Nicaragua Travel Guide

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Nicaragua is a nature lover's paradise of deserted beaches, pristine rainforests, freshwater lakes and rumbling volcanoes. Once viewed as a ‘no go' vacation destination, Nicaragua has overcome civil unrest, dictatorship and natural disasters, and is now a hot contender for those in search of an idyllic beach vacation or ecotourism break.

With no shortage of picturesque scenery, Nicaragua offers a quieter alternative to nearby Costa Rica. The locals are gracious, the scenery is untainted and there are plenty of distractions from simply lying on the beach.

In recent years the country has begun focusing on developing its ecotourism appeal. Realising that untouched habitats can attract just as many tourists as a grand resort, many small scale hotels have taken root. Volcano hikes and rainforests treks are often part and parcel of hotel services and private tours and home stays are becoming increasingly popular.

Geography

Nicaragua borders Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. To the east lies the Caribbean, and to the west the Pacific. In the north are the Isabella Mountains, while the country's main feature in the southwest is Lake Nicaragua, 148km (92 miles) long and about 55km (34 miles) at its widest. The island of Ometepe is the largest of the 310 islands on the lake. These islands have a reputation for great beauty and are one of the country's main tourist attractions. Lake Managua is situated to the northwest. Volcanoes, including the famous Momotombo, protrude from the surrounding lowlands northwest of the lakes. The country's main rivers are the San Juan, the lower reaches of which form the border with Costa Rica, and the Rio Grande. The Corn Islands (Islas del Maiz) in the Caribbean are two small beautiful islands fringed with white coral and palms. They are very popular as vacation resorts with both Nicaraguans and tourists.