Activities in Nicaragua
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Mountain Bike Hire
Both Hospedaje Elizabeth and Hotel Colonial have Mountain Bike Hire, which are perfect for the dirt roads heading to the northern and southern beaches. You can take your bike on buses that run between SJDS and El Ostional, as well as the little river ferry at the northern end of the SJDS beach.
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León Spanish School of Nicaragua
This school was in a temporary facility at the time of research, so call ahead. Instruction is professional, materials are available, there are lots of field trips, cultural activities and volunteer opportunities. Your weekly fee includes homestay and three meals daily. It also rents bicycles.
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Beisball Nica
Estadio Denis Martínez is the national baseball stadium, and is absolutely packed between mid-November and early April, when Nicaragua's seven professional teams, including the Managua Bóers, go for the national championships. Get stats, schedules and more at Beisball Nica's website.
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Knowing Nicaragua
Leónese operator Flavio Parajón offers tours to all places covered by other operators, plus Casitas, San Cristóbal, Laguna de Asososca and kayak tours of Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado. Ask about surfing tours. Another email address to get him on is Lenin_obando@yahoo.com
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B
Servitour Monimbó
Most people organize tours from Granada, but there is one homegrown Masaya outfit, Servitour Monimbó. It offers inexpensive tours of local crafts workshops, as well as trips to Aguas Clara hot springs and Reserva Natural El Chocoyero-El Brujo. Most trips are geared toward larger groups.
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C
Old Lighthouse Hike
Unfortunately, the popular Old Lighthouse Hike crosses land tied up in a property battle, which means you are currently forbidden to take the obvious trail that begins up at the fishing port, continuing uphill every time it forks, to the spectacular views all the way to Costa Rica.
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Casa de Cultura Leonel Rugama Rugama
Next to El Museo Archeologica this culture center offers a variety of dance, cooking and music classes, as well as evenings of live music and other activities. It holds the peña cultural which is an evening of folkloric dance performed by its students and other activities.
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Horse-drawn Carriage
One of the best ways to see the town is in a horse-drawn carriage. Skinny horses may dissuade some would-be riders, but note that Granada's burgeoning tourist industry (ie horrified, complaining tourists) has inspired some serious equine weight-gain.
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Mosaics Workshops
Janet Gallagher at Cafe DecArte regularly offers classes; the fee includes all your materials, which will (hopefully) become a beautiful bowl; she also teaches local kids as part of the Muchachos de Mosaico program, and you can buy their work here.
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Maycor José García - Spanish Teacher
There are loads of freelance Spanish teachers, most with experience at one of the language schools, who will come to your hotel, and may be able to arrange homestays. Check bulletin boards in backpacker hotels, or try Maycor José García.
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Language Tutor
If you are interested in private language tutors a good place to ask is at Vía Vía (311 6142; www.viaviacafe.com; 2a Av NE), or at Hostel La Clinica (3112031; mary111994@yahoo.es; 1a Av SO). Vía Vía also offers salsa classes.
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Inuit Kayaks
Most tour companies run trips to Las Isletas, or do it yourself with Inuit Kayaks, which runs several guided tours and also rents tents - camping is free in the Centro Turistico. Inuit Kayaks also plans to offer sailboats and windsurfing soon.
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Bayardo Corea Cuadra
There are loads of freelance Spanish teachers, most with experience at one of the language schools, who will come to your hotel, and may be able to arrange homestays. Check bulletin boards in backpacker hotels, or try Bayardo Corea Cuadra.
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Mombotour
This recommended outfitter is part of the Mombacho Canopy Tour, which you can combine with other active options like guided hikes up Reserva Natural Volcán Mombacho, kayak trips through Las Isletas and bike rides to Laguna de Apoyo.
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Ruth Abea - Spanish Teacher
There are loads of freelance Spanish teachers, most with experience at one of the language schools, who will come to your hotel, and may be able to arrange homestays. Check bulletin boards in backpacker hotels, or try Ruth Abea.
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San Juan del Sur Diving School
This dive shop offers PADI certification courses, and trips into the bay and beyond, where you'll see lobsters, moray eels, dolphins, turtles and more. Owner Fidel López Briceño also arranges diving trips to Laguna de Apoyo.
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Nicaraguan Football Association
Cranshaw Stadium, the smaller soccer stadium near Estadio Denis Martínez, is currently being replaced by a brand-new 22,000-seat beauty in Zona Rosa; the Nicaraguan Football Association website will have the latest.
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E
Antennas Trail
Try the Antennas Trail: ask the driver of any Rivas-bound bus to let you off at 'Bocas de las Montañas'. Follow the dirt road through jungle and pasture up to the radio antennas, from where you have stunning views.
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Amigo Tours
For guided tours, prices are lower for larger groups, so solo travelers should shop around to see who is already going; reputable operators include Amigo Tours. It's fancier than the others.
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Finca San Antonio
There's a simple, four-room hospedaje on this dairy and coffee farm, which has some of the best access to Reserva Natural Cerro El Arenal, including a waterfall on Río El Ocote.
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Argonautica
There are lots of ways to see SJDS. You can go upscale on this 14.4m mahogany-trimmed yacht, or spend the night as part of your deluxe stay at Morgan's Rock in Playa Ocotal.
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Finca Shamballa
Located inside Reserva Natural Cerro El Arenal, this swish spot offers tourist packages that include not just food and horseback riding, but also aromatherapy and massage.
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Luis Vincent Lira Spanish School
This jovial independent instructor offers three-hour daily, totally customized lessons, complete with workbook, and can arrange homestays. Ask for him at Cyber Leo's.
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Finca La Ponderosa
Four kilometers north of Matagalpa, this ecological finca offers horseback tours through organic coffee, after which you can swim beneath a chilly waterfall.
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One-on-One Tutoring
With guaranteed private classes arranged around a beautiful leafy patio, this is a good option. Homestays with meals can be arranged for an extra charge.
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