NICARAGUA: Educational Travel In Nicaragua

The educational opportunities in Nicaragua fall into a variety of categories. The ones listed here are just a start, but should give you – or your potential students – a starting point for planning educational travel to Nicaragua. Here are some of the educational travel opportunities there:

Spanish Language

Students can “live” Spanish in Nicaragua a number of ways: By attending a school and living in a dormitory or in the home of a Nicaraguan family, by joining a volunteer program to help a Nicaraguan community, or through private lessons with a native speaker. There are programs specifically geared toward students eager to brush up on their Spanish, students who do business with Spanish-speaking people, or students who just want to learn one of the world’s most beautiful languages.

Nicaraguan Cooking

Learning to cook “Nica style” is easy if you are living with a Nicaraguan family while studying Spanish. You can also learn in an educational program that is not just focused on the country’s language, but also on its culture. Or, for a short-term learning experience, students can head to Nicaragua and take one-day or one-week cooking classes from a local chef while there.

Volunteerism

A good way to learn Spanish, and give back, is to spend time in a volunteer program in Nicaragua. You will find volunteerism programs that match your talents and interests. Among them:

• Teaching English
• Tutoring elementary and secondary students
• Volunteering at the National Zoo or at animal shelters
• Working with groups dedicated to women’s empowerment
• Mentoring youth: There are many educational and vocational programs for needy youths that would cherish your help. Volunteers can get involved in a variety of tasks including sports, arts, music/drama, computer education, English instruction and meal preparation
• Working on sea turtle conservation projects
• Working with special needs children
• Aiding in a hospital or clinic
• Helping with medical / physical and occupational therapy
• Assisting with agricultural education at a cooperative farm
• Organic farming: (28-day program) (www.blueridgeproject.com)
• Building homes and community buildings
• Working in day-care centers teaching English, leading dance/art/sports activities, tutoring and mentoring
• Working on projects with Nicaragua’s indigenous people

Biological Conservation/Research

With its vast expanses of pristine rainforest, cloud forest and tropical coastal forest, Nicaragua is a perfect “laboratory” for students of nature. The can become involved in educational projects that involve:

• Organic coffee farming
• Agri-tourism – re-planted almost 100,000 native hardwood trees to reforest the area and operate a dairy and butterfly farm (Morgans Rock)
• Sea turtle conservation
• Rainforest conservation
• Wildlife research/monitoring (zoo at Montelimar Beach) (Corn Islands – Howler Monkeys)
• Bosawas Biosphere Reserve – a vast, protected rainforest located in the northeast of Nicaragua and the southern part of Honduras. The million-acre reserve is composed of thousands of animal species and plants

History
Students fascinated with history will find a variety of places within the country that still echo with the past:

Granada – the longest continually inhabited city on mainland Central America, with Spanish Colonial, colorful cobbled streets and beautiful haciendas that are now hotels for visitors.

Managua – the capital city of Nicaragua has stood for decades through of war, fire, earthquakes and hurricanes. Explore crumbling churches, monuments to leaders of the past and museums and reportedly the world’s oldest human footprints.

Ometepe Island – anchored by two volcanoes, one live and one inactive, this lush, remote island in Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America, has petroglyphs that reveal the secrets of ancient civilizations that once occupied it.

San Juan del Sur – a fishing village that was once known as a departure point for 49ers who had traveled from the Caribbean coast, up the Rio San Juan and across Lake Nicaragua, and boarded Clipper ships bound for San Francisco and the California Gold Rush. Today San Juan del Sur is a stopping point for cruise ships and a haven for surfers, who surf the magnificent beaches north and south of town, returning in the evening to party in the restaurants and clubs that border San Juan del Sur’s perfect bay.

Corn Islands – these remote islands off the Caribbean coast offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world, along with a unique culture that harkens back to its beginnings as a haven for ex-slaves from the British Caribbean islands.

Leon – once the main political, cultural and religious center of Nicaragua and one of the oldest colonial cities in Central America. Leon was destroyed in 1609 by an earthquake and volcano eruption. The inhabitants rebuilt the city further away from the volcano. It is home to the National University and many striking buildings, such as the Leon. Cathedral, with its collection of statuettes tracing religious art since the 1700s. You can visit the ruins of Old Leon, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rio San Juan – Columbus traveled this river on his voyage of discovery; Henry Morgan used it to sack Granada; Horatio Nelson and Napoleon fought the Spanish for the river; and Mark Twain wrote of its beauty and wildlife during the U.S. gold rush.

El Castillo – the ruins of an old Spanish fortress that was built overlooking the Rio San Juan, to protect the country from invaders and pirates.

Sports/Activities

Students coming to Nicaragua to learn Spanish can also learn sports that take advantage of the country’s beautiful beaches and pristine nature. Even if you don’t want to learn Spanish, you can learn these sports:

Surfing – Thanks to the winds that blow west from Lake Nicaragua to the Pacific, Nicaragua is blessed with consistent waves and warm water year-round. You will never find crowded beaches. You will find many surf camps and resorts where you can learn to surf. (wannasurf.com)
• Surf Tours: Nicasurf International Surf Tours; La Barra Surf Camp – Central Nicaragua (wannasurf.com)
• Surf with Amigas – Holly Beck’s women’s-only surf camps
• Many others

PADI SCUBA certification – Beginning Scuba divers are drawn to the inexpensive PADI Scuba diving courses in Nicaragua, and the chance to behold National Geographic-worthy sights on one’s very first dive. Attractions include:
• Laguna de Apoyo
• Lago Colcibolca
• The Corn Islands
• San Juan del Sur
• (scubadviser.com)

Sandboarding – In Nicaragua, you can enjoy the exciting sport of sandboarding down the volcanic-ash slopes of Cerro Negro, one of the country’s active volcanoes. Don’t worry: it will give plenty of warning if it is going to erupt!

Ziplining – You can zip-line over forest and coffee farms in Nicaragua

Canopy Adventure in Granada. At aracnerappel.com/ you hike up a cliff, visit the ruins of an old fort, then rappel down the cliff and jump into the ocean!

Canoeing and Kayaking – There are many spots to learn this relaxing sport, from Lake Nicaragua and San Juan del Sur to the Rio San Juan
• Half-day, full-day, 3-day and week tours (with lessons)

Yoga retreats – Yoga is an emerging activity in Nicaragua, in part because the surroundings are so serene. Many resorts offer yoga classes and programs, and there are yoga studios in Granada that welcome students.
• Nica Yoga is located in Nicaragua’s first and only yoga community, El Camino del Sol, located in hills outside of San Juan del Sure
• Aqua Nicaragua’s yoga platform

Hiking – With all its volcanoes, Nicaragua is an ideal destination for hikers. You will need a guide to take you to the top of the volcano on Ometepe Island, but there are many spots where well-marked trails make it easy for hikers to enjoy the lush forests of Nicaragua.
• Organized hiking tours that explore the countryside of Nicaragua and stop in at local farms and ranches

Fishing – Nicaragua offers some of the world’s best fishing thanks to the fact that it boasts two ocean coastlines, the largest lake in Central America and a river known as the “Amazon of Central America.” Some excellent fishing locales include:
• Rivas (between Pacific Ocean & Lake Nicaragua)
• Rio San Juan
• Pacific coast
• Caribbean coast

NICARAGUA: About Nicaraagua

Get enchanted by music and dance in the cradle of Nicaragua's folklore, Masaya.

Capital: Managua

Size: 129,494 km²

Population: 4.8m

Currency: Córdoba

Language: Spanish

Visas: Not required by British nationals

Food: The highlight is fresh lobster for about $3 - it is to die for!

Drink: Nicaragua is the land of a thousand fruits, so go for refrescos (fruit juices).

Festivals: Elaborate festivals are organized in each town or village to celebrate the local patron saint’s day.

Nicaragua is a friendly and peaceful country that has received some negative press over the years. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing, for, while other countries in the region have been flooded by tourists, Nicaragua has managed to preserve its authenticity and character.

The largest country in Central America, Nicaragua is full of incredible contrasts, a testament to a turbulent but fascinating history. On its Pacific side, where most of the population now live, the major colonial influence was Spanish, while the Caribbean coast was dominated by the British.

With its volcanoes and the massive inland sea of Lago de Nicaragua, the Pacific lowlands are stunningly beautiful. Ometepe Island, which lies in the lake, is the largest freshwater island in the world, dominated by the Concepción and Maderas volcanoes. There are regular ferries to this largely unspoilt jewel.

Elsewhere, in the city of León, you’ll find old colonial buildings, while the beaches along the Pacific coast are quiet and perfect for watersports and swimming. Off the Caribbean coast, the Corn Islands were once a base for British buccaneers, but sandy beaches and clear blue seas now make the islands an ideal spot for snorkelling and diving.

NICARAGUA: How Nicaragua Is Leading Eco-tourism In 2015.

Travelers are flocking to Nicaragua for authentic cultural interactions, to experience the extreme biodiversity across the country, and to realize excellent value for money, particularly for luxury travel experiences.

As the tourism industry in Nicaragua gains strength, we've seen hoteliers and other suppliers draw from successful examples of eco-tourism around the world. Nicaragua has a unique opportunity to embrace the spotlight and set itself up for long-term benefit from tourism. We can expect to see several exciting new products launch this year focused on quality, sustainability and conservation.

Here are a few examples of how Nicaragua is leading eco-tourism product development trends in 2015.

Mukul Acts as Cornerstone for High-Value/Low-Volume Ecotourism Development

Mukul, a luxury resort in Nicaragua built by one of the richest people in Central America, opened to great fanfare last year.

This property was built from the ground up to be one of the most luxurious in all of Central America. Guests enjoy private butlers, can arrange private helicopter transfers and indulge in gourmet meals while on site. However, most of the staff is from the local area.

Additionally, some 90% of the art and decorative objects on display around the property were made in Nicaragua. The designer spent two months traveling the country and uncovering these treasures.

Guests of this new property are immersed in Nicaraguan culture, food and leave with a unique appreciation for this beautiful destination. Mukul was developed, as per the owner of the property, to act as a catalyst for Nicaraguan tourism. It sets the stage for continued development of high-end, sustainable travel experiences.

Mario Salinas, Nicaragua's Minister of Tourism recently said, “We need people who are going to come and spend money. We can't wait 20 years" The destination is eager to welcome high-value/low-volume ecotourism projects like Mukul.

Off the Beaten Path Trumps Clustered Development

Savvy travelers today don’t want to go where everybody else has been already. They look for small developments where they can count on personalized service and special attention by management that is often harder to achieve in bigger hotels and mass-market destinations.

The idea of visiting a raw and untouched destination is in fact part of Nicaragua’s current charm. The tourism industry understands this and is working to maintain this allure, shunning mass tourism development at the moment.

While Nicaragua’s remote Ometepe Island (above) has seen significant development in recent years, we’ve even been hearing rumors that an airport will soon be built on the island, the island has retained it’s off-the-beaten-path charm. Here, eco-hotels like Xalli are gaining strength.

Xalli, located in a serene spot on the beach of Lake Nicaragua, offers only seven rooms and is dedicated to a high quality of service. Small projects like this in remote areas are popping up across Nicaragua, again indicating the high-value, low-volume model is working for this up-and-coming destination and mass tourism development is being shunned.

Nicaragua is Embracing Family Travelers who Appreciate and Understand Ecotourism

With the launch of the Family Travel Association last year, and the growing buzz in the travel industry about the evolving needs and demands of the lucrative family traveler, it’s clear family travelers can be an important, driving force in ecotourism around the world, particularly in Nicaragua.

And interestingly, grandparents, more so than parents, are often footing the bill on these international travel adventures. Multi-generational travel is growing exponentially, and we have seen hotels across Nicaragua actively work to attract these groups.

For example, the Cayuga Collection, who run Jicaro Lodge on Lake Nicaragua, are currently running a contest where families are being asked to help create the greatest green and sustainable family vacations. Soliciting feedback and advice from family travelers is perhaps the best way to further refine a sustainable travel experience the whole family will enjoy.