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5 Reasons You’ll Fall in Love with Nicaragua

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In this episode of Unpacked, we untangle the complicated web that is travel insurance.

For unpretentious fried fish and ocean breezes when in the Northwest of Nicaragua, head to Poneloya. You don’t even need a car--buses leave from León regularly and in about half-an-hour you’re on the beach. Head to the northern end of Poneloya and you’ll see a handful of fish ‘shacks’ clustered around a cove...(We sought out Pastora, a friend-of-a-friend...) The catch-of-the-day will be fried up for you, served with rice, fried plantains and a fresh lime. Order a “Victoria” or a “Toña” (the local beers), and maybe there’ll even be a hammock for you to swing in while the fish sizzles... (March and April are the hottest months, and the Easter holiday crowds can be formidable. Come mid-week, December through February, for cooler weather and quiet sunsets...Remember, this is rustic--no tablecloths, bring cash, avoid the tapwater, but be open to friendly smiles and relaxation.)

León may be the second-largest city in Nicaragua, but it feels more like a laid-back town. The National University is here, yet the cobblestoned intersections are unencumbered with traffic lights. A dignified patina of age hangs over the colonial center...along with signs of its turbulent 20th-century history. You’ll find murals scattered throughout León, including in the plaza adjacent to the 18th-century Cathedral. Painted in the late 1980’s as a joint project between local artists and painters from Hamburg, Germany, it depicts a decidedly Sandinista version of the history of Nicaragua. For me, the most poignant portion is the end, showing two young children, hand in hand, flying a kite with the colors of the Nicaraguan flag, the ruins of war behind them as they head off into the idealized landscape with the nearby Momotombo volcano as its centerpiece...but the paint is crumbling... Hope needs constant maintenance; traveling through Central America, the troubled past is never far behind--it’s painted on the walls all around, it seems. But faces still smile, and if you get to know the people, the landscape truly gets under your skin...

Seclusion and tranquility are the new forms of luxury in a world that is so accessible and plugged in. Aqua Wellness Resort successfully marries contemporary luxury accommodations with serene surroundings, providing a memorable and rejuvenating experience for travelers. Accessible by a two-and-a-half-hour drive or 40-minute helicopter ride from Nicaragua’s international airport in Managua, Aqua offers peace and privacy so that you can enjoy the beautifully wild landscape of Nicaragua’s Pacific “Emerald Coast.” 24 Tree Houses accommodating 50 luxurious villas and suites dot Aqua’s forested hillside, which overlooks a private, white sandy beach. Some of the Tree House accommodations feature kitchens, and incredible plunge pools that make it difficult to even consider leaving the deck. Wellness services such as spa treatments, yoga, and meditation, coupled with fresh and tasty international and Nicaraguan fare served in an open-air beachside restaurant, create an enjoyable “barefoot luxury” experience for guests. Eco-friendly practices are well ingrained in the Aqua experience, and for those who appreciate and support sustainable, environmentally friendly travel, this is where you want to book. Aqua surpasses the standards and services of other luxury resorts while operating in an environmentally responsible manner. The staff is accommodating and friendly. Upon check-in, a cell phone is provided for you to use during your stay, so you’re always just a phone call away—whether you want to reach the front desk, the spa, or friends who are staying at Aqua too. While Aqua’s peaceful seclusion is perfect for an off-the-grid escape, the resort offers adventure as well: You can hike a 300-foot cliff and rappel down, or learn to surf on neighboring Playa Gigante, both within walking distance of Aqua. Should you want to venture out for a day, the front desk can arrange for a boat excursion to one of Nicaragua’s best surf breaks for surfing, or to its deep-sea waters for fishing. They’ll send you off with a guide in a private car to explore Nicaragua’s famous lakes and volcanoes, or its colorful colonial city of Granada, just an hour and a half away. When you return to the resort just in time to enjoy a spectacular ocean sunset, you’ll discover why Aqua is the perfect jumping off point for a vacation in Nicaragua -- and the best place to return.

The best of Nicaragua is on the beautiful Emerald Coast. Mukul Resort offers a barefoot luxury experience with stunning suites, exquisite design, and local hospitality. Where else can you surf a great break in front of a 5 star hotel? The Golf and spa are equally as unique.

We were in the Masaya market in Nicaragua and these sweet local girls took our daughter under their wing and they played for hours. We took the time to relax, have some lunch, and enjoy the fact that our daughters future would be forever enriched with culture as we continue to travel the world with her.

If you’re in Granada, stop in for a meal or drink at Café Espressonista. Housed in a building from 1860, the café is owned by New York transplants Andres and Zoltan, who have created a fun, funky space with a true artisanal spirit. Chef Zoltan’s baked goods and ice creams are made in-house and the drink menu includes Espressonista’s own small-batch brewed beer. Thanks to relationships with the best coffee producers in Nicaragua, Espressonista’s coffee drinks are the best in Nicaragua. All ingredients are sourced from local markets or farmers, and the same attention to detail can be found in the design of the space and the plating of the meals. In addition, you can buy exquisite men’s shirts that Andres designs and has made by hand of the finest cotton. Photo by Marianna Jamadi.

Nicaragua doesn’t have the pre-Hispanic historical sites that Guatemala or Mexico do, but the museum in the old Convento de San Francisco in Granada holds a collection of ancient stone carvings worth checking out. The figures are from the island of Zapatera in Lake Nicaragua and date back more than a thousand years. Most depict what appear to be humans dressed in animal costumes. The museum is also worth visiting to see its collection of paintings of rural life done in the highly detailed style the region is known for. Then take a seat in one of the rocking chairs in the cloister that surrounds the main courtyard and listen to the parrots. It’s a nice spot for an afternoon siesta.