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Introducing Nicaragua
Smoking Volcán Concepción and her almost perfect cinder cone rise from silvery, pure Lago de Nicaragua to pierce the cloudy sky. 'Land of Lakes and Volcanoes' indeed, you think, as the rolling waves of Cocibolca (an ancient indigenous name for this 'Sweet Sea') rock your suddenly tiny ferry into unspeakable admiration. For these symbols of the nation - wind over water, fire from the earth - convey the elemental significance of Nicaragua's most powerful passions, poetry (don't get them started, unless you want to) and revolution.
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If you climb Concepción you'll look out over gorgeous colonial Granada and her hundreds of tiny tropical isletas (islets), across the slender isthmus pockmarked with crater lakes to where the Pacific breaks hollow on sandy cove beaches. Beyond, red-and-black Volcán Momotombo towers above Lago de Managua - its counterpoint is Sandino's massive iron silhouette, conscience of the nation and solemn defining feature of the Managua skyline. Proud León also beckons with its churches and museums, while the cloud forests, frothing waterfalls and incredible coffee of cool, green Northern Nicaragua may tempt you upwards. Here, in the mountains and lakes, Central America's mightiest rivers begin their journey across the autonomous, indigenous-owned rolling hills of the Caribbean Coast, to the sea.
For visitors of a certain age, just the name Nicaragua - taken from a tribal chief of such wisdom and power that he may never fade from this nation's collective memory - evokes grainy footage of camouflage-clad guerrillas, punctuated by gunfire and a 1980s soundtrack. Despite having ended more than 15 years ago, leaving Nicaragua one of the safest countries in the Americas, the Contra War is too often our collective memory of the land of Nicarao.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
Tips & articles
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Essential tips for Nicaragua
3 July 2009
Nicaragua offers such a rich variety of year-round adventures - from volcano treks to colonial-town language...
Nicaragua
Our Top Picks For Nicaragua
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1 Maribios Volcanic Chain
Five active volcanoes, all of them climbable, plus crater lakes, hot springs and, of course, volcano surfing
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2 León
The country's finest collection of churches and museums comes with volcano views and great nightlife
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3 Granada
The belle of the ball is this Spanish Colonial beauty; enjoy the architecture from a horse-drawn carriage, then explore her 365 tropical islets nearby
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4 Isla de Ometepe
Two volcanoes, one billowing streamers of ash that turn pale pink at sunset, rise from Lake Nicaragua to one beautiful island
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5 Río San Juan
Glide through the jungle, past Spanish fortresses and pirate havens, all the way to the Caribbean, and explore Solentiname's island art colony
Fast Facts about Nicaragua
- Visa
US$25 for citizens of 40 countries; US$7 entry (no visa needed) for everyone else
- Money
córdoba; US dollar widely used
- Area
129,494 sq km (largest in Central America)
- Population
5,465,100 (least densely populated in Central America)
- Capital
- Shoreline
1040km
- Phrases
Nica (Nicaraguan guys and gals); vos (you); tuanis (right on)
- Country Code
505
- Number of Animal Species
1400
Related Groups
Our favourite Nicaragua Blogs (beta)
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Ometepe - it's all action!
Blog: A Travel Diary from Mexico, Central and South America - 30 November 2009
Ometepe is the world's largest fresh-water island. Situated near to the centre of Lago de Nicaragua, with an area of 3000 square miles, it has two volcanos (where doesn't?!) and, according to our guide book, is home to the kindest people in Nicaragua. Volcanos yes, but the kindest people? I'm not so sure. From a tourist perspective you're treated as an inconvenience, whether it be in hostels, shops or restaurants. I'm sure that no malice is intended, but being nice to the customer just isn't something rated highly out here.
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The Boat Ride To Ometepe Island
Blog: Viva Latin America! - 30 November 2009
Urgh. I used to think I had reasonable sea-legs. I used to quite enjoy the rocking motion of a boat. But somewhere along the line I think I must have become old, because the journey by boat from Rivas to Ometepe Island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua was pretty unpleasant. And, to be clear, [...]
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Granada And All Its Magnificence
Blog: Viva Latin America! - 30 November 2009
“I didn’t really like Granada,” one girl told us thoughtfully. ”I found that it had quite a threatening atmosphere. I much preferred Leon.” Seriously? You honestly felt that way? I loved Granada. I absolutely fell in love with Granada, to the point where I would wistfully look at buildings with “se vende” written on them, and [...]
