5 things you didn’t know about Nicaragua
Nicaragua may be most known for its beautiful beaches, amazing greenery, and tropical climate, but this Central American country has so much more to offer. If you’re visiting, moving to or living in Nicaragua, check out these cool facts to make the most out of your trip.
1 .You can land on a volcanic island
In the middle of Lake Nicaragua sits the island of Ometepe, which is formed by two different volcanoes. The volcanoes are called Concepción and Maderas and they join together to make an island that looks a little bit like a peanut. If an island made out of volcanoes isn’t cool enough for you, know that people have lived on Ometepe since 2000 BC, it has a population of almost 30,000, AND it has its own airport.
2. They love baseball
Baseball might traditionally be considered an American pastime, but it’s a huge deal in Nicaragua! Although most Latin American countries favour football as their national sport, in Nicaragua baseball takes the crown. Their national team is considered the best in all of Central America, but more locally, you’ll often find people playing on the street… sometimes using grapefruits as balls!
3. Always carry a compass
There are no street names in Nicaragua. If you ask someone for directions, chances are you’ll be told where it is in relation to a well known landmark. If that sounds complicated, don’t worry – you’ll also be told how far and in which direction to go too. As long as you know your north, east, south, and west, you’re all set.
4. Rice and beans are a breakfast food
Depending on where you’re from in the world, you might be surprised to discover that rice and beans are commonly eaten for breakfast in Nicaragua. One of the country’s most traditional dishes, gallo pinto, involves cooking beans and rice separately, then cooking them again together! This is often paired with eggs and tortilla, so if you’re looking for an authentic Nicaraguan breakfast, this is for you.
5. They have some seriously special sharks
Although sharks are usually considered a saltwater species, a few types do thrive in freshwater. This includes the bull sharks of Lake Nicaragua, who have the amazing ability to survive in a variety of different habitats. For years, it was a mystery as to how these sharks got into the lake to begin with, but in the 1960s scientists finally discovered that the sharks actually jumped upstream along the San Juan River. Are they sharks or are they salmon?
If you’d like to learn more about Nicaragua, check out our new country guide over on our website!
Did we miss out any interesting facts? Let us know!
Image 1: Milei.vencel
Image 2: Legendre17
