Nicaragua, The Latin Dictatorship No One Mentions (

In the middle of Central America, situated above Costa Rica and below Honduras, lies a country that's been out of the news for a few decades. Older Americans know it from the Sandinistas and the Iran-Contra affair.
This is Nicaragua. It's never been as tourist friendly as Costa Rica, nor has it been as violent as it's northern neighbors. Nicaragua doesn't fit neatly into a box. The eastern half of the country speaks English, a legacy of British colonialism and American intervention. The rest of the country speaks a unique dialect of Spanish. With volcanos and lakes, the nature is stunning.
And oh yeah, it's also a transit point for drugs arriving from South America. But as we'll see, this isn't Cartel land..
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Instagram: sabbatical.tommy
Patreon: / sabbaticaltommy
#sabbatical #nicaragua #centroamerica

[@SabbaticalTommy]

My annual trip to Latin America! Vamos chicos. And also the last video from my backlog. Big, big trip after this. By the way, had to remove a few scenes from this because YT copyright claimed the background music. I'll put those and some other extra scenes from the trip on Patreon: www.patreon.com/sabbaticaltommy

[@lokoteconunoshuevotes4685]

Was this the video from the morning just edited?

[@robertwearing8132]

The copyright claims against incidental background music (which is covered under fair use) is so frustrating.

[@super8nacho]

Will you make vlogs in Oceania??? I love your content Tommy 🙏🙏

[@SabbaticalTommy]

@@lokoteconunoshuevotes4685 Yeah, had to edit and reupload

[@SabbaticalTommy]

@@super8nacho Not cheap or easy to get to those islands but I’ll find a way over

[@Waxy_Qtip]

The non cut Cigar at the end had me dying ... no wonder why it was "a lot harder to smoke" 🤣

[@felixdale3950]

lol I did that when I was 18 in college

[@adambenrkhissa6782]

lol at when people try to smoke cigars without Googling it or asking at the shop.

[@hawkbartril3016]

Funny as hell

[@cdawg7473]

HAHAHAHAHA

[@canadianmoosebuckaroo]

That cheap cigar was a joke. Cognac: YES

[@andreic2966]

These videos got me through so many tough moments in the past few years. It's entertainment meets therapy meets slice of life documentary. Thanks for all your hard work, Tommy!

[@booms4129]

agreed

[@Staroy]

Hope you are doing better brother

[@mascarenhas9624]

Wow same here, I tell you is like my kid and I never meet him. 😂 I am a 63 years old Granma. Is and real how good his travels are. Bye happy day to you.

[@markp7567]

I love this comment. It’s nice to know that other people find moments of distraction, peace, and some laughs watching travel vlogs, especially during tough times, just as I do.

[@brendan12882]

11:06 honestly one of the best parts of this Channel is Tommy throwing out the NY "how ya doin" in every country on the planet.

[@LaoLaoSW]

Hi Tommy, i'm in my late 20's and i suffer from a disability that makes it very hard to get around and explore, so thank you for allowing me to explore via your videos, Nicaragua seems like such an intresting place, i also enjoyed your Eritrea video and When you met that lady in the Japanese thrift (rehoming?) store :)

[@user-wb1kd9kq5p]

Being a 400 pound American does not count as a disability!😂

[@musical_lolu4811]

​@user-wb1kd9kq5p is that the disability he said he has?

[@whydoineedahandle406]

@@user-wb1kd9kq5pwtf dude

[@dennisrivera-cash165]

Very cool 👌 My family is from Bluefields, Nicaragua but I was born & raised in Upstate NY. Family goes back and forth to Bluefields regularly. Literally, very few Americans know about the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua and how unique the culture is.

[@SabbaticalTommy]

Wow, perfect combo for you the last 2 trips then

[@kodypratt]

That's that cocaine money 😅

[@Northernmike100]

@@kodyprattany Coke that travels through the area, does nothing to help the locals. How does an airplane landing on a dirt strip unloading packages to a nearby boat, help the local economy?

[@kodypratt]

@@Northernmike100 Sorry, my joke made you reveal that you aren't actually there and know literally what is happening, as neither do I. Calm down

[@liamconverse8950]

Parts of Honduras have black Caribbean people who don't speak Spanish.

[@jerrysinclair8096]

I started to follow you approximately a year ago, when you were visiting South Africa and would never have thought you will visit my country. More than glad you are visiting Nicaragua, more than happy they granted you the opportunity to enter the country as because of the complexity of the social and political local status many youtubers entrance were denied. Please enjoy.

[@sossboy8016]

Keep it up Sabbatical your videos are great!

[@patrickdaly1393]

Tommy, you are one of the few KZbinrs who explain some history about the countries you visit. So far you've visited 3 countries where I've lived: Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname. Also, if you notice, the Nicaraguans who speak English sounds a lot like Jamaicans, and the patty they sell on the road is typical of Jamaica, but they are sold in restaurants instead. Google 'Jamaican Beef Patty'

[@Northernmike100]

Which obviously is a derivative of English Patties and hand pies.

[@avidtraveller]

Thanks Tommy. Love your stuff. I made the transition from Harald Baldr to Mr. Bald and Bankrupt to you. I really enjoy living vicariously through you. Cheers.

[@michaelj.beglinjr.2804]

I just found this channel a few days ago, and can't get enough of these videos, and I thank you for making them. I can't tell you how much I wish I could visit these places, but this is the next-best thing.

[@globallibran378]

Yeah, Tommy moves different. Welcome 😊

[@walpoleandworcester]

Watching this while I’m sick! Thanks for all the great travel content.

[@ValentinaMitchell1]

I’m sick with you! Feel better soon!

[@acm_1028]

Me too!

[@forevern2dust]

get better soon, stranger

[@Uglyskinnyhike]

Feel better!

[@ValentinaMitchell1]

@@acm_1028 get well soon!

[@peterkovari]

It's the happiest i've seen Tommy in a long time! Bro's enjoying every second of his trip

[@collinsoconnor5843]

He got his dk suckd of dats y

[@EddieSpaghetti07]

You are adorable Peter ❤❤❤

[@derwolf158]

(Sees dude rowing a boat) “How you doin” 😂

[@stackorlee6053]

That was funny 😂

[@smackfpv]

Chicken buses! Enjoyed this! Have spent time and toured through Nicaragua on a motorcycle, there are some of the nicest people you could ever meet living there, especially in the more rural areas.

[@tkautzor]

Everywhere in Central America from Belize to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama you will find English-speaking communities of West Indian origin along the coast.

[@clivewarner2162]

Yeah. The ones in Bluefields speak a weird language and are waiting for the British King to rescue them.

[@elsalvedorven5546]

@@clivewarner2162 guess the king forgot about them years later lol

[@ElCSB]

@@clivewarner2162 they can go back to europe

[@dominicparralez8074]

@@clivewarner2162 The British ,They were the ones who destroyed the land and enslaved them , and took everything away and did not leave any infrastructure , they did not build any city in the east coast of Nicaragua , We can see the difference between the two regions , the Atlantic coast , and the Pacific coast .

[@Northernmike100]

I met a Honduran from the Caribbean, who only spoke English. No Spanish at all.

[@IamRibzz]

You need to cut the cigar next time 😂

[@narkoka]

i was dying bro was trying to pull and it wasnt even cut lmfao

[@SabbaticalTommy]

@@IamRibzz I needed an instruction manual!

[@Lumpygrits76]

Next up. How to drink an unopened beer with our buddy #SabbaticalTommy 😂😂😂

[@musical_lolu4811]

33:23 34:08 🤣🤣🤣

[@forsis80]

@@SabbaticalTommy kzbin.info/www/bejne/qobImYaKgdCliNE

[@terry-cn8ks]

I hope you'll be showing more videos from Nicaragua and i enjoyed watching thank you Tommy

[@gregoryian123]

I visited Nicaragua back in 1983 or 84 with my girlfriend at the time We stayed with her uni friend from Cornell who married a high ranking sandinista . It was a tense time in the evening you could hear fighting off in the distant mountains. Tourists were unheard of at the time . Most people thought we were Russians.

[@clivewarner2162]

I was there at that time installing a transmitter for Radio Catolica. My 2nd engineer was 'disappeared' for several days. I found myself taking part in a situation that reminded me of a 50s movie with a German bad guy in it. In the next field to my out of town loc, a Dakota was taking off once a week loaded with bags. I discovered later that it was Carlos Fuentes, the "Lord Of The Skies".

[@PasqualeDeRosa-n1v]

Excellent, one of your best, very informative and of course entertaining in your usual distinct style.

[@musical_lolu4811]

Glad to see you away from all the craziness of the US right now. Nice stress-free vlog. 👍🏽

[@skaskaska04]

Loved the video. Looks like a very beautiful country

[@lokech9272]

Tommy in a Tommy Hilfiger T shirt in Nicaragua 🇳🇮. Here we are watching you as we learn lots about the world from your videos. Much love from Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪

[@misterxyz5958]

Frankly speaking the more I watch your videos the more I like you😂, you look so humble and nice person especially when you can communicate with the local you visit. It's a sign that you are working hard to accomplish your job as a vlogger 👍

[@TheGracehew]

Another 👍vlog …this time on Nicaragua ~ certainly not what I’d expected at all!….Much Thanks Tommy☺️.

[@bubbabags5047]

That was a really chill video. thanks!

[@thingymabob2209]

Been following this channel through different accounts for years. Just noticed yer sub count has went well past the half million. Congrats man. I don't know why you don't have millions of subscribers. One of the best travel channels on LubeTube imo. Great vid as always man. 👍

[@stevecorlew7187]

I like the fact that the uncut cigar smoking was left in. 👍👍

[@Mister____X]

Bro I found your channel just a couple of days ago but it's now my favorite channel

[@tonybaloney6656]

Thanks Tommy , this video bought back memories of Oliver North and The Clash of all things.

[@markmartin6365]

Ha ha ha! Damm good album.

[@Rex..]

Tommy's boat at the beginning was named "IPhone X" 😂

[@comosaycomosah]

bro trying to suck a golf ball through a water hose with that cigar💀lol awesome chill episode bro!

[@formusicformusic]

You're in your element in Latin and South America, love that you're back there.

[@vehiculemagazine]

always good to see what your up to

[@DogheadOriginal]

Tommy puts shirts on without undoing the buttons.

[@Nummey]

I was there with you with the relaxed feeling having beers and no stress. :)

[@jackg9006]

My favorite country in central America

[@santinomamone2674]

Cool video Tommy ,,,, Gema is cool and pritty to

[@bryanyankulov3162]

I always enjoy watching your Channel Tommy. B Safe out there and God Bless America 🇺🇸.

[@bobharris7401]

Love your walking tours.

[@youreprettygood2603]

33:48 you're supposed to cut the tip of the cigar, if you don't have a cigar cutter regular scissors will do, use your lighter around the open tip and gently blow on it until the entire thing is red hot, then puff without inhaling, not too often maybe once per minute, you smoke a cigar slowly it's not a cigarette, tap the cigar gently on your ashtray, the goal is to keep the tip lit on until you're done smoking and not have to use your lighter everytime.

[@WayWillow]

Ha, like a rookie pot smoker.

[@user-tl2iu9mx3l]

@32:45 just a suggestion, I think most guys would like to know what you think about the beers you try when your visiting the various locations. Again just a suggestion. Thanks for sharing content.

[@shephusted2714]

this was a good one - pretty low stress trip, good look at the country

[@ValentinaMitchell1]

😂😂 10:58 The hotel pool “ Yeahhhh, it will dooo “ too funny!

[@quackgarage9551]

The cigar at the end LOLLLL, you're the man Tommy, real Sopranos stuff 😎

[@aapollo100]

Your videos helped inspire me to travel mexico and south america this second half of the year. Lookin forward to rewatching the Argentna vids. Have fun!

[@Lumpygrits76]

😂😂😂 Just a little helpful tip. 😂😂😂 Smoking a cigarette without cutting the tip is like trying to drink a beer without popping the cap. 😂😂😂 Things just tend to flow better after they’re opened 😂😂😂

[@1flo]

Thanks for all the great videos Tommy! I have been following your account since 2024and I have been watching many of your older trips, e.g ARG, as well. Keep up your great work!

[@mcanada1960]

I do believe you offended the lady your with you when you compared her size to the drain hole ! 😉

[@RicardoRMedina]

12:04 People drain their sewage waters where you are bathing.......

[@vincevega0]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@marcogelsomini7655]

it makes you stronger

[@atilathesonofdanubius4277]

Finally, you got some style on that hair and the shirt looks good for a change. Great video!

[@Nummey]

I was going to say it's his most stylish video yet lol. Rocked the shirt

[@idm1996]

I have followed your travels around the globe ! How the headhave you learnt to be so fluent in so many languages !

[@RovexHD]

Nicaragua looks pretty banged up in terms of infrastructure.

[@Trux3d]

In terms of people there is hope

[@ZuckerbergDaReptilian]

Good ole communism!

[@ambessaseway5594]

Thanks for Mississippi

[@michaelmuncy3593]

@@ZuckerbergDaReptilian It's a dictatorship, not a communist government.

[@RovexHD]

@@Trux3d I’m sure. After watching his African videos, I’m just surprised what he showed here didn’t look much better than even provincial African towns !

[@robc7881]

Just sat down for lunch - perfect timing :D

[@kanadiankorner]

Sounded like you thought you were in Jamaica a couple times. 😂 Also need to cut the end off that cigar my man. 👍

[@samparker2828]

Thanks!

[@The144Kth]

That lady friend of yours seems like she is worried about what her significant other might think about her guiding you about!

[@kennethblachlyjr3040]

I thought he and her were gonna hook up

[@oldfort88]

​@@kennethblachlyjr3040not every interaction with a woman is sexual

[@kennethblachlyjr3040]

@oldfort88 true but you can tell when there's a vibe. In MY opinion, I saw a vibe

[@oldfort88]

@@kennethblachlyjr3040 you see every female interaction as an opportunity. That's the problem. Sometimes it's not

[@kennethblachlyjr3040]

@@oldfort88 no wrong again. You sure make a lot of assumptions. We don't you get laid or smoke a joint or something instead of worrying about what I'm doing. I'll bet you a Biden voter

[@turquoise950]

Was literally just looking for a new video from you! My ESP worked!

[@sillywilly5033]

Sabbatical have you ever visit Uruguay started watching your videos when you went back to Argentina and I loves those video your Spanish accent fits perfectly over there anyways as an Uruguayan born American raised would love to see you make a video in uruguay bit I know it kinda boring lol

[@dripeedrop]

Thank you Tommy for bringing my beautiful native land into your exploration channel. There's much more to see and I hope you return back soon to Nicaragua. Places to see are: Masaya Volcano, El mirador de catalina in Masaya. Beaches to visit: pocho mil, la boquita and San Juan Del Sur. To answer your question as to why there's a pig at the end of video?. Is because "Every pig gets its Saturday". Meaning, every Saturday somewhere in Nicaragua a pig gets slaughtered for nacatamales and chicharrón. Umm, I just spoiled my lunch.

[@miahconnell23]

Love Gemma !! 😍❤️🥰

[@jongilchrist7229]

You're the best Tommy. Seriously, of all the travel blogs around you are the best. You're intelligent, you speak multiple languages, you're likable and and unpretentious. You really won me over with your Congo visit, you almost got arrested. I can't imagine what a prison in Congo would be like. But you put your butt on the line that day.

[@user-vw2jt4gi1v]

I just happen to come across your video and fell in love with it! You were traveling over NyState… it was very interesting as I live in Syracuse I totally agree with all you said! I’m amazed at your knowledge about so much! I love your suggestion on NY to be on its own … I truly wish that would happen! If you ever ran for representative of NY I would definitely vote for you! Have a safe trip where ever your camera takes you! Looking to see more of you and your travels! God Bless

[@williamswetnam4070]

I lived in Nicaragua twice: 1997 - 1998, and 2004 - 2005. I was fortunate to visit Pearl Lagoon in 1998.

[@BGratefully]

As someone else stated your Your Vlog has gotten me through some rough times in the past couple of years Tommy. I have the wanderlust but I am unable to travel due to health issues. I racked up a bunch of miles here in the states back in the day when you could hitch a thumb though, and of course I wore out a few Chevys and Plymouths in the process. Keep up the good work and lots of love to you. btw- I particularly enjoyed your Jamaican trips any chance on another run?

[@ricklevet-torres5418]

Really interesting video. I learnt a lot of new things about Nicaragua. It seems like a nice place to visit.

[@kevinc8744]

Lucky to have A/C in the room!

[@user-mz1gw5cm5f]

As always Sabbatical a very informative vid❤🎉

[@alvaviagens]

Wow! Really good trip in Nicaragua. Ótimo vídeo na Nicarágua.

[@iluvmyeski]

My family is from Nicaragua!! What up my Nicars!!

[@ohjajohh]

6:30 Yeah that's interesting. I never really thought of it like that. From the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean in a few hours

[@mattloan2475]

you have to cut your end of the cigar a little..gets airflow. Great vid by the way! thank you!

[@NewYorksWorstDrivers]

You underestimated your camera. The sound is great with all the wind

[@km4fsi827]

Its good to see you with a traveling pardoner that's not that bad looking. 👍 as always good video! stay safe man!

[@stlukes09bymycreator98]

Thanks 🇺🇸 Tommy’ love your video and your beautiful guide, please be safe out there in journey land may God watch over you at all times ❤️🙏

[@erickandrade4895]

This is incredibly sad...I'm brazilian immigrante from usa and adopted by a costa rican...and i've never been that deep inside of nicaragua but I don't think I want to go any time soon

[@clivewarner2162]

You're dead right about that!

[@88yota]

I've been watching your videos for since '21 and it still cracks me up when you let out your inner monologue like @ 11:05 "Guy rowing a boat, how ya doin?" haha

[@jago76]

The best real travel channel on KZbin.

[@dougspanky]

FYI China is trying to build a canal through Nicaragua right now

[@dertythegrower]

hope he covers that... its a big deal

[@gagamba9198]

'Nicaragua cancels Chinese plan for controversial canal 10 years on', 8 May 2024. _Nearly a decade after it broke ground on a controversial plan to build a canal linking the Atlantic and the Pacific, Nicaragua has canceled a concession granted to a Chinese businessman to complete the project which critics said would endanger the environment and displace rural communities._ _Despite a symbolic “ground-breaking” in 2014, no work was done on the canal that was to link Nicaragua’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts. At one point, crews broke ground on access roads near the canal but digging the waterway never started._

[@janetmillsrice]

notice that there are no pundits talking about it. i have seen some old stuff about the canal but they fail to mention that China is in charge there, just like they ignore China essentially owning Long Beach. So much going on that we are not told about. the pundits stick to the same old cold war ideology and snooze away with dreams of bombs on everyone. it would indeed be advantageous for everyone the sooner they can finish that new canal. then we can get the stuff from Temu faster than we can from paying twice as much for the same products from Amazon and others at twice the price. REMEMBER THIS? USS Zumwalt broke down while transiting the Panama Canal. The incident happened as the stealthy destroyer negotiated the Miraflores locks on the Pacific side of the canal. excellence in engineering. wow. thanx for mentioning the new canal that we never hear about.

[@DogmaticAtheist]

Some people think Chinese are the ubermensch

[@Staroy]

@@DogmaticAtheist they are

[@maureenalder8905]

Super interesting as always Tommy ❤

[@adamwking]

love that someone named their boat "iphone x" (in opening monologue scene)! traveled around nica's north (matagalpa, jinotega, etc) a bunch in 2008 and it was extremely memorable and a beautiful area. if it weren't so volatile, i think it'd be a major destination!

[@user-mf6oj8ko4n]

I feel so Great and glad than Foreigner people are visiting My dear homeland Nicaragua..greeting from Milwaukee Wisconsin

[@whatsup24_7]

If you love it so much why don't you live there?

[@DrGaryGreen]

Forget the crabs. Where do you think the poo from those houses goes? You're swimming in the toilet.

[@AmeriAsiaSyndicate]

Great stuff bro. Love your content. Always down to connect one day you pass by NY. Originally from LI and also lived in Shanghai circa 2009-2012

[@StartLivingNow1963]

🙂❤👍Another Awesome Adventure Thank You Tommy Safe Travels 🙂❤👍Watching from New Brunswick Canada🙂❤👍

[@rogandbingofbingalahtravel3680]

Another gwapa gal! How do you manage to keep your wits about you? ❤

[@HockeySemp]

I grew up in London, but lived across the road and next door to people from the Carribbean. I had some of the best chicken I've ever had from their BBQs (which were just lil drums cut) and I've been addicted to patty's ever since.

[@FiremanFrach]

I was in the Air Force and was next to go to a base 🤫 in Honduras in 1986. Luckily, my hitch was up and a few months later the base reportedly got overrun. Maybe that’s just rumor, I’ll never know, but I’m glad I never went.

[@collinsoconnor5843]

Stop lying. You've worked at McDonalds all your life.

[@jeffbeck8993]

Couple of NY Times articles about that in 1986 and follow up operation in 1988.

[@patland1762]

My grandfather was a US Marine in Nicaragua in the 20's or early 30's. He told me about some of his jungle patrols, collecting intelligence from an informant using notes in baked bread he would purchase in the market, and a battle he fought in which I believe is the encounter I read about in "With The Old Marines In Nicaragua". He said it was very dangerous duty especially for Americans on jungle patrol who did not speak Spanish because when the point called out in spanish to take cover there they stood. He went to earn dangerous duty pay in order to pay for the birth of my mother in a good hospital and I believe his men were Nicaraguan National Guards. I was always a little proud of his service which included WWII in the Pacific but not so much when I later read an account of him during an online search which said his field report in Nicaragua indicated he shot an uncooperative captured person and that it was not so uncommon by that time of the US Marine involvement in Nicaragua. I have wanted to travel there but alas I am now probably too old. Thank you for the video of this place.

[@somozasi]

Marines did a great job fighting against a simple crazy criminal Sandino, he used to torture farmers in horrible ways. He also robed and raped little girls.

[@Dionicio-hr4lq]

LOL, you forgot to cut the end a little bit so you can get smoke out.

[@canadianmoosebuckaroo]

He forgot the Cognac too.

[@mikevanderman2727]

Big shout out Tommy, from here Pearl Lagoon, be well buddy.

[@jolanpiep]

Another great video, I've been watching every single one for years! The software audio fix for the windy noise sounds a little bit strange. Maybe you could use a small microphone with a filter instead? (I know very little about audio)

[@busterhikney6936]

Dude got overcharged for those cigars

[@timw4432]

It’s really impressive how many languages you a fluent in

[@mrcino88]

Can't watch now but got excited when I saw the Sandino cutout. I visited in 2008 as a thrifty student studying in Costa Rica and met interesting characters, some who fought in the war on both sides. Really strange as I'd never been to a country with a recentish civil war. I'd be drinking with some people and they'd be talking about their dad's fighting on opposite sides. I'll definitely catch up on this video when I have some time

[@sebastienbolduc5654]

Looks like a chilled out version of Cuba.

[@canadianmoosebuckaroo]

That Cigar needs a Cognac. Slow down Tommy!

[@victorperez3999]

In this video I feel some Bald & Bankrupt vibes, that's very nice. Keep doing great pal'! Saludos desde Dominicana.

[@bernadetteshiels5240]

Great Video as usual

[@ks_132]

New sabbatical video means I know what I’m watching on my lunch break