As we were packing up, a dozen cows appeared from the trail, coming toward us. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! Reasonably priced private rooms and a fun bar. The beautiful landscape of active volcanoes, lovely lakes, tropical rain forests and its old colonial cities are what makes travelers fall in love with this still mostly undiscovered country. Cheap. We recommend SafetyWing. 1,151. We bought ours from one of the families there and paid about US$18 for a very high quality hammock. Masaya is the heart of Nicaraguan handicrafts and its markets are one of a kind. Stay aware of your surrounding and take common sense precautions just like you would in every other foreign country in the world, and youll have a great time in Nicaragua. In smaller towns, there is a fixed rate so its fairly easy. If youre backpacking in Nicaragua, make sure Ometepe is on your list of places to visit it really is one of the highlights of travelling here. AND profits go to kids in Nicaragua? A journey to Nicaraguas less-visited Caribbean coast is full of exploration potential. A great bar snack. Programs run through reputable work exchange programs, like Worldpackers, are generally very well-managed and highly reputable. Backpacking Nicaragua You can either fly to Big Corn Island from Managua (with returns costing around $180) or you can take a series of buses and boats for around $30. Forever roaming the world. Be sure to stay in the incredibly good value Hostel Oasis and to find the Hot Dog Connection for some of the cheapest and tastiest burgers in all of town. Of course, this backpacking loop can be flexible according to your own interests and tastes. Never stick your hand somewhere you havent first seen with your eyes. If you are keen to camp, many hostels offer camping as an option. My friend in the photo below did have a helmet with him, I can promise you. If you love winding rivers, epic jungle scenery, and wildlife spotting, head to San Carlos and explore miles of untouched rainforest by boat through the San Juan River. You have 2 options: visiting a local rum factory or a coffee farm. In recent years, Nicaraguas economy is on the rise, especially in the tourism sector. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. 136. SJDS is mostly just a party town. From the Sunday-Funday to Volcano boarding, From Leon to Ometepe. Any time you visit a country with socio-economic problems it is possible that someone will try to take what you have. There is simply no better way to explore this beautiful volcanic island. Intensely political, buzzing with energy and drop-dead gorgeous, Len is a city of fabulous art collections, stunning streetscapes, cosmopolitan eateries, vibrant student life, fiery intellectualism, and While it can be a good time to sniff a few lines, do not blow your entire budget on getting high. You can also arrange a visit to acigar factory from the city and this is a great way to spend an afternoon. Leon The city is not exceptionally pretty and it felt strangely Americanized due to all of the American fast-food joints and strip malls. After catching your first wave, you will be hooked, I promise. Mine was a bit smelly. Adis.How are you? Fun fact: the cathedral is one of the few old buildings in the city that wasnt completely destroyed by the devastating 1972 earthquake that wreaked havoc on most of the city. Speciality Museums. While this little Central. Check that the taxi sign is on the roof and that the taxi operator license is clearly visible in the front seat. There are also cheap but terribly uncomfortable chicken buses a few times a week between Managua and Guatemala City for $20. Being out late, drunk, and alone is a recipe for trouble anywhere in the world. You can dig into to life at a surf camp. You could also take weekly trips if you are comfortable on a boat for long hours. Or, yknow you can stick to ziplock bags. This is also where youll find lots of Nicaraguas hostels and backpacker accommodations. Speciality Museums. If cities and history are your thing, spend a couple extra days in Leon or Grenada. This was my first time doing an organized backpacking trip, and I 100% recommend it. Eat local as much as possible! Be sure to try out atleast one chicken bus experience! Luckily, I stumbled upon Quetzaltrekkers Len. Pack that sunscreen and protect your skin! Backpacking Nicaragua is epic, and this list of the best hostels in Leon, Nicaragua is the best on the web! Not too many tourist come here, and the only foreigners you will see are backpackers who base themselves here to either climb the surrounding volcanoes, study Spanish or volunteer at one of the local organizations. I found that Nicaraguan locals were very welcoming people. If you are looking for somewhere to dig in, learn to surf, and become a beach bum, Nicaragua is one of the cheapest places in the world to do that. It was a clear 11. The area is home to an excellent nature reserve with plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. Traveling toNicaragua is relatively easy and you can arrange pretty much all of your travels yourself. From here you can carry on to the interior of the country if you wish, or you can head back to the coast to chill and drink rum on the beach. WebLeon is usually either the first or last stop on a backpacking Nicaragua itinerary, due to its location. Leon You can easily spend a week here. My sources have informed me that both cocaine and MDMA are available in San Juan Del Sur,but I met more than one backpacker who had been screwed over so be careful. In this vlog, I went to Leon, Nicaragua and tried volcano boarding which involved sliding down an active volcano! Volunteering overseas is a great way to experience a culture whilst doing some good in the world. Yea it is still very affordable. When my boyfriend and I booked cheap Southwest flights to Costa Rica, we began researching nearby countries and our adventure options. You will want to wake up early to catch the sunrise on Momotombo volcano. The nearby art museum, Museo de Arte fundacin Ortiz guardian is also well worth a look and a good place to spend an afternoon. Doing something so out of the ordinary with a bunch of strangers from all over the world is refreshing. Keen for some surf? Low season is May to October. A 1 hour hike and a couple chicken bus rides and you get to wash away the dirt and sweat, take a nap, and, if you liked your fellow hikers, hopefully meet up with them later that night in Len. I guess it is normally a more brilliant sunrise than what we experienced, but I couldnt complain after the sunset we were treated to the night before. She went from being a street dog to living the best life. WebBy Craig-World-Travelle. I would love to go back someday and do more hiking; it was such a beautiful place. If you have an interest in this poet or a bit of Nicaragua history this museum is worth walking through. Its always better in nature anyways.). Quetzaltrekkers did an excellent job. Its only 1 night, and you have to carry the weight. It looks like you had perfect weather for this trip! Make sure to check out the stunning cathedral in the main square, for just a dollar you can get right up on top of the whitewashed roof where you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the city. I backpacked through Nicaragua a few years ago and it is very affordable indeed! When I first arrived in Managua I was greatly underwhelmed. Buenas tardes.Good evening. / No. A little about the guides: Pim and Femka were both Dutch. There is a definitive gringo trail in Nicaragua consisting of the popular surf towns and the colonial cities. Dorm beds cost around US$5 and private budget rooms around US$10-15. Most people dont have cars, so if you are in a rural area, the few with cars or trucks tend to stop for lots of people. My favorite view was from the Ruins of Old Leon where you have a full view with Lake Managua in front. The certification usually takes three to four days and can cost about $300 USD. Travelling in Nicaragua offers up the opportunity to explore and experience a variety of unique landscapes and local culture. Although the initial overthrow of the Somoza regime in 197879 was a bloody affair, the Contra War of the 1980s took the lives of tens of thousands of Nicaraguans and was the subject of fierce international debate. Today she resides in Canada with the handsome surfer and their Nicaraguan puppy, Keanu. I cant say enough good things about the folks at Quetzaltrekkers! Backpacking Nicaragua Suggested Budgets On a backpacking budget of 1,100 NIO per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, use public transportation and chicken buses to get around, limit your drinking, cook all of your meals, and enjoy free and cheap activities like free walking tours and lounging on the beach. There the sell items such as hand woven hammocks, wood carvings and other hand made local items. There are some fun things to do in Managua, however. After a hearty breakfast and taking down camp, you begin your hike down. If youre coming from the north, and maybe like I did, from Honduras and beautiful Utila, one of the first natural stops on the route, and for sure the easiest stop is Leon. When you GoogleMap Quetzaltrekkers Len, the address is 3 blocks North, block West of Iglesia La Merced, which is hilarious and pretty meaningless to me. The beach in town is not that pretty, and most people head to one of the bieaches north or south of town. You will find many fast food joints, especially in the cities. Prices vary but the average price of a dorm bed throughout Nicaragua is between $7-12 USD. The river systems of interior and Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua are especially wild. Nicaragua is fast becoming a popular base for digital nomads from around the world. Nicaragua, often referred to as the new Costa Rica, is quickly becoming a popular spot among backpackers who want to escape the crowds following the gringo trail. When you travel to some of the worlds most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Backpacking Nicaragua As a wise man once said, if you cant afford travel insurance, you cant afford to travel. Hint hint Go there and cool thyself! I recommend shopping around at the different dive shops to see who has the best prices. Hitchhiking is common in rural areas and small towns, but not recommended in Managua. There are several land border crossings between Nicaragua and El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica. After three months of backpacking and surfing through Nicaragua she fell in love, both with surfing and a handsome Canadian. The best thing about Little Corn? Leon is a small city, and one day to explore it is enough. Get free accommodation in exchange for volunteering a few hours a day. The volcanic island of Ometepe is straight outta backpacker heaven. Apoyo Lagoon is a beautiful crater lake with an abundance of wildlife and different plan species. All the money they make from running trekking trips goes directly in supporting kids and local schools. As well as what things to do in Nicaragua. Best Time to Go Backpacking in Nicaragua Nicaragua has two distinct season: the dry season and the wet season. Especially since the main attraction in Granada is to walk the streets and enjoy the colonial atmosphere. They organise yo packing and minimise its volume too so you can pack MORE. Drink water from ANYWHERE. Anyone who visits Len, Nicaragua should book an adventure through Quetzaltrekkers Len. Youre connected. Cocaine is cheap and pretty easy to find if thats your bag. Youll also find opportunities in photography, bartending, animal care, and marketing. In the evening, there are plenty of hopping bars with one of the liveliest scenes being at the Bigfoot Hostel. Ometepe Island is home to the impressive VolcanConcepcin. It was perfect. . (a very light weight insult), Shit eater Come Mierda (for better effect!). Most people traveling to Nicaragua dont require a visa for stays up to 90 days. The Santiago Cathedral is an impressive building worth a visit. Standing outside Quetzaltrekkers the morning of our hike, You show up to their office at 7am, fill your backpacks with 8 liters of water, food or tent (all provided, split between people), sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and your personal items. As well as what things to do in Nicaragua. Itll save you aload of time when organising transport and youll probably nab an EPIC DISCOUNT too! Plus there is free breakfast! Backpacking Nicaragua was one of the most fun and rewarding times of my life. There is also a $32 departure tax which is included in airfares with major airlines. Nicaragua is one of the poorest developing countries in the Western Hemisphere, so there are plenty of opportunities for backpackers to contribute some skills. A look at lovely little Leon A stark contrast to the island life of Ometepe, Len is a small but vibrant city with lots going on. Food in Nicaragua is extremely affordable, with a typical local meal costing only about $3. Use Bookawayto find the best deals on transport buses, planes, trains, and ferries. As we did introductions and started joking with one another, someone said, well, it seems like we have a good group for this! They were right. Catching a boat is way more fun. However, since you are most likely interested picking up some local handicrafts instead of a chunk of meat you should visit the Mercado de Artesanias which is located in the center of the city. 811. This is also where youll find lots of Nicaraguas hostels and backpacker accommodations. Your guides cook breakfast for you before you leave, and you get to meet your fellow hikers. We swam and had lunch. High season is between December & April, when the sun is shining. Backpacking My favorite view was from the Ruins of Old Leon where you have a full view with Lake Managua in front. We did! Packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for thereal adventurers these babies are a travellers best kept secret. Nicaraguans love to party. Nicaragua is home to 19 volcanoes! The best time to go scuba diving or snorkeling in the Corn Islands is December- March. Flying down a volcano at top speed is one hell of a good time. guidance. The volcanic island of Ometepe is straight outta backpacker heaven. One trip simply isnt enough to absorb all of the awesomeness that Nicaragua has to offer. Chicharrnes Fried pork belly or pork skin, typically served with a dipping sauce or as part of another dish. Inside San Juan Del Sur itself, there isnt much going on, besides an amazing Italian Gelato place (go for the Nutella!). There are plenty of awesome day hikes to be found all over the country. Required fields are marked *. In this vlog, I went to Leon, Nicaragua and tried volcano boarding which involved sliding down an active volcano! There are some great places to surf directly around SJDS. Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure. If you choose to spend the night, I recommend crashing at Henris Farm. Hostels in Leon, Nicaragua Project Top Spot Today I'm back with the latest video in my backpacking Central America series. But for now, here is some information on 5 places you should definitely plan to visit if youre going to Nicaragua! El Hoyo Backpacking Trek. Well worth having as it helps to have quick access to all your stuff. But you certainly did not come to Nicaragua to eat at Mcdonalds, right? The Contra War ultimately ended following the signing of theTela Accordin 1989 and the demobilization of the FSLN and Contra armies. Forever roaming the world. The cost of the trip is $69. It seemed very walkable from any of the hostels. Backpacking Nicaragua document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Below I have listed several travel itineraries for backpacking Nicaragua. A look at lovely little Leon A stark contrast to the island life of Ometepe, Len is a small but vibrant city with lots going on. There has never been a more satisfying way to descend a volcano. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once youve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You get to volcano board down Cerro Negro, put your packs on, and journey up to el Hoyo. To keep costs down, spend a few days in cities like Leon and Matagalpa, where the only expenses are food, hostels, and $0.25 museum admissions. The water is crisp and cool and feels like heaven with the mid-day sun burning over head. Web2023. Pack light. Their el Hoyo backpacking trek was one of the best travel experiences Ive ever had, and I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants adventure, beautiful views, and time spent with good people.
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