Whether you’re going to vacation, work, or just scope out an ideal area for retirement, Nicaragua offers a great escape from the fast lane. There are so many reasons to visit Nicaragua now – below are 10 of the most important:
- Culture
Many of those who want to move south of the United States opt for Costa Rica, which means Costa Rica is quickly becoming a touristy hotspot. If you want to go somewhere that’s still untouched by heavy development and still offers the natural charm of its original culture, Nicaragua is a far better choice. - Cost of Living
Expats who’ve relocated to Nicaragua will be the first to tell you that the cost of living makes life so affordable – you can live a lifestyle that would be much more challenging in the States. A few bags of local groceries can run you as little as $10, and healthcare can be paid out of pocket for a fraction of what it would be in the United States. - Nature
As mentioned above, Nicaragua is still a hidden gem to much of the world, which means there’s a lot to love about the nature there. Almost one fifth of the country’s landmass consists of protected national parks and nature reserves. That means you’ll see a lot of volcanoes, rainforests, valleys, beaches, and islands. It’s a nature-lover’s paradise. - Safety
Nicaragua is the second-safest country in Latin America, according to the UN. Many of the expats who live there now say that they feel safe to walk around freely and enjoy what their communities have to offer, especially in the way of outdoor bars, restaurants, and other establishments. Safety can be a big concern when you’re looking to travel south of the border, but it doesn’t have to be if you go to Nicaragua. - Lifestyle
If you’re visiting Nicaragua, there are a couple of different lifestyle options to choose from, depending on what suits you best. For example, you can choose to stay in Granada if you love the colonial architecture that belongs to this historic city. Then, of course, there’s laid-back beach living for those who prefer to slow things down a bit and unwind. Wherever you choose to live, you can expect your home to cost much less than it would in the United States, or in many other countries. - Healthcare
Managua, the nation’s capital, is home to a hospital that’s been accredited by the Joint Commission International: Hospital Metropolitano Vivian Pellas. Expats in the area say the hospital lives up to big-city standards in the U.S. and may even go beyond those standards. That gives Nicaragua some strong points in itself, and that’s not even mentioning the affordability of it. The best healthcare would be found in Managua, but there are some scattered facilities among expat towns that are also up to par. - Friendly People
When you get away from the busy, touristy craziness that other countries have to offer, you’ll find that the friendliness of the people really adds to Nicaragua’s charm. The people here are said to be very warm and welcoming, and Nicaragua even beats Costa Rica in the overall happiness index. - Activities
There’s a lot to do in Nicaragua, from volcano surfing (yes, that’s an actual thing) to traditional ocean surfing – you’ll find no shortage of things to do. Visit Granada for a look back at colonial times. It’s one of the oldest cities in the Americas, and the country is pretty serious about keeping it that way.
- Island Hopping
Nicaragua is home to many small, untouched island chains. One of those is the Corn Islands, which are known for having once been pirate islands. Now, they are uninhabited and you can hop around from island to island and get your fill of beautiful, sandy beaches all to yourself. - Food
It will come as no surprise that the local food is something to love. Many Central and South American countries have delicious dishes, but Nicaragua has foodies from all over raving about the cuisine. Two very popular dishes are gallo pinto (a mixture of fried rice with onion, pepper, beans, and garlic) and nacatamal (a dough prepared with ground corn and butter, served with bread and coffee).
Clearly, there’s plenty to love about this country, and lots to see and do. No wonder it’s an expat’s dream! Come visit Nicaragua and see what people are raving about.
Image credit: https://pixabay.com/en/nicaragua-cathedral-granada-2259258/
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