Nicaragua Travel Guide | Itinerary, Mistakes & Tips

[@bernardsebranek1963]

I have lived in Nicaragua for 7 years. Love it. Even with the current situation, Nicaragua is considered the safest country south of the USA border. The cathedral of Leon is the oldest and largest colonial cathedral in the Americas. Every piece of it was brought from Spain. Taxi's will Always quote a price beforehand, just ask. You obviously didn't do enough research before the trip. Nicaragua is a third world country, and it's the 2nd poorest in the western hemisphere. Over half of the population is living on $2 a day or less. As for the police, they are just doing their job as dictated to them by the government. I feel safer here than I ever did in 50 years of living in the USA. I agree with you about Isla Ometepe, Granada, Masaya volcano and the Corn islands. All amazing in their own way. Leon is definitely worth the trip, as is San Juan del Sur. There's so much to see and do in Nicaragua. It's people are the most loving and giving, even when they have very little to share. The landscape is very diverse and beautiful. Anyone who wants to visit should spend a few hours at minimum before traveling to the country. If you do, you'll be prepared for whatever comes your way.

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Bernard Sebranek - Yeah I was really surprised about the amount of variety in Nicaragua and yeah I always pay the price for not doing enough research prior to visiting places!

[@MrMr-tr6sk]

The safest country ? Really ?

[@Shotxfila]

Agreed 🇳🇮

[@SarongGoddess]

@@MrMr-tr6sk YES! I've been going to Nica for over 13 years now & I've ALWAYS felt VERY safe there (IF anything is going on it just RARELY affects the tourist areas)

[@andresmarioruizchavarria8980]

Nicaragua is beautiful country🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮

[@henrysteppel2031]

I agree with your comments.Glad that you both had a great time after all.one good friend here in Munich went 3 years ago to Nicaragua.She said the same experience at the Masaya volcano, amazing , magical.Your video tells it all. Thanks for letting me travel with you both!. Cheers

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Henry Steppel - yep it would be hard to imagine someone not being impressed by Masaya Volcano. I'm sure some people that have been to Guatemala might have also seen something similar but regardless, I thought it was amazing. Hopefully the videos help you mind travel! Where are you at the moment, in Munich?

[@henrysteppel2031]

@@WiththeSparrows Hi, thank you for your message. Yes, I am right now in Munich, but quite soon traveling to the US. Great videos of yours 👍👍

[@jimj8052]

What months did you spend in Nicaragua and Costa Rica? Planning to go solo for a few weeks/months in may and a bit concerned about the weather, how good the surfing will be and the crowd ( I don´t want it to be dead lol) .

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Jim J I wouldn't worry about it being dead, they're both pretty popular. We were in CR from March to mid April, then went to Nicaragua till late May

[@BrentHartleyTravel]

Skipping Leon is good advice, especially if you aren't in the country for a long period of time. I also found driving as a tourist to be frustrating as you can get pulled over by police looking for bribes quite often and it is nearly impossible to find your way around Managua due to the system of streets. Once out of Managua you will be fine. One thing to be prepared for is the level of poverty... it is on a different level than what most have experienced. I've been to Nica a handful of times and I remember the plane being filled mostly with folks on mission trips going down there to help out (which I think is fantastic). Otherwise it is a fantastic country to visit.

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Brent Hartley that's a good point, there were quite a lot of police stops where they checked documents so you might have some issues there - I only got pulled over in Costa Rica once where I had to pay an 'on the spot fine' (we all know what that is). The poverty was something that I brought up in the Ometepe video in that the living wage is incredibly low, especially as Europeans, although I certainly don't have the answers to macro economic problems....

[@jeffsea6490]

Thanks for sharing interesting content 👍

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Jeff Sea - no worries, hope you liked it.

[@Globe_Digger]

Great vids I'm planning a trip to Nicaragua in Feb and I will use some of these tips. Very informative!

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Globe Digger - glad you found them useful. Oh if only I could go back to Masaya volcano !

[@Globe_Digger]

@@WiththeSparrows You sold me on that. I'm going there for sure

[@WiththeSparrows]

@@Globe_Digger great, I hope its as clear as it was for us.

[@mauriziochicco6881]

Hi, thank you for the very useful video about Nicaragua ! I'm planning to go there this summer (around July-August) to surf and to visit the country and I would have two questions to ask you. How prevalent and annoying is the rain during the rain season ? Also, for transportation, would you recommend renting a car, a motorbike or doing everything by taxi ? Cheers !

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Maurizio Chicco - unfortunately I wasn't there during the rainy season. However, I have gone to many places during the "off season" to surf and I now have a rule that I only go when it's the season. Off season is off season for a reason! Especially if you are dependent on the weather for surf... In terms of getting around, I do think that taxis will be cheaper than renting a car, although you might want to double check. If you're travelling around I wouldn't go for a motorbike, definitely a car. Hope that helps!

[@collegedropout2004]

If it's 4 am and he's the only taxi around you paid going rate. 😂. Sounds fair to me.

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Antonio S - that would be absolutely fair. It was midday though... Either way, I only have myself to blame for not clarifying.

[@darwinsandino4443]

Hermoso Nicaragua saludos cordiales desde México tube la oportunidad de conocer es un país hermoso Nicaragua turista del mundo conozca Nicaragua es un país que te va a atrapar encantador

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Darwin Sandino - saludos! Nicaragua es un buen país para visitar, con muchas cosas diferentes que hacer. También me encanta Mexico!

[@DainLuka]

Thanks for this! Im currently planning a Central America trip and am very excited for Nicaragua!

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Chasing Dain - I'm jealous. If you go to Nicaragua, my favourite thing was Masaya volcano. I really don't think it's something that you can leave off your list!

[@DainLuka]

@@WiththeSparrows it’s on my list thanks to this video ! 🕺

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Chasing Rain good stuff. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the place

[@mikeslittlebitofeverything3256]

Is cell phone service good there? I will be coming form the States in February 2022. I will need to call back home while I will be on vacation there

[@WiththeSparrows]

@"Mike's little bit of everything" - cell phone service varies, it's much better in the cities (as you would imagine). Unfortunately I wasn't using my phone for calls that often so probably not that helpful here!

[@PakmanR3]

How is traveling at the moment? It says on the govt website not to go here, is it really that bad or is it okay to travel now? Thanks!

[@WiththeSparrows]

@PakmanR3 - I've actually now left Nicaragua but it was fine when I was there a few weeks ago. What government website are you talking about? Most websites tell you not to travel anywhere, which is understandable. It was my first time to Nica and I was amazed at some of the diversity - at no point did it feel unsafe. That's anecdotal though, you'll have to make your own decision on that!

[@PakmanR3]

Thanks for the tip! Keep up the great content. 👍

[@WiththeSparrows]

@@PakmanR3 That's the aim!

[@brillle51]

Thanks for the informations!

[@paulcollinseverett2151]

When the U.S. government tells you this the Ambassador gets a $70,000.00 bonus every time he raises a colored Alert ❗ Plus you'll find a peaceful paradise...🙏🏼🙏🏼❗

[@Anticlubsealsclub]

Is popoyo expensive?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Casey Broccoli - not particularly (especially coming from Costa Rica!), Nicaragua is a decent place to go on a budget!

[@user-nd9re8vr6l]

so is semi safe to visit nica?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@X well I felt reasonably safe but also appreciate that there's a lot of stuff going on so things can change quickly. Are you thinking of going?

[@user-nd9re8vr6l]

@@WiththeSparrows yes I am but I’m concerned about a major shift at a drop of a hat

[@WiththeSparrows]

@@user-nd9re8vr6l it would probably be inappropriate of me to make a recommendation because I don't know enough about it, so you'll have to do your own research/decision. My experience was fine! I had some of the same apprehensions...

[@gershonhopster]

Any tips from anyone on the best Nica locations for solid internet?

[@joaopaulo50]

Thanks for the tips!!!

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Joao Paulo Oliviera - no worries. Have you been / are going to Nicaragua?

[@joaopaulo50]

@@WiththeSparrows I am planing to go in May. Surf trip with my buddy. Can’t wait. 😉

[@WiththeSparrows]

@@joaopaulo50 ahh I'm jealous. Popoyo? You could go North and check out the boom!

[@joaopaulo50]

@@WiththeSparrows Popoyo, Colorado and The Boom. Just trying to find a "less expensive" place in Playa Colorado. Is it worth it?

[@WiththeSparrows]

@@joaopaulo50 oh wow, all the spots. Colorado is one hell of a wave. Maybe just get a boat there when the swell is right. We stayed there for a week and it was borderline too big (for me) which was pretty annoying considering it was $800 for a week. If you test it by taking a boat over and you love it, maybe you'll want to stay / will be able to justify it.

[@Z123aba]

Travel tip to Nicaragua: Don’t do it

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Z123aba why not? Bad experience?

[@Z123aba]

It’s a very unstable country at the moment, political turmoil mainly.

[@WiththeSparrows]

@@Z123aba hasn't that been the case for a number of years now?

[@Z123aba]

@@WiththeSparrows exactly my point. Thanks