Bluefields

Introducing Bluefields

As with Bilwi and the RAAN, the South Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS) has no official capital, but Bluefields is the largest city, the seat of both regional and indigenous governments, and until El Rama International gets up and running, Nicaragua's principal Caribbean port.

Bluefields is no beauty; the town's prim Victorian charm was blown away in 1988 by monster Category IV Hurricane Juana.

'What neighborhoods were affected?' a journalist asked one survivor, after phone lines were restored.

'There are no neighborhoods, ' the witness replied. 'Everything is gone.'

The city was rebuilt with little thought for aesthetics, and visitors may feel a sense of unease walking its gritty streets. But with comfortable hotels, great restaurants and a very multi-ethnic party scene, it makes a good base for visiting the very rainy (up to 4400mm per year) rain-forest reserves surrounding the city on all sides. Most locals also speak English.

Named after the Dutch pirate Blewfeldt, who made his base here in the 1700s, Bluefields is still home to plenty of shady characters. Big city rules apply: avoid going to bars solo and don't walk around with valuables at night.

Last updated: Oct 20, 2009