|
by Christine Abbott
Nicaragua is one of the most beautiful countries in the Americas.
You’ve got a dramatic Pacific coast…gentle Caribbean beaches…volcanoes and freshwater lakes…colonial cities and artisan towns. Nicaragua has been one of my favorite countries since my very first visit more than five years ago. I first arrived there via Costa Rica. Crossing the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua was an interesting adventure and one that requires patience. The first place I visited was only 30 minutes drive from the border and what a nice surprise when I arrived to the quaint seaside town of San Juan del Sur. A town of merely 13,000 inhabitants San Juan del Sur with its amazing bay, just like a picture on a postage stamp, has a lot to offer. The long waterfront is lined with seafood restaurants and beach side decks looking over the sailboats and fishing boats that dot the majestic bay, and the locals and visitors stroll along the sand, checking out the happenings of the day.
San Juan del Sur Once a sleepy fishing village, San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua has emerged as a hot spot for the adventurous traveler and retiree alike. With a strong ex-pat community and a plethora of modern day conveniences, San Juan del Sur has surprisingly not lost its cultural charm, and still exudes energy from its proud locals. Known as the quintessential surfing town of Nicaragua, San Juan del Sur offers many hospedajes, surf shops, and easy public transportation to the surf. Surrounded by Playa Maderas, Playa Yankee, Playa Tamarindo, and Playa Remanso… San Juan del Sur proves to be perfectly located as the social hub on
your traveling surf trip.
Inside San Juan del Sur, you will find a sweet little market for your fruits and vegetables, many road side vendors including everyone’s favorite, “the chicken lady”. The market is open seven days a week and the fruits and vegetables are always fresh. Most residents get to know the particular vendor and will shop there each time. It is not unusual for the vendor to add a free pineapple or mango as a way of saying ‘thank you’ for the business.
There are also beautiful ocean view hotels and villas in San Juan del Sur, two Italian pizza places, artisan stores with hammocks, paintings and cigars all made in Nicaragua, and a few “to die for” restaurants that could run competition with any of your favorite’s in the States in flavor and service.
So if the idea of retiring to San Juan del Sur or owning a second home crosses your mind, I would seriously suggest you consider the incredible ‘beach front’ condominiums where you can at the moment for less than $300,000 purchase a beautiful two bedroom two bathroom home built to a very high standard and with the most incredible views of the bay of San Juan del Sur.
The project has an owners only Clubhouse and roof terrace where you can enjoy 360 deg. view of the amazing bay of San Juan del Sur and the beautiful mountains.
Picture yourself here…. hike to the top of the hill to the statue and look over the turquoise bay at sunrise, have a cup of local Nicaraguan coffee and stroll through the market, zip line through the jungle or hop on a quad, charter a boat for fishing or to the two world class Nicaragua surf breaks up North, and finish your day with a ‘margarita’ drink on your private terrace as the sun sinks into the great pacific.
Granada
With a rich colonial heritage that’s obvious as soon as you arrive, Granada is one of most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas. It sees a good number of international travelers, and has a sizeable expat community…both of which account for its wealth of hotels, fine restaurants, and well-kept state. Granada sits on the shores of Lake Nicaragua with beaches and a group of small private islands—Las Isletas—just off shore. Granada is a great base of exploration for the area, a good place to invest in a colonial property or a well priced condominium. It is a fun place to stay and don’t forget to take a tour of the town on a horse drawn carriage. You will find these carriages lining the center square – this is a meeting place for all the locals to enjoy the evening sundown.
Corn Islands
Whatever image you may have of Nicaragua, I doubt that it’s anything like what you’ll find on its Caribbean side, with its warm waters, swaying palms, and English-speaking population. The Corn Islands lie just off Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast. You get to Big Corn Island by plane from the mainland, while you’ll arrive at Little Corn Island via a high-speed launch that departs from Big Corn.
Pacific Coast
Nicaragua offers one of the best values for Pacific coastline in the hemisphere. The weather and waters are warm all year round, and the property values are far lower than you’ll find most anywhere else…less than half of what you’ll pay even in Costa Rica’s adjacent Guanacaste province. Each stretch of the Nicaraguan coast has its own appeal and advantages. Throughout, you’ll find wide, white-sand beaches…black-sand beaches…tiny coves and majestic cliffs… as well as small fishing villages and beautiful, modern developments.
Nicaragua has a lot going for it. Aside from the weather, it enjoys one of the Americas’ lowest costs of living, and—in my opinion—one of its friendliest populations. Regardless of where I’ve traveled in Nicaragua, I’ve always felt at home here…at peace among the land and its people. And that’s the biggest reason why I keep coming back.
Christine Abbott (info@infotogosite.com), owner of Beautiful NEW BEACHFRONT condominium located in the quaint unspoiled town of San Juan Del Sur - http://www.infotogosite.com phone: 561 283 4523 USA
Leave a Reply