BajaNomad

Nicaragua

joerover - 1-21-2013 at 08:28 PM

Any body ever been to Nicaragua or El Salvador
Was it any fun?

Ken Cooke - 1-21-2013 at 09:40 PM

I spent 1 night in San Salvador (due to plane malfunction/grounded). I didn't see much nightlife, but, the countryside was green and I wanted to sightsee. I'd definitely go back.

Nic & ES

captkw - 1-21-2013 at 10:01 PM

Hola,I drove a 23" c/class with a 14' foot though in 11/97 and returned thur In 11/98..(had to find PP) and then it was ok...My Lady (sorta) is in nicky, currently doing some farming with some folks...from her emails she's having a good time..I can ask her any question you might have and have a answer in real time...you do have to cover your A__ you are on your own down there..as in no State department or any body of the US Gov will step up to help you...U2U me A Land Line # and I can give you more info....Keith & The Famous Lil Tasha

DianaT - 1-21-2013 at 10:13 PM

When we lived in Honduras we visited El Salvador briefly and the main thing I remember are the many people missing one leg from land mine accidents. But I am sure there is more.

Only spent a couple of days in Nicaragua and should have visited Granada as we hear it is quite nice.

monoloco - 1-21-2013 at 10:19 PM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=65119&pag...

Diana

captkw - 1-21-2013 at 10:19 PM

Hola,I went to granada and enjoyed it..And I had to fish Lago Nicky..The largest lake in the world..with fresh water shark !! didnt catch anything but a Buzzz !! why were you down there and did you have a good time??? K&T:cool:

monoloco - 1-22-2013 at 06:34 AM

Nicaragua is a great place to visit, great people and many natural wonders. Here's another previous post on the RAAN:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=62706

Sunman - 1-22-2013 at 09:37 AM

I went to Nica back to back in '09 and '10 (two weeks each trip, north and south). Went to El Sal for two weeks in '11. Loved both places, happy to answer any questions....just shoot me a PM.

Mexitron - 1-22-2013 at 10:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
Hola,I went to granada and enjoyed it..And I had to fish Lago Nicky..The largest lake in the world..with fresh water shark !! didnt catch anything but a Buzzz !! why were you down there and did you have a good time??? K&T:cool:



19th largest lake in the world according to Wikipedia...Superior is largest freshwater lake......

Well,,,Bust my Bubble !!

captkw - 1-22-2013 at 11:10 AM

And I thought I fished for fresh water sharks in a BIG lake....I've read in few travel books that it is/was the biggest...I stand corrected....Darn..Packing the Volvo for what/where is the largest lake........:tumble:

joerover - 1-22-2013 at 11:48 AM

what is she farming? Don't smoke myself

How hard is it to cash a travelers check?
BOA does not sell travelers checks anymore. Where do you buy them?

Are there any areas to avoid because of high crime?

monoloco - 1-22-2013 at 11:50 AM

Lake Cocibolca is still pretty darn big at 8264sq.km. When the wind kicks up it gets big chop too.

BajaBlanca - 1-22-2013 at 01:58 PM

you might try reading the blog by

http://www.homeonthehighway.com

they are traveling by car and are now in their 13th country heading south from US of A.

I am sure you can ask them these specific questions about getting cash etc.

BajaBruno - 1-22-2013 at 03:05 PM

I'm surprised anyone is still taking travelers checks considering all the counterfeit versions in circulation. If you have a bank account, an ATM card is a viable option.

You might want to look at the State Dept.'s warnings, particularly as to credit card fraud and also "U.S.citizens should exercise particular caution when approached by strangers offering assistance with finding a taxi cab. Dozens of U.S. citizens have reported being victimized by fellow travelers who offered to assist them in locating and/or sharing a taxi in and around San Juan del Sur, San Jorge, Granada, Managua, Masaya, and other popular tourist destinations." More at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_985.html

Joerover & nicky

captkw - 1-22-2013 at 03:11 PM

No cashing travel checks..major credet cards at gas station and the usa dollar isnt worth much any where in the world any more..hell,, in baja they now hate to take a c-note (100) if your driving,,you change your money at the border...if flying,,I would assume at airport (dont know) If swiming,,,,,,I dont know what crops my lady is growing..I dont know anything about farming and we dont talk such..as I dont talk about amp draw with her....I would check out guatamala before el sav or nic...my thoughts as they have found a Huge area with major finds occuring daily.....K&T:cool:

bajajudy - 1-22-2013 at 06:06 PM

We were in Nicaragua several years ago for over three weeks and had a blast. Never felt threatened but were warned to avoid all public transportation. There was a theft at the hotel we were staying in, but the people left their door unlocked.
Didnt really care for Granada...too gringoy. Also went to Leon, which we really enjoyed. On the road there is a village that is famous for its quesidillos(that is not correct but it is not quesadilla) Basically a cheese pie but the onions they use taste like Vidalia. Went to the volcano, got in a cage with some iguanas(well jim did), ate iguana soup(not the same ones, not that is matters). We went to a place where we bought some really cheap pottery, the whole village throws pots..really cool. I think the name is Oriente.
Went to a place where the parrots come home at sunset.....1,000's of them.
Then we went to the Caribbean side.....Stayed for 5 days on Little Corn Island at the Iguana Inn, no cars, great snorkeling and diving....very relaxing.
Stayed in Bluefields coming and going. Went to 3(or 4 or 5) Hermanos and heard some great music. Took a boat trip out to an island where the last people of one of the original tribes live, I think that it was the Ramas.
Up to Puerto Cabeza(Bilwi in Meskite)...hint....learn how to say hello, good morning, good night or thank you in meskite and it will open up a whole new world. We went out to an island with a woman's group that had just formed.
TMI I know, but once I started thinking about our trip I couldnt stop and I missed many of the things we did. U2U me if you have any questions
One of the best trips we have taken....by far.

monoloco - 1-22-2013 at 10:03 PM

I would stay away from the Atlantic coast right now, there's a lot of crime and violence related to drug smuggling. I've never had any trouble with the collective taxis, just agree on the price before you get in.

[Edited on 1-23-2013 by monoloco]

bajajudy - 1-22-2013 at 10:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
I would stay away from the Atlantic coast right now, there's a lot of crime and violence related to drug smuggling. I've never had any trouble with the communal taxis, just agree on the price before you get in.

I was more talking about buses.

lizard lips - 1-23-2013 at 06:41 AM

Been to both many times and no-Go somewhere else. The people are nice and the food is sometimes good but for the most part, my visits were for business and not as a tourist but i would never go back only if I had work there.

I am in Bombay (Mumbai) right now waiting for my flight home and this is another place I would only go to if I had business but to be quite honest, I would give my work here to someone else. This is one place only to see once in your life!

monoloco - 1-23-2013 at 07:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
I would stay away from the Atlantic coast right now, there's a lot of crime and violence related to drug smuggling. I've never had any trouble with the communal taxis, just agree on the price before you get in.

I was more talking about buses.
I would stay off the buses too, I have read in the local papers of quite a few instances of all the passengers being held up. Little Corn Island is safe, but Bluefields and Puerta Cabeza are not places I'd recommend to the casual tourist.

[Edited on 1-23-2013 by monoloco]

Cappy - 1-23-2013 at 08:30 AM

Check out Rancho Santana if your looking for upscale $$$ surf resort. Took my family there last year and everyone had a ball. My 13 year old daughter even had fun (she hates our surf adventures)

rhintransit - 1-23-2013 at 08:51 AM

has been awhile, mid/end 90's, but at a younger and more foolish age, I traveled in Central America on a budget and hit both N and El S. I second the no buses/no taxis suggestions. in N, the buses always stopped for the night, in razor wired compounds. if you were continuing on, you slept in the dormatory and ate in the bus depo cafe, neither of which were above just poor in quality, however it was better than being on a bus. an armed guard was always in the front seat. one bus I was on broke down and the passengers were terrified, it was the same location where another was looted/passengers robbed and raped the week before. we were fortunate (or maybe stupid, but it turned out okay) to have a driver who had worked in the USA stop and offer us a ride to the next city.
El S was even worse, with two level society, mega rich and poor. no such thing as a budget hotel one would stay in, and 90-100 US for a most basic room in the most basic beginning level acceptable one in a 'safer' neighborhood in San Salvador. we wandered around in the day, and once at night, before drivers stopped and said, what are you doing out? crime statistics in SS were quoted at 100 major crimes a day. major was defined as someone dies or is admitted to the hospital.
airports were scary. bus depots the same. borders were terrifying even if one was legal. one tour guide from Honduras who left us in Nic. 'forgot' to get the proper papers for entry, which we learned only from a fellow traveler at the N border...a nun, who helped me cross, with local knowledge, language skills, and bribes.
I was never so glad to see a Tica (Costa Rican) bus in my life when I left that area! on the other hand, I wandered into a riot area/burning cars and all in a rental car in Limon there, another story.
though I've heard, and am certain, things have improved, I still wouldn't chance going back to N/El S/Honduras.

joerover - 1-24-2013 at 08:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBruno
I'm surprised anyone is still taking travelers checks considering all the counterfeit versions in circulation. If you have a bank account, an ATM card is a viable option.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_985.html


The state department says your ATM card is popular with thieves. You could be beaten and raped should you provide a false pin code to the bandits.

After reading the State Department warning, I became interested in travelers checks. I need some advice on the subject of travelers checks, as I have never used them.

joerover - 1-24-2013 at 08:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
I would stay away from the Atlantic coast right now, there's a lot of crime and violence related to drug smuggling. I've never had any trouble with the communal taxis, just agree on the price before you get in.

I was more talking about buses.
I would stay off the buses too, I have read in the local papers of quite a few instances of all the passengers being held up. Little Corn Island is safe, but Bluefields and Puerta Cabeza are not places I'd recommend to the casual tourist.

[Edited on 1-23-2013 by monoloco]


how do you recommend moving about the country?

travel checks

captkw - 1-24-2013 at 08:54 PM

I didn't know they still made them,!!! I don't think you are going to find a bank that will take them....You might get a current copy of "loney planet"....If you u2u me a phone # I can better help with info...I don't know if you saw the post where I said my lady is in Nicky,today. as In current time..K&T

joerover - 1-24-2013 at 08:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
No cashing travel checks..major credet cards at gas stationI would check out guatamala before el sav or nic...my thoughts as they have found a Huge area with major finds occuring daily.....K&T:cool:


Major finds of what?
How do you deal with travelers checks?
I am not driving to central america, wont need gas.

joerover

captkw - 1-24-2013 at 09:03 PM

WOW,,your timing is insane..Look Up at the post I just wrote to you 30 seconds ago...that weird..see the time stamp?? I'm writing you at the same time your writng me...And I have not been on BN since yesterday !!!! In regard to the finds in Gautamala they just recently discovered a huge area with all kinds of old Aztec stly ruins...biggest find in the world their saying.......That to me would be cool to check out....K&T

joerover

captkw - 1-24-2013 at 09:03 PM

WOW,,your timing is insane..Look Up at the post I just wrote to you 30 seconds ago...that weird..see the time stamp?? I'm writing you at the same time your writng me...And I have not been on BN since yesterday !!!! In regard to the finds in Gautamala they just recently discovered a huge area with all kinds of old Aztec stly ruins...biggest find in the world their saying.......That to me would be cool to check out....K&T

joerover - 1-24-2013 at 10:42 PM

I'll assume you mean Mayan ruins. Few people realize that the Maya built a civilization equal too or greater than ancient Egypt.

With a little more information we could figure out what discovery you are typing about.

People keep trying to erase the Maya from history.
In the last 40 years 20,000,000 Maya were killed. The weapons came from Israel

monoloco - 1-25-2013 at 08:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by joerover
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
I would stay away from the Atlantic coast right now, there's a lot of crime and violence related to drug smuggling. I've never had any trouble with the communal taxis, just agree on the price before you get in.

I was more talking about buses.
I would stay off the buses too, I have read in the local papers of quite a few instances of all the passengers being held up. Little Corn Island is safe, but Bluefields and Puerta Cabeza are not places I'd recommend to the casual tourist.

[Edited on 1-23-2013 by monoloco]


how do you recommend moving about the country?
I fly, ride a motorcycle, or hire a car with a driver.

Bajatiger - 2-5-2013 at 05:33 PM

Yes went to Nicaragua last year. stayed at a beach house & visited two cities, Leon & Antigua. Nic. is a huge country, so if you have any specific questions I would be glad to try to answer them. Loved it.

bajaguy - 2-5-2013 at 05:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by joerover
People keep trying to erase the Maya from history.
In the last 40 years 20,000,000 Maya were killed. The weapons came from Israel





Interesting information........what are your sources???

Cochi - 2-8-2013 at 10:40 AM

in 1995-6 we went to Honduras thinking it would be good place to build a casa in the sun. Great adventure but the country was in transition and very backwards compared to even Baja. Did not mind that, except after we left, we both broke out into the worst case of bug bites. Heard from others that we were crazy for hiking around and should never have ridden the bus to the Garifuno villages. Hurricane Mitch wiped out our "Football field full of fruit trees" and our other Oregonians were threatened, beat up , robbed and scared to death. And that is how we returned to Paradise, ie. beautiful Baja wasteland. We still have the property but not too anxious to return. At one time, a ferry system ran from Galvesston Tx to Porta Cortez and we were going cargo down stuff and a car but it apparently went broke. In a nut shell, I bet the area has not changed much since our visit(trujillo on the north coast).

bajagrouper - 2-8-2013 at 02:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
Hola,I drove a 23" c/class with a 14' foot though in 11/97 and returned thur In 11/98..(had to find PP)


Was that a 23" bicycle? And did you find your PP?