Nicaragua to me, seems to be one of the most open and friendly countries I have visited. Residents are eager to help tourists meaning it is easy to approach the locals and speak to them. Don’t be scared to ask locals for help if you need it. The people are one of the country's greatest treasures.
Up until April 2018, Nicaragua was considered by backpackers as one of the quietest and safest countries in the region. This changed when sharp riots and anti-government protests began in the country. It has since been quiet, but unfortunately Nicaragua is still a country with an unstable political situation. Therefore, before leaving, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the current situation in this country.
Nicaragua is located in Central America between Costa Rica and Honduras. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The country is inhabited by over 6 million people, mostly Mestizas, descendants from India and Europe. In terms of travel, Nicaragua is a land of lakes and volcanoes. From north to south, the country is crossed by a range of 40 volcanoes, 19 of which are still active.
Masaya is the most active volcano around Granada and Managua. From the main, enormous crater, puffs of smoke are constantly pouring out, most often completely obscuring the view. The last eruption happened quite recently, in 2008. When I viewed the volcano and the surrounding land I had the impression that I was on another planet where life does not exist. The areas we traveled through to reach the crater led through fields that, instead of plants, were covered with volcanic rocks. There are places where the earth is so hot that I had to pour the soil from hand to hand in order not to burn myself. I have never experienced anything like this before. Truly a unique experience. It was genuinely a unique experience that I will not forget.
Masaya volcano, called by the ancients "La Boca del Infierno" (devil's mouth), was worshiped as a deity. There were ceremonial religious rites, during which young children were thrown into the crater as sacrifices to God. When the Spaniards conquered the area, they placed a cross next to the crater to scare the devil away.
Granada
A beautiful colonial town located just an hour away by bus from the capital, Managua. Broad cobbled streets run along colorful low-rise buildings. Every few crossroads you see an old, worn-out, but beautiful church. Colourful houses, music playing and residents sitting on the sidewalks in front of their houses which creates an amazing atmosphere and makes Granada a must-see town.
Granada chocolate factory- Choco Museo Granada Nicaragua
Catarina Viewpoint.
Catarina is a town near Masaya, overlooking the Apoyo Lagoon.
Ometepe
An amazing island with two volcanoes in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. It is worth adding that there are as many as 400 islands on this lake. Ometepe is also the world's largest volcanic island.
Chicken buses, or ...
Camionet, known by tourists as the chicken bus, is a colloquial term for this ubiquitous means of transport in Central America. It owes its name to local travelers, who often transport live animals by public transport (we have witnessed this). These are largely retired school buses imported from the USA, renovated, decorated and loud, because apart from the diesel engine and the sound of the horn, they can often be recognized from a distance by the loud music coming from the speakers.
FOOD
Nicaraguan cuisine is similar to the specialties served in the rest of Central America. Most of Nicaragua's meals are based on traditional Nicaraguan food. These include corn, beans, bananas, yucca, and peppers. A distinctive Nicaragua meal that can be tasted across the country may include meats like chicken, pork, or fresh seafood.
The national dish is gallo pinto (literally painted rooster), i.e. rice with black or red beans cooked separately and then fried together with the addition of onion, garlic, red pepper, coriander and spices. Quinceañera
During my stay in Nicaragua, I witnessed the celebration of a 15th birthday. Quinceañera is a very grand and expensive celebration. During the Quinceañera ceremony, the birthday girl is dressed in an elegant, very ornate gown, reminiscent of a wedding dress. Quinceañera begins with a Catholic Mass. The birthday girl is escorted to church by fourteen girls. The whole family is well dressed and walking along the main street of the town. I was lucky enough to be able to see this. It was such a beautiful celebration. There was loud beautiful music blaring on the street as everyone in the family passed by. All dressed impecibly I must add. A Quinceañera also includes a party. It begins with a waltz, in which the birthday girl dances first with her father and then with the boy. During the birthday party the birthday girl may also officially wear her first high-heeled shoes.Do you know?
- Nikaragua is the only place in the world where you can practice Volcano Boarding? It is a sport of climbing a volcano and then sliding down from it on a sled-like board.
- The famous Nicaragua's Dual Volcano is the only volcano in the world that is fed by two separate magma streams. This allows eruption from two types of magma channels.
- The national sport of Nicaragua is baseball, which is even more popular than football.
- The name of Nicaragua comes from the combination of two words: "nikarao" and "agua". Nicarao is an Indian tribe who occupied the shores of Lake Nicaragua when the Spaniards arrived in the 1500s. "Agua" is the Spanish word - water.
- Christopher Columbus explored the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua on his fourth and final trip to America.
- Independence from Spain was obtained on September 15, 1821.
- The highest peak is Mogoton 2107 m above sea level.
- The national alcohol is rum
- 77 people out of 1000 have firearms.
- In this country, the formalities related to setting up a company last 39 days.
- The working week is 48 hours.
- The average life expectancy in this country is 73 years (women 76.1 years and men - 69.9 years).
- The main religion is Catholicism, 58%
- In this country, compulsory education lasts 6 years.Often, when traveling, my daily training routine changes. I usually do not have access to equipment or a sports hall. This does not mean, however, that I have to give up on training. I only change its form, which is good for my health, because I avoid the same routine. Training through an adapted version of my routine with a new environments is more interesting and attractive.
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