Comments on: My 15 Favorite Things to Do in Nicaragua

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Tue, 23 May 2017 15:41:30 +0000

In reply to Ruth. Thanks for your comment. It's always great to hear the local perspective. I haven't been in a few years but I've seen backpackers destroy places with their partying (much of Southeast Asia comes to mind). It sad to know that it's just become an even worse party over the last few years. I hope, like Laos, locals push back against this. I totally agree that backpackers and travelers coming to just get drunk is terrible. Thanks for the comment and adding in a more recent perspective on the situation!

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Tue, 23 May 2017 14:56:07 +0000

In reply to Robin. Great advice! Thanks for sharing!

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 17:14:35 +0000

About volcano boarding: Take care. A chaperone in our school’s groups who visited there last week took a terrible spill. The only safety equipment is a jumpsuit and goggles. Her board flipped and hit her over and over as she slid down. The goggles did protect her eyes, but her face and head injuries (among other injuries) were substantial enough to hospitalize her for several days. She had to take an air ambulance back to the States where she is now recovering. If this is on your to-do list, I encourage you to bring or buy a helmet.

By: Laura Dyer

Laura Dyer — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 19:16:32 +0000

I just returned from my 2nd trip in 18 months doing mission work in Leon Nicaragua. Poverty in most places is still very extreme. This trip did show the tell-tale signs of more tourism, which for the folks in this country is much needed and welcome.

The people are amazingly warm, yet cautious of “gringo’s”, however once your are spotted there is still a lot of begging. I’ve been to Costa Rica and the two countries are very different. We had a little bit of time for some sightseeing but I am wanting to plan a trip just to tour. Thanks for all of the insight in this article!!!!

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 02:58:54 +0000

In reply to Ruth. Ruth, yours is a common story. I was in Vang Viene, Laos 15 years ago when the busses only ran in and out on days when there were no reports of active guerrillas. I met great locals with strong values that invited me to their homes. Now the town has been overrun with parties so badly that the government stepped in because so many tourists were dying there. Their children now work in the bars and act like the tourists. There\'s nothing to do but leave.

By: Javi

Javi — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 21:11:34 +0000

Excellent article, I totally agree with you ‘Nicaragua is fast becoming the new Costa Rica in terms of tourism’
Nicaragua is a paradise with incredible destinations to discover and now is the SAFEST country in Central America.

By: Stanito

Stanito — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 16:34:24 +0000

Hi Matt,
what about any of the two autonomous regions you find in Nicaragua? I would like to visit at least one of them, do you know them? Have you been there?
There’s one whose capital is Bluefields, is it worth going there?

By: Jocelyn

Jocelyn — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:48:33 +0000

I’m from Nicaragua, and actually there is a lot to see in Managua. Try going to Puerto Salvador Allente, next to that you see Nicaragua’s Palace of the people, they’re old cathedral, and another palace. As well as park which lights up with so many lights next to it. There’s Chavez Journey which is why they put all these tree’s with lights. There’s a lot in Managua, and I mean it is Nicaragua’s capital so why wouldn’t you wanna go? ?

By: Ruth

Ruth — Wed, 11 May 2016 11:04:58 +0000

As a Nicaraguan, living in San Juan del Sur, I can assure you that Naked Tiger and Pachamama are NOT the best hostels. As a matter of fact, they are what’s wrong with our once upon a time tranquil town. Their crazy parties have brought the worst of the trashy backpacking culture that’s completely obliterating the local values. Do you think we love seeing foreigners getting openly drunk almost every day as they walk by our streets half naked, being loud and rowdy? Some locals do like it, but those are the ones making the money (and of course the corrupt mayor’s office- they get about 1500 bucks from the infamous Sunday Funday). But the majority of us HATE it. It has created such animosity between the locals and the foreigners who come for cheap beer and treat us as something just being on the background to serve them as they please.There is so much drugs and prostitution in town now. Please stop advertising San Juan del Sur as a party town, it won’t help matters. We don’t want those people. We want quality people who want to come and help with social and environmental projects.

By: Lyssa

Lyssa — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 21:11:40 +0000

Thanks for this awesome post, Matt. Nicaragua wasn’t on my radar at all till I heard you speak about it on a podcast. I’ll be “next door” in Belize and will spend at least a week in Nicaragua, following your recommendations.