Things To Do in Bluefields

Bluefields itself has no bathing beaches. Much of the area was destroyed by Hurricane Joan in 1988, after which the port was moved across the bay to El Bluff. You can reach El Bluff, where giant fishing boats and tankers are docked amid fish-packing factories, on boats that run daily across the bay. It's an ugly but interesting harbor scene. Bluefields' most interesting building is the shore-side Moravian Church. Rebuilt after the hurricane, it was first constructed in 1848, and now sports a red roof and neat wooden paneling reminiscent of Caribbean buildings. It is in front of the Municipal Dock and is open for morning and evening services at 8am and 6pm.

Festivals

Palo de Mayo is the event of the year, when the entire town gets down to some serious Caribbean boogying throughout the month of May. The festival actually has English and Dutch origins, when a maypole was erected in the center of town and the people celebrated the coming of spring by decorating it with ribbons and flowers. The modern version is somewhat racier and erotic, with parades, costumes, and dancing to a soundtrack of tropical calypso music. September 30 is the city's patron saint day, and the locals need little excuse to party, with a repeat festival on October 30 celebrating the region's autonomy. Food, music, and dancing are the order of the day.

This so-called "Jamaica of Nicaragua" certainly comes alive at night, and the locals have no inhibitions when it comes to getting down. Bluefields lives and breathes music, and the rough-and-tumble bars and clubs here play an eclectic mix, to say the least. One minute, you might be grinding to Daddy Yankee, and next, weeping into your beer to Tammy Wynette. Whatever you do, dress down and make sure you get a taxi to and from the venues listed below, for safety reasons.

Four Brothers, 6 blocks south of the park in Barrio Puntafria (no phone), is a popular roadhouse disco that gets a good mix of people. It is open Thursday to Sunday, and the party here goes on all night. Fresh Point (no phone) is a similar roadhouse disco, but with a slightly livelier scene. It is 2km (1 1/4 miles) north of the city, northeast of the Municipal Dock, and has a pleasant outdoor area with palm trees and tables overlooking the bay. Saturday night is the best night here. La Loma Rancho (tel. 505/2572-2875), is a restaurant that converts into a happening party spot on Thursday through Sunday, with great views overlooking the city. Cima Club, 1 block west of the Moravian Church on Avenida Cabezas (no phone), is a more laid-back joint, with salsa and Latin beats and a little karaoke, as well as open-air seating.