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I am heading to Nicaragua in five weeks for an as of yet undetermined amount of time. I have been doing the requisite research, but am looking for some personal experience advice.
Thanks

Does anyone know when and where was the last sighting of a bull shark in Lake Nicaragua?

I'm another big fan of Nicaragua, particularly Ometepe as well. (Piecar, Concepcion is nowhere near the highest point in CA - its peak is lower in elevation than the city of Xela, Guatemala). The two main towns there - Moyogalpa and Altagracia - are dinky little affairs where ferries from San Jorge and Granada land. The best part of the island is wandering around the countryside, and hiking the volcanoes.

I'm also a big fan of Leon and Granada, the two colonial cities to Nicaragua. They have been historical rivals, even fighting civil wars against each other. Granada represents the more conservative Nicaragua, while Leon is rich in revolutionary history. Masaya is worth visiting for its market, and easy to access from Granada. I've heard people talk very highly of Jinotega, and I'm quite fond of Esteli, which is a great place for Spanish study.

The beaches in Nicaragua are awesome too. San Juan del Sur is the real estate boom town in the country, and getting more touristy all the time. The town itself isn't particularly appealing, but the nearby beaches are outstanding. The Corn Islands, off the Caribbean coast, are particularly remote, with great scuba diving. If you want to really go off the beaten path, check out the Solentiname archipelago, or a boat trip up the Rio San Juan.

Managua sucks, and should be avoided.

(By the way, there haven't been any sightings of the notorious Cocibolca sharks for years, and there are no recorded attacks on humans there. The water's great for swimming.)

quote:

Does anyone know when and where was the last sighting of a bull shark in Lake Nicaragua?

I'd say since at least since the last time Piecar was there

quote:

Originally posted by Felix:
Managua sucks, and should be avoided.

But if you do get stuck there and have to wait for a flight, less than a mile down the highway towards the city is a military recreation facility where they'll let you hang out and drink if you ask -- it's a lot more interesting than the airport.

Also, near Leon is the beach town of Las Penitas -- it's a lovely location with a nice beach and easy access to the Isla de Juan Venudo wildlife refuge, where there be crocodiles, iguanas, etc.

In the Masaya area, you can stay at a place called the Monkey Hut, which is on the coast of a lake situated within an extinct volcano.

I'd also second any recommendation for Ometepe -- quite simply one of the coolest places I've ever been. The hike up Vulcan Maderas ranks up there with my favorite all-time hikes.