The Nica Islands
While we were in Nicaragua, the more delightful memories we collected took place during our days in Ometepe Island, Big Corn Island, and Little Corn Island. These three places are naturally beautiful, peaceful, welcoming, and each of them represents, in their own way, the cultural diversity of the country and Central America as a whole. Each island has lots to see and enjoy. Their laid-back vibe and kindness of the locals made them perfect destinations for anyone searching for paradise.
Ometepe is a volcanic island full of ancient indigenous history in the middle of Lake Nicaragua with an active volcano, Concepcion, and a dormant volcano, Madera, as their highest points. The shape and topography of this island felt magical. The island was home to pre-colonial indigenous groups, their petroglyphs, ceramics, arts, and tools are displayed at different points in the island. As a curious fact, we were surprised to find out that Lake Nicaragua is the only one in the world where sharks have adapted to fresh water. We spent five nights in Ometepe Island from May 7 to 12, 2016 but could have easily stayed many more.
We slept two nights in the San Jose region and camped the other three at Finca Magdalena. One of our favorite days was when we rented a scooter and drove around sightseeing the island. Just in that day we visited ancient petroglyph sites, an archaeological museum, the beach, the refreshing mineral pool of Ojo de Agua, and the long and unique Punta Jesus Maria at sunset. From Finca Magdalena, we hiked up to the summit of Madera Volcano, strenuous and rewarding steps up the trail that allowed us to gaze at the lagoon in the mouth of the volcano.
Riding on a Scooter in Ometepe Island
Big Corn and Little Corn Islands are pieces of heaven surrounded with gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean. The community of the island is an exponent of African heritage and English influence over the Caribbean coast. The African descendants here speak “Criollo,” or “Creole,” a language with a clear mix of English, possibly some African languages, and much more. Furthermore, the indigenous that live in the islands speak Miskito as the name of their group, and the Mestizos speak Spanish. These islands are a living example of multicultural diversity. We were in the islands from May 27 to June 1, 2016. Spending a total of four nights at Little Corn Island and every day there we hung out at a different beautiful beach, most of the time in complete solitude.
Searching for new beaches was rewarded with delicious mangoes we would find on the ground, Sal could not stop eating them! Should the island’s name be Mango Island instead of corn! We never saw any corn there. The island preserves a rural lifestyle and really appreciated the absence of vehicles and motorcycles. We also were fortunate to scuba dive in the perfect waters where the temperature and visibility were ideal, no wet suit needed! Our immersion at the Yellow Tail site, located north from the island, took us swimming between coral channels and tunnels, watching colorful fishes, a few nurse sharks, giant crabs, a lobster, a green turtle, blow fish, and barracudas.
Nurse Shark
Marine Turtle
We were also able to find a local fisherman to sell us fresh fish that we would use to make our own dinners. At the end of our days on the island, we left sun tanned and relaxed, which was all we could ask for. We also spent one night at Big Corn Island, one circular road, a few cars, and a public bus running the circuit allowed people to go around the territory. We explored different beaches and felt amazed by the extension, beauty, and loneliness of Long Beach Bay. At night we enjoyed watching children dances in celebration for “Palo de Mayo,” a traditional fertility dance.
We will never forget our days in these precious islands of Nicaragua and we hope you could also venture to them!
