Preferred Places to Stay in Nicaragua

 

Typically Johanne and I are just off the beaten path, so you will not find any all inclusive in our list of places to stay. We are happy when we find quiet, clean, safe and convenient.

We appreciate the friendly, warm and helpful hosts and have had wonderful experiences at the following places:

P.S. We draw the line at a shared bath.

 

Rates Between $25 and $65

 

Little Corn Island- Casa Iguana

Amazing Location, good value and a very nice place for breakfast with Azul view.

Our little casita hung right on the cliff and we slept to the sounds of the Caribbean surf.

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Corn Island-Paraiso

A very relaxing property operated by a young caring Dutch family.

We enjoyed our time here very much. Just off the beach.

****

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Leon-Hostel Mariposa

A delightful retreat from the bustle that is Leon. A short cab ride to town. A lovely French couple recently bought this place and are doing a great job of providing an enjoyable experience. 

Marvelous French cooking is a bonus.

****

MyrinaMar

La Boquita – MYRINaMAR B&B

Right on the cliff with a spectacular sunset Pacific view sits this lovely retreat. Owned by two wonderful women who know about hospitality.  We had the great fortune of celebrating New Years Eve 2015 there and were treated royally. Just 20 minutes from Diriamba on a very good road.

****

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Granada-Casa San Fransico

 Walk to everything in town, very peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy the mini pool, yummy breakfast and check out the city view from the rooftop terrace. The attached restaurant has great tapas.  The owners Terry and her sister Nancy are very kind and helpful. Feels like coming home!

 

****

 

Laguna  De Apoyo- Laguna Beach Resort  

A very nice well-maintained property with small lakefront access. Water toys included and the lake is so soothing. We spent hours playing in the soothing water.

****

 

 

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San Juan Del Sur Park Avenue Villa

The pool was essential in this hot town. The rooms are clean and the hospitality comes with a smile. A few blocks to the beach and town.  We enjoyed the happy hour views from the breezy terrace.

****

 

Playa Hermosa – Playa Hermosa Eco Lodge

This is an easy surfer shuttle from SJDS, a very special place to enjoy the stellar beach.  We stayed here for three nights and loved it. (no other place to eat, but the food was fine).

Muy tranquilo!

****

 

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Popoyo -Hotel Popoyo

What luxury, we greatly appreciated the pool and the property.

Good value. Wonderful poolside restaurant and comfie beds.

****

 

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Managua- Hostal Monte Christi  

This is where we start when arriving after a long flight, airport picks arranged.

“Hola” to Calvin and Molly very gracious hosts. 

****

 

Hacienda Merida

Ometepe Island-Hacienda Merida 

A bit out of the way down a dusty road but this is a surprise well worth the journey. Kind caring people, great meals and good value. (see also Escuela Billingue de Ometepe).

****

 

Accommodation, Ometepe Island

Ometepe , Moyogalapa –  Hospedaje Soma

Here is a very nice little resort about a fifteen-minute walk from the ferry dock. It is run by a flock of Canadians and is quiet, clean and very friendly.   Check them out on trip advisor (always outstanding reviews).

Soma

Drop us a line if you have any questions about these and other places that we might know of.

 

Spectacular Beaches

Johanne and I know for a fact that we are beach people. Being Card Carrying Aquarians we need regular douses of sun and surf. A day ocean side is very well spent playing in and out of the water like kids on summer break.

 

Here are a few of our favourite spots:

 

IslaNicaragua 2016 074 Juan Venado 

If you are looking for deserted  that “NO OTHER FOOT PRINTS” experience, then here is how it find it.

Make your way to Las Penitas south of Poneloya and rent a kayaka. Paddle across the mouth of the laguna and come ashore at  Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado. Be prepared to be overwhelmed by the vastness  and undisturbed beauty. (pack a lunch because you may not want to leave).

 

The Corn Islands

The Corn Islands are a special place and well worth the effort to get here. Think small Caribbean Beaches with beautiful colours and warm soothing waters.

 

Playa Hermosa

Take the surfer shuttle from San Juan Del Sur, Hermosa is about 20 minutes South. We found this to be a place worth staying a few days.

 

DSC00186 - CopyOlon

Ecuador has some of the most breathtakingly magnificent beaches we have ever seen anywhere. Of course only if you are into endless miles of uninterrupted sand with the Pacific Ocean doing it’s thing and offering a joyful playground.

 

 

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Nude Beach – Somewhere North of Montanita

 

 

 

 

We would love to hear about your favourite beaches, drop us a line.

The Weather Here

The day before yesterday arrived completely becalmed here on the rim,  the air was still and the sun spilled champagne into  the distant haze.

Weather Here

Another spectacular day was unfolding but this one somehow felt different. By the time coffee was finished, the temperature was headed for 30 degrees and beyond, wind velocity was ZERO. The days are usually so comfortable here 2,000 ft. above the lake because of the reliable breeze that fills in and cools the skin.  There would be no breeze today so hammock yoga became the order of the day.

To achieve bliss through hammock yoga a practitioner needs only a well slung hammock, a great view, a good book and a  tall, cool mango smoothie. It is  time very well invested indeed.DSC01778

We survived the  steamy windless day intact to be  entertained by the nightly electrical storms  erupting across the sky.

Yesterday morning openned with the same pattern but we had a plan.  We packed a day bag and made our way down to Paradiso. (Paradiso or paradise is a small backpacker resort with a private beach  and restaurant right on the lake) .

We wound our way through their tropical garden and established ourselves in comfy chairs just  footsteps  from water’s edge. Within seconds we were soothing in the glorious laguna. The shore of the lake is ringed with soft and inviting sand yet within 12 steps it drops off into the aqua abyss.  Imagine yourself free floating in space with a clear blue sky immersed in crystal jade water.

Floating in the laguna is one of our favourite past times and in one day we can easily pass many hours in the water just relaxing and soaking it up.Nicaragua 2016 243

As the afternoon sun found its way across the crater we slowly pulled ourselves away from paradise, “maybe there will be wind up on top”? I exclaimed. We dried off and made our way home.

A beautiful dinner was prepared and the dishes done, a sudden gust forms “maybe there will be wind”?

We had just enough time to get the bathing suits of the line when the banana trees  began bending in the storm. Tropical storms here are regular occurrence but this was exceptional.  An eerie cloud engulfed  the crater and we were now  in its  midst, the temperature dropped like a rock.  Lightening  back lit the scene as the winds hollowed and dogs huddled nearby.

I had never seen lightening that fractures and branches off hitting the earth in a dozen places at once. Massive bolts can even travel sideways across the night crashing into each other. Pure sci fi.

Next the thunder came tumbling up. It seemed to travel coast to coast from the Atlantic, over the jungle all the way to the Pacific , the spectacle  was  now complete and things slowly  began  to calm down.

From our comfy bed we could hear the gentle rains as we drifted in the cool soothing breeze.

From The hammock

There is stillness in the crater this morning so the hammocks are slung just in case.

from joyful travellers

 

A School Built From Recycled Plastic

We recently had the pleasure of staying at Hacienda Merida on Ometepe Island, as enjoyable as the Hacienda was the school that is a bi product of it was an very pleasant eye opener.

So often travellers are  shocked and offended by the amount of plastic that litters this and so many other developing countries “somebody should do something”!

Alvaro Molina the founder of this school has come up with a very creative way to deal with so much plastic which other wise would end up being burnt in the landfill.

 

WIN,WIN,WIN:

WIN The school is being built with  ecobricks which are  recycled plastic water bottles stuffed with dry plastic litter. The construction uses 50% less concrete and so far Alvaro has 2 classrooms and a third is near completion.The area around Merida is much cleaner than most and you have to look hard to find plastic garbage.

The school pays local people 60 cents for one eco brick ready to go, and the final  constructional costs are still lower that traditional materials.

WIN The community is coming together around the school and they see a opportunity for their children to have a brighter future.

WIN Volunteer groups from the US are able to offer their service to the school in the construction of the walls and the teaching of the children.  It is a very enlightening experience for everyone.

 

Somebody IS doing something!

 

 

 

 

Nicaragua – The Soundtrack

 

This is a rather noisy place, full of rich sounds that are the inspiration for the latest record album of my imagination. Lay back close your eyes and we will give it a spin on the old turntable:

 The Local Bus – Several times a day it trumpets its arrival and departure with much fanfare and commotion. Only a rookie would miss the bus to town, just listen up and you will know when it is about to depart. Hop on and grab a seat if you can.

Canines- Five dogs reside on this property and their audio contribution only adds modestly to the overall neigbourbood canine chaos that can erupt at any time.

Mangos on Metal Roof- The Timpani arbitrarily booms whenever there is a gust of wind. Soon the mangoes will be ripe and will go directly to the breakfast smoothie.

The Beloved Wind- Whispering   through the bamboo and tall grass it announces the arrival of soothing relief from the heat of the day.

Exotic Birds- An intricate harmony that adds layers rich colours and texture to the song.

Frogs in Pila*- This is almost impossible to define, try to imagine techno ducks from Mars in an echo chamber. They preform daily between 5 and 11 PM in the rainy season. *Pila  a large concrete structure where rain water is collected for your shower.

The Magnificent Monkeys –From the volume of their deep guttural barks one would expect to see gargantuan apes hovering in the trees. Their mating calls echo around the crater randomly throughout the day frightening tourist and children alike. (When finally sighted they are not much bigger than a mature Canadian squirrel).

Mother and Baby

Mother and Baby

Cicadas and other Bugs- A cacophony of crackles, chirps, and whistles that joyfully fill the spaces in between. It makes you contemplate what is really out there under that cover.

Rolling Thunder Review– Off in the distance you can hear the rumble as they barrel roll up through the countryside to rattle your eardrums and shake your foundation. WHO fans insert: “We Won’t Get Fooled  Again”.

Silence- Those welcomed moments of eerie stillness that are interrupted only by the subtle swaying of retirement hammock.From The hammock

I hope that you have enjoyed this musical adventure in Nicaragua.

Pet Sitting At Laguna

This wonderful opportunity brings us to Southern Nicaragua for 4 months, looking after 5 wonderful dogs, a cat, chickens, turkeys and birds (the family).

Dogwalker

 

We find that we have settled into a routine that is most enjoyable, the pets are a pleasure to be around and we care for the home like it were our own. It is so entertaining to watch the different dog personalities at play.

Our biggest challenge has been a lovable rottweiler that believes he is a lap dog. “Down Simba down”.

The  owners are at ease knowing that we are taking good care for their beautiful home and their furry loved ones.

Johanne n Tye

House/pet sitting is very fulfilling, and we  feel privileged for this opportunity.

We would be thrilled to speak with you about future house/pet sitting opportunities and are more than willing travel to meet with you and your pets. Just drop us a line.

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    People and Places

    Sometimes only the camera can tell the story. Sometimes we get lucky.

    People DSCF5086  More People Here

    Placesdsc03113

    More Places Here

     

    The Children:

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    DSC01963 (2)These kids in Catarina found a very creative way to re purpose your old wheely suitcase.

     

     

     

     

    Flora

    A few shots of the colour that is everywhere. We do not know  names of these species we just like them!

     

     

    Chicken Bus Warriors:

    Chicken Bus Ready

    On The Bus:

     

     

    The Side Roads of Catarina:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    This what Johanne and I experience when we do our weekly fruit and veggie shop in the little village.  Our walk on veggie day is something we look forward to. The local vendors always make it more pleasant with a smile and some laughter.

     

     

    A Salt Water Shower:

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    La Boquita

     

    Boats:

    Things That Make Us Chuckle:

    All too often you see something and just wish you had your camera at the ready.

     

     

    Please check back now and then as this page matures and hopefully our photography improves. Comments and feedback are always appreciated.