The border crossing into Nicaragua from Costa rica or the other way around. Is a big business. There are buses, and tours that do just that because each country has a law that you can not stay longer than 90 days. So across the border, get your passport stamped and continue with your vacation. This is a link to In Nic now. Where expats from Edmonton live in Nicaragua. Its a great blog.
http://innicanow.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/another-90-days-in-paradise/
Monday, February 25, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Day 2 of Nicaragua Trip
We awoke to wonderful wildlife sounds and are ready for our day 2 adventure and discovering Ometepe Island. Where time stands still! Danny our guide talked to us last night about all the things we can do on Ometepe, such as hike 10 hours to places few have seen. (no thanks), swim in health waters where we will look years younger in 20 minutes (yes please) visit a farm, or a coffee planation, maybe some towns or museums.
We decided hiking in the forest and seeing the wildlife is good, as well as swimming, coffee planation, and a farm with drawing carved in the rocks from 1000's years ago. Catch the Ferry back B4 dark and then cross the border back into Costa Rica.
Here are photos from our walk.
We decided hiking in the forest and seeing the wildlife is good, as well as swimming, coffee planation, and a farm with drawing carved in the rocks from 1000's years ago. Catch the Ferry back B4 dark and then cross the border back into Costa Rica.
Here are photos from our walk.
The Blue Throated Jay bird
Thorny Cedar tree
A monkey hurrying to get away from us. (they don't see to many tourists here)
This tree looses its red bark and is green under
Our guide tells us about each plant and animal we see
The brown vine snake joins us
The trees in this small forest are huge
Danny catches the Vine snake and tells us about him
The roots of this tree was amazing
This tree is being killed by the vines climbing on it.
Ometepe Island Overnight stay
Altagracia, the largest city of the island, Ometepe has three major attractions: its volcanoes, nature, manifested in its forests and animals, and adventure of sailing across the lake.
The island has a great potential for agricultural and ecological tourism. A lot of tourists come Ometepe U.S. and Europe. A foreign tourist, on occasion, said he would "come to a farm that had a shelter that would allow them to milk the cows themselves." Others say they want to "come to cut that we thought was banana banana". With this, the island offers the possibility of integrating the different sectors of tourism production, so that not only are a few recipients.
"The Adventure of Ometepe actually begins before you reach the island itself," begins when the tourist embarks on Granada or San Jorge in the boat or small ferry that carries passengers and vehicles between the island and the mainland. From the dock of San Jorge to Moyogalpa on Ometepe, is nearly an hour of being a sailor, as the island with their two huge volcanoes is becoming increasingly large and imposing as they cover the twelve miles between these two ports.
Already in Ometepe is impossible not to be impressed and captivated by the spectacular nature of the island, for its paths covered with Malinche, Chilamate, strawberry, Janissaries, plums and monumental ceibas. Mangroves, beside the green waters of Lake Charco Verde, whose surroundings are full of trees Nancite, among others, are a unique experience. In these trees, up to 50 feet high, inhabiting the Congo monkeys, which are visible from the trails covered by the branches of the trees surrounding the small lake, which is located only few meters from the beaches of the island.
The island has a great potential for agricultural and ecological tourism. A lot of tourists come Ometepe U.S. and Europe. A foreign tourist, on occasion, said he would "come to a farm that had a shelter that would allow them to milk the cows themselves." Others say they want to "come to cut that we thought was banana banana". With this, the island offers the possibility of integrating the different sectors of tourism production, so that not only are a few recipients.
"The Adventure of Ometepe actually begins before you reach the island itself," begins when the tourist embarks on Granada or San Jorge in the boat or small ferry that carries passengers and vehicles between the island and the mainland. From the dock of San Jorge to Moyogalpa on Ometepe, is nearly an hour of being a sailor, as the island with their two huge volcanoes is becoming increasingly large and imposing as they cover the twelve miles between these two ports.
Already in Ometepe is impossible not to be impressed and captivated by the spectacular nature of the island, for its paths covered with Malinche, Chilamate, strawberry, Janissaries, plums and monumental ceibas. Mangroves, beside the green waters of Lake Charco Verde, whose surroundings are full of trees Nancite, among others, are a unique experience. In these trees, up to 50 feet high, inhabiting the Congo monkeys, which are visible from the trails covered by the branches of the trees surrounding the small lake, which is located only few meters from the beaches of the island.
Our experience:
we are played out from a busy day that started at 5 am. (it is hard to believe we have seen so much and travelled so far in one day) It is growing dark soon, and we still have to travel on the ferry across Lake Nicaragua to Ometepe Island where our day 2 of our Nicaragua adventure will start.
We get to the dock of San Jorge and realize its a very small ferry that is bobbing around in the rough waters like a bouy. Both Mavis and myself get motion sick very easy and this ride doesn't look like it will be too much fun. We watch the ferry come in and when it turns to back in, we laugh out loud, it looked like it was going to flip over the water was VERY choppy.
Half of the island. There are actually two volcanos on the island.
The dock where the ferry is tied to.
loading the ferry with cars and trucks
The Ferry's bopping around in the water waiting for docking. THis is going to be one rough ride.
Our room on the island
view of the 2nd volcano
the hotel from the beach,
At least it is cool and the breeze will help blow through the lower deck. By the time we leave dock it is dark and raining. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to get across because the rough waters I guess. When we arrive the walkers get off 1st, and must squeeze between parked trucks cars and motorbikes. When we get to the dock it seems like everyone is happy to find us a ride. But our guide Danny is there to pick us up and drive us to our hotel on the other side of the island. We are tied and hungry, so didn't enjoy the scenic drive as much as we could have. I do remember that there are more people, dogs, horses, and chickens on the road that on the main land. Our hotel is the best on the island we hear, and it was certainly a welcome sight as was the supper (red snapper) and drinks. Tomorrow is another day...in paradise.
Off to Masaya
Off to Granada Nicaragua
Just a bit of info:
Granada is the oldest colonial city in Nicaragua .
Granada is the oldest colonial city in Nicaragua .
- There are 6 main churches : the Cathedral, La Merced, Guadalupe, Xalteva, San Francisco and María Auxiliadora, which all have interesting historical backgrounds and are in very different states.
- Fuerte La Polvora is an 18th century fort (built in 1748) that's open for tours. A few historical exhibits are available on the main level, you can climb the towers for views of the quiet city streets, or wander through the lovely courtyard.
- Lake Cocibolca (also known as Lake Nicaragua), is the 10th largest fresh-water lake on earth and is inhabited by Bull Sharks, informally named the Nicaragua Shark. The beach area is not the safest area in town at night and comes with a rather unpleasant smell during the day. However, during the day this is a nice place to catch a breeze, and there are many Nicaraguan families that come here to pass the time. Vendors pass selling all kinds of food. Tours of the islands are available from Puerto Asese, near the pleasant Asese restaurant (known for its boneless fish).
A bit further along the shore is the Centro Turistico, a park like area complete with bars and restuarants. It's a bit cleaner then the beach right down from the city.
- The local market is definitely worth a glimpse, it's chaotic little market stands where you can get almost everything. The market is open everyday except holidays around and in the old Market hall, you can't miss it.
- The Central Park with the Cathedral and the Colonial houses surrounding it. The lively center of town with a lot of handicrafts or snacks to buy, or just sit down at a bench and watch the city and its people.
- The streets themselves with their charming Colonial colored houses are always worth a wander themselves.
- Take a boat tour of the Isletas. Boats leave from the marina at Puerto Asese. Your guide will tell you how all the islands are owned by millionaires. You will even visit an old fort that is on the island. Not to mention you will see adorable monkeys that live in the tree.
Here are some photos of these . 1st the church
Then the Isletas and monkeys with the MIllion dollar homes.
Then the streets of Granada with the horses all decorated up fancy
More on the Nicaragua trip
I just have to show you this amazing old church in Rivas. I am so sorry but I forget how old, and I can not believe the google experts don't have the info either.
It is hard to believe how important churches were to people. It was one of the 1st buildings erected in a town, and the craftsmenship was top notch always. The desk you see in the front was silver carved. Unbelievable beauty.
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