Nicaragua Local Customs

  Streets Side View of Granada Residence
by atufft
 
  • Streets Side View of Granada Residence
      Streets Side View of Granada Residence
    by atufft
  • Street View of Granada Residence
      Street View of Granada Residence
    by atufft
  • Granada Residence Turned Hotel
      Granada Residence Turned Hotel
    by atufft
  •   Local Customs
    by mircaskirca
  •   Local Customs
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Nicaraguan Politics and Memorials.

by atufft

It's pretty hard for visitors from the USA who have any sense of history not to be curious about Nicaraguan politics--the Somoza regime, Sandinista revolt, and Contra movement. Nicaragua has indeed had a long and difficult relationship with the USA and European powers that have wanted commercial interests in the potential canal and banana plantations. The attitude of most Nicaraguans that we talked to was positive about the Sandinista movement and the current president Daniel Ortega. And, we really didn't find any negative attitudes about the USA. Somoza is now a dim memory for only the oldest citizens, and many don't even recall the Contra movement--something more publicized in the USA than Nicaragua. The guns for drugs swap of the Reagan administration is more an idle cause for amusement than cause for political debate. Of course, the long Somoza dictatorial regime (1936 to 1979) is...

Protest Memorial Mural in Leon
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Patrick Arguello: Dawson's Field Hijackings 1970

by BorderHopper

There is a bit piece of history about a young Sandinista Nicaraguan that may actually have some relevance once again considering the upsurge in terrorism throughout the world. I recently read a story about Patrick Arguello Ryan, a young Nicaraguan who fled his country, to my hometown of Los Angeles, California, after his family was suspected of involvement in the assassination of Anastasio Somoza in the 1960's. After attending highchool near downtown Los Angeles Patrick Arguello studied in Chile and eventually went back to Nicaragua where he joined the Sandinista National Liberation Front. He was exiled from Nicaragua for his political activities with the Sandinistas and fled to Europe where he joined with the European Sandinistas who had forged a political pact with various Palestinian groups. But it was the hijacking of an El Al plane flying from Amsterdam to New York on September 6,...

The once war ravaged streets of Masaya, Nicaragua
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Why did the Sandinistas do what they did?

by BorderHopper

While researching my trip to Nicaragua I came across an interview of a young Nicaraguan immigrant in Toronto, Canada who expressed some of his own views on the civil war from 1979-1989 that displaced him & his family. Below are the excerpts from 'The Fate of a Nicaraguan' by Jaime Glazov of Frontpagemag.comThis may give you a little insight into Nicaragua & the Sandanista/Contra war that helped make Nicaragua the poorest Central American nation & the 2nd poorest country, behind Haiti, in the Western Hemisphere.Why did the Sandinistas do what they did to Nicaragua? "If their revolution was for the sake of social justice and equality, as they, and their Western admirers said it was, then why did that tragedy befall Nicaragua under their leadership? ""I would leave it to the people who study books to answer that question," Pracxedes says, but from my experience of running into people with...

A photo of my table top at the Flamingo Bar
The flag

by MalenaN

Blue and white are common colours in Central American flags. The colours come from the Central American Union flag from the beginning of the 19th century.In the middle, in a circle, it says Republica De Nicaragua, America Central. Inside the circle is a triangle with vulcanos and a lake.

Bargaining

by JenniferG

In the Central-American countries it's common to bargain on almost everything. Your accomodation is well worth a try especially when you're there in low season or with a bigger group. On markets it's common as well. Only restaurants and shops have fixed prices. All the other things... go ahead and have fun!

Piñatas

by MalenaN

A piñata is made of chicken-wire and paper and hanged up in a rope. It is stuffed with sweets. It is used at partys where children with covered eyes are going to hit the piñata to break it and make the sweets fall out. Someone is pulling the rope and the children take turn to hit the piñata. When the piñata breaks and the sweets fall out all the children try to grab as much sweets as possible.

My sisters school visited a school outside Managua
Nicaraguan Body Language

by epicult

Seems odd but many people (especially in the country) point to things with their lips and not their fingers. I didn't notice this so much in the city or the coast. Another is shaking of the finger back and forth signifing a very stong "NO!" or "Don't go there!". This is also very prevelant on the coast/islands.Apparently there are a few other common gestures but I didn't take notice of them or didn't understand meanings. Interesting.

Entering someone's house politely

by hanula

Nicaraguans don't just walk in someone's house or office even if they know the person well. They first say hello and then the other person might, for example, say "adelante" and you say " gracias" or "con permiso" and walk in.

Semana Santa

by MalenaN

During the Holy Week everybody seams to go to the the beach to spend time with their family and friends, to eat, drink and party. This is the only time of the year beaches in Nicaragua are crowded.As a lot of people comes to the beaches the prices often rise during this week.

There are a lot of poor people...

by TanjaE

There are a lot of poor people in Nicaragua. It's nice to give a tip, for anything someone does for you (at the Hotel, the Restaurant). There are also a lot of street children who are drug addicts. You can't help them, by giving them money. What I used to do was, buying bread or some other stuff for those kids. Cause if you give them money, they'll never use it to buy something to eat. Some of them already know that it's easy to get some money from tourists. On the market it's a must to deal.

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Jicaro Island Ecolodge  Granada

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Hotel Casa Naranja  Managua

 1 Review and 107 Opinions  It felt like staying at Home in Nicaragua. The rooms are nice, very comfortable beds, a great... 

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Nicaragua Local Customs

Reviews and photos of Nicaragua local customs posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Nicaragua sightseeing.
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