\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Make sure beaches arent littered with garbage before going- which drifts in with the tides and not put there by the locals! San Juan Del Sur has very popular destinations to travel to on Nicaraguas Pacific Coast! Nicaragua one day tour pick up locations Tour companies can pick up in: Liberia Las Salinas Bay (Dreams) La Cruz Tamarindo/Conchal/Flamingo/Portrero/Brasilito Huacas Nicaragua has the lowest homicide rate in Central America . It definitely is a hard call depending on what youre after, but you cant go wrong either way! Days. Lake Nicaragua is freshwater lake with a size of 8,264 km. Nicaragua is divided into 15 departments and two autonomous regions these two are the Atlantico Norte and Atlantico Sur. Costa Rica on the other hand I have taken family out for late night beach walks. Stay in fine luxury and dine at the Colonial restaurant. Crime, by the way, is much lower in Nicaragua. The different regions in Nicaragua have varied climates and change during the dry season and the green season. We say things like I dont like to plan things out or I am all over the place or just go with the flow. And who doesnt like less prices and less crowd. After meandering the streets and taking in the sights of Granada, the most peaceful, tranquil place to rest your head is at the enchanting Jicaro Island Ecolodge, a 20-minute boat ride away. Happy travels! Elemental Yoga Flow So many of us have the word flow misunderstood. Over the years in Costa Rica, I have met my share of con artists, bull throwers, and downright liars, both expat and local. I visited twice this year. The tension between this safe reality on the ground and the misperception of danger online makes Nicaragua a hidden gem a Costa Rica as experienced by its early discoverers ready to be found by those willing to stretch beyond the powerful confines of group thought. And, since most beach travelers who de-board at Liberia head to a select few beaches in Costa Rica, those who expand their horizon ever so slightly have access to some of the most pristine and tranquil beach experiences that are difficult to find on the Costa Rican side. The Supreme Court judges serve staggered five-year terms. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The Ultimate Guide to Crossing the Border Between Costa Rica and Nicaragua:Penas Blancas Border January 5, 2022 By Sammi 452 Comments **The Costa Rican government has opened the land borders to Nicaragua and Panama on April 5, 2021 for tourists. McDonalds. Price from. Border patrol officers are used to tourists who dont speak fluent Spanish. Nicaragua is definitely the cheaper place. Are buses safe? We skip all of them and eat local Like at La Cascada at Pelican Eyes San Juna Del Sur and La Frontera Granada both have amazing food service and each have best hamburgers in their area. The national currency of Nicaragua is called the Crdoba; it was introduced on March 20, 1912, replacing the peso moneda corriente. Mission Hospital nurse paralyzed on trip to Costa Rica, begins fight to You dont need anything else no insurance, no onward travel, no health pass. In about a year. It wasnt until 1821 that Nicaragua gained independence from Spain. When she isnt writing, you can find Hannah working on hand embroidery projects and listening to music. $9,590.00 per person, based on double occupancy. But what many travelers are only just starting to discover is that Nicaragua, its central American neighbor to the north, offers much of the thrill, scenery, and sizzle -- with a culture all its own. The wildlife, ocean activities, and available eco-wellness experiences are similar among the two countries. Nicaragua vs Costa Rica - which one should I travel to? The green season is also referred to as the winter season because the temperatures are usually a little cooler. Visit stunning beaches, steaming volcanoes, lush rain forests and best of all the Nicaraguan people! Pizza Hut, Are and many more. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Youll spend your days spotting turtles and frogs, eating excellent local cuisine, swimming in the saltwater pool, practicing yoga on a floating deck, and visiting students whose school receives support from Jicaro -- so you can feel good about the $300/night (meal inclusive) starting rates. During the 1980s President Reagan of the United States committed to helping the Contras by arming them, sending troops, and placing an embargo on the country. Both Nicaragua and Costa Rica are countries rich in natural beauty, where Nicaragua rules in volcanoes, all 19 of them, Costa Rica makes up for it in waterfalls and lush rainforest. Granada a city of wonderment. During these elections, Schick was elected, but this did not sit well with Somozas other son who had wanted control. Were full-time travel bloggers who have been exploring the world since 2016, visiting 50+ countries across 5 continents along the way. Nicargua is totally my kinda place than Costa Rica. Costa Rica to Nicaragua drive - plan a road trip This allows many travelers who choose Nicaragua to stay longer and experience more of what theyre looking for in a Central American vacation. For more adventurous types, theres also mountain biking, white water tubing, and hiking. Nicaragua is a beautiful country to visit and there are many reasons why you should plan your next vacation here! The Electoral branch is made up of judges appointed by the National Assembly, these judges are responsible for organizing national, regional, and municipal elections. Namu Travel'sCosta Rican Vacations and Nicaragua Vacationsare considered matchmakers for Central American travel who designing itineraries that match travelers budgets and goals. Well I would say both, but I know that is not always possible. While you will definitely see plenty of other tourists in Nicaragua, the bulk of them will be from other Central American countries, and most tourists from outside the region being backpackers and younger travelers who are traveling through Central America. Some of the best years of my life! The President is the Head of the State and the Commander in Chief of the nations Defense and Security Forces. CR was rated in 2019 happiest place in the world. The Rio San Juan was an important gateway for the Spanish into Lake Nicaragua and the heart of Central America. Connections are genuinely made with tourists not because they are tourists but because they are human and because the people genuinely want to share and connect with other cultures and people. I have spent substantial time in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. I was debating on taking this trip due to taking a day away from my Costa Rica trip, but it was worth the day trip to Nicaragua. Tucked in the underrated continent of Central America are two of the world's most beautiful and unique countries. It is important to point out that there is a currently a lot of political unrest in Nicaragua. It is a delicious cake made with three types of milk. In other words, Costa Rica provided a similar value with similar experiences to what we saw in Nicaragua, they just charged a lot more for it. That really only applies to the capital. Many great places to eat, chill and enjoy Nicaragua. The immigration office is air-conditioned and can be a nice reprieve from the hot weather. Nicaragua vs Costa Rica which one should I travel to? Which one should you visit? I dont think, so because I personally have done many journeys to Nicaragua, and my family and I have enjoyed all the night in different places and city of Nicaragua without any problem ; in addition we have done the best tourism of our live. Mircoles 05 de julio, 2023. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Of all the Central American countries, Costa Rica is absolutely the best one for a first trip outside the USAI hope she has an amazing time! Crossing the Border Between Costa Rica and Nicaragua Guide - MytanFeet Crdobas have both banknotes and coins. This revolution left over 50,000 people dead and over 150,000 refugees. Finally, a visit to Costa Ricas famous beaches, where many Americans have visited and simply refused to leave, is the perfect way to end the tour. Surfing and partying are the most popular pastimes. Hannah Madden is a writer, editor, and artist currently living in Portland, Oregon. Recommended option Fly 2h 37m Fly from Managua (MGA) to San Jose (SJO) MGA - SJO $171 - $451 Cheapest option Bus 6h 3. As an Amazon Associate, Our Escape Clause earns from qualifying purchases. Spanish is the official language of Nicaragua but on the eastern coast, creole-English can be found along with other indigenous languages. Costa Rica to Nicaragua Border Crossing: Travel Guide The country is also home to many endemic species and those that are endangered, including the Jaguar. The violent crime rates in both nations are less than many North American states and cities. For people who are less accustomed to traveling in Central America or within the developing world in general, those tradeoffs may be absolutely worth it! Costa Rica is the perfect destination for family activities where ziplining over Monteverde's Cloud Forest Reserve is a must. 4:06 pm arrive at Nicaragua. He lived alone, and it was later discovered that he had two sets of identification . For those looking to get in touch with nature, Nicaragua has 78 national parks such as the Indio-Maiz Biological Reserve on the Caribbean border with Costa Rica, Los Guatusos Wildlife Reserve, Mombacho Cloud Forest Reserve and many others. True, the greater tourism infrastructure and English-speaking presence, along with Costa Rica being the more popular destination for international travelers, all contribute to this, but after spending months in the region, we didnt value those things enough to consider the extra cost worth it. Like Costa Rica, Nicaragua has a range of tourism infrastructure, from budget hostel to 5-star resorts. My understanding is that things have died down a lot and that tourists are starting to return, but we havent been back personally. Even in very backpacker-heavy towns like San Juan del Sur, the area still had a very distinctive, Nicaraguan feel to itsomething lacking in Costa Rica, which still ranks as the only country outside the USA in which weve ever seen a Taco Bell. Depending on your Costa Rica itinerary or Nicaragua itinerary, you can choose a border crossing that will suit your needs best.In our situation made sense to use Penas Blancas land border crossing as our first destination in Nicaragua was San Juan del Sur, a beautiful place famous for beaches and surfing.. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. If you are looking for culture and history, visit the colorful markets of Masaya, or the colonial town of Granada one of the oldest citys in the Americas. Thats a beautiful comparison between the 2 countries. The Perfect 2 Weeks in Nicaragua Itinerary (+ Tips!) How to get from Costa Rica to Nicaragua - Costa Dulce Retreat This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. We have been to Honduras and greatly enjoyed itwe visited Copan Ruinas, Utila, and La Ceiba/the Cangrajel River Valley. Im connecting it to the comparison between Brugge and Ghent in Belgium! Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a 1-hour sunset cruise, stopping to meet the friendly monkeys of Monkey Island along the way. Its a very yogi word thats blowing across all of our vocabulary. This branch is the Supreme Court and is the highest judiciary power. Religion plays an important role in the culture here, as well as music and dance. We havent visited an active Volcano yet but Nicaragua having 19 active volcanoes and less crowd surely makes for one of the top reasons to add it to the bucket list. Nicaragua Tour from Costa Rica | One Day - Native's Way Tours Try to have your passport and paperwork out and ready to avoid confusion. One of the best Health systems in the world. There are 4 ways to get from Costa Rica to Nicaragua by bus, car or plane Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. You do need a specific health insurance though which you can buy per day. In my opinion, I am looking for something more adventure, exacting, and of course cheaper and safety. I can go on. Recommended Bus Take the bus from San Jos to Managua 6h $30 Bus via El Dorado Take the bus from San Jos to Managua 8h 44m $39 Drive By Ileana Fernandez. More crowds. The civil war ended when Costa Ricas President Oscar Arias asked the five Central American presidents to sign a peace plan. The values of banknotes are C$500, C$100, C$50, C$20, and C$10. One of the most staple foods is corn; it has been the base in the cuisine of Nicaragua since pre-Colombian times. by Costa Dulce Team | Feb 3, 2020 | Costa Rica vs Nicaragua, Ecotourism, Nicaragua, Scroll down for an update on Costa Rica vs Nicaragua during Covid-19. We want a beach, sun, margaritas, good food, a cozy bed and not much else. Just because it rhymes Sign up for our newsletter, stay in touch with the Costa Dulce family and get updates, news + discounts on your next stay. Vigorn is a traditional Nicaraguan dish and is very delicious. People may be wearing masks but it is by choice. Most of us need a time out at some point. 4. The war had destroyed Nicaraguas economy making it one of the poorest countries in the world. And, really, all of the cultural quirks that come with them. Why do you want McDonalds in Nicaragua? What are the best places to visit? This is your chance! Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua for Vacation - Which one is better? The central highlands are characterized by rugged mountainous terrain. While we try to avoid the touristic places, Costa Rica having more English speakers definitely makes the trip easy. Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Los Ministerios de Salud de Costa Rica y Nicaragua participaron -con apoyo de la Organizacin Panamericana de la Salud (OPS)- el pasado 28 y 29 de junio, en la reunin tcnica binacional para la implementacin de intervenciones conjuntas transfronterizas para la eliminacin de la malaria. I live in Nicaragua and the food ,volcanos, Lake Nicaragua and the beaches are stunning and everything is cheaper. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The one day trip from Costa Rica to Nicaragua was a great experience. by Costa Dulce Team | Oct 28, 2022 | Surfing, Yoga. Makes for a hard choice, right?! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Costa Rica vs Nicaragua: A must-read comparison for travelers. . CR got 1,200 beaches well a conditioned for tourism. 27% of territory are National Parks & Reserves. They are countries that boast preserved natural beauty. Sometimes you will see notes with values for 25, 10, 5, and 1, but these are rarely used. Dont forget Las Peitas for great pizza. All rights reserved. If you decide to chart the trip yourself, it might be worth your while to research guides for specific portions of the trip, particularly if you're interested in nature and wildlife. Yoga is a crucial element of our life here at Costa Dulce since it is the foundation of the holistic lifestyle we embody. stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am. Nicarguan here, I just went went to Costa Rica, basically San Jose. Equipped like that you are free to enter Costa Rica. Whichever you choose, you definitely wont run out of fun things to do in Costa Rica or Nicaragua! You no longer need the PCR test. In Costa Rica, we spent time in laid-back Caribbean Puerto Viejo, and have our sights set on the beautiful Pacific Guanacaste region (, You wont starve, and there are several tasty Nicaraguan and, That being said, one of our normal precautions when traveling is to purchase travel insurance from. ), How to Take the Perfect Day Trip to Lake Como From Milan (By Train or Tour!). The international airport in Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) is only a 1h20m drive to the Nicaraguan border and offers a great variety of direct flights from cities in the US, Canada and Europe (here is a list of all direct flights available). The green season in Nicaragua runs from about mid-May to November. Costa Dulce provides the perfect opportunity to learn how to surf. When she isnt writing, you can find Hannah working on hand embroidery projects and listening to music. While there is an established gringo trail that passes through Nicaragua (more or less concentrated in Leon, Granada, and San Juan del Sur, and to a lesser extent in Isla de Ometepe), the luxury properties and high-end resorts in Costa Rica are not present in Nicaragua. For many Nicaraguans saints are inspirations, and their lives and causes are celebrated. Top 14 How Long Does It Take To Learn To Surf - Th Vin Hi p, Top 13 How Long To Learn To Surf - Th Vin Hi p. If you plan on staying longer than 90 days in Nicaragua, contact your embassy to find out how you can get a visa. Thanks for the awesome comparison! Spanish is still very much the preferred spoken language of most of the population, but if youd prefer to work with employees in the tourism industry who speak English, your odds go up by being in Costa Rica instead of Nicaragua. You can get great food with affordable prices wherever you go but please ask to locals. What are you waiting for? ). The local food is infinitely better. A plantain leaf is usually placed on a plate followed by yucca, chicharrn, then a salad made out of cabbage and tomato. The standard tourism cycle reflects the power of this need. Hopefully this coronavirus thing will be under control. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. A local tour guide can give you the lay of the land and the history. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Delicious lunch of typical Nicaraguan . Hannah enjoys writing articles about conservation, sustainability, and eco-friendly products. You sound like backpackers, for you most beaches got accondionated spaces, with showers and toilets facilities. Cheaper is always such a temptation! The early 1900s are defined by the United States dominating Nicaraguan politics. Because of Arias plan all of Central America was at peace in 1993, the first time in generations. As amazing as both destinations are, picking one can come down to a matter of travel style and personal preference. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Nicaragua to Costa Rica - 4 ways to travel via plane, bus, and car Im heading there for a couple weeks in July! Dances from the Caribbean coast have a lot of influences from Africa but are also danced near the pacific and other parts of Nicaragua. Traveling to Nicaraguafrom Costa Rica is a really fun trip. Still troubled with a corrupt government but over time it has been dedicated to bringing the country out of poverty. There are hardly any fast food chains here. Tip: Download the app XE Currency Exchange for current exchange rates to make sure you are getting the right amount of money back. The government of Nicaragua follows the 1987 constitution. We are currently trying to rebook flights to somewhere else. On top of what I read, Tourism is our Gross Domestic Product main Source so we must be ready to receive international visits, that means investment in touristic infrastructure, security, education, hospitals, etc. Nicaragua is known for natural splendor, adventure tourism and unlike other parts of Central America and Costa Rica, this country still has many of its colonial charm as can be found in the city of Granada. Cheap sometimes is the most expensive way. Make sure your passport is valid and that you keep all of the receipts for your entrance and exit taxes to enjoy both of these dazzling countries one after the other. As such it also attracted English buccaneers in search of Spanish gold, and even a young and impressionable Horatio Nelson who came to fight the Spanish garrison at El Castillo in 1780. There are 16 judges who are nominated by the National Assembly; these judges have administrative, civil, criminal, and constitutional chambers. It makes things easier for any traveler not just to choose between the 2 but also know what to expect.