There are cute, colorful colonial towns. Both León and Granada, the two main towns to see in Nicaragua, are charmingly laid-back with buildings vibrantly painted in pastel hues and sleepy tree-lined central squares. However, if you have time for only one, make sure to visit Granada (picture Cartagena, minus the many tourists). Stay in the chic Tribal Hotel, whose interiors are embellished with an eclectic assortment of decorative objets that co-owners Jean-Marc Houmard (a partner in New York City’s Acme and Indochine) and Yvan Cussigh collected along their global travels. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Espressonista, a coffee shop by day and refined restaurant by night. And make time to visit the local Masaya craft market for souvenirs including hand-painted animal masks made by local craftsmen. Got an extra hour? Take a detour for a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Apoyo crater lake. And the surf’s up pretty much every single day of the year. Thanks to trade winds blowing across Lake Managua and out over the Pacific, Nicaragua’s southern coast has consistently great waves almost every day. Even better? It’s not uncommon to get a break all to yourself. Some top surf beaches include Playa Maderas to the south (home to the popular grown-up summer camp–style Maderas Village), Popoyo, and Playa Colorado. Then there’s also the less-frequented northern beaches (some of which have yet to be named), where camps like Rise Up Surf have set up shop and can help guide you to prime spots. Speaking of lakes, Lake Nicaragua is the largest one in Central America and is strikingly beautiful. In the shadow of the imposing Mombacho volcano, you’ll find a string of tiny islands sprinkled across this massive lake. Some are untouched, others are inhabited by local fishermen and their families, and
There are cute, colorful colonial towns. Both León and Granada, the two main towns to see in Nicaragua, are charmingly laid-back with buildings vibrantly painted in pastel hues and sleepy tree-lined central squares. However, if you have time for only one, make sure to visit Granada (picture Cartagena, minus the many tourists). Stay in the
