If you love active travel, a wonderful destination is Central America. It's easily accessible from the USA and Canada, is relatively cheap and offers an astonishing variety of things to do, from treks through the jungle to spectacular scuba diving. If you've always wanted to try volcano hiking Nicaragua has everything you need.
Nicaragua is a fascinating place to visit. It's poor and still trying to pick up the pieces after the turbulent twentieth century, which saw an oppressive regime that ruled for decades, a popular revolution and a civil war. However, the local people, known as Nicas, are among Central America's friendliest. They welcome tourists and will do everything they can to ensure that you have a great time.
Costa Rica, which borders the country to the south, has become one of the world's prime ecotourism destinations. The problem is that the large numbers of visitors are taking their toll on the environment. Moreover, the country has become quite expensive and in some areas you'll be hard pressed to find any kind of local character. Nicaragua, in contrast, is still very much unspoiled and is also one of the cheapest destinations in Central America.
Central America is located where a number of tectonic plates meet and sees a lot of seismic and volcanic activity. The Nicaraguan flag and coat of arms both feature a series of volcanoes. This isn't surprising, with volcanoes such an integral part of the landscape here. There are many to choose from if you want to take a closer look. Some are active, some feature crater lakes and some even offer the unique activity of volcano-boarding.
One of the best cities to base yourself in is Granada. It's a pleasant place with stunning colonial architecture and cobbled streets. There are many establishments that cater to tourists. Most importantly, from here it's easy to get two the country's two most popular volcanoes. Mombacho is dormant and is located near the city. Masaya is about an hour or so away and is active.
Two other volcanoes that are easy to climb are Madera and its twin Concepcion. Together they form Ometepe Island, a stunning piece of paradise in Lake Nicaragua. Allow at least three days on the island so that you can explore the beaches and coffee plantations and have time to climb each volcano. The hikes are strenuous but you'll be rewarded with stunning views and fascinating petroglyphs.
The climate in the country is tropical. This means that it's hot throughout the year. In summer, humidity levels are very high, so if you're planning on hiking, it's best to come during the drier and cooler winter months. Bring sturdy boots, enough water, sunscreen and also a good insect repellent. You shouldn't be completely out of shape either because the hikes are challenging, especially on the way up.
Not only for safety reasons but also for a more rewarding experience, it's well worth hiring a guide for the day. You can find reputable guides who may even be able to speak some English. Book them through a travel agency in Granada or ask at your hotel if you're staying on Ometepe.
Nicaragua is a fascinating place to visit. It's poor and still trying to pick up the pieces after the turbulent twentieth century, which saw an oppressive regime that ruled for decades, a popular revolution and a civil war. However, the local people, known as Nicas, are among Central America's friendliest. They welcome tourists and will do everything they can to ensure that you have a great time.
Costa Rica, which borders the country to the south, has become one of the world's prime ecotourism destinations. The problem is that the large numbers of visitors are taking their toll on the environment. Moreover, the country has become quite expensive and in some areas you'll be hard pressed to find any kind of local character. Nicaragua, in contrast, is still very much unspoiled and is also one of the cheapest destinations in Central America.
Central America is located where a number of tectonic plates meet and sees a lot of seismic and volcanic activity. The Nicaraguan flag and coat of arms both feature a series of volcanoes. This isn't surprising, with volcanoes such an integral part of the landscape here. There are many to choose from if you want to take a closer look. Some are active, some feature crater lakes and some even offer the unique activity of volcano-boarding.
One of the best cities to base yourself in is Granada. It's a pleasant place with stunning colonial architecture and cobbled streets. There are many establishments that cater to tourists. Most importantly, from here it's easy to get two the country's two most popular volcanoes. Mombacho is dormant and is located near the city. Masaya is about an hour or so away and is active.
Two other volcanoes that are easy to climb are Madera and its twin Concepcion. Together they form Ometepe Island, a stunning piece of paradise in Lake Nicaragua. Allow at least three days on the island so that you can explore the beaches and coffee plantations and have time to climb each volcano. The hikes are strenuous but you'll be rewarded with stunning views and fascinating petroglyphs.
The climate in the country is tropical. This means that it's hot throughout the year. In summer, humidity levels are very high, so if you're planning on hiking, it's best to come during the drier and cooler winter months. Bring sturdy boots, enough water, sunscreen and also a good insect repellent. You shouldn't be completely out of shape either because the hikes are challenging, especially on the way up.
Not only for safety reasons but also for a more rewarding experience, it's well worth hiring a guide for the day. You can find reputable guides who may even be able to speak some English. Book them through a travel agency in Granada or ask at your hotel if you're staying on Ometepe.