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History - Traditions - Food and more...

Nicaragua, situated south of Honduras and north of Costa Rica, contains the largest freshwater lake in Central America. Dance the cumbia on the Caribbean beaches or surf some of the best waves in the world on the Pacific Coast of this laid back tropical country.

 

Nicaragua is influenced by Ancient indigenous cultures and by Spanish colonialism. Modern advances in the country’s infrastructure have contributed to Nicaragua’s recent strong year on year growth, with textiles and agriculture combined accounting for nearly 50% of Nicaragua's exports

Following strict IMF demands for cutting its deficit, implementing structural reforms, and maintaining overall monetary stability, Nicaragua’s economy has grown strong. The successful completion of negotiations of the Central American Free Trade Agreement is also promoting Nicaragua’s development in their infrastructure and position in the global marketplace. Tourism is also rapidly becoming one of the nation’s leading sources of income, recently voted as the third best-value travel destination in the world in 2011 by Lonely Planet.

While most of Nicaragua's foreign buyers come from the United States and Canada, there have been an increasing numbers of European and Asian buyers. With a cost of living that is lower than in Costa Rica or Panama, a growing economy, and year-round sunshine, foreign buyers and retirees are being drawn to Nicaragua. Buyers seeking a retirement home or income property can find a magnificent colonial home in Granada as low as $150,000.

Nicaragua has friendly laws when it comes to foreigners investing in real estate.  There are no restrictions on foreign ownership of property. Buyers pay a transfer tax equal to 1 percent of the purchase price, and an additional 1 to 1.5 percent in legal fees goes to the lawyer who researches the title and draws up the closing documents. The seller usually pays the real estate agent's commission, which is 3 to 6 percent for a home. All Nicaragua real estate purchases must be witnessed by a local attorney, and all documents are obtained from the Catastral office; property registration takes place at the public registry.

Living in the land of lakes and volcanoes can be a daily adventure.  One tradition that is practiced in the the city of Managua every year is the celebration of their patron saint, Santo Domingo.  This traditional festival began in the late 19th century when a small Catholic statue of Santo Domingo was discovered in Managua. This discovery formed the beginning of what today is called the Santo Domingo festival in Managua, forming a tradition filled with many colors and festive joy.  This festival is now celebrated every year on the first day of August. Every year during the holiday the main streets of  Managua fill with people celebrating the festival, also called Minguito as it is a loving way to speak of the Holy Saint Dominic. Nicaraguans see this day as a very important day full of parties and parades and a time to spend with family and other people of Nicaragua. Many foods like tamales, pozole, menudo, etc. are sold along the streets

 

 

Another tradition that is celebrated in the city Granada is Poetry Festival. The city of Granada has been characterized by Spanish colonial culture and since 2005 it has been the home of the International Poetry Festival of Granada, celebrating poetry and inviting prestigious poets from around the world to attend the event and share and celebrate the success of their poetry.  The people of Granada and around the world have the opportunity to come and experience the culture of poetry.   This is the largest poetry celebration in Nicaragua, where all citizens share a love of poetry.

 

The most popular Dishes


El Nacatamal:

Ground corn dough and butter is prepared, filled with pork into medium pieces, rice, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, etc.


El Quesillo:

This dish is from the municipalities of La Paz Centro and Nagarote, in the department of León.  It is a cheese wrapped in a tortilla with onions and cream.

Rondón:

It is the traditional dish of the city of Bluefields. It is made with turtle meat, fish, beef, or pork. Sometimes it combines two or more of these meats.

El Guabúl:

This is a very Nicaraguan Caribbean drink, little known in the Pacific and in the center.

Gallo Pinto:

Gallo Pinto is fried rice and red beans