Volcanoes, beaches, warmth and culture. That's how I would describe Nicaragua in a nutshell.
Let's start with the Kosher food. There's only one place in Nicaragua with a Chabad that also offers Shabbat meals and Kosher restaurant. It's nestled in a little beach town called San Juan Del Sur. It's surrounding cliffs and sailboat dotted horizon makes for an excellent little vacation. Beware though, this area loves to play loud music at night! The best part here though are the sunsets. Each night is as magnificent as the next!
We came here for Passover and the Chabad was so so welcoming and accommodating!
Before Pesach we were able to catch some of their Chometz menu and we got their schnitzel challah which was super tasty, the bread was really fresh! They’re fries and schnitzel pargiyot are really yummy too.
On Chol Hamoed Pesach they got creative and made plantain buns for a burger and that was awesome!
Although the menu isn’t so extensive, the fact that they even have Kosher food on this little beach town is such an amazing thing.
They also have events at times, like Shakshuka night, Jachnun and learning on Shabbos morning, and Melava Malka’s where they served pizza. After Pesach they had a Mimouna where they served hot fresh donuts and moufletas.
Ok that's the food, let's talk safety for a minute.
We never felt unsafe while traveling in Nicaragua, but we also are experienced travelers. So while we encourage you to embrace the local culture, we also urge you remain vigilant with your belongings and avoid displaying expensive items. This isn't the right country to bring nice handbags to, or jewelry for that matter.
Respect the customs and norms of the country while keeping an eye out for potential scams. By taking these precautions and embracing a sense of awareness, you can fully immerse yourself in the wonders of Nicaragua while safeguarding your travel memories.
Now to the activities!
San Juan Del Sur (SJDS):
We talked about the food but I didn't tell you what we got around to doing all day.
Mainly, we ate, worked on our remote jobs, ate some more, went to the beach, and played pool at Chabad! But this area offers a range of activities, one popular one being surfing! It's an excellent place to get lessons. You can also go beach hopping, enjoy the nightlife, there are bars aplenty. You can take a boat tour to see catch fish and you may even see a dolphin like we did! You can also explore nearby nature reserves, or just chill and enjoy the panoramic views of the town and ocean.
Ometepe:
Ometepe is popular for it's volcano hikes, springs, charming villages, swimming in freshwater lagoons, taking boat tours, and learning about the island's unique ecology and culture. Some of the people we went with described it as one of the most beautiful and peaceful places they're ever been to!
We took a taxi from SJDS which took about 45 minutes, from the port you catch a ferry which can take 1 hour to 1.5 hours to the island of Ometepe. Beware the ride can be really choppy.
Once there we only had time to go for a swim in the springs and enjoy a beach view before heading back, but if you stay the night there's so much to explore!
Masaya:
Masaya in Nicaragua offers a range of activities, including visiting the Masaya Volcano National Park to see the active volcano and learn about the local geology, exploring the vibrant Masaya Market for local crafts and souvenirs, and visiting the nearby Apoyo Lagoon for swimming, kayaking, and hiking.
In middle of writing this blog post, be right back!
Leon:
Granada: