El Motombo, left, and the expat haven Mavericks, right.(Photo: Courtesy of Chocolate Momotombo (shop); Courtesy of Maverick’s )

Cobblestoned streets are lined with varied, wallet-friendly shops owned by both expats and locals. Sample cold, fresh sweets made from raw, unpressed cacao beans at Momotombo on Parque Colón. Nearby at the Sultan Cigars’ storefront (next to Hotel Alhambra), score a box of ten hand-rolled stogies for about $5. Pick up your own guayabera—the classic Latin four-pocket linen shirt—for under $30 at Guayaberas Nora (eighteen yards west of fire station, 418-505-2552-4617).

Consider the city’s burgeoning art movement in the open-air gallery of La Casa de los Tres Mundos Foundation. Around the corner, buy and swap books, trade info, or sip a coconut-mango smoothie at Maverick’s (104 Calle El Arsenal; 505-8432-4724), the favored hangout of English-speaking residents.

Take your own private, sunset booze cruise around Las Isletas, the pretty archipelago of 365 small, lush islands in Lake Cocibolca. About 90 minutes before the sun goes down, grab a cab to the lakeside dock of the Restaurante La Cabaña Amarilla for $2. Negotiate a one-hour tour with the waiting boatmen (about $15 for two people). Get some beers and a loaner cooler from the restaurant.

Hotel El Club hosts a DJ-and-booze-fueled dance party on weekend nights. Or take it easy at Café Nuit (Calle La Libertad; 505-2552-7376), where live salsa pulses through the open-air courtyard and $7 buys you a 375ml bottle of Flor de Caña rum, a bottle of Coke, and some limes.

Matt Nager

Published: 20090610

This little-visited region offers untouched beaches and indigenous cultures.

If you’ve already done the “easy” central american destinations like Costa Rica and Belize and want to try something a little more adventuresome (and a little cheaper), you may be surprised how far Nicaragua’s tourism infranstructure has come in a few short years.

Geologically, Nicaragua has similar terrain to its eco-tourism hotshot neighbor Costa Rica.  It has stunning volcanos, gorgeous beaches and a rich jungle and cloud forest life.  What it lacks is the early start that Costa Rica got in perserving these assets.  But it also still lacks the crowds and being a traveller there, feels authentic in a way some other central american destinations do not.

Our travels were centered around the colonial town of Grenada which is a short taxi ride (get a fixed price at the airport) from the international airport (get a fixed price at the airport) and where the majority of the tourism infrastructure is based.  There are all kinds of lodging catering to all tastes and budgets.  What we did was make a reservation over the Web for our first night at La Siesta  a friendly “backpacker” hostal catering to a youngish crowd working on their spanish – a steal at $25 a night.  We moved to a new, very small hotel around the corner which still had no website and for $40 we got a little more privacy and a/c.  We found that the majority of the smaller, more intimate small hotels, hostals or hospideja’s did not yet have websites of their own – and finding the perfect place when you get there is part of the adventure.

Although we have travelled in Costa Rica and Guatamala, we still wanted to get our Volcano fix.  Grenada has several competing tour offices which provide excursions to the Volcanos closest to Grenada including Mombacha and Mayasa.   We took a tour to Volcan Mayasa at sunset which included a tour of bat caves.  This is an excusion that must be done with a tour, still I was a little concerned with the number of people visiting the caves and its potential impact on the bats and that there seemed to be too many tours.  Unlike Costa Rica, Nicaragua hasn’t completely figured out how to manage its newly popular natural attractions but they seem to know where they need to head.

Another day we skipped the full package tour and got ourselves to the bottom of the dormant volcano Mombacho, a national park since 1983.  We walked about a mile to the park entrance where you can get a ride to the top in an open air truck/bus – ours was filled with schoolkids.  It was misty and cool at the top where there is a nice, low key visitor center and cafe and where you can hike around the verdant caldera.  Make sure you bring a jacket, the temperature was quite cool!

Volcanos are just one of the reasons why an eco-minded tourist should consider Nicaragua.  I’ll elaborate more on a place close to Grenada that is truely special and not rivaled in nearby countries I have visited in my next post.

On a final note, Nicaragua’s tourism must be doing something right because even in the recession, their tourism is growing.  In Nicaragua, eco-tourism and budget travel go hand in hand.

Nicaragua Targets AARP Crowd

Second in a two-part series on Nicaragua’s advantage in times of crisis

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Responding to an increasingly complicated and competitive market in times of global economic downturn, the government of Nicaragua is changing its game plan.

Instead of actively seeking new investment to come to Nicaragua to start new real-estate development projects, the government is focusing on helping the 100-plus projects that are already here succeed.

“We are adapting and being flexible to what the environment is like,” said Javier Chamorro, president of ProNicaragua, the government’s official investment-promotion agency. “Today it is more important to make sure current development is successful than to attract new investors.”

Chamorro added, “If we have 100 developments and we bring in 10 more, we may have 110 unsuccessful developers. So we need to make sure that the ones who are already here are successful, because they are facing hard times.”

Chamorro said real-estate developers were the first to feel the world financial crisis, and could be the last ones to recover.

“People who were buying houses here were using second mortgages to do so,” Chamorro told The Nica Times. “So developers were the people who first felt the crisis and are probably the people who will feel it the longest. That’ why we have to make sure they are successful.

In addition to providing judicial security with legislation such as the recently approved Coastal Law (NT, June 12), the government realizes the best way it can help developers is to find buyers for their projects. That’s why the Sandinista government has decided to team up with the private sector to target the U.S. retirement crowd and promote Nicaragua as a new retirement destination.

For the first time ever, Nicaragua will be participating in the annual trade show of the American Association of Retired People (AARP) in Las Vegas next October. Nicaragua will be giving a one-hour presentation at the event and has several exhibit booths set up to attend to the 30,000 people expected at the show.

“The economic downturn, high cost of healthcare, and in some cases, just a sense of adventure, is motivating people to pick up and move out of the United States in their retirement years,” said Gabriela Goddard, editor-in-chief of the AARP’s Segunda Juventud magazine. “In their search for a country in which to retire, these consumers look for political and economic stability, legal residency for foreign retirees, access to public health care, and exemption from taxes on income earned outside. Any Latin American country offering these benefits and with the right infrastructure, could become a potential destination retiree destination.”

Chamorro, who will be heading the ProNicaragua delegation, will try to convince the AARP crowd that Nicaragua is the place for them. He said the idea is to drum up enough interest at the AARP event to recruit a group of 150 U.S. retirees to visit Nicaragua early next year as part of a government-organized five-day tour of the country. The trip will be subsidized by the Nicaraguan government, Chamorro explained.

Once in Nicaragua, ProNicaragua will work in partnership with certain development projects to make a sales pitch. ProNicaragua is asking participating developers to provide the non-profit organization with a portion of the profits from any sales made during the event.

ProNicaragua hopes to recover its investment and start a fund to conduct similar events next year.

“We are building a partnership by offering subsidies to clients and assuming all the risk for the developers in Nicaragua,” Chamorro said. “This is a way to promote the developers who are already here and help them be successful.”

Chamorro announced the government’s plan earlier this month at a meeting with the Association of Nicaraguan Investors and Developers, which responded enthusiastically to the proposal and offered several recommendations about how to take maximum advantage of the event.

Darrell Bushnell, of Granada, suggested that ProNicaragua consider using the personal testimonials of other U.S. expats already living here.

Bushnell said a testimonial is a simple and effective way of delivering the message, “I am normal, and I love living here.”

Chamorro, too, said the best way Nicaragua can get over its lingering image problem is through personal testimonials.

“We can show people that Daniel Ortega is president, but that doesn’t mean we are at war, that doesn’t mean you can’t live in Nicaragua, or that you are not welcome here,” Chamorro said.

He said the fact that ProNicaragua is involved in the AARP event also sends an important message that Nicaragua is open for business.

“We are also a government institution so we will be inviting people to come down on behalf of the government of Nicaragua,” he said.

Chamorro said another clear sign of the government’s commitment to attracting foreign retirees is the fact President Ortega recently sent a new bill to the National Assembly asking for reforms to the old pensioner’s law. The new bill, which seeks to improve incentives to retire here, was sent to the National Assembly in March and is currently in commission.

Not Panama, Not Costa Rica  

Strolling the Beach: Nicaragua’s natural attractions, climate and cost of living make it an attractive retirement destination.

Tim Rogers | Nica Times

Though Panama and Costa Rica are Nicaragua’s closest competition in the region for attracting U.S. retirees, Chamorro says Nicaragua is a different product and will distinguish itself in several ways.

Costa Rica, he said, has already established itself as a “high-end market,” while Panama is promoting itself as a retirement destination for those who want urban living. Nicaragua, on the other hand, offers a lower cost of living, more affordable real estate and more natural and spacious surroundings, he said.

“We have to position ourselves a bit below Costa Rica; they still have a better brand,” Chamorro said. “We have to look for people who are willing to take a little more risk because they want that savings.”

Developers in Nicaragua are applauding the government’s initiative.

“I think the AARP initiative is an excellent long term strategy for Nicaragua,” said Mike Cobb, CEO of the Gran Pacifica development project. “Many or probably most baby boomers in North America   have seen   values of their retirement packages fall dramatically in the past 18 months.    Many of these folks will be looking for alternatives that offer a similar or enhanced quality of life for a lower cost.”

Cobb, who will be part of the Nicaragua delegation attending the AARP trade show in October, notes that an Ernst and Young report last July found that 60 percent of retirees could expect to outlive their financial assets if they didn’t cut back by 24 percent or more.

“This is serious for those affected,” Cobb said, adding that some will try to make due while others    “look for alternatives,” including Nicaragua.

Just as Nicaragua’s tourism industry is benefiting from the world economic crisis, many are hopeful that the housing and financial crisis in the United States could have a silver lining for Nicaragua.

For all its past image problems, Nicaragua now hopes to become a golden option for people in their golden years.

http://www.nicatimes.net/nicaarchive/2009_07/0731091.htm

To date, the 11 projects have generated 1,055 jobs of which 717 are temporary and 318 are permanent.

According to Omar Oporta, Director of Legal Affairs at the INTUR, the entity’s Incentive Board will have approved over $100 million in project investment by the end of the year.

This projection could be even higher when taking into account the effects of the newly approved Coastal Law, the Retirement and Pensioner Law and the elimination of visa requirements. Investors presently perceive greater investment opportunities and legal guarantees in the country.

The majority of the projects approved to date by the Incentive Board are to be located in San Juan del Sur, Chinandega and Managua.

Source:  www.newsinamerica.com
Date: 09-07-09
Photos: www.intur.gob.ni

Fuente: centralamericagrapevine.com

World-class Fishing, Historical Battle Sites and Unexplored Rainforest Make the Rio San Juan a Must-See for Top Adventurers

Last update: 10:32 a.m. EST Nov. 5, 2008

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, Nov 05, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — A region rich with historic tales and ancient struggles, Rio San Juan, or San Juan River, which borders Costa Rica on the East, has seen its fair share of pirates, battles and entrepreneurs. Even the most outgoing adventurers will be shocked to find some of the world’s largest tarpon, weighing in at over 400 pounds, alongside Howler and Spider Monkeys, jaguars, anteaters and more in the largest uninterrupted stretch of rainforest north of the Amazon Basin.

According to Joshua Berman, co-author of the just released Moon Nicaragua guidebook (Sept. 2008), “The Rio San Juan is one of Nicaragua’s most alluring and remote regions. From the stunning natural and cultural attractions of the Solentiname Archipelago to the old walls of El Castillo’s 17th-century Spanish fort, Rio San Juan is a rare and serene part of the country … “

Connecting the Caribbean Sea to Central America’s largest lake, Lake Nicaragua, Rio San Juan has been considered on more than one occasion as a possible site for what is now the Panama Canal. Its start in Lake Nicaragua is guarded by the Solentiname Archipelago, a 36-island chain formed by the eruptions of nearby volcanoes, while the river’s entrance to the Caribbean Sea is a tantalizing tangle of smaller streams and estuaries. Spanish explorers first discovered the river’s outlet to the sea in 1525 and immediately realized the importance of controlling access to the massive lake. Used as a major trade connection for Granada, Havana and Cartagena de Indias, Rio San Juan caught the attention of 16th century pirates in search of treasure.

Today, the “Golden Route” as locals know it, is a top destination for travelers looking to explore untouched forest and ancient towns. Tours are offered starting in San Carlos, the town located at the river’s start on Lake Nicaragua, and continue to different points along the river. Two large natural reserves, Los Guatuzos and Esperanza Verde (Green Hope), offer hiking trails, lodging, dining and ecological centers. More popular and much larger, is the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve, named after two smaller rivers that run through it. In the surrounding tropical rainforest it isn’t uncommon to find turtles, crocodiles, manatees and jaguar. Various populations of migratory birds and indigenous monkeys can also be heard in the treetops.

Stepping back in time is easily done while floating down Rio San Juan. The historical village of El Castillo, named after a famous Spanish fortress built in colonial times, was a notorious stomping ground for Spanish conquerors and buccaneer pirates. Boat tours drop explorers off at the village’s port, where they can interact with the community and ascend the ancient military fortress for a sprawling view of the surrounding forest. El Castillo’s interior is now a historical museum with a small library conserving the fortress’ past. Horseback tours, canoe trips and rainforest hikes are all available from this colonial village.

Getting there

There are various ways to get to Rio San Juan-daily flights are available from Managua to San Carlos and take about 45 minutes. By boat, a ferry runs from Granada with stops at a few islands along the way. This takes about 12 hours in total.

Renting a car, hiring a car or taking a bus is another possibility-a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended during the rainy season and takes approximately 9 hours from Managua. Managua’s bus transit is another option and takes about 10 hours.

Where to stay

Monte Cristo River Lodge: Monte Cristo is an eco-tourism lodge boasting trophy-sized tarpon and one-of-a-kind views of the rare Macua bird. Visit www.montecristoriver.com for more information.

Sabalos Lodge: Located along the banks of Rio San Juan, Sabalos Lodge features riverside hammocks for lazy days in the tropics and rainforest dips under trees filled with whiteface monkeys. Visit www.sabaloslodge.com for more information.

South American Fiesta ( www.southamericanfiesta.com ) and Kaiyote Tours ( www.kaiyotetours.com ) both offer tours to Rio San Juan.

Source: marketwatch.com

Nicaragua’s volcanoes, coastlines and colonial towns are no longer a secret among travelers seeking authentic Central America — and they have fewer crowds than neighboring Costa Rica. Yet despite the growing popularity of Granada, Leon and San Juan del Sur, certain places remain well off the tourist radar.Managua, the capital, is one of Nica’s most overlooked destinations and has long been dismissed by foreign visitors, who linger in the metropolis only long enough to change planes or catch the first bus out of town. Those willing to scratch beneath the surface, though, find a proud and fascinating city with a wild landscape and rich history.

Excellent restaurants and nightlife, cozy colonial hotels and a surreal assortment of sights make for rewarding exploring, and help put this land of lakes, poets and revolutionaries into context.

Perched along the shores of the Lago Xolotlán, Managua is a low-rise city of winding streets. Woven into its geography are picturesque crater lakes, with volcanoes to the north and south and the Meseta de Estrada mountain range to the northeast.

A city of tropical verdure, it’s also one of constant reinvention, an essential quality given the wounds that nature has inflicted. Monstrous earthquakes have twice leveled the city, once in 1931 when it was still a tiny municipality, and again in 1972, when five square miles of the city were instantly wiped out, leaving some 20,000 dead.

RETURNING HOME

Since then, the former downtown near the lakeshore, known as zona monumental, was largely abandoned. This forlorn collection of former museums, plazas and government offices was the bustling heart of Managua prior to the quake. Abandoned for a generation, the neighborhood is slowly being revitalized, and capatalinos (Managua residents) have recently started returning to the area.

The streets end at the lake, where the malecon skirts along a colorful assortment of lakeside kiosks and a rickety theme park. Morning is the best time to visit, when songbirds fill the trees around the parks and a cool breeze blows off the lakefront. Among the highlights here is the shell of the old cathedral, whose hauntingly beautiful facade is decorated with murals and stone angels. Despite promises, it has never been restored.

On a grassy plaza a few blocks south is the country’s most evocative revolutionary monument. The Monumento de la Paz is a lighthouse built atop the destroyed remains of thousands of weapons, including a tank, from the Sandinista-Contra War of the 1970s-80s. These were forever encased in concrete by former President Violeta de Chamorro. The nearby Palacio Nacional de la Cultura has impressive exhibits on the conflict and Nicaragua’s more distant past.

Also in the area are the Casa Presidencial, where current President Ortega works, and the Centro Cultural de Managua, the city’s former Gran Hotel. The first floor contains the Bar La Cavanga, a 1950s-era gem, which stages live folk and jazz shows in the evenings. A few blocks north is the Teatro Rubén Darío, a graceful building that was one of the few in the area to survive the earthquake. The second-floor balcony boasts pretty lake views.

There are numerous ways to experience the dramatic scenery (and perhaps see some wildlife) within city limits. Among four crater lakes in Managua, Laguna Tiscapa is the easiest to reach and offers splendid views over the lushly forested lagoon. A zipline whisks down the hillside (for maximum adrenaline boost, opt for the ”Superman” pose).

A short drive south of the capital, the Montibelli Wildlife Reserve has 162 hectares of tropical dry forest. Along the trails, visitors have spectacular views of nearby volcanoes Masaya, Mombacho and Cerro Ventarrón, and impressive glimpses of birds, butterflies and howler monkeys.

NIGHT SONGS

In the evening, Managua comes into its own, with dozens of lively, music-filled bars and restaurants about town. Not far from the zona monumental is Ruta Maya, an airy thatch-roof bar where a laid-back crowd comes to hear live Nicaraguan folk music.

For a denser concentration of nightspots, head to the Zona Rosa, an upscale district in the south of the city. In addition to trendy bars and restaurants, this is the neighborhood of the intimate Casa de los Mejia Godoy, a club (and nonprofit foundation) started by the legendary Godoy musicians Carlos and his brother Luis Enrique.

The Bello Horizonte rotunda in the northeast corner of town is another great place to head. An epicenter for party people, this area provides premium strolling past discos and bars, grill stands and fast-food joints. Wandering bands of sparkly, big-hatted mariachi musicians add to the fray.