National traditions of Nicaragua. Habits, mentality and the way of living

Nicaragua is a country in Central America that borders with Costa Rica in the south and Honduras in the north. There are not many tourists from Europe is this part of the world, but those who decide to visit this country will be able to enjoy the bright sun and fine weather. Dozens of active volcanoes make travelers less willing to spend time at the hotel – the eruption might happen at any moment, and many guests want to see it with their own eyes. In Nicaragua, it is so easy to understand that we are helpless in the face of natural disasters, and this fact creates a special mood and desire to do everything today. Maybe, local nature is the reason why Nicaraguans are very cautious about everything new – new dishes, new business, etc. They try to be careful in such cases.

Nicaragua is not a rich country. Local prices aren’t high too, and this makes the country so attractive for budget tourists. For example, a ticket to the bus from the airport to the central part of Managua (the capital of Nicaragua) costs only 15 cents. Taxi services are a bit more expensive – 2 dollars (taxi is cheaper if you walk away from the airport building). Compare these rates to your home town. Local public transport is also cheap. If you like ocean waves, gorgeous sunsets, and picturesque views, go to the Pacific Ocean coast to take many unforgettable pictures. Endless beaches, the loud beating of waves, and green palm trees create charming, heartwarming views. The ocean looks nothing but spectacular. The Pacific Ocean is rarely calm, so knee-length is optimal for walking in the water. Swimming can be very dangerous because of strong currents.

Nicaraguans think more about today than tomorrow. Perhaps, low income and unpredictable local nature are responsible for that. When they have some money on hand, local people enjoy shopping and can even forget that the next salary will be in one or two weeks. Nicaraguans like loud activities. They happily celebrate various holidays because this is one more reason to get loud. Party poppers, firecrackers, loud music and singing – local people like celebrations and enjoy them to the fullest. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Nicaraguans are quite religious people. When talking to them, it is not rare to hear phrases like “Everything is in God’s hands”, “with God’s help”, and “as God wants”. Some religious quotes can even be added to public buses. If you agree on meeting with Nicaraguan people at a certain time, don’t be surprised if you find yourself alone at the appointed hour. Everyone else will come approximately one hour later. Nicaraguans have big families. Quite often, parents, children, aunts and uncles with their families, and grandparents all live in the same house. Local people like family dinners and celebrations.

Nicaragua is the safest country in Central America. Local police work well, and so foreign guests can explore streets and parks without any worries about a potential robbery. In small settlements, people want to live in a calm atmosphere, and so they stop all crime attempts. That being said, there are thieves in big cities, just like anywhere else in the world. In order not to attract criminals, it is better not to show off expensive items like smartphones, photo and video equipment, and large sums of cash.

Market is the best place to see the real everyday life of any place. Mercado Oriental is the best destination for this purpose in the capital of Nicaragua. When preparing to visit this market, take off your jewelry and do not display your wallet or smartphone. Do not put valuable items into open pockets. At Mercado Oriental, tourists can try an exotic dish – a soup made from iguana, a big green lizard. It is almost not possible to find this dish at local cafes and restaurants. Nicaraguans do not eat iguana often but sometimes they do. Not many venues offer this dish, and so Mercado Oriental is one of the best places to try it.

Nicaraguans are friendly and ready to help. They will not leave a foreign guest in trouble. Spanish is the official language here. People in the capital and popular tourist destinations can speak English but they usually mix it with Spanish words, so it might be hard to understand them. People in small cafes or at public transport stops might not speak English at all. In this case, try to explain your question using gestures – local people will do their best to understand you.

Surprisingly, local public transport (buses) works in the daytime only. This is true about both the city and intercity buses. In the evening, taxi is the only way to move around for tourists. If you check into your hotel at night, order transfer service. If you plan to move around a lot after sunset, it might be better to rent a car. The price of a car rental depends on its class and usually starts from 30 U.S. dollars a day. The final price is higher because of insurance and taxes. However, you can travel with comfort whenever you want if you have a rented car. Local roads are in good condition, and traffic jams are rare.