10 REASONS TO VISIT & FALL IN LOVE WITH NICARAGUA BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE DOES

In 2017 I had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua with Travel Girl Yoga. This was my second yoga retreat with this group following Costa Rica and I made a promise to myself to go on one every year because that is how much I enjoyed myself! I must say Nicaragua was like nowhere I had ever been before ever and in the most magical, wonderful way possible! I could not believe for so little money I was exploring such a beautiful, private, historical place. It almost felt too good to be true! But it wasn’t! I flew into the Managua Airport and was taken via driver to the Pelican Eye Resort and Spa in San Juan Del Sur and the magic was instantaneous! Take a look at my 10 reasons to visit and fall in love with Nicaragua before everyone else does and it becomes that pricey place called Tulum!

1. PRIVACY >TOURISTY

Don’t get me wrong I LOVED my trip to Costa Rica but for me it felt a little more touristy, especially in the Tamarindo area. I knew I was getting ripped off on things because the cost for souvenirs in the airport was more than half the price of what was being sold on the streets. Not cool! I was stunned by the fact that every beach we were taken to in Nicaragua we had all of it practically to ourselves! I felt like I was on my own private island the entire trip. It was glorious!

2. SO CHEAP

Nicaragua was insanely affordable. None of that supply and demand funny business, where car rides and food prices get jacked up because the people in town can tell we are visiting. I never got the feeling I was being ripped off. One weekend night there was even a Carnival Cruise that docked and I have been in cities when that happens and the restaurant literally pulls out entire different menus with more expensive pricing because they know the tourists are going to pay the money no matter what. None of that in Nicaragua! The price is the price and that is all. No surprises!

3. THE BREATHTAKING SUNSETS

I have been around the world and can honestly say I have never seen a more beautiful sunset than in Nicaragua. Just going to leave some photos here and say no more.

4. PRIVATE, HIDDEN BEACHES

Like I said no matter the beach we were taken to it was literally all to ourselves! I feel like a lot of the reason for this is Nicaragua isn’t the popular place to go right now. And I am totally okay with that! I understand it wasn’t the safest place to travel a few years ago but not once did I feel unsafe on my trip. The water was clear and clean, the air was fresh and crisp, and the sand felt untouched. It was simply beautiful.

5. THE ADVENTURE

From massive active volcanoes to desirable surfing waves to hiking up to Jesus himself. I almost forgot we even took a boat out to an island filled with monkeys! Where in the world can you seriously do that? At the Pelican Eye Resort we did yoga on the yoga deck in the butterfly garden. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. Holding yoga poses with butterflies filled in the air and landing on you mid pose. It was truly spectacular.

6. NICE PEOPLE

I could not get over how kind the people were in Nicaragua. Sure there are some areas throughout the country where you are advised to not be alone BUT aside from that (which you have everywhere in the world) the people were so insanely nice, helpful, and happy to share their country. Every person I met was so happy to be of service to us and was so grateful and appreciative not just of their tips but of the conversations and stories we shared. I didn’t feel much of a language barrier at all. For the most part every person I met knew English. Our drivers were always so eager to show us how beautiful Nicaragua was and show us all of its hidden gems.

7. LAID BACK

In general Nicaragua was a very laid back culture. It didn’t feel too busy or too stressful. We know how busy and hustle bustle our cities can feel in the U.S. I can honestly say there was none of that in Nicaragua. The days are approached with ease and no one is in any rush. Life is more laid back and I loved it!

8. HISTORIC CULTURE

We had the pleasure of visiting the oldest colonial city in Nicaragua called Granada. Here we walked through a plethora of street markets, colorful historic buildings, watched how chocolate is made, and walked through a glorious cemetery… yes I said a cemetery was glorious. The amount of things to discover in Granada felt endless. I could have easily spent more time there. I couldn’t get enough!

9. THE ART

Almost everything with a price tag on it was handmade in all the markets we went too. Beautiful artwork, purses, clothing, shoes. I felt like I have never seen anything like that in the United States. I wanted to buy literally everything! Just another contributing factor to the beauty of this country.

10. THE CUISINE

I LOVED the food! Fresh fruit, fresh chocolate, and o so many vegan options! It was pretty impressive to see how many healthy options lined the streets of San Juan Del Sur. I will never forget this restaurant we came across called The Beach House (photo below). We had dinner with the shutters open and the sound of the ocean just right outside. The Simon Says smoothie bar was another fav! The food did not disappoint for me!