Managua Journals

My Nicaragua

A December 2006 trip to Managua by celestemy

Quote: Nicaragua is beautiful, friendly, charming, and you can't help but love it. This was my second trip to Nicaragua and I can't wait to return.

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My Nicaragua

Overview

Quote:

Nicaragua is a well kept secret. There are not a lot of tourists, so you feel like you’ve discovered your very own paradise. Although, in Granada and San Juan del Sur there are a few American and Canadian tourists. If you travel to Nicaragua, I suggest spending a few days in Granada; going to the beach at either Pochomil, Montelimar, or San Juan del Sur; visiting the Masaya market and Masaya Volcano; seeing the Mombacho Volcano and doing the Canopy Tour (zip lining high atop the forest! Yikes!); swimming at Laguna de Apoyo; and checking out Managua. If you like coffee, visit the city of Matagalpa. The region around it is known for great coffee.

On our trip to Nicaragua 2 years ago my husband and I travelled to Pochomil Beach, where we rode (very thin) horses for per person, ate a delicious lobster dinner, and drank Toña beer at Bar Jessenia. Standing on the beach at Pochomil, we decided to get married!

The beaches on the Pacific side of Nicaragua are nice; I’ve heard the Caribbean beaches are gorgeous. There are some beaches with white sand on the Pacific side, but most of the sand is darker in color and the water isn’t too blue.

My husband’s mother is Nicaraguan, so we visited the town of Diria, where her family lives. If you want to visit a town where life is simple and slow, Diria’s the place. In the center of town is the church and park, as in all Nicaraguan towns. My husband’s grandparents donated the funds to build the bell tower! At the Boquete, high above Diria, you’ll find five or six bars on the upper rim of a huge lagoon, Laguna de Apoyo, which used to be a volcano. The bars there are a good place to chill out and enjoy the view of the lagoon and surrounding forest.

We also like to go to Laguna de Apoyo and it’s wonderful there. The water is so warm, but the lake is very deep, so wear a life jacket when swimming. Try Norome Villas; they have great ceviche and beer. You can go to eat only and you are not required to rent a room to use the dock and swim there.

I couldn’t help but fall in love with Nicaragua. We’ve even considered buying property there; I think it would be well worth it.

Quick Tips:

One of my favorite meals in Nicaragua is quesillo: quesillo cheese with onions and cream (similar to sour cream) wrapped in a corn tortilla...yum! You can buy quesillo anywhere, the market or the side of the road; right outside Managua on Carretera Masaya, there is a place called Quesillo del Bosque. Another traditional dish is nacatamale: a dough stuffed with pork, rice, and veggies, and the whole thing is wrapped in plantain leaves.

In Managua there is Huembes Market, where you can find anything, from sneakers and DVDs of movies only now in theatres to Flor de Caña rum and traditional Nicaraguan pottery. If you speak Spanish, you can haggle; if not, you’ll pay whatever they ask. Just learn the phrase, "Cuanto vale?" Be careful, take your jewelry off, and don't go alone. For a good hammock, purchase that at the Masaya market. Nicaragua is known for its hammocks and Flor de Caña rum.

Also, remember that Nicaragua is the second poorest nation in the Americas. There are always people, especially children in the streets, asking for money. If you are compassionate, keep a couple of cordobas on you to hand out to them when they come up to your car.

Best Way To Get Around:

I would suggest renting a car to get around Nicaragua, unless you want to travel to the Atlantic coast, and in this case, you’ll have to fly. Car rental is inexpensive. I think we got a car for under per day. Beware that the roads can be pretty bad due to a lot of potholes, so you may want to take that into account when choosing what type to rent. We usually try to use my husband’s parents' SUV. Roads in and around Managua are good though; the highways outside Managua are newly paved. You could use a taxi, but I think it’s easier and safer to rent a car. People are so friendly that if you get lost and ask for directions, they’re sure to help you. We asked people for directions all the time. Also, there are typically no street names in Managua and other towns, so it may be a little difficult to find where you're going. According to the BBC, the song "Where the Streets Have No Name" was partly inspired by U2's visit to Managua. Read Less

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Cocina de Doña Haydée

Restaurant

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The food is amazing and the ambience is wonderful at Cocina de Doña Haydée. Every time I've been there, they've had white lights decorating the balconies and a gentleman strumming the guitar. He has even played my husband's song requests. The food is inexpensive compared to US prices. We spent under $17 for appetizers, dinner, and 2 beers each. If you go to Managua, it's a must, especially, if you're looking for a good quality restaurant.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 15, 2007

Cocina de Doña Haydée
Carretera a Masaya km. 4 ½
Managua, Nicaragua
+505 (2) 70 6100

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Happy to be...

Story/Tip

Quote:

Nicaragua makes me happy. Maybe it’s because it’s the home of my husband’s family or maybe it’s the people or the beauty of the land, or maybe I just like it there. The people are warm, kind, generous, and joyful. The country has it all: beaches, volcanoes, lakes, cities, countryside, even sharks in a lake! I think it’s a combination of these things that make me so happy to be in Nicaragua.