What to do in Nicaragua
2010-10-22
Referred to by some travelers as the "next Costa Rica" and by some locals as "the land of lakes and volcanos," Nicaragua has something for almost everyone.
For surfers looking for the best breaks, the perfect place is the southwest corner of the country close to the Costa Rican border, according to Fodors.com.
Once a visitor has had enough of the water, he or she may be interested in sledding down the Cerro Negro volcano, one of 19 in Nicaragua. Cerro Negro is the youngest volcano in Central America, having been formed around 1850. It has made up for lost time and erupted 23 times since then, with the latest eruption occurring in 1999. For those less adventurous, a more accessible Nicaraguan volcano may be Masaya, since tourists can drive directly to the rim.
In addition to the nation's natural wonders, certain cities in Nicaragua are worth visiting for their unique atmosphere. In particular, Granada and Leon are two colonial cities founded by Spaniards in the 16th century and are known for their ornate baroque churches and rainbow-colored residences.
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