Exploring Ometepe Island: Ometepe Island is an ecological jewel in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, covered with dry tropical rainforest and home to two volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, that are joined by a small land isthmus. It's a serene location in which to enjoy water sports, fishing, horse riding and mountain biking, and to stumble upon untouched petroglyphs and statues from the Pre-Columbian era.
Kayaking at Apoyo Lagoon: If one of Nicaragua's many volcanoes hadn't erupted over 25,000 years ago, the beautiful and tranquil Apoyo Lagoon would not exist today. Proclaimed as the lowest point in Central America, the lagoon is over 200 metres deep and six kilometres wide, making it an ideal spot for kayaking. A walk around the shoreline can result in sightings of the howler monkey, the white-faced capuchin monkey, toucans and morpho butterflies in the surrounding forest.
Fitting in with the Locals: Nicaraguans love to sing and dance. Expect to be pulled into a revolutionary sing-song or spontaneous poetry recital during your travels. A hearty cry of "Viva Nicaragua!" should endear you to any fiercely proud and patriotic locals.
Celebrating the Maypole Festival: A vivid and frenetic annual festival that is truly representative of Nicaragua's Creole culture, the May Pole Festival (Festival de Palo de Mayo) in Bluefields takes its cue from the fusion of European maypole and Afro-Caribbean traditions. Mesmeric tribal dancers surround a European-style maypole, adorned with fruit and ribbons. Local parties, concerts, fiercely competitive dancing contests and the incessant beat of feelgood Caribbean music carry on throughout the month of May.
Hiking Volcán San Cristóbal: Standing proud as the tallest volcano in Nicaragua at 1745 metres, San Cristóbal is affectionately known as El Viejo -- Old Man. A walk from the base to the summit takes approximately two-and-a-half hours. San Cristóbal makes up part of the Los Maribios volcanic mountain range. Smoke continuously billows out from the top, a surefire sign that the Old Man still commands respect. In 1685 it bubbled with lava and conveniently served as a lighthouse to the pirates that attacked Realejo port and the city of León.
Wandering through Bluefields: The capital of Nicaragua's RAAS region (Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur) and the oldest city on the Caribbean coast, Bluefields dates back to 1602, when it was the chosen spot for pirates and English merchants looking to settle in an area of lush natural beauty. Its curious name comes from the Dutch pirate, Henry Bluefeldt, who sought refuge there. Tropical humidity enshrouds a multi-ethnic community that has both European, Creole and Mestizo roots.
Exploring the Ruins of León Viejo: León Viejo was the first city to be founded by the Spanish in Nicaragua (in 1524) and is one of the oldest Spanish colonial settlements in the Americas. In 2000 the ruins were deservedly pronounced a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the ruins are the first cathedral of Nicaragua, Catedral de Santa María de la Gracia, and the Iglesia La Merced, where the remains of Pedro Arias de Ávila and Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, Nicaragua's Spanish conquerors, were discovered. In León Viejo's central plaza Francisco Hernández de Córdoba was famously beheaded on the orders of his aforementioned superior.
Eating and Drinking like the Locals: Breakfast on gallo pinto (red and white beans and rice) and huevos revueltos (scrambled eggs). Mountains of tropical fruit such as papayas and mangoes are always available. Try steak cooked a la plancha (on the grill) or travel to the Atlantic coast to eat red snapper and pan de coco (coconut bread).
Visiting the Catedral Santiago de los Caballeros: The neo-classical Catedral Santiago de Caballeros in Managua's Old Quarter was designed by Belga Pablo Danbash and constructed between 1929 and 1934. The earthquake of 1972 partially destroyed the building and froze the large clock that once stood inside. The clock now lives inside the Restoration Room of the Museo Nacional and continues to be stuck on the exact time of when the earthquake struck.
Touring the Chichigalpa Rum Factory: Rum is a reason good enough in itself to visit the Chichigalpa Rum Factory, where a tour of the factory provides a glimpse of the spirit's complete elaboration process, from distillation to bottling. A fact many visitors are unaware of is that cane sugar is used to generate electricity in the area.
Bringing Home Nicaraguan Treasures: Scan the Mercado Roberto Huembes in Managua for wooden furniture and rocking chairs. Hammocks and wooden jewellery can be found in Masaya, straw hats in Grenada, and traditional paintings in Isla de Ometepe. Travel off the beaten track to the Solentiname archipelago for pen-and-ink drawings.
