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A guided tour into Nicaragua
Unlike other countries we’ve visited, we didn’t spend much time in Nicaragua, we only got a quick glimpse of this country on a one-day excursion from Costa Rica with Frank-the-Tank CR tours. Knowing we were going to be so close to the Nicaraguan border, we signed up for the excursion weeks before arriving in Costa Rica. However, after hearing thoughts about Nicaragua ranging from wonderful to terrifying, I admit I was on edge making the trip across the border.
Thankfully, our guides were thorough and efficient, ensuring not only our safety throughout the day, but also that we learned much about the history, culture, and geography of this special country.
Getting to Nicaragua
Frank-the-Tank Tours worked diligently even before we arrived in Costa Rica to ensure all the details were in place for a smooth day. Even so, the day required many hours traveling by bus, multiple transfers, and several passport stamps as we passed back and forth through immigration.
[Click on images to enlarge]
The Natural Beauty of Nicaragua
From the moment we boarded the bus, our guide shared information about Nicaragua’s history and natural beauty. He explained, Nicaragua is the “land of lakes and volcanoes,” and we experienced a bit of each, plus more.
After arriving in Nicaragua, the day started with:
- Breakfast beside Lake Nicaragua
- A stop at the Catarina Volcano Outlook Point where we watched as the rain and fog cleared away to reveal a beautiful crater lake
- A bit of shopping from the local vendors selling clothing, hand-painted pottery and other trinkets
Nindirí Crater Lookout
Our next stop was at the Volcan Masay National Park where we stood on the edge of a 192-meter deep, active crater. The bus brought us close to the crater, so there was no strenuous walking involved.
Standing on the edge of the volcano, looking into the steaming crater, felt very surreal.
Granada
Our last stop was in the historic town of Granada. Situated on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, this city was colorful, with hints of its colonial Spanish heritage.
We enjoyed lunch at a local café, browsed through the shops lining the downtown streets, and strolled through the Central Park market.
Impressions of Nicaragua
Our main impression of the day was that Nicaragua is a beautiful, but devastatingly poor nation. Neither of us have personally witnessed such poverty and it was hard at times to take in. Everywhere we looked, buildings were decaying, animals were heartbreakingly malnourished, and people seemed to be doing whatever they could merely to survive.
Masking the sadness was a rainbow of color everywhere we looked. It felt almost as if if you could wash away the dirt and destruction (physically, emotionally and politically), you might find a beautiful gem in what the country once was.
ADDENDUM: In some of our subsequent travels, we’ve had the opportunity to talk with fellow wanderers who have spent more time – and even lived – in Nicaragua. While our glimpse of the country was as described above, we’ve been told there are other areas more prosperous than those we experienced.