Nicaragua, HyperLocal City Guide featuring Neighborhoods, Zip Codes and Yellow Pages.

Although, usually overshadowed by the likes of nearby Costa Rica and Panama, recent investment and better political stability have turned this Central American country into a new hotspot for fun, sun, and wildlife viewing. The two long coastlines, the Pacific and the Caribbean (the Mosquito Coast) are abundant with marine life, while jungle and volcanoes dominate the land between. Most of the population lives along the Pacific lowlands. The population that does live on the Caribbean side is populated mostly by unique ethnic groups such as indigenous tribes like the Sumos and Ramas. The Managua is the political and economic capital. Grenada and Leon are the two best colonial cities with good dining, sights, and nightlife. San Juan del Sur on the Pacific is the country’s best beach resort and a well known surf spot. Lake Nicaragua is the only freshwater lake on earth to be inhabited by sharks. The lake is populated by many small islands, the largest and most visited being Isle Ometepe which has an active volcano and grows its own coffee. The Corn Islands in the Caribbean side offer turquoise waters, empty gorgeous beaches, and dirt cheap lobster. Several national parks make Nicaragua a prime country to view Central America’s diverse wildlife. Reserva Nacional Miraflor, Reserva Natural Volcan Mombacho, Reserva Nacional El Chocoyero, and Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado are great places to see birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, all sorts of forests. On both coasts, you can find endangered sea turtles making their way to the beaches to lay eggs. Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Flor near San Juan del Sur is one of the best spots in the world to see nesting turtles. The most popular sport is baseball, due to a US marine presence in the early part of the 20th Century, and most large cities have stadiums. Soccer is a close second. Food ranges from typical Central American cuisine such as Gallo Pinto, a beans and rice dish that the country lays claim to, Plato Surtido, tacos, and Sopa de Cola to American junk food like hamburgers and roasted chicken.