted by about 40 volcanoes, and dominated
by Lago de Nicaragua, which is the largest lake in Central America.
The Mosquito Coast is a sparsely populated rainforest area and the
outlet for many of the large rivers originating in the central
mountains. To date, 17% of the country has been given national-park
status.
Lago de Nicaragua supports unusual
fish, including the world's only freshwater sharks, as well as a huge
variety of bird life. The cloud- and rainforests in the northwest
contain abundant wildlife including ocelots, warthogs, pumas, jaguars,
sloths and spider monkeys. Avian life in the forests is particularly
rich: The cinnamon hummingbird, ruddy woodpecker, stripe-breasted
wren, elegant trogon, shining hawk and even the quetzal, the holy bird
of the Maya, can all be seen. The jungles on the Caribbean coast
contain trees that grow up to almost 200ft (60m) high and are home to
boas, anacondas, jaguars, deer and howler monkeys.
Nicaragua's climate varies according
to altitude. The Pacific lowlands are always extremely hot, but the
air is fresh and the countryside green during the rainy season (May to
November); the dry season (December to April) brings winds that send
clouds of brown dust across the plains. The Caribbean coast is hot and
wet; it can rain heavily even during the brief dry season (March to
May). The mountains of the north are much cooler than the lowlands.
Nicaragua was devastated by Hurricane
Mitch in November 1998, when more than a year's worth of rain fell in
in just seven days. A series of violent earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions in the fall of 1999 didn't help the situation much.
Getting There & Away
Flights
to/from Managua are available with a number of Latin American,
European and North American airlines, including the national airline
Nica, now a member of the Grupo Taca. The departure tax is US$20.
There are three overland border
crossings into Honduras, at Las Manos, El Espino and Guasule, and
one into Costa Rica, at Sapoá. There is also a river border
crossing between Nicaragua and Costa Rica at Los Chiles, reachable
by boat from San Carlos. Fishing and cargo boats from
Bluefields and Puerto Cabezas, both on the Caribbean Coast, are always
coming and going; you may be able to hitch a ride to another Central
American port or island.
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Getting Around
There are three domestic airlines
offering flights, mainly between Managua, Bluefields, Puerto Cabezas
and the Corn Islands. Local bus services are regular and frequent,
albeit very crowded. Nicaraguan buses are infamous for their
pickpockets, so take precautions and keep an eye on your baggage at
all times. Boats are the only way to get to some places in Nicaragua,
notably on the Caribbean Coast and on Lago de Nicaragua. Trips down
the Río San Juan to El Castillo and San Juán del Norte are not cheap.
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