2 Week Nica Itinerary and Big Corn vs. Little Corn

Hi everyone,

We're planning a last minute 2-week trip with our 3 year old daughter. We're thinking about the following:

• the Corn Islands - tyring to choose between Isla de la Princessa on Big Corn and Casa Iguana on Little Corn. It must be one of those two places because they are the only ones with cabanas on the beach that have private toilets (there's no way we're doing potty and teeth brushing with a 3 year old in shared toilets). Is it worth going to both islands, or are they similar enough that we should see what else Nicaragua has to offer? We're thinking 4 nights on one island, or 4 and 2 if we do both islands.

• Granada - is it worth it? how long?

• Isla de Ometepe - how many days should we stay there? Is Santo Domingo too windy at this time of year for a 3-year old who will spend lots of time playing in the sand?

• SJDS - would like this to be the last place, because we're splurging on a posh ecolodge for two nights, and thought it would be a good way to end the trip

• Managua - last night at airport hotel for very early morning flight

Also, if you have any thoughts on the routing, please let us know. We were hoping to do them in the order listed above, but it's a bit of a hassle because our 3-leg flight from the US lands in the morning and we'll have to wait several hours at the airport with an overtired kid (and parents) before we can fly to Big Corn.

Ok, last question, will the places above give us a good feel for Nicaraguan culture, and a feeling like we saw the country? I was also thinking about Rio San Juan and Laguna de Perlas, but we don't have that much time and they might be too tough for traveling with a little one.

Thanks for all your help!

Tamar

I may not be too much help, as I've not been to the Corn Islands. Nor have i travelled with a 3 yr old.

Granada is worth it if you like colonial cities with some type of tourism. i.e. Plenty of day trips nearby, lots of nice places to stay, good food, etc.

Ometepe: is very outdoorsy. hiking volcanoes, running around in lagunas. Santo Domingo was super windy in late December. no idea what it is now...better or worse.

Is your Ecolodge in SJDS Buena Vista? Lovely place. very comfortable. but a steep incline to get to the beach. STEEP. to get there and to get to the beach and to get back to SJDS. roads are a ....minimal ....you'll need to get a ride with one of very few people who have cars (pick ups) who can make it there.

why not do it the other way around: especially if you have to wait for another flight once you get to Managua.

Managua: Granada: Ometepe: San Jorge: Managua: Corn Islands: home

i dunno.
just a thought.

If it were me- i would stick to the main land- you want to go to little corn island- and its sort of a pain- if you had 3 weeks- sure, but with only 2 weeks there is PLENTY to do and see- and NOTHING is more than 2-3 hrs away, no long hauls with the kid- i would hit the Pacific coast beaches, and let that be the "beach part" of the trip-
Hit the CA carib. islands in another country- look where bel. city is, then look at managua, and you get my drift- just my 2 cents-

i gotta agree with zippy_ but again, i've not been to the Corn Islands, and people seem to rave about them.

i think there's a lot to see and do in Nica. we were there three weeks and were not eager to get back home. and we just did the tourist circle: granada, SJDS, Ometepe, Leon, Las Penitas

seems to me there's a ton more to see on the mainland and that's why i'm going back next fall/winter. beautiful country, beautiful people.

but again, my thing is to keep in mind how you like to travel: a lot of places, running around or a few and enjoying them more deeply? or more boringly. it depends on what kind of traveler you are, no?

as graceta says: Enjoy Nicaragua!

What I can tell you, is that on Ometepe, Charco Verde seemed to be VERY family friendly. There were a bunch of families there with small kids and because that side of the island is not windy, the water and beach were great for them. Plus there was a little mini-playground right on the beach near the restaurant. So parents can hang out and drink a Tona while keeping a close eye on the little ones have fun on the slide...

I spent a week in Little Corn about 4 years ago. Even flying, it was a tiring and difficult trip from Managua into Big Corn. And then there is a jaunting, rough journey in a small, open boat from Big Corn to Little Corn (about an hour if I recall correctly and plenty of spray in the face).

I found Little Corn to have a beautiful coastline, and it was certainly warm and sunny when I was there. However, I found the atmosphere to be a tad edgy; and while I met a few really nice locals, overall it just felt uneasy being there. I did not stay at Casa Iguana, but ate there a few times and used their internet. Personally, I did not care for the owners who I felt were bossy and unfriendly (they actually had a sign in their dining room ordering customers to tip the restaurant help!) I have read, however, that some people - especially divers - have reported good stays there.

No way I'd stay on Big Corn. It felt hostile there and racially charged (pardon my directness).

Granada might be a good choice for you as there are more creature comforts and more of an infrastructure to accommodate your child. It's a rather charming place, but also jam packed with tourists. I did not go to Isla de Ometepe or SJDS.

I wish you a good trip.

I just got back from Little Corn, stayed at Casa Iguana. I would recommend eating there for breakfast or dinner but wouldn't stay. It was very Americanized (I am from America) but wanted to get away. It was way too expensive for what you get (not that there is much nicer on the island), Hotel Dolphino I believe has private rooms. If you plan to just beach it or do some snorkeling and stuff I would head over but you may have way better options on Big Corn. Also depending on the weather the ferry ride can be rough and wet, didn't seem too safe either. Also if you go eat at Habana Libre, cuban, yummy....

Loved Nica though, have fun!

I stayed in Little Corn Island, Lobster Inn, a lovely local familyowned small hotel, 12 rooms, all privat baths, very clean and safe, at SW side of the island, close to where pangas from Big Corn is landing. Nice small breakfast-room/resturante, only a few meters from clean,safe,suitabel for children beach. Lobster Inn, Harris Downs y Fam.
Cel. 8471736. I think its good that also local familys can make a living out of tourism,--not only US-owned comanys. good luck, I enjoyed my stay!