About judiko

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Some Forum Posts:

Nicaragua: Matagalpa visit:

Hi, I stay in Granada but last month, a friend came to visit me and we went up to Matagalpa and Esteli for a few days. We really enjoyed both cities. In Matagalpa we stayed at Royal Marinas. Though it says 'hostal,' it's more like a small family-owned hotel. The breakfast is good, too. Rooms are comfortable and clean, and there's hot water. It's close to everything. And the owners' son helped us arrange a few things to do. Just a few blocks away there is a travel agency that helps the tourists plan their excursions. You won't be that far from San Ramon, and that's worth a trip. And you'll be near Selva Negra too, though that'd be nice to spend a night at as well. Here's the website: http://www.royalmarinas.com/ Enjoy, JK

Nicaragua: senior woman moving to nica:

Squeakers: Join the Facebook page called Expats of Granada (not the 'uncensored' group but the one plainly named Expats of Granada). There's also one for Nicaragua and one for Matagalpa/Esteli. Post on there and you'll meet lots of others, both men and women, single/married, older and younger. There's an expat happy hour on Fridays too, a good way to meet others. Granada offers a lot of opportunities for activities. But one has to be self-motivated. Best to you.

Nicaragua: Getting from Esteli to Masaya or Granada:

Hi, I am sorry to repost this, or something similar to what I posted yesterday, but I'm trying to figure out the bus schedule. Because I live between Masaya and Granada, I can take a bus to either one, though I prefer Granada, but if it's too complicated with changes in Tipitapa or Managua, it may be better to go to Masaya. Can someone please let me know about buses? I'm on the website 'thebusschedule.com' and it's a bit confusing. Sounds like, from what I'd heard from some folks, is that it's not recommended to change in Tipitapa. I'd appreciate suggestions about getting from Esteli to Masaya/Granada by bus on Friday. Thank you. Judi

Nicaragua: Esteli:

Greetings. I and a friend are currently visiting Matagalpa (I'm living just outside of Granada and my friend is visiting from the states). I really like it here and am considering it a place to settle down in instead of Granada area. We are going to check out Esteli in a few days for just one day. Can anyone recommend a way to get from Esteli to Masaya or Granada? Or should we come back to Matagalpa and take a bus from here? Thank you, Judi

Nicaragua: Advice for a First Visit:

I just returned yesterday from a few days at La Boquita. We stayed at Myrinamar. It was a nice setting and very clean. The breakfast was great. The only negative was one of two dogs constantly barked (which was its job to notify the owners if anyone came by or if something was going on) but when we mentioned it to the owners, they promptly moved the dogs up to another location. So, this is a good place to stay. It is on the beach--well, it's above the beach so you have to be willing to walk up and down a lot if you plan on spending time on the beach itself. However, the beach is rocky so if you are wanting to be on a sandy beach, this is not the place for that. This is the Pacific so it's not calm at all and there's a strong undertow here. That said, during low tide, on the east side of the rocks, there are pools of water to just sit and soak in and that's really nice. The main beach you can walk to in La Boquita's 'tourist' area is much less rocky. But it's not a place you would swim--too rough as well. Not much in the way of shade here so sitting out is not easy to do unless you are sitting under the shade of the restaurants. As far as restaurants, there are a few that serve a Nica menu. At night there were only a couple that were open. Actually the prices were reasonable and the prawns were very good. So, in summary, I'd recommend La Boquita if you want a quiet place to go where you can sit on the patio of your room and watch the waves roll in and out and the sun set on the horizon. There's nothing else there! Bring a good book!

Nicaragua: Rain parka needed?:

Greetings, This is a silly question, but as I pack my bags in order to depart for Nicaragua tomorrow morning, I'm wondering if I'll need my rain parka. I used it a bit when hiking in Panama and Costa Rica in the higher elevations. But overall, I never touched it. Is it really necessary? Any other items of clothing--or any items--recommended to bring or not worth packing? I'll be in Nicaragua till mid May. Thanks. Judi

Nicaragua: Required limit on stay in Nicaragua?:

Greetings, I wasn't sure how to word the topic. When I've flown and taken buses into Panama and Costa Rica, though I'd had a plane ticket out dated for six or seven months later, the immigration folks wanted me to purchase something that showed I was leaving in 90 days before they'd allow me into the country. I'm wondering about Nicaragua: I am arriving with a round-trip ticket, leaving six months after arrival. Should I purchase a ticket now for the bus to Costa Rica for three months later, or buy one of the one-way refundable tickets for three months later (I did that when living in CR) that I can show and eventually cancel and get refunded, or will they even hassle me at the airport at all upon arrival? Thanks, Judi

Nicaragua: Arriving in Granada: looking for socializing opportunities:

Greetings, I'm arriving in Granada around the 23rd November and will be based there as I travel and volunteer. Having lived in very southern Costa Rica and in India, I'm familiar with a lot of what I've read here regarding living in Nicaragua as an expat. While Granada was not my first choice, the opportunity to stay there because of some connections through friends made the decision a bit easier. While I'm hoping to spend time with the local folks, and become part of the community wherever I end up, I'd like to also know if there's organized groups of expats that gather weekly or monthly. Are there events and places to go where one might meet others? I don't want to appear exclusionary or the such, but I have learned that there are times when I need to be with others who are also from a similar culture as mine. As I said, I lived in very southern CR, in a pretty remote area, and loved it and my neighbors, many whom I still stay in contact and hope to visit again. Yet there were times I just wanted to sit in a cafe, speak in English now and then, talk about books we're reading, or what's going on in the world. Thanks for any insight. Much appreciated, Judi in Oregon

Nicaragua: Mobile phone:

Greetings, I'm arriving in Nicaragua at the end of November for a seven month stay. I will have my 'smart' phone with me which I'll use when I have wifi. I'm wondering about purchasing a phone to use while there; is it best to buy one in the USA to take to Nicaragua and purchase a sim card/plan there, or to buy a phone when I arrive? When I lived in Costa Rica, I'd purhasted an Android (which I did not like) and plan from ICE and it was not so inexpensive. When I lived in India I bought an Android also, with a plan that meant constantly 'recharging' at the equivalent of ATT or Verizon. (I left my Costa Rican phone there with friends, and I gave my Indian phone to my driver.) I'd appreciate advice about buying phones there vs. USA, and about the plans, etc. where to purchase there, and where to purchase a phone if I do buy one there.

Panama: Anyone done the border crossing at Canoas lately?:

Greetings, This week I need to cross into Panama in order to renew my Costa Rican visa till end of June, as I have decided to stay here longer than I'd planned. The last time I crossed at Canoas, in February, Panama didn't ask me to show any money or even a ticket out. When returning, Costa Rica asked me for my round-trip ticket and to show them $300. Has anyone crossed recently and could you please provide me an update as to your experience? Thank you, Judi

Date Joined:

11/21/2012

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51

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