One of the hottest tourist destinations in 2015 is the breathtaking country of Nicaragua. Home to luscious jungles, rich history and the city of Granada, you should visit this Central American country before the word gets out on how amazing it is. With decent infrastructure, charming towns and plenty of hotels to choose from, it’s a mystery why this country is still relatively undiscovered. If you need to justify your next vacation, here are 10 reasons to visit Nicaragua now.
1. Volcano Boarding
Where else can you experience the thrill of sliding down a volcano on your very own sled? So you have to hike to the top on your own steam, but that just adds to the adventure. Cerro Negro is an active black volcano located just outside the town of Leon. It offers brave visitors the chance of a lifetime to slide down its steep and slippery slope. You have to climb the 2388 ft cone with your sled strapped to your back until you reach “the drop zone”, but it makes an exhilarating ride down. Not for the faint of heart or easily injured. This sport can shake you up, dump you off the sled and get your heart racing. One thing’s for sure, you will never forget this experience.
2. Delicious Food
Fresh seafood is abundant in this country, and in most cases you are eating the catch of the day. Other staples include delicious rice creations and fresh plantains. Local ingredients play a central role in everyday cooking and most tourists won’t recognize some of the fruits and root vegetables used in local cuisine. Nicaraguans are very open to food from around the world, so you will see familiar international foods being used as well. The local markets are overflowing with colorful produce so won’t go hungry in this country. Definitely try the recommendations from the locals and explore dishes you might otherwise not be able to find at home.
3. Historic Towns
Nicaragua is home to historic Granada, one of the oldest cities of the Americas. The colorful colonial style churches, shops and homes in this treasure box of a town are picture-perfect throughout. North of the capital city of Managua is Leon, which features numerous art galleries, cozy cafes and old churches. Throughout the entire country one can travel through historic towns full of character, creativity and friendly locals.
