Tourism in Nicaragua

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Rotonda Ruben Dario, or Metrocentro, one of Managua's many shopping districts
Rotonda Ruben Dario, or Metrocentro, one of Managua's many shopping districts

Tourism in Nicaragua has grown considerably recently, and it is now the second largest industry in the nation. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has stated his intention to use tourism to combat poverty throughout the country.[1] The growth in tourism has positively affected the agricultural, commercial, and finance industries, as well as the construction industry.

Contents

[edit] History

Life in Nicaragua
Art
Cinema
Cuisine
Culture
Demographics
Education
Holidays
Human Rights
Literature
Music
Politics
Religion
Tourism

During the Nicaraguan Revolution in the '80s Nicaragua was not regarded as a place to travel and caused a decrease in tourism. However, rapid expansion of the tourist industry over the last decade has made it the nation's second largest industry.[2] Over the last 7 years tourism has grown about 70% nationwide with rates of 10%-16% annually.[3] The country is mostly famous for its landscapes, flora and fauna, wildlife, culture, beaches and of course, its lakes and volcanoes.

According to TV Noticias (news program) on Canal 2, a Nicaragua television station, the main attractions in Nicaragua for tourists are the beaches, scenic routes, the architecture of cities such as León and Granada and most recently ecotourism and agritourism, particularly in Northern Nicaragua.[3]

[edit] Tourism

In 2005, 803,933 tourists visited Nicaragua, a noticeable improvement from the mere 579,165 in 2002. The tourism industry received US$ 240 million, outstripping the other main earner, coffee.[1] That same year Nicaragua received more visitors than Panama.[4] The majority of tourists came from the U.S., Europe, and Central and South America.

About 60,000 U.S. citizens visit Nicaragua yearly, primarily business people, tourists, and those visiting relatives.[5]

Panoramic view of Corn Island.
Panoramic view of Corn Island.

According to the Ministry of Tourism of Nicaragua (INTUR) the colonial city of Granada is the preferred spot for tourists. Also, the cities of León, Masaya, Rivas and the likes of San Juan del Sur, San Juan River, Ometepe, Mombacho Volcano, and others are main tourist attractions.[6] In addition, ecotourism and surfing attract many tourists to Nicaragua.

Also, a popular destination are the Corn Islands located about 70 km east off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua near Bluefields. They have been regarded as a "tropical paradise" by the Los Angeles Times.[7] Cruise ships have been docking in San Juan del Sur since January 2000 and average 50,000 tourist alone every year, some who partake in tours to nearby Lake Cocibolca and the colonial city of Granada.[8]

View of the Montelimar Beach and the Barcelo Hotel and Resort in Managua.
View of the Montelimar Beach and the Barcelo Hotel and Resort in Managua.

Nicaragua was ranked with the lowest crime rate in Latin America by Interpol and many other sources,[1][9] with only 12 crimes for every 100,000 citizens.[10] Nicaragua also holds the largest lake in Central America, about 700 species of birds, and unspoiled natural beauty, despite all this it is still the least visited country in the region.[11][12] However, the lower number of tourists help Nicaragua keep low prices, and an "off the beaten track" feel.

[edit] Rural and community-based tourism

CECOCAFEN is an organization of coffee cooperatives in Northern Nicaragua that manage a rural and community-based tourism project, which has been developed with support from the Lutheran World Relief. CEOCAFEN was founded in 1997,[13] the drop in international coffee prices is what started the CECCOAFEN project in 2003. Tourism allows farmers to receive new opportunities in alternative markets, harvest coffee and diversify their income.[14] CECOCAFEN offers visitors the opportunity to visit a coffee farm, learn about coffee craftsmanship, and even to stay overnight on a coffee farm and explore with a community guide.

[edit] Ecological tourism

Eco-tourism aims to be ecologically and socially conscious, it focuses on local culture, wilderness, and adventure. Nicaragua's eco-tourism is growing with every passing year,[15] it boasts a number of eco-tourist tours and perfect places for adventurers. Nicaragua has three eco-regions, the Pacific, Central and Atlantic which contain volcanoes, tropical rainforest and agricultural land.[16]

Ometepe: Maderas and Concepcion Volcanoes, popular tourist destination
Ometepe: Maderas and Concepcion Volcanoes, popular tourist destination

Nicaragua is home to 78 protected areas covering over 20% of it landmass, and is home to 7% of the world's biodiversity. More than Costa Rica, which is thought to hold more natural areas than Nicaragua.[17] Nicaragua is also home to Bosawas, located in Northern Nicaragua, which is the largest rainforest north of the Amazon in Brazil, and the largest lake in Central America, Lake Cocibolca. Lake Cocibolca attracts its fair number of tourist yearly, most of which primarily visit Ometepe, which is a large volcanic island formed by two volcanoes in the lake. Tourist typically visit and explore the flora and fauna found in the Charco Verde Nature Reserve.

Nicaragua's rich biodiversity also attracts many tourists to protected areas such as the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, which holds a higher number in species of trees, birds, and insects than all of Europe.[18]

[edit] International tourist arrivals

After its renovation, Nicaragua's Augusto C. Sandino International Airport stands as the most modern airport in Central America.
After its renovation, Nicaragua's Augusto C. Sandino International Airport stands as the most modern airport in Central America.[19]

[edit] International airport

Main article: List of airports in Nicaragua

Nicaragua only has one international airport, the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, located in Managua.

[edit] Visa regulations

Tourists from Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Palestinian National Authority, Peru, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Vietnam and Yemen require a visa to enter Nicaragua.[20]

Other tourists can obtain a Tourist Card for US$10 valid for 1 month upon arrival, provided with a valid passport with at least six months to run. There is also a US$32 departure tax.[21]

[edit] Tourist attractions

[edit] Volcanoes

Sand skiing down the Cerro Negro volcano.
Sand skiing down the Cerro Negro volcano.

Nicaragua is referred to as "the land of lakes and volcanoes" due to the number of lagoons and lakes, and the chain of volcanoes that runs from the north to the south along the country's Pacific side. Today, only 7 of the 50 volcanoes in Nicaragua are considered active. Many of these volcanoes offer some great possibilities for tourists with activities such as hiking, climbing, camping, and swimming in crater lakes. Most recently sand skiing has become a popular attraction at the Cerro Negro volcano in León. Both dormant and active volcanoes can be climbed. Some of the most visited volcanoes include the Masaya Volcano, Momotombo, Mombacho, Cosigüina and Ometepe's Maderas and Concepción.

View from the Volcan Mombacho; this volcano blew its cone into the lake forming an archipelago of 365 islands
View from the Volcan Mombacho; this volcano blew its cone into the lake forming an archipelago of 365 islands

The Apoyo Lagoon was created by the eruption of the Apoyo Volcano about 23,000 years ago, which left a huge 7 km-wide crater that gradually filled with water. It is surrounded by the old crater wall.[22] The rim of the lagoon is lined with restaurants, many of which have kayaks available. Besides exploring the forest around it, many water sports are practiced in the lagoon, most notably kayaking.[23]

Another popular attraction is the archipelago of 365 islands known as the Islets of Granada (Isletas de Granada). The 364 islets were formed when the Mombacho volcano blew most of its cone into the lake, thereby creating the archipelago. The islets are popular with both locals and tourists. The islets differ in size and have a community of about 1200 people, most of whom make their living as fishermen. Many visitors take boat rides along the islets, which are abundant with many different species of birds and fish.[24]

[edit] Popular destinations

Granada's Town Square
Granada's Town Square
Corn Island
Corn Island
Bahia Majagual Rivas
Bahia Majagual Rivas

Department of Managua:

Department of Granada:

Department of Leon:

Department of Rivas:

Department of Río San Juan:

Department of Estelí

  • Estelí, Mira Flor Nature Reserve

Department of Jinotega

  • Jinotega, El Jaguar Cloud Forest Reserve

Department of Matagalpa

Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur:

Región Autónoma del Atlántico Norte:

[edit] See also

[edit] Further reading

  • Leonardi, Richard (2001). Nicaragua Handbook: The Travel Guide. Footprint Travel Guides. ISBN 1903471141. 
  • Jeffrey Zuehlke, Christopher Dall (2006). Nicaragua in Pictures. Twenty-First Century Books. ISBN 0822526719. 
  • Randall Wood, Joshua Berman (2006). Moon Living Abroad in Nicaragua. Avalon Travel Publishing. ISBN 1566919878. 

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Ortega banks on tourism to beat poverty", Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  2. ^ "Travel And Tourism in Nicaragua", Euromonitor International. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  3. ^ a b Alemán, Giselle Alemán. "Turismo en Nicaragua: aportes y desafios parte I", Canal 2. Retrieved on 2007-07-29. (Spanish) 
  4. ^ "Central American Tourism Boom", Travel Industry News. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  5. ^ "Background Note: Nicaragua", U.S. State Department. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  6. ^ "Destinos", INTUR. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  7. ^ Wedner, Diane. "Nicaragua's Corn Islands, an unspoiled Paradise", Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  8. ^ Stevens, Jennifer. "Nicaragua update: More tourists & greater", Escape Artist. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  9. ^ Carter, Jimmy. "Jimmy Carter's Nicaragua Trip Report", The Carter Center. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  10. ^ Kerr, Michael. "Contra to expectations...", Telegraph, 2007-06-02, pp. 1. Retrieved on 2007-06-02. 
  11. ^ "Nicaragua Travel Guide", Travelotica. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  12. ^ "Nicaragua’s Evolution", Transitions Abroad. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  13. ^ "CECOCAFEN, the Coffee Cooperatives Central in the Northern Regions", Cooperative Coffees. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  14. ^ Butler, Felicity. "Rural and community-based tourism harvests greater yields". Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  15. ^ "Nicaraguan Ecotourism", Nicaragua.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  16. ^ "Nicaragua Travel Guide - Overview", World Travel Guide. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  17. ^ "Eco-tourism in Nicaragua: Green Giant", Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  18. ^ "River of dreams", Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  19. ^ "Country Profile: Nicaragua; Infrastructure", ProNicaragua. Retrieved on 2007-10-14. 
  20. ^ "Know Nicaragua Visa and Passport Regulations", Nicaragua.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  21. ^ "Consular Information Sheet: Nicaragua", U.S. Department of State. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  22. ^ "Volcanoes in Nicaragua: Apoyo Volcano", ViaNica. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  23. ^ "Activities in and around the Apoyo Lagoon", ViaNica. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  24. ^ "Boat trip among the Granada Islets", ViaNica. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 

[edit] External links

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