NICARAGUA - ¡Va Pues Tours!

MARCH 2014
SENIOR VOICE AMERICA
PAGE 21
TRAVEL
NICARAGUA
Adventure in the Land
of Lakes and Volcanoes
By Lourdes M. Sáenz
Looking for an affordable, out of the
ordinary vacation? There is an enchanting natural wonder still in its developmental stage, free of the pollution of overcrowded
tourist traps. Just a short flight out of Miami,
or even out of our local Tampa airport, is a land
of mountains where volcanoes are kings, some
sleeping giants and others with their mighty power still visible in fuming craters. This is a land rich
in water destinations for the adventurous tourist,
the fishing fans or those just looking to relax—a land
of beautiful secluded beaches, giant pristine lakes, turquoise lagoons and abundant river formations offering
thrills to any visitor. This magical destination is called
the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes, and it is our vacation
spotlight: Nicaragua.
According to historical accounts, Nicaragua gets its
name from the powerful tribal king Nicarau, who was encountered by the first Spaniards arriving at his shores.
The largest country of Central America, Nicaragua boasts
the two largest lakes in this part of the continent: Lake
Managua and Lake Nicaragua, which is also the secondlargest lake in the Americas, after Peru’s Lake Titicaca.
Nicaragua has survived several troublesome wars and
insurrections through the years, and it is still plagued by
poverty, a problem evident in cities and rural areas alike.
On the positive side, it offers the opportunity for an inexpensive and safe vacation, as crime rates are very low and
tourists can move about and enjoy the country as part of
an organized trip or as individuals. Tourism has been a
growing industry in the past few years, and both government and private business sectors have injected funds
and effort into the travel industry to attract tourists from
all over the world. American tourists in Nicaragua have
always been the adventurous surfing fans, due to the
country’s renowned high-wave beaches that are famous
in the sports circuit. Further, the number of U.S. visitors
is growing, as are the amenities catering to all types of
budgets and vacationing styles. Getting around is fairly
simple, as there is a broad array of services including car
rentals, taxis, tour operators, and buses, and the majority
of the employees of such agencies speak fluent English.
For our group, this trip to Nicaragua was aimed at relaxation, so the beach was at the top of our list. Beaches
here remain largely in an undeveloped state, resulting in
a lack of hotels or neighboring businesses such as you
would normally see at other vacation spots. Natural beau-
ty is undisturbed along the Pacific coast, where you can
find endless stretches of dark volcanic sand beaches like
Pochomil and Masachapa flaunting the picturesque
thatched roofs of restaurants, huts complete with colorful
hammocks, friendly staff and the freshest fried fish and
other delicacies from the sea. The beaches are an ideal
place to spend a day, and since public access is limited
and large tourist transport is never present, one is sure to
find relaxation away from the crowds and the stress. Enjoy the sound of the waves, cold drinks, good food, the
opportunity to take a stroll on a horse or a ride on an all
terrain-vehicle—or simply relax and watch the most
amazing sunsets.
Farther south from the capital Managua is another
pastoral beach developed around a beautiful crescent bay
called San Juan del Sur, where one finds a greater presence of national and international tourism. The waterfront is lined with restaurants and other businesses, and
the bay is filled with small fishing boats. The brightly colored houses and breathtaking views from the higher surroundings are a must-capture for any tourist’s camera.
We visited San Juan and enjoyed an amazing day of
adventure at the hands of Javier Baldovinos and Aracne
Rapelling, in addition to Da’ Flying Frog Canopy combination tour. This tour was not for the faint of heart, but it
was an amazing experience in lush green surroundings
with even better views of the ocean and San Juan. Our
tour started with a drive up the mountain to the rappelling area, which centers around a 150-foot waterfall. It
was dry rock for us as it was not the rainy
season, but still an adrenaline-packed
challenge.
After conquering our fears and surviving the descent, we hiked through steep
terrain to end up at the next part of our
adventure: sixteen platforms and zip line
rides covering more than 8,200 feet—the
longest line was 1,076 feet! Exhilarating
and fun, these rides take you high above
the forest and down into the valley, surrounded by the high-pitched screams of
monkeys and songs from hundreds of
tropical birds. In the area of San Juan,
there are also dozens of remote, spectacular virgin beach locations, where dramatic dark rock formations break the
waves and provide a good surfing environment. These areas are hard to reach
unless you have four-wheel drive transportation, but if you are make it to one,
you will not be disappointed.
Aside from the
beaches, Nicaragua
offers the opportunity to tour its colonial cities. Granada
and Léon were
founded by Spanish
conquistador Francisco Hernández de
Córdoba in 1524 and
clashed throughout
history, battling to
be Nicaragua’s capital city until Managua became the permanent capital in 1858.
See NICARAGUA, Page 27
San Juan del Sur bay
MARCH 2014
SENIOR VOICE AMERICA
From NICARAGUA Page 21
We visited Granada, known as the “Colonial Jewel,”
and found it to be charming and clean, with well-kept
buildings that made us forget we were walking in one
of the oldest colonial cities on the American continent. Cobblestone streets surround its central park,
which faces a massive gold and white cathedral. A
boulevard leads to the edge of Cocibolca, or Lake
Nicaragua, which is home to more than 400 islands—300 of which are within five miles of Granada. We were able to see some of these small islands
up close during a delightful boat journey offered
by Vapues Tours. The trip starts in the center of town and the
guides are well educated in all historical accounts of the birth of
the city and its development through history. We learned that
Granada was a key point for exploration of the San Juan River and
crucial in the transportation of merchandise between Central
America and Spain.
The boat ride to the Isletas, Spanish for “small islands,” was pleasant and we were able to see the everyday life on the islands that are inhabited. The
majority of the large islands, owned by influential nationals or foreigners, boast large homes amidst luscious tropical gardens that drape down to the edge of
the dark volcanic rocks and splashing lake. We witnessed some real amazing constructions with large
pools, docks for boats, and other amenities. Surprizingly, in a country where there are still many rural areas that do not enjoy running water and electricity,
the lake islands provide a stark contrast — they are
completely wired for electrical service and pipe in
fresh water from the city of Granada. Although the
lake water is not potable, we learned that it could serve as a water source to a city or neighboring country if
needed.
We had a brief stop to visit an ancient fort, built to fend off pirate attacks and to protect the city at all
times. Another stop was to enjoy the view and take photos of monkeys at their own island habitat and then, a
final stop for refreshment at an island restaurant. We highly recommend this two-hour tour to all who visit
Granada, or a more lengthy version that includes a visit to Zopango Island with the opportunity for swimming, hiking and a lunch of local fresh fish cooked right in front of you.
Nicaragua is also world famous for its volcanoes. There are 19 in all, and eight that are still active. Mombacho, one of the extinct volcanoes, possesses amazing size and incredible beauty. This volcano, situated near the
city of Granada, hosts a tropical forest which grew over thousands of years until it covered the interior of the
crater. It offers the opportunity for a superb hike all the way around the crater in the shade of the jungle and encounters with a great variety of flora and fauna, as well as incredible panoramic views of Lake Cocibolca.
Another volcano-related adventure offered to us by Vapues was a visit to Cerro Negro, the youngest volcano in Central America, which is still active. The volcano is unique due to its small stature and steep slopes
lacking any vegetation. On this tour, tourists have the chance to climb the 1,650-foot mountain via a rough
trail. Once at the top, the fun begins with a rapid descent down the façade of ash, sand and rock — on a
snowboard if you have experience and previous training, or seated on a board. Either way, you receive protective gear and instructions. This is an unforgettable
experience not to be missed by any adventure-hungry
tourist, and safe enough to be enjoyed by the entire
family.
Next, we visited Nicaragua’s biggest national park,
home to the Masaya volcano. The park includes two volcanoes and five craters. These volcanoes have erupted
several times throughout history, and were feared by
both the indigenous people and the Spanish conquerors. Masaya is the only volcano in the Western Hemisphere whose smoking crater is accessible by vehicle.
Visitors can peek over the edge and look into the impressive crater, which continuously emits smoke and
sulfur gases. Tourists may also take advantage of a museum explaining the history and evolution of the volcano, and hiking trails that allow for wonderful views
and photo opportunities.
In conclusion, Nicaragua offers fun-filled vacations and variety to any visitor. Come for the diversity of its
natural environments, from beaches to volcanoes. Come to learn from fascinating cities full of history and
culture. Come to participate in activities ranging from relaxation to extreme adventures. Enjoy your choice
of lodgings, from world-class luxury resorts to eco-friendly cabins by the sea. Nicaragua offers a wonderful
climate year-round, friendly people, colorful folkloric traditions, and varied, delicious gastronomical delights. It is the perfect place for an affordable vacation packed with fun, satisfying experiences and memorable moments.
Special thanks to:
Gloria Ordóñez, Instituto Nicaraguense de Turismo (INTUR) • www.visitanicaragua.com
Maylin Yagela and Katherine Torres Rubí, Vapues Tours S.A. • www.vapues.com
Javier Baldovinos, Aracne Rappelling Tours & Da’ Flying Frog Canopy Tour • www.daflyingfrog.com
Photos by: Lizbeth Mendieta
PAGE 27
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