When we first arrived in Nicaragua, despite having visited almost every country in Central America, we found quite a few things here that were particularly interesting. Let’s explore
these:
1. Extremely Nice People
Contrary to popular belief, Nicaraguans are some of the kindest and most helpful people you'll meet. Everyone will tell you that Nicaragua is very dangerous and to be careful, but in reality, it’s quite the opposite. Nicaraguans are extremely nice and kind. Wherever you go, they will help you without expecting money or any other compensation. They are happy to engage with you, even if you don’t speak Spanish.
Even vendors and tourist guides are not pushy; if you say no to something, they won’t follow or harass you. When you buy something at the market, you don’t have to worry about paying double or more, as you might in many other countries. You may pay a “fair tourist price,” but that’s only slightly more than the local price. Nicaragua is considered the safest Central American country to travel to, with low crime rates, making it a comfortable place to visit.
2. Very Loud Music
Nicaraguans have a unique love for loud music, especially in local bars. The Calzada, the main pedestrian street of Granada, is a prime example. Bars line the street, each putting out huge loudspeakers and trying to outdo their neighbors in volume. As a result, anywhere you sit, you will hear very loud, often unbearable music from multiple directions. We tend to avoid La Calzada when we want a quiet night out. If you want to know where to go, stay at our hotel and check out the best places we recommend in our guestbook or our Airbnb online guestbook: Airbnb Guestbook.
3. Garbage Truck
In Europe, we are used to putting garbage into big bins, which we put out in the evening, and the garbage truck takes the trash without anyone touching it. In Granada, it’s different. Residents put out their trash early in the morning to avoid scavengers, and young men on trucks sort the garbage without any protective gear. It’s an incredible job they do, often without any health and safety tools like rubber gloves.
4. . No House Numbers
With Google Maps and other navigation apps, we thought it would no longer be difficult to find a place in a city. However, in Nicaragua, there are no house numbers, and as a result, no exact addresses. Directions are given using landmarks. For example, our hotel’s address is: Street Santa Lucia, 20 meters west of Flor Panamena. You always need to know which direction is north, east, etc. Sometimes, the reference points can be quite amusing, like "50 meters east of the former Pepsi factory." If you can’t find an address, your best bet is to ask a local where the Pepsi factory used to be!
5. Biggest Rainforest in Central America
The eastern part of Nicaragua has a very small population and is mostly covered by rainforest. Thanks to this, Nicaragua has the highest amount of forests in Central America. Monkeys, toucans, sloths, and other animals are commonly seen. Until 2020, there was no road access to the Caribbean coast of the country, known as the Mosquito Coast. This part is not very developed, and the name suggests it might be hard to live there. On the other hand, the Corn Islands off the coast are developing and are popular tourist destinations with turquoise seas, making them a great place to chill. All of these regions speak English.
After reading this list, you might think I’ve pointed out rather negative things, but these are just some of the unique quirks of Nicaragua. I could tell long stories about volcanoes, crystal-clear lakes, and vibrant culture. If you want to check it out for yourself, come and stay with us at Hotel Secret Garden in Granada, which is a great starting point to explore many sights of the country.
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