Hey there, fellow travelers! Today we’re posting from Granada, Nicaragua! We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do, we love to share the things that will shock you upon arriving in a new destination. Today we’re sharing the ten travel shocks of visiting Granada Nicaragua.
#1 Volcanoes
Nicaragua is full of volcanoes! And in Granada, Nicaragua, you can take day trips to see the volcanoes up close. Laguna de Apoyo is a lake inside a volcano crater that you can swim in. At the Masaya Volcano, you go when it’s still dark and you can see the lava and magma bubbling up from the ground.
#2 What a Beautiful City Granada Is
Granada is the colonial gem of Latin America, and you’ll be shocked at how cute it is. With beautiful churches, plazas and markets, there are so many things to do in Granada, Nicaragua. Everything is so colorful; the architecture in Granada is amazing. There are also tons of museums and a monastery to check out. You can attend workshops and learn how to make chocolate, or cigars.
#3 How Cheap a Nicaragua Vacation Can Be
Nicaragua is so affordable, it’s shocking. We just had a meal for seven people, including drinks, for less than $20.00. It’s not just the food in Nicaragua that is affordable; the tours, hotels and almost everything here is very affordable.
Watch: How to Find the Best Cheap Food When You Travel
#4 Quality of Hotels
The quality of hotels in Nicaragua is really shocking, especially considering how affordable they are. There are so many cheap places to stay in Granada, and you’ll get a ton of value for your money, including swimming pools and a full breakfast.
#5 Granada Locals
The locals in Granada are so nice! They are super helpful, even the sales people trying to sell you tours. Even the beggars are pretty polite and won’t harass you too much. If you want to give them money, buy the trinkets they are selling, rather than just giving them money outright.
#6 Drink Specials
If you like to enjoy a cocktail here and there, you’ll be shocked at the excellent drink specials you can take advantage of in Granada, Nicaragua! Especially on the Calle La Calzada, you’ll see a lot of “BOGO” drink deals; buy one get one free. We were drinking rum and cokes for about $1 each. Happy hour is every hour in Granada, Nicaragua! (Psst: there are awesome food deals in Granada, too!)
#7 Las Isletas
Sometime during your Granada, Nicaragua vacation, you will take a tour of Las Isletas, the small islands around Lake Nicaragua. The nature you see is amazing: birds and even monkeys on Monkey Island. The natural beauty surrounding Granada is stunning. You can even rent your own island for an overnight stay!
#8 Safety in Granada
Nicaragua has a reputation as an unsafe destination, so we were shocked at how safe we felt in Granada. Nicaragua is now ranked the safest country in Central America, in terms of violent crimes. Even at night, we haven’t felt uncomfortable or unsafe at all. Much of this goes back to the friendliness of the local people in Granada.
Watch: Is Nicaragua Safe?
#9 Bugs in Granada
The bugs are pretty bad in Granada, Nicaragua. Make sure you bring really good bug spray! Zika virus has been reported in Nicaragua as well, so be sure to check the most recent CDC alerts for any information on Zika Virus, especially if you are a susceptible demographic.
#10 Sun in Granada
The strength of the sun in Nicaragua is shocking! You will get sunburned so much more easily than you do at home, thanks to the strength of the sun’s rays here. Bring the strongest sunblock you can find; and reapply it frequently. The best way to avoid ruining your Nicaragua vacation with sunburn is to stay indoors between noon and 2pm. Enjoy a siesta, and find some shade to wait out the heat of the day.
We hope these ten tips help you prepare to visit Granada, and lessen the shocks you have upon arrival. After just four days, I am smitten with Granada, Nicaragua. Have you been to Granada? We’d love to hear what shocked you; just leave a comment below! For more Wolters World travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: