Managua at noon on New Years Eve
Replies: 5 - Last Post: Nov 14, 2012 2:17 PM Last Post By: salmonquiche
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Managua at noon on New Years Eve
Hello everyone,I have been hearing amazing things about Nicaragua for years. Guns ablazing, I found a flight for $900 dollars from the Great White North (Edmonton, AB-that's in Canada) to Managua arriving at noon on Dec. 31st, 2012. (And for those of you who have not had the pleasure of surviving a winter here, I would invite you any time to come check it out). But 6 months of minus 30 gets old fast, and all-inclusive Mexico gets old fast-and I was looking for sun, sand, surf, adventure, and all for a good price. Enter Nicaragua for three weeks of travel.....
Only my fatal error was not planning this better, as I arrive New Years Eve at noon. I need to get out of Managua, and I am travelling by myself, and I am a young woman. I was going to blaze right for the border to see if I could make a tour in Costa Rica for 8 days. After reading all of this I have a few questions.
1.) What is this Adelante Shuttle, and how do I go about booking it? What if I can't book it on New Years eve, what are my choices (Taxi-which I read is $35 usd from Managua, which I think is a fair price. I am not on that tight of a budget)?
2.) Where do I go first on my way out of Managua-Granada seems a popular choice. Hotel con Corazon has been mentioned as willing to pick up customers at the airport in Managua, any others? Anyone have first hand experience with this?
3.) Last but not least, I would like to see two worthwhile places in Costa Rica, close to the Nicaraguan border. My time budget is 5-6 days. I am re-thinking a tour. Is it worth it? Or should I spend my entire 3 weeks in Nic? And if so, where else should I go? I would love to do hiking, and a yoga retreat.
I realize this is all over the map, but ideas and suggestions are welcome.
K
1
Granada is a good first choice...easier than Managua for someone new to the country/region.Shuttle or taxi will be fine...you can get it directly to Granada from the airport.
There are lots of 'worthwhile' places both in Nica and in CR...depends what you want to do.Apart from yoga (can't help you much on that) and hiking (which you can do in lots of places)....what else are you interested in?
I personally wouldn't do a tour..its easy to travel around on your own,more fun,you can meet local people rather than just other foreigners and it will be a lot cheaper.
2
Hi, Yes you can get a taxi to Granada from the airport for $35US. Plenty of places to stay there. That will give you a chance to relax and decide what you want to do. If I were from Alberta I would want to head straight for the beach. The Corn Islands are nice but require a $179 R/T plane from Managua. Ometepe is a good place to visit. San Juan del Sur only so so. Have you done any reading?4
Since you mentioned Hotel con Corazon, I'll chime in that I stayed there 2 years ago and had a terrific experience. Granada is indeed a very easy trip from Managua, and there is lots to do and see from there, with various agencies that can set you up with volcano and boating tours (we did Las Isletas, which was cool), souvenir shopping at the markets in Masaya, as well as a good jumping-off point for both Ometepe (great hiking) and SJDS. I have been to CR twice and enjoyed my two weeks in Nicaragua more than either trip to CR.The Corn Islands are indeed amazing. The New York Times just posted a travel article about them a few days ago, which I thought captured the feel of Little Corn quite well.
5
Depends what you're after but you could get a taxi to San Juan Del Sur, which is bound to be fun on new years eve. Granada is a great place too, i guess it depends if you want to be in a town or by a beach.I'd definitely save your 3 weeks for Nicaragua, it's a great country to travel in and the costs are reasonable. Costa Rica is more expensive and..well...full of ex-pats.
