Panama or Nicaragua?
Replies: 9 - Last Post: Nov 6, 2012 11:56 AM Last Post By: rhinotraveller
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I am hoping to escape the Canadian winter for a bit in Feb/Mar 2013. I would realistically have between 2 and 3 weeks away.
So, would you choose Panama or Nicaragua, and why? I have 2 different friends, both of whom I have travelled with in the past, tell me the opposite of one another, and, I must say, they both had convincing arguments.
. I trust them both, hence, I put it out to you.
Here is what I am looking for:
-*hiking*, even some overnight hikes if possible with organized groups, since I will not bring tent etc
Other considerations:
-went to Costa Rica a few years ago, liked it. Not interested in Guatemala or Honduras for this trip
Thank you for any tips and advice you can give. I would love to hear about your favourite places and experiences in both Panama and Nicaragua.
So, would you choose Panama or Nicaragua, and why? I have 2 different friends, both of whom I have travelled with in the past, tell me the opposite of one another, and, I must say, they both had convincing arguments.
. I trust them both, hence, I put it out to you.
Here is what I am looking for:
-*hiking*, even some overnight hikes if possible with organized groups, since I will not bring tent etc
- beach time
- interesting city or cities (not the focus of the trip but I do enjoy old buildings, squares, Colonial architecture)
Other considerations:
- I would be a lone female
-went to Costa Rica a few years ago, liked it. Not interested in Guatemala or Honduras for this trip
- Panama seems a bit dicey at the moment from what I am reading here and elsewhere.
Thank you for any tips and advice you can give. I would love to hear about your favourite places and experiences in both Panama and Nicaragua.
2
I'd probably avoid Panama at the moment too..Who knows what the situation will be like in March though?
Nica is cheaper for sure,and I think has far more in terms of interesting colonial buildings etc.Not great for museums,but neither is Panama.
Both have beaches and hiking opportunities..maybe Panama is a bit better in this respect.
3
Nicaragua.Granada, Leon, Ometepe, Estelli, and Corn Islands. Avoid SJDS, the ugliest beach town I have ever seen, and you have to commute, to the good beach...
4
Thank you very much.I have heard that Granada is a very beautiful place, as well as Corn Islands. Sounds good to me!
5
I was in Nicaragua 2 years ago and loved it, my favorite country in central America. And just last night I returned from a fantastic 10 day trip in Panama. We just spend Oct 29 and 30 in Panama and had no issues, and saw no evidence of riots its all been resolved.For beaches I would choose Panama over nicaragua, they have an amazing selection of beaches. But for everything else I would choose nicaragua, its cheaper, good volcanoes to explore, and Nicaragua wins the interesting city competition as Granada, Leon and Esteli are all great.
7
I would have to vote for Nicaragua. The mix of experience that you can get amongst the colonial towns (Leon/Granada), beaches (Corn Islands or San Juan Del Sur for surfing), volcanoes (Isle de Ometepe) is immense and that is why I would choose Nicaragua over Panama.9
Glad to be of assistance! Have a great trip (and return to Panama one day, also a great country to visit).
