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Where to Live in Nicaragua

granada-nicaragua

Adalberto Vega

Nicaragua just might be Central America’s best kept secret. For years it’s been considered by many tourists as too dangerous to explore. This has kept it more affordable and less developed than nearby Costa Rica which has been a tourist and expat hotspot for years.

Yet today Nicaragua boasts the title of being the safest country in Central America and is making a comeback.

For those interested in getting in before everyone else does, here is where to live in Nicaragua with the best to offer North Americans hoping to relocate.

Granada

Spend one moment in Granada and you will understand why some travelers showed up and never left. The beautiful, brightly colored Spanish colonial architecture and lively squares and markets meld the enchantment of a European city with a small Latin village.

Situated on Lake Nicaragua beneath the Mombacho Volcano there is plenty of nature to explore. Lake Nicaragua has hundreds of little islands that some people have actually purchased and built homes or restaurants on. You can explore these islands by kayak or boat tour. Mombacho has plenty of hikes and climbs that offer epic views of the lake and islands. Daytrippers can also go to the Laguna de Apoyo which is a swimmable lagoon in the center of an erupted volcano.

The natural beauty, local culture, and colonial architecture have already brought plenty of expats who have established their own community. Some have opened volunteering organizations to help conscious individuals get involved in the local community.

Expat-owned cafes, delicious international food, gyms, and spas allow you to experience comforts of home at a dramatically lower price tag. There is also a strong local arts scene which gives the town a more cosmopolitan feel.

Leon

Leon is known locally as a college town but many expats have begun to call it their home as well. If Granada is Manhattan you might call Leon Brooklyn. It has a distinctly hipper, more rustic vibe than beautiful Granada.

The open squares sit between beautiful old churches and offer the perfect gathering place for musicians, writers, and artists. The many museums and galleries are a big appeal for foreign transplants.

Like Granada Leon has plenty of wonderful local food as well as expat-owned restaurants, cafes, and bars. It is just as affordable as nearby Granada.

A huge appeal of Leon is its close proximity to the Pacific Coast beaches. Surf towns like Las Penitas and Popoyo are a half hour drive away and there are plenty of completely deserted sands to explore. Leon is also surrounded by eight volcanoes that adventure lovers can explore. The most famous is Cerro Negro which you can hike at night or volcano board down the side of.

San Juan del Sur

san-juan-del-sur-nicaragua

David Dennis

On the far southern Pacific coast of Nicaragua is the popular beach town San Juan del Sur. In recent years it has become one of the most frequented destinations in Nicaragua by tourists. Consequently more and more expats are beginning to live and invest here.

The surf can be excellent and nearby beaches are often deserted. Many expats choose to root themselves here for the conveniences of the many businesses and opportunities because of the tourism industry, while still being on a very beautiful beach. Excellent restaurants, cafes, bars, and even yoga studios bring plenty of North American comforts to the area. Because of its popularity with tourists prices tend to be more akin with Costa Rica just next door.

San Juan Del Sur does have the biggest party scene of all of Nicaragua which may not appeal to everyone. However it’s always possible to stay a little way out of town for complete solitude.

Las Penitas and Popoyo

On the coast a short half hour drive from Leon are some beautiful beaches for expats who want a more off the grid experience. Las Penitas is a quiet small fishing village with great surfing. It lies on the Isla Juan Vanado reserve which has turtle hatching that volunteers can observe or assist in.

Popoyo is another sleepy, relatively undiscovered surf town. Both are close to Leon for city comforts.

The Corn Islands

corn-island-nicaragua

M. List

Out beyond the coast in the Caribbean sea the Corn Islands feel like another world. The local language is English, which will make relocation much easier for expats who do not speak Spanish. Both Big Corn and Little Corn island have a relaxed Caribbean vibe with very friendly communities.

The islands are covered in white sand beaches with flat glowing turquoise ocean. The sea is perfect for diving, fishing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and sailing.

Big Corn Island has a local airport with two hour flights to Managua for city necessities. It also has roads, cars, and many hotels and restaurants. Little Corn Island is much less developed and accessible by boat from Big Corn Island. It has no cars and the entire island is a little over a mile in diameter but still has an expat community, a yoga studio, two dive shops, and a few restaurants. It is unspoiled paradise.

The Corn Islands are not for everyone but the expats who have chosen to move there absolutely love it. A few have created their own farms to have access to fresh local food rather than waiting for the freight boat that comes once per week from El Rama on the mainland.

Nicaragua is a diverse country in both landscape and culture. Many travelers are beginning to recognize the beauty of the country and its people and are deciding to root themselves there. One of these up-and-coming expat hubs could be the perfect place for you to create a new life.

 

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