By Ian Wood - for Home:World

Nicaragua is a secret paradise known as "The land of lakes and volcanoes." Nicaragua has long been known for its incredible natural beauty, but political unrest and natural disasters over the years have tarnished its reputation. Now, however, Nicaragua is making a comeback, and it's ripe to explode onto the international scene as a travel and real estate hotspot. Nicaragua is a peaceful democracy, rated one of the safest countries in Latin America, and is experiencing one of the strongest economic growth projections for the region. This is making Nicaragua a prime destination for savvy investors eager to stake their claim in this Central American paradise.

Nicaragua has a rugged beauty to it. At times, it still feels undiscovered. There are long stretches of virgin beaches on the Pacific Ocean, uninhabited islands in Lake Nicaragua, mountains, volcanoes, rain forests and some of the most spectacular sunsets you will ever see.

Most of the development of Nicaragua is around Managua, its capital city and the Pacific Coast. Arriving in at Managua International Airport, you feel just as comfortable as you would in any airport in a major western city. Almost everybody who works there speaks English. But as soon as you set foot outside, you are awash with Latin flavor.

Major Cities

Here are a few of the most popular cities and their unique offerings.

Managua

The capital city of Managua is home to 1.7 million people, 27 percent of Nicaragua's population. There are wealthy, well developed pockets within Managua with modern hotels, malls and nightclubs. But there are also impoverished pockets with homes built of scrap wood corrugated metal. Unless you have business in Managua, it is most likely just a transportation hub to the more scenic locations listed below.

Granada

This colonial gem was founded in 1524. It is easily the most popular tourist destination in Nicaragua. The town square is complemented by beautiful colonial architecture, horse drawn carriages and top quality hotels. You will also find an assortment of restaurants and nightclubs that have a tropical-European feel. If you have ever fantasized about owning your own island, Lake Nicaragua is the place to do it. "Las Isletas" are a chain of small islands, just a short boat ride from main-land conveniences.

Masaya

The artisan city of Masaya is a great day trip. It is not as clean or well developed as Granada but it has a charm all its own. The "Old Market" is full of traditional Nicaraguan clothing, hand made ceramics and hammocks, and unique items like alligator boots and frog skin wallets.

Leon

While the regions south of Managua have seen the most development recently, Leon, located northwest of Managua is becoming more appealing. A modern highway was recently completed, speeding travel and commerce to Leon. While it is not on the water, it is a large, hub city which offers access to many smaller towns on the Pacific Ocean.

San Juan del Sur

Nicaragua's answer to Rio de Janeiro. Okay, it is a lot smaller than Rio and not nearly as well developed, but it has the same kind of positive energy. This is one of the hotspots for Nicaragua's land rush. It is very accessible, just 2-1/2 hours south of Managua. It has some of the countries nicest beach front hotels and best surf breaks. Saturday nights in San Juan are a great time to dance in a beach front night club or sip a daiquiri and dig your feet into the sand. San Juan is also the epicenter for Semana Santa, the holy week leading up to Easter. The religious holiday has morphed into a country wide festival.

Getting Around

Travel around Nicaragua is best planned in advance. Taxis do not have meters, so a price is always negotiated in advance, in Spanish. The better your Spanish and the more familiar you are with your surroundings, the less you are likely to pay.

There are several car rental agencies, like Budget and Thrifty Car Rentals, mainly in the larger cities. You can also rent a car at the airport. If you're going to rent a car, make sure you get a 4-wheel drive truck or van.

Your Money

The Nicaraguan currency is the Cordoba. It currently trades at about 17 Cordoba to the US dollar. An exact exchange rate can be found at http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=1&from=USD&to=NIO

Overall, Nicaragua is an incredibly inexpensive country. Anything that has labor-based value is a relative bargain. Domestic products, like Nicaragua's famed Flor de Cana rum, hand-made rocking chairs and ceramics are high in quality and low in price. Premium imported items like Coca Cola or Toyota trucks cost as much or more as they would anywhere else in the world.

Phone Calls

Calling Nicaragua from anywhere in the world is easy. The country code is 505. From the U.S. dial 011-505-and the number you want.

It is a very good idea to have cell phone in Nicaragua. All the cities listed above have at least 2 cell phone companies servicing them. Most Nicaraguans use cell phones with prepaid phone cards. The caller pays for the call and the person receiving the call pays nothing (so they are likely to talk for a long time).

Electricity

Nicaragua uses 110V current, the same as in the United States.

Medical Care

You can find well educated doctors in Managua, but elsewhere you may have a hard time getting first-rate health care. Many of the hospitals outside of Managua are free, but lack many first world amenities.

Safety

Nicaragua is one of the safest countries in Central America. Most Nicaraguans are very friendly and eager to meet foreigners. But you must also be aware that there are opportunists who know you may have more money in your back pocket than they make in a week. Most crimes are non-violent, like pick pocketing and burglary, and, just as anywhere else in the world, it's always good to be aware of your surroundings.

One of the easiest ways to increase your safety is to carry a cell phone at all times. Introduce yourself to the local police, they are usually happy to meet you. And above all else, learn Spanish. You can find a local teacher that will help you master the language for just a few dollars per hour. It will give you an added appreciation for you're host country's culture and it is a great way to integrate yourself into the community.

Enjoy Nicaragua

Nicaragua's greatest strength has always been its natural assets; its unspoiled beaches, lakes, volcanoes and, most of all, the warm and kind people of Nicaragua.

Life is very relaxed here. "Nica time" is a phrase that says a lot about the culture. It is a common saying that excuses anyone who shows up late. And who can blame them for stopping to smell the roses in a place this beautiful?

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