'The Land Of Lakes And Volcanoes', Nicaragua is full of wonder. It’s a warm, safe and friendly country where tourism has only just begun to flourish. Bordering Costa Rica’s northern frontier, it has everything Costa Rica offers – national parks, jungles, rivers, volcanoes, beautiful beaches, an astounding variety of flora and fauna and colonial cities. Often overshadowed by its neighbor to the south, it has been thankfully spared the mass tourism of Costa Rica. Nicaragua typically attracts culturally aware, more open-minded travelers who have a thirst for experiencing a lesser visited, off-the-beaten-track destination full of geographical beauty, beautiful colonial cities and friendly, smiling people.

Nicaragua's days of armed conflict and its history as a country in turmoil are long over. This progressive country is a welcoming and safe place to visit.

The country is home to two of Central America’s finest colonial cities. León was one of the region’s first cities, full of history and colonial splendor; it has a vibrant, bustling atmosphere. Granada is a very picturesque city that has been painstakingly restored. It boasts a network of pretty cobbled streets, red tiled roofs and a lovely lakeside setting on the shores of Lake Cocibolca, where the colorful building facades glow in the sultry, tropical late afternoon sun.

The nearby Pueblos Blancos are a series of pretty villages, each known for something in particular – wickerwork, bamboo craftwork, folk dancing, black magic, or simply one of the best views in all of Nicaragua from the cliffside walkway in the town of Catarina.

Nicaragua is one of the few places in the world where you can view an active volcano at close range. Peering into the smoking depths of the Masaya Volcano's crater is an unforgettable experience. Nearby Isla de Ometepe is an island of perfectly formed twin volcanic peaks rising out of Lake Cocibolca, Central America’s largest lake. It is an ecological jewel of unspoiled nature where you can trek around the island on horseback, kayak up a river under the shade of the forest canopy spotting wildlife, swim in crystal clear natural stone pools set in a lush botanical garden surrounded by the call of monkeys in the treetops and the blur of colorful tropical birds flying by, and for the really adventurous, mountain bike tours around the island, and hikes to the summit of 4,500 foot Maderas Volcano are possibilities.

The Pacific coast is home to La Flor Wildlife Refuge. Here, Olive Ridley turtles, known for their massive synchronous nesting emergences, number up to 20,000 between the July and February nesting season and witnessing this spectacle is an unforgettable experience.

Nicaragua is an amazing emerging luxury travel destination. Some tout it as 'the new Costa Rica', but we disagree – we feel it is a far more fascinating, diverse and exciting destination to visit than Costa Rica and we are proud to offer it in our portfolio.

Images of Nicaragua