We went to Nicaragua on a whim and had done little to no research as to what to expect. We went to San Juan del Sur to surf a little then ended up on a double volcanic island in the middle of a massive lake. We hiked both volcanos, saw a lake at the top of the smaller and breathed in toxic fumes at the top of the other.
We tried out a variety of lodging options in the southern part of the country, ranging from $1.50 per person to camp in a driveway in a rough neighborhood outside the window of a new born baby on the full moon that encouraged all the dogs in town to lose their minds and voices (not a lot of sleeping to be had), to $5 a night to crash on the couch of a party hostel, to our favorite option: $7 a night to stay at San Fernando on Ometepe in our own cabina directly on Lake Nicaragua with the nicest owner and puppy we have yet come across. We ABSOLUTELY recommend Don Ramon’s place at San Fernando, he is wonderful, caring, and a fantastic host!
The most amazing part of Nicaragua, however, was meeting our guide Ronmel on Ometepe. Not only did he guide us to the top of Volcán Concepción (which is exactely what one would think scaling the side of an active volcano would be like) but he also gave us the history of Nicaragua’s civil war and a Spanish lesson that we actaully learned a lot from! He was incredibly patient with R’s slow pace and falling behind, as well as Traci’s working through a phobia of heights like a champion. If you ever are going to be on Ometepe island and feel like experiencing some breath-taking views look him up in town because his company is more than worth the effort! (plus he goes up 3 times a week, so you can coordiante that into your schedule quite easily).
We learned a lot about our future travels on this trip in Nicaragua: not every place is green and lush, water is often not potable, people really don’t recycle in the world, also, lieing is a sport when money and/or lack of knowledge is involved. There is no way to take anyone at their word, even if they are the most lovable person you have ever met. But we learned to embrace the culture for what it was, and the people are so warm and inviting you almost stop caring that they are lieing to you!
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Rule #2: Don't Die. 