This was sent out to invite people to join me for a Nicaragua trip. Sixteen people went on the trip.
Greetings to all of you getting a little tired of winter and anticipating a visit to a warm, welcoming country next year!
I recently returned from an “Adventure Trip” to Nicaragua sponsored by REI, the outfitting company. I chose to go there simply because it was a warm place to visit in early Dec. I had no great expectations and was pleasantly surprised. I found the country to be quite interesting, the food incredibly good, the activities enjoyable, and Gerald Duran, our guide, very knowledgable, helpful, and comfortably fluent in English. The idea of returning with a group of my friends kept recurring to me as we traveled and I found myself evaluating the various activities we participated in and considering how we could improve the experience for one of my group trips. Since my return, I’ve been communicating with Gerald and we’ve put together a tentative trip that I think could be both relaxing and fun. We’ve tried to provide something for everyone–relaxing time, exploration of colonial history, interesting hikes, great views, and some adventure for those who want it. It is a trip with options. If you want to try lake kayaking and a zip line canopy tour–it’s there! If you prefer to hang out by the pool or on the beach–it’s there, too. And the food is great and the company should be outstanding!!
The duration of the trip was a problem for a number of you, so we’ve cut some things and added the option of skipping the island of Omotope, which would shorten the trip by another two days.
Here’s the plan!
Itinerary
Jan. 7, Wed. - arrive Managua airport. Gerald and our bus will meet us and we head north to Leon, an old university town in the heart of volcano country. Along the way we’ll stop at a local restaurant to watch the cooking of quesillos (a delicious concoction of tortillas, cheese, and onions) and then sample them. We’ll enjoy a walking tour of Leon, including stops at an art museum, several colorful wall murals, and The Fortress, which was a jail and torture chamber during the Somoza era, and now a place celebrating Nicaraguan myths and legends.
1/8, Thurs. - two options. Those so inclined can take a bumpy jeep ride to Cerro Negro, a recently active volcano. A 45 minute hike brings us to the summit of the crater looking down on the steaming caldera. The voyage down takes about 5 minutes–skiing/skating/sliding down the volcanic scree. Whee!!! Those less enamored of volcanos have the morning free to explore the town of Leon, including several more museums. The volcano fans return for lunch and then we all depart for the highlands, with stops at bubbling mud pots and views of the Maribio chain of volcanoes. We’ll visit Jinotega, where there is a coffee co-op, 60% of whose owners are women farmers, and learn about the coffee making process. We’ll spend two nights at Hotel Selva Negra a renowned ecologically sensitive resort. www.selvanegra.com/en/Home-Resort.html.
1/9, Fri. - Activities at Selva Negra. There are numerous short hikes in the forest, horses for rent, coffee and flower farming, and good relaxation. Over 200 species of birds have been spotted there, so bring your binocs!
1/10, Sat. - starts with a several hour drive to Masaya Volcano National Park, the oldest national park in Nicaragua and the most visited tourist site in the country. There is an excellent visitor center with explanatory exhibits and the opportunity to walk in the area of a massive steaming crater. For those so inclined we can go underground into a lava tube cave with a few resident bats. Then drive on to Granada, the oldest colonial city in the continent, where we will spend three nights at the lovely Colonial Hotel, right off the main plaza. (www.nicaragua-vacations.com)
1/11, Sun. - begins with a (optional) watery adventure–kayaking among small islands along the shore of Lake Nicaragua, the second largest lake in Latin America. We’ll see birds, flowers, and a lot of verdant growth as we meander along narrow canals before reaching an old fortress. In the afternoon we’ll have a walking tour of Granada and free time to wander the town, splash in the two pools at the hotel, or visit the lake-side entertainment area. Dinner on your own (some people like to get away from the group for private time–Gerald will suggest restaurants.)
1/12, Mon. - is spent on Mombacho volcano which looms over the town of Granada. In the morning we will take an (optional!) zip line canopy tour in the cloud forest near the top of the mountain. After lunch, those seeking more activity can take the 4 hour Puma trail at the top of the mountain and those not so inclined can return to the peace and quiet of the hotel pools.
1/13, Tues. Board the bus for a several hour drive to San Juan del Sur, the Pacific coastal town where we’ll spend the next several nights at the Pelican Eyes resort, described by a guidebook as, “one of the most gorgeous and creative upscale accommodations in the country.” (See www.piedrasyolas.com). Satieted by lunch in their poolside gourmet restaurant, the afternoon is free to enjoy their three pools, sunbathe at the sweeping half-moon beach, or explore the town. Dinner is at a beachside restuarant featuring delicious grilled shrimp and lobster.
1/14, Wed. - features an all day sailing trip in the Pelican Eyes yacht to an isolated beach where we enjoy a barbecue of fish (if we catch any on the way there) or chicken (if we don’t!). We’ll be back at the hotel in time to catch the Pacific sunset. Dinner on your own (if you are still hungry after the bounteous lunch barbeque).
1/15, Thurs. - begins with a bumpy bus ride to San Jorge and smooth ferry ride to Omotope, a twin volcanoed island in Lake Nicaragua where we spend the next two nights. The afternoon could include a horseback or bike ride to the “Eye of Water” a spring fed swimming hole. It might also include an hour long nature walk at the Green Lagoon (Charco Verde), or simply relaxing at the beach.
1/16, Fri. - drive to the base of the Maderas Volcano and an easy 3 hour round trip hike up the side of the mountain to the 180 ft. San Ramon waterfall. Afternoon free to lounge on the beach.
1/17, Sat. Catch the early ferry to San Jorge, and board our bus. The first stop is at a pottery where we watch the craftsmen at work and can purchase their creations. An hour at the Masaya craft market will give us an opportunity to stock up on local wares before we arrive at the Montebelli private reserve, a bird watching haven, where we’ll spend the night. The afternoon is spent birdwatching with an expert guide. Gerald says it is not unusual to see 35-50 varieties of birds.
1/18, Sun. - Bus to airport and home.
Shortened option
1/15 Thurs. Continue on the bus (after dropping those going to Omotope off at the ferry) to the pottery and then on to the Masaya craft market. Then to Managua for an overnight stay at a hotel which offers transportation to the airport.
1/16 Fri. Bus to airport and home.
You are welcome to arrive early or depart later if you’d like to do more exploration of Nicaragua on your own. Gerald would be happy to help with suggestions and arrangements. Or you might want to head north to Honduras or south to Costa Rica to see more of Central America.
Cost
The expected cost of the trip is $1300 per person, double occupancy. This includes all transportation in Nicaragua, all hotels, all guides, all listed activities, all meals except two dinners, and bottled water, soda, beer, or glasses of wine with the meals. It does not include airfare to Nicaragua, souvenirs, guide tips, cocktails or bottles of wine at meals, and two dinners on your own. I say “expected cost” because a number of the hotels were unable to give me rates for 2009 and Gerald says the inflation rate is 13% in Nicaragua, so prices could well go up for 2009. I will send out a final price by Oct. 1, and ask for final payment at that time. For those taking the shortened option the price will drop $100.
Sign up and deposit
Attached is a sign-up sheet. If you’d like to go on the trip, please fill it out and return it to me with a deposit of $250 per person. My address is Larry Bieber, 566 Stehman Church Rd., Millersville, Pa. 17551.
Cancellation policy
If you cancel before Oct. 1, I’ll return $150 of your deposit. If by Oct. 1, I’ve had to raise the price above $1400 per person, you may cancel without penalty. If you cancel after final payment, I’ll return what I can (not all hotels will give refunds), minus a $100 charge.
That’s the deal. Who is going to join me in Nicaragua???
Your travel loving friend,
Larry
P.S. Here is some additional information about Nicaragua, for those interested. It is a poor country, devastated by years of civil war and natural disasters. The Somoza years from 1937-79 subjugated the country to decades of corrupt, cruel dictatorships. That era ended with a civil war won by the Sandinistas who promptly alienated Reagan by turning to Russia and Cuba for support, resulting the the Contras debacle. That ugly civil war collapsed with a peace agreement and an elected president, Violeta Chamorro, whose 5 year term marked a high point in Nicaraguan politics with reconciliation, development of democratic processes, and foreign investment. Unfortunately the next president proved corrupt and political gridlock ensued. Recent fair elections, though, have returned the Sandinista party and their leader, Daniel Ortega, to power and he has promised a much less radical approach to government. As if all that political turmoil was not enough, the country was pummeled by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, a category 5 hurricane considered the strongest storm in recorded weather history. Crops were ruined and almost all the bridges on the Pan-American highway, the main artery of the country, were washed out. But the Nicaraguans are a proud and tencious people. They are coming back. Shade grown, ecologically correct coffee is becoming a major export crop. Textile factories are being built, and a nascent tourist industry is developing.
Many times we heard or read the phrase, “The next Costa Rica”. It may be–but it is 20-30 years away–which to me is a huge plus! Sightings of other tourists were relatively infrequent. Adventurous backpackers have been visiting for years, but the kind of mass tourism “enjoyed” by Costa Rica is decades away. Natives were reserved, but friendly. I didn’t sense any resentment of the rich foreigner gawking at their lives. We weren’t hassled by youth pressing their “services’ on us or kids asking for candy. The country is very much the way it is–not a place designed to attract the tourist. One downside is that the roads are bad. Many are not paved and those that are tend to sport a bumper crop of potholes. There are relatively few tourist quality hotels and restaurants–but Gerald knew them all!! And they are incredibly inexpensive. The hotels we stayed in cost 30-50% of what a comparable quality place would cost in the US and excellent meals went for $6-8. In short, it is a country just beginning to develop its potential as a tourist destination, which means no crowds, fewer options, a welcoming people, and amazingly low cost.