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kleinm
  4/12/2017 11:44 EST

i'm finding current and quality information is harder to uncover when researching nicaragua whether it's housing /renting,local new's, just the area,city , town's etc ,that;s not to say if their's some hidden gem`s which i'm sure their are one does't need to blap about it either ? so far as central am countries i'v inquired about this seems (nicaragua) to be the least talked about or wrote about? which is starting to intrigue me knowing theirs some hidden gem's to be discovered so for those of you that want to share some directional intrigue my way i promise not to pose a threat as to their where about's in conversation? or social media or if the other side of this is if you can't say something nice then it's best not to say anything?i'm hopeful the later is'nt true c u soon thanking u in advance

johnchip
  4/12/2017 12:57 EST

There is an old adage about "the strong silent type" is holding a tight tongue to keep close to his vest great gems of knowledge. It is more likely because he has little much to offer.

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novato1953
  4/12/2017 13:14 EST

No place I've ever seen has a grapevine like Nicaragua's. The country's always awash in rumor, and some of it is even true. But you can't realistically feed into it unless you're here and part of it. Anyway, travel is all personal, and Spirit flies here cheap from lots of places in north America. A 90-day easily-renewable tourist visa issued at the Managua airport has become standard. Zones could roughly be: Caribbean, Managua, North, South, and coast versus inland farming versus mountains. Get a decent map. Even the expensive buses between these places are cheap. Stay in hotels in various towns until you find a place you like, then start worrying about apartments. Climates vary greatly. The Nicaraguans are mostly friendly and helpful. The country's history over the past 175 years is studded with Errol Flynn moments -- but sometimes with real blood -- though few outside Nicaragua are up to speed on them.

TerryCicada
  4/12/2017 14:10 EST

Dear Kleinm,

There are good reasons why you do not get much info about Nicaragua or why the Canadians flock there for their Spring Break or the airfare is much higher than surrounding destinations. Do yourself a favor and read "The Path between the Seas" by David Mccoulogh . It is a history of the region and considered the best kept secret for many american vacationers. I seem to agree.

kleinm
  4/12/2017 16:18 EST

thanking you be for i read the book maybe i'll find what i'm looking for ?at least it's a direction good or bad ? even the info on the web sites is vague i have a few more months be for i shove off thank you for taking the time maybe the secret's in the book

elduendegrande
  4/13/2017 19:29 EST

Like a friend of mine used to say: :Reality is a Fig Newton of your imagination".

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johnchip
  4/13/2017 19:46 EST

Gabriel Garcia Marquez winner of the Nobel Prize for his novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude" said, "...for it was foreseen that the city of mirrors/mirages would be wiped out by the wind and exiled from the memory of men,...and that everything written on them was unrepeatable and forever more,, because races condemned to one hundred years of solitude did not have a second opportunity on earth."

LongHammer
  4/16/2017 13:45 EST

I sometimes fly to the US from Costa Rica which may take a bit longer but find can be cheaper and more convenient. Nico Expresso bus leaves from nearby my residence in Leon. The bus makes a pass right in front of the San Jose Airport (actually located in Alejuela) RT by Nico Expresso is $70. And I often save more than that on the air ticket. US imposed sanctions result in higher taxes and tariffs on everything to or from the US. I believe overall that amounts to about 40%
Bad part here is you spend about 15 hours on the bus and border crossing. I find the Managua airport much friendlier. I Costa Rica they won't let you in the terminal without a ticket. Managua allows family and friends to meet or leave you right outside
Immigration/Customs.

novato1953
  4/16/2017 15:56 EST

Or bus to Liberia (LIR), a bustling north Costa Rican international airport six or seven road hours closer than SJO. San Juan del Sur is about equidistant between Managua and LIR.

dumluk
  4/16/2017 19:46 EST

Yes, that would be the way to go.......How many airlines are flying in and out of Liberia now?

TerryCicada
  4/16/2017 20:44 EST

Save yourself the hassle. The dual border crossing is a pain in the neck when flying into Liberia/Costa Rica. You will spend more on ground transportation and possibly overnight and hotel stay expenses than its worth it.. Fly direct to Managua and enjoy your stay.

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novato1953
  4/16/2017 21:08 EST

I guess I've been luckier than you. I find the route from Liberia is much easier. Bus from LIR airport to downtown Liberia leaves every half hour during airport operations, costs about a dollar and reaches the end of the line in about 20 minutes, directly across the street from where the bus for the border departs, which is less than $10 and takes about 2 or 2.5 hours. Taxi from the border to SJDS is $20.

TerryCicada
  4/16/2017 22:07 EST

Yes in a way the reasons could answer some of your questions.
1. Why the airfares are higher than to Costa Rico because of the sanctions.

2. Why the President of the country refuse to have an interview with any US journalist in english.
3. Why it is still the second poorest country in Central America.

4. Why more Canadians go there for their vacation.
5. The country has the least number of refugees if any from the central american states going to the US.
6. It is similar to Cuba where emphasis is on improving the literacy rate of its young.
7. It is home to some of the great poets and artists from the Spanish era.

8. It was the original route between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean attempted by Ferdinand de lesseps .The Panama canal was completed by the US. Cornelius Vanderbilt who became one of the richest man from this development. It also propelled the US to become the world's leading economic power overshadowing Great Britain and the rest of the world.

LongHammer
  4/16/2017 23:00 EST

I found the fares in and out of Liberia remove any advantage in cost. My Number 1 reason for going to San Jose is for Alaska Airline flights. But my last trip from Managua to Chicago went so well, I expect to use AeroMexico as my preference. $313 RT to Chicago is hard to top. Only airlines like SwissAir, British Air, KLM, Lufthansa and Thai do I find comparable. I have a future flight there for $293. Cheapest US city I have found is Washington DC at $251. That is unless resorting to Spirit to Ft Lauderdale.

elduendegrande
  4/17/2017 10:39 EST

Surprise, surprise, Nic is a backwoods destination and just doesn't have the volume to support a big choice of airlines. It is improving but stll a poor selection.
Unless you are in the far south of Nic the Cr trip just adds time and aggravation to your trip for little savings to most destinations. And 2 countries to pass customs if you come back with 2 suitcases overflowing with goodies on the way back.

One new(?) flight I have seen is American from vegas to mga by way of dallas. This could be a winner and help avoid Beat Up Grandpa United Airlines.

LongHammer
  4/17/2017 11:44 EST

Just ask the pilot to see the airworthiness certificate, including the results of the Spectral Oil Analysis.. It is supposed to be open to public,but prefer the public know nothing about it. The two things that are really ignored is stress cracks around the windows and the cusp portion of the airframe.. Just about everything else in redundant. Wildest flight I ever had was Pan-Am/Saudia Airlines from Ar Riyadh to New York, when a couple Bedouins began building a fire in the 747 to BBQ a goat. Fast acting stewardess quashed the party with a fire extinguisher. Oh, the goat they were going to have for dinner was still alive, A slight delay while two Bedouins and the got exited with their Saudi National Guard escort.. Bad seat I had too, Rear left window . The one that doesn't recline and the orange crash recorder and locator sits under. 13 hours of discomfort..

novato1953
  4/17/2017 13:00 EST

Before boarding the aircraft, why not look out from the terminal windows yourself to check for duct tape patches over bullet scars and suchlike? Are people on the flight deck repeatedly making the sign of the cross? Do the tires look up to snuff? Does the name "Packard" appear on the engine cowlings? Things of that nature.

LongHammer
  4/17/2017 14:28 EST

You just reminded me. America West used to use lots of duct tape and baling wire on the overhead bins and table trays. Gave them the title of Annihilated Aardvark Airlines. A piece of rope to tie you in your seat is another bad sign.
Back in the late 1960s I took a flight from Denver to Phoenix on an 8 passenger puddle jumper. 14 take offs and landings, one atop a mesa. But everyone was serverdtwo strong alcoholic drinks each time. By the time I got to Phoenix practically no one could get off the plane without assistance.

LongHammer
  4/17/2017 14:39 EST

Once or twice I think a Breathalyzer used on the pilot might be a good idea. I had a step brother who flew 737s. He was lifetime revoked from driving a car for drunk driving. Yet he was good to fly with the airline. He later flew planes loaded with money to the Caymans. He finally crashed and that was the end of one of 5 steps. So it might be a bad sign if the pilot arrives at the airport in a taxi or you see him loading his bicycle into the cargo hold.

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