Are you thinking of joining us on a Nicaragua Retirement and Relocation Tour? Get inspired by this selection of photos. Just imagine how you’ll feel when you’re going to see and experience all these places for yourself.
Tip: Click on any of the images to view them in a slide show and enlarge them (there’s a little icon in the top right corner of each image).
Nicaragua Retirement Tour, Day 1: Managua, the Capital City
A visit to Mercado Huembes in Managua is a festival for all senses. From locally grown fruit and vegetables to household items to clothes to souvenirs, you’ll get almost anything there.Real flowers and those made of fabric add to the colorful setting at the Mercado Roberto Huembes.From the Tiscapa Historical National Park you have a beautiful view over Managua, with the lake and volcanoes Momotombito and Momotombo in the background.Learn about Nicaragua’s revolutionary past in the small Augusto Sandino museum at the Tiscapa Historical Park.Enjoying a typical Nicaraguan lunch at the restaurant Cocina Doña Haydee. We met there with attorney Sergio Corrales to discuss residency requirements and other legal questions.Maite Soto (the lady in the blue shirt) leads us on a private tour around Hospital Metropolitano Vivian Pellas, Nicaragua’s most modern and internationally accredited hospital.
Nicaragua Retirement Tour, Days 2 and 3: Laguna de Apoyo, Catarina and San Juan del Sur
Time to relax and go for a refreshing dip at the Laguna de Apoyo. The clean, mineral rich waters of this centuries old crater lake are said to have healing powers.Access to the lake shore from the Beach Club at Laguna de Apoyo. You can swim, take a canoe, sunbathe or simply enjoy the view.On our way from Laguna de Apoyo to San Juan del Sur we stop at Catarina to enjoy the views over the lagoon. In addition, Catarina is famous for its plant nurseries.Enjoying a delicious dinner at “El Timón,” one of the many beach restaurants in San Juan del Sur. Fish, lobster, chicken, beef or pasta… the choice is yours!Walk around town and get a feel for this once sleepy fishing village turned surfers mecca. Streets are busy with vendors and shops that cater to locals and tourist alike.We were almost alone at beautiful Playa el Coco, a beach about 30 minutes drive from San Juan del Sur. But, no worries, it wasn’t completely deserted. We had a yummy lunch at the Puesta del Sol restaurant.
Nicaragua Retirement Tour, Day 4: The Colonial Town of Granada
We meet with John-Marc Gallagher from Granada Property Services. John-Marc is going to give us a colonial houses tour. He’s also the man to ask about rentals and properties for sale in Granada.How would you like to have a 25 m pool next to your kitchen? Casa Yalula is one of the houses we visited. Luxurious accommodation with colonial charm in the center of Granada. (It’s also for sale!)Julie enjoys our boat trip on Lake Cocibolca (or Lake Nicaragua). Granada is on the shores of this large freshwater lake (the largest in Central America).When the Mombacho volcano erupted some 20,000 years ago, it created 365 islets in Lake Nicaragua. Some of them are uninhabited, some are privately owned and others (like the one in the photo) have a restaurant or hotel on them.Meeting with Granada expat Darrell Bushnell at Cafe de los Sueños. Darrell and his wife Amy first lived in a colonial home in Granada. Now they own a little farm just outside of town, operate a horse riding business and answer whatever questions you may have about living in Granada.
Nicaragua Retirement Tour, Days 5 and 6: Matagalpa
After driving from Granada to Matagalpa, we recharge our energies with a simple, yet delicious lunch of chicken filet, rice and red beans. Our bill? $11 for four people (including soft drinks).At the beautiful Cascada Blanca (White Waterfall) reserve, we explore the “Senderos del Amor.” This “Lovers’ Path” winds down through lush gardens to a little eco lodge and the waterfalls.Picture perfect: The Cascada Blanca Waterfall. While the origin of the waterfall is unclear, everything points to a meteor whose final destination made the hole of the waterfall. What makes this fall extra special is that you can walk around to experience the gushing waters from all sides.When walking around Matagalpa, you can’t miss the San José Church. Originally constructed in 1751 and used as a jail for indigenous rebels in the late 1800s, this church was rebuilt in 1917 by Franciscan friars. The baroque gold-leaf altar and arched ceilings are lovely.Just opposite San José church you’ll find the Rubén Dario Park, one of the two main parks in Matagalpa. A safe place to hang out with the locals, enjoy a snack from the food trucks parked in front of the park and surf the Internet on the free WiFi.Garden with a view: About 30 minutes drive from Matagalpa we visit “La Tierra de los Sueños,” a project where Canadian born Jewel Hoff intends to create a small community for nature loving expats.
The last word belongs to our guests. Hear what they have to say about Nicaragua and the tour in this 3 minute video.
