Tips on Backpacking in Nicaragua

nicaragua

by ScottZest on January 20, 2010

in Accommodations,Central America,Destinations,Featured,Tips / Planning

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First of all, for some, the thought of traveling to Nicaragua is unsettling. A third world country ravaged by war in the 70’s and 80’s, the second poorest country next to Haiti in the western hemisphere, and political corruption. However, the thought of backpacking in Nicaragua takes on a whole new vision.

Set aside your previous thoughts of war, poverty, and corruption about this country. Nicaragua has been reborn into a new country over the past few years. In fact, the CIA has ranked it the safest country in Central America. The native people are utmost some of the nicest in the world and the country is beautiful to boot. Leave your briefcases at the office, you won’t need them while backpacking in Nicaragua!

The Kids of Calle Arsenal, Granada, Nicaragua

The Kids of Calle Arsenal, Granada, Nicaragua by ourmanwhere

Nicaragua is a backpackers dream location. From colonial cities that seem like they haven’t been touched since the 1500’s to isolated beach villages on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts to the booming metropolis that is Managua, the capital, the backpacker will a huge number of inexpensive hostels, guest houses, camping, restaurants, and nightlife.

“]Ay Nicaragua NicaraguitaThe colonial cities of Leon and Granada cater to the backpacking crowd. Leon, once the capital of Nicaragua, boasts the ever popular Big Foot Hostel. Big Foot Hostel is famous for it’s amazing Mojitos and inexpensive, amazing food. Another great hostel in Leon is more of a hotel than a hostel, private room can be had for $35 USD a night with hot water shower and cable TV. Both Big Foot Hostel and Los Balcones offer free wireless internet.

Music and Learning - Cropped

Music and Learning - Cropped by Wylie Maercklein

Twenty minutes west from Leon lies the popular yet undiscovered beach towns of Las Penitas and Poneloya. Both are quaint fishing villages with miles of uncrowded beaches and amazing surfing. One of my favorite destinations in Nicaragua, Las Penitas offers one of the most amazing hotel/hostels I have ever stayed it. This place is called Playa Roca Beach Hotel. Playa Roca offers simple yet amazing accommodations at very inexpensive rates. An ocean front private room with private bathroom can be had for $35 USD. With great food, an amazing rancho to relax in, and a laid back vibe; Playa Roca is choice when I go to Nicaragua. It also boasts free wireless internet.

Granada is located south of Managua on the massive Lake Nicaragua. Granada is a colonial city that offers great opportunities for backpacking. One can explore the nearby volcano, Mombacho, explore the rustic avenues of Granada, go kayaking on Lake Nicaragua, and many other exciting activities. When in Granada, I would recommend staying at Hostel Oasis. Hostel Oasis offers free wireless internet, free DVD movies, cable TV, and a safe, clean environment. Check out the main town square of Granada where one can find some great shopping. Leather is cheap in Nicaragua and leather
briefcases of great quality can be found.

Leon Nicaragua

Leon Nicaragua by Christian Banfield

In closing, I would like to recommend visiting ViaNica.com, a great online resource for everything Nicaragua. Nicaragua is a very amazing country that is still misunderstood by most of Western culture. A mysterious land filled with plenty of undiscovered rewards!

Article by

Scott Zest writes for Briefcases Direct, a website that offers luxury briefcases direct from the manufacturer. He is a travel writer with a special interest in cross-cultural understanding and off the beaten-path adventures. He has traveled around the world to locales in Europe, Asia, North America, and Central America and focuses most of his travels in adventure areas such as Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Scott currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife Gwen and three dogs.

Scott has written 1 awesome articles for AOB.

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  • Michael Tieso

    Some good tips here! I'll be checking out Nicaragua in a few months. I'm thinking April or May. I'll be looking for these spots. Thanks!

  • dolcecorazon

    Sounds like it is going to be an upcoming location for backpackers to check out! You have me sold!!! Especially since it is a colonial city =)

  • luisaTieso

    Your insight on Nicaragua is very informative, thank you for shedding some light to this country. However, a true traveler must also do the research and have as much information as possible, comments like yours are extremely helpful because of your first hand experience. Can you also advise where not to go or where to go or where to go with a guide only? I know the country has a problem with cocaine smuggling but is that really something we should worry about? Can you compare Nicaragua with another Spanish country in reference to their culture? Thank you lyndseyb

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  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    Thanks for the hostel recs. It's a great start for me since I plan on visiting Nicaragua soon. I've always wanted to climb a volcano. :) That would be fun!

  • http://theplanetd.com/ Dave and Deb

    wow! Your photos are stunning! It sounds wonderful. I am itching for some Central American Flare after being in Asia. Funny how when you are in one place, you yearn for another. Ahh the life of a traveler, you are never satisfied. At least that is how it goes with Dave and I:)

  • http://www.lengthytravel.com/ JB

    I loved my experience in Nicaragua. I even learned how to surf there in San Juan del Sur, a massive backpacker hangout, but still a great place to chill if you prefer. Most people skip Estelí and the nearby Miraflor nature reserve, but I highly recommend it. You can, and should, choose the option of staying with a local family when visiting Miraflor! And, you forgot to mention one of the biggest backpacker draws, Ometepe, a tremendously pretty island in the middle of the huge lake with two postcard-perfect volcanoes. For Monica and others that wish to climb volcanoes, good opportunities on Ometepe and also close to León (I recommend the non-profit outfit, Quetzaltrekkers, who use only volunteer guides and give all “donations” to local street youth charity). Also volcanoes near Granada. And, when in León, don’t neglect to go volcano boarding, which was originated by the folks at Big Foot.

    Nicaragua also has some good, cheap Spanish schools. Not as well known for studying Spanish as Guatemala, but definitely a legitimate option.

    My only real regret about Nicaragua? That I never made it to the Caribbean side. Finally, it should be mentioned that there is nothing nice about Managua and it probably has the worst reputation of all the cities in Latin America so generally a good idea to get in and out of there quickly.

    • http://artofbackpacking.com Michael

      Nice tips! Thanks for adding these. I’m looking forward to the surfing.

  • Davecardin

    Stay at the Playa Roca Beach Hotel and hike around Isla Juan Venado, a Natural Reserve with a winding 18 mile island between mangrove and Pacific Ocean, about a 10 minute walk on the beach. 18 miles of unspoiled beach and during nesting season +-Oct-Jan there are thousands of sea turtles who are protected and get a chance to hatch and go. Night tours are arranged for an all-night experience. Boat tours show you crocodiles, iguanas, egrets, herrons, cranes, pelicans, etc., where you may not see anyone for the whole trip. Also kayaking for shorter distances. The hotel is also a great spot to center from while hiking (or surfing down) volcaneos outside Leon (Volcana Cerro Negro) and is a great base camp for all other excursions or just resting and enjoying the incredible famous volcanic rock formations jetting out of the ocean right in front of the restaurant/bar area. Great surfing and fishing. Oh, yeah, try their tacos, nothing like ‘em, and a cold one watching the waves and sunsets only sets you back $1.25, what a life!

    • http://artofbackpacking.com Michael

      Thanks for the tip! If there’s tacos, I’m there!!~~

  • David Cardin

    Forgot to post a picture of Juan Venado Island trip. Never been to the Amazon, but the quietness, glassy water and the foliage with the acrobatics of the birds were awsome. Las Penitas-Leon is in northern Nicaragua, a much greater area to do all backpacking with the ocean, volcanoes, rain forests. The diversity is staggering, some say the best in the world, I would not argue. Playa Roca Beach Hotel also has dorm rooms for the budget traveler. Right on the beach for $7 a night.

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  • http://twitter.com/PennyCracken Penny Cracken

    I lived in Nicaragua for three months, working in a hostel and absolutely loved it. The country has a laid back vibe throughout it, some of the architecture in Granada and Leon is stunning and hiking the volcanoes on Ometepe are unmissable. I can still taste the exquisite Flor de Cana rum….