Beautiful, Affordable, and Misunderstood
Along Central America's Pacific coast you’ll find rocky outcrops, world-class surf, and some of the most jaw-dropping views in the world.
If it's natural beauty you are after, Nicaragua is the jewel of this stretch of coast.
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View Untitled in a larger mapFast Facts
View Untitled in a larger map
Population:5,727,707
Capital City: Managua
Climate: Tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Time Zone: GMT-6
Language: Spanish
Country Code: 505
Coastline: 910 km
Nicaragua contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua
Nicaragua Articles
Life in This Beach Town Keeps Getting Better…Posted on June 4, 2013 by Elisha MacKay
With our toes in the sand and mojitos in hand, my husband Gordon and I clink our glasses to another spectacular San Juan del Sur sunset. The sky is a brilliant hue of orange, yellow and red.
Perfect Coastal Life in NicaraguaPosted on May 31, 2013 by Jason Holland
It sounds a bit corny but… it’s been a long time since I’ve seen so many stars. It’s a good indicator of just how undeveloped, quiet, and sparsely-populated it is on the southern Pacific coast of Nicaragua.
A Photo Tour of Granada, NicaraguaPosted on May 30, 2013 by Dan Prescher
If it’s Spanish Colonial charm you’re after, you can’t do much better than Granada, Nicaragua. The place is steeped in it.
10 Reasons to Live in NicaraguaPosted on May 29, 2013 by International Living
Nicaragua is one of the most beautiful countries in the Americas. It boasts a dramatic Pacific coastline; long, gentle Caribbean beaches; and volcanoes and freshwater lakes that dot the hilly inland. Colonial cities like Granada and León offer visitors a taste of days gone by. And Managua is rapidly becoming a real First-World city with top-notch theaters…
How to Get Inside the Colonial Houses of Granada, NicaraguaPosted on May 28, 2013 by Helen Korengold
Strolling the cobbled lanes and streets of Granada, Nicaragua, you can easily see how the city reflects its Old-World heritage.
- 4 Tips for Renting Smart Overseas
Posted on May 28, 2013 by Helen Korengold
Chicago natives Joe and Sheila were excited. They finally had enough time to try out life in one of their favorite cities. With a four-month stay in Granada, Nicaragua, lined up, all they needed was a place to live.
Quick Guide to Colonial NicaraguaPosted on May 24, 2013 by Suzan Haskins
Locals who live in Granada, Nicaragua, are used to tourists—maybe now more than ever, especially since The New York Times recently named Nicaragua #3 on its list of “Places to Go in 2013.” It’s not hard to understand what makes Granada so popular. Less than an hour after landing at Nicaragua’s international airport in Managua…
Step Back in Time at the Laguna de Apoyo, NicaraguaPosted on May 16, 2013 by Jason Holland
Midway between the colonial city of Granada and Masaya, known for its craft market, is the Laguna de Apoyo, a lake set in a volcanic crater.
A Relaxed Pace of Life in a Tropical, Colonial CityPosted on May 16, 2013 by Helen Korengold
The restaurant, Villas Mombacho, overlooks the lake and the views are of the many little islands and the local fishermen at work. Distant volcanoes fill the horizon and my friends and I are surrounded by palm trees and flowers.
Video: The Colonial Charm of León, NicaraguaPosted on May 14, 2013 by Jason Holland
León, Nicaragua, about 1 ½ hours northwest from the country’s capital, Managua, is a colonial city with a history to rival better-known Granada.
“We Have Luxuries in Nicaragua We Could Never Afford Back Home”Posted on May 1, 2013 by Jason Holland
When Roberto, 63, and his wife Réjane Rojas retired in 2002, they were looking for a retirement destination with warm weather, a low cost of living that would allow them to live well on their savings and pension, and easy access to both North and South America. “We visited most of the Central American countries before we decided on Nicaragua.”
Opportunity-Rich Nicaragua DeliversPosted on April 22, 2013 by International Living
When Jack Stewart graduated from culinary school in Toronto, he didn’t anticipate living his dream life in the colonial city of León, Nicaragua. He left Canada in 2001 and started a restaurant in Costa Rica. “When I was in Costa Rica, tourism was dropping. But the Nicaraguan economy was growing and when residence laws changed making it easier to live here, I made the decision and fell in love with what I found here.”
Cliff-Top Homes and Staggering ViewsPosted on April 22, 2013 by Margaret Summerfield
There’s no other view in the world like it. In a cliff-top home, there’s nothing between you and the beautiful vista but empty space. You never have to worry about a house going up in front of you or that your neighbor’s new satellite dish will block your line of sight. Badminton in the back yard may be out. But morning coffee and sunset drinks on the terrace are in. If you’re on the seaside, the rumbling waves pounding the rocks below will be your lullaby.
A New Start in an Unusual Home in NicaraguaPosted on April 13, 2013 by Jason Holland
Lee’s biggest business is advising people how to build eco-friendly homes out of shipping containers, throwing in alternative-energy systems, like solar panels, if they’re interested. He’s also the go-to guy in San Juan when expats and business owners have computer trouble. And he helps fellow expats transition to life in Nicaragua…
Enjoying a Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget in NicaraguaPosted on March 25, 2013 by Jason Holland
I’m kind of a thrifty guy. I don’t buy the latest smartphone that comes on the market. In fact, I have the most basic model money can buy in Costa Rica—just $30, plus $15 a month for minutes. I don’t splurge on fashion—why bother? I’m in board shorts and a tank top pretty much 24/7 at my home in the Costa Rican beach town of Tamarindo. But when I travel to Nicaragua, I go a bit hog wild and feel free to indulge in many of the “luxuries” I normally deny myself.
Uncovering Nicaragua’s “Emerald Coast” and How to Play ItPosted on March 25, 2013 by Ronan McMahon
Four-and-a-half hours’ flight-time south of California are opportunities that feel a world away. This short plane ride from the snapped-up beachfront and million-dollar mansions of the Golden State brings you to deserted beaches, lush, jungle-clad hills, and low-cost real estate that has to be seen to be believed.
From Gridlock to “Off the Grid” in NicaraguaPosted on March 25, 2013 by Jason Holland
When you move overseas it’s the perfect opportunity to reinvent yourself. You can adopt a new lifestyle and totally change what you do for a living,” says Virginia native Lee Greenberg. The 39-year-old embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly when he moved to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, six years ago.
Video: A Bird’s Eye View of Colonial Buildings in Granada, NicaraguaPosted on March 22, 2013 by Jason Holland
Founded in 1524, Granada, Nicaragua is a historic city with homes and other buildings hundreds of years old. Colonial homes are known for their red tile roofs and interior courtyards with gardens, fountains, and sometimes even swimming pools.
Colonial Homes from $50,000 in Granada, NicaraguaPosted on March 19, 2013 by Ronan McMahon
Nicaragua is now cool. And Granada is at ground zero of the new, cool Nicaragua. Yet there never has been a better time to buy a colonial home in Granada. I’ve followed the real-estate market here closely since my first visit in 2004. Through boom and bust I’ve watched prices fluctuate. And on this visit I saw a 900-square-foot home, a short stroll from the historic center, with an asking price of $39,000.
Chill at Rancho SantanaPosted on March 4, 2013 by International Living
It’s your own private playground on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, with 2,700 acres of rolling hills and forest, riding trails, and five separate beaches. You’ll love spending time outdoors here…swimming, snorkeling, horse riding, surfing, hiking, playing tennis…or simply relaxing in a hammock. Find out how you can sample the Rancho Santana lifestyle on a custom chill weekend.
Spend a Month in Granada, Nicaragua (All Expenses Paid)Posted on March 3, 2013 by Len Galvin
We’re looking for someone to spend a month in one of our favorite retirement havens: Granada, Nicaragua. With new cafes, restaurants, boutique hotels and art galleries opening up all over the city, Granada has been transformed over the past five years. That’s why we want to send someone (plus a spouse, partner, or friend) there—on us. We’ll pay for the round-trip flights, accommodation and give generous living expenses.
Granada, Nicaragua: Why Tourists and Expats Flock to This Colonial GemPosted on March 1, 2013 by Dan Prescher
Today Granada is one of Nicaragua’s most popular tourist destinations, even for Nicaraguans. People from Managua can drive down on a well-maintained four-lane highway to get away from the capital for the weekend and socialize along Calle la Calzada, the pedestrian street lined with bars, cafés, and restaurants just off the city’s main plaza.
Nicaragua: A Top Retirement DestinationPosted on February 28, 2013 by Jason Holland
Nicaragua is on the cusp. It’s being gussied up. Yet it remains—for the moment—a place for in-the-know travelers and adventuresome expats. They’re drawn to the elegant colonial towns and the natural beauty of the Pacific. Then there’s the super-low cost of living, real estate for a fraction of what you’d pay in the U.S. for similar locations, and the opportunity for a new way of life.
Everything is Negotiable: Colonial Homes from $50,000 in GranadaPosted on February 25, 2013 by Ronan McMahon
In the nine years I’ve been savoring her charms through regular visits, I have never seen Nicaragua’s colonial city of Granada look better. Cute bakeries and cafés are opening up in brightly-painted, tiled- floor colonial homes. Artists and art galleries are setting up shop. Italians have come to make great pizza. The terrace in front of the Irish bar, O’Shea’s, is buzzing by day. Inside it’s rocking at night. Nine years ago expats were mostly from the U.S. There was a real-estate agent on every corner of the main square, Parque Central.
Nicaragua: Gussied Up and Brimming with OpportunityPosted on February 25, 2013 by Jason Holland
Nicaragua is going mainstream. A country that war and conspiracy made infamous in the Reagan years is today home to eco-lodges, spas, and restored colonials. It’s at the top of the New York Times’ list of places to see in 2013. Food and Wine has pronounced it “affordable, safe and undiscovered.” Outside magazine declares, “it feels like Nicaragua’s moment is now.”
A Dream Job on “the Blue Continent”Posted on February 25, 2013 by Jason Holland
Take a typical New York City studio apartment, then halve it. That gives you an idea of the living space of 44-year-old Mark and 36-year-old Amélie Meadows and their son, 18-month-old Zephyr. They call The Blue Goose, a 38-foot sailboat, home. Far from feeling constrained by this living or work arrangement, the couple feels it’s helped them strip down to the essentials.
Living and Working on a Farm in NicaraguaPosted on February 21, 2013 by Suzan Haskins
For Janice and John-Marc Gallagher (ages 52 and 58) the opportunity was too good to pass up. They had moved to Granada, Nicaragua, in 2003 after spending almost seven years in Costa Rica. “We had fallen in love with Granada many years before,” Janice says. “So we moved there after we sold our business in Tamarindo.” And then life took a turn.
A Warm Beach or Cool Mountain Hideaway?Posted on February 19, 2013 by Suzan Haskins
When my husband, Dan, and I were first married and first started thinking about living overseas, we pored over every issue of International Living and we read every International Living e-postcard. We compared and contrasted, planned and dreamed…Certain we would live in an exotic tropical destination, we wanted it to be relatively close to family and friends back home in the States…
- In Pictures: Granada, Nicaragua
Posted on February 18, 2013 by Laura Doyle
In Pictures: The beautiful colonial city of Granada, Nicaragua.
Why This Family Moved from California to NicaraguaPosted on February 14, 2013 by Jason Holland
The only things Jeremy needed to make his living were a reliable high-speed Internet connection and a comfortable home for his family. Plus, he already had plenty of overseas experience. He had lived briefly in Peru, Argentina, and Costa Rica and had traveled throughout Central America. But he’d never been to Nicaragua—and that’s where he set his sights.
FLASH ALERT: Stunning Pacific Coast for $95,000Posted on January 25, 2013 by Ronan McMahon
I’ve just got word from Rancho Santana that one of the early-in buyers in the Rosada phase needs out today. Because of this seller’s situation, he’s willing to sell his lot (#A-20) for $95,000. You have great ocean views and the Rosada clubhouse is a gentle stroll away. The folks at Rancho Santana are willing to help facilitate a quick sale on this lot if it’s discretely offered to our group as a “Flash Alert.”
Buy a Colonial Property in Granada, NicaraguaPosted on January 16, 2013 by Jason Holland
Granada is where Nicaragua puts on its best face for visitors. It sits on the shore of the vast Lake Nicaragua, just an hour’s drive from the country’s capital, Managua. Centuries-old colonial architecture fills the historic city center surrounding the neoclassical-style Cathedral of Granada and the Parque Central.
Nicaragua’s Pacific Riviera is About to Take Off…Posted on January 12, 2013 by Ronan McMahon
I’ve told you before about Rancho Santana on Nicaragua’s south Pacific Coast. This is the community with five beaches, 2,700 acres and more than two miles of coast. (International Living’s parent company is the owner and developer.)
News from Around the WorldPosted on December 20, 2012 by International Living
The bane of cell-phone using travelers, the roaming charge is one of those expenses that can sneak up on you, ruining your happy memories when you get that exorbitant phone bill. Here’s a tip on how to save on these charges in France.
“Reinvented” at 37 and Loving Life in NicaraguaPosted on December 20, 2012 by Elisha MacKay
The aroma of coffee wafts through the open bedroom door. I wipe the sleep from my eyes and follow my senses to the kitchen, where I find a double espresso and a plate of fresh fruit waiting for me. My husband Gordon is making fresh-squeezed orange juice. He stops what he’s doing to give me a kiss good morning.
Panama: Trade Up in ParadisePosted on December 20, 2012 by International Living
Panama’s a place of sunshine, 365 days a year. You have hundreds of miles of beach…highland retreats with green valleys where the weather is spring-like, even in January and August…and a genuinely cosmopolitan capital city, too, with one of the world’s largest financial districts.
A Book Lover’s Business in Colonial NicaraguaPosted on November 26, 2012 by Jason Holland
There’s something about having that paperback on the bus or on the beach that a gadget can’t replace. Sure, Kindles and iPads are handy, but nothing beats the smell and sensation of pulp. I know plenty of travelers must feel the same way, because expat Troy Fuss makes his living selling books to them in Granada, Nicaragua’s historic colonial city.
Ecuador… Visit the World’s Best Retirement HavenPosted on November 26, 2012 by International Living
Winner of the 2012 Global Retirement Index, Ecuador offers sophisticated historical cities…miles of unspoiled, sun-kissed beaches…fertile farmland…and temperate mountain hideaways…and all of it for pennies on the dollar.
Outdoor Adventure PadsPosted on August 24, 2012 by International Living
Your perfect oceanfront retreat is just a five-minute boat ride from one of the world’s premier diving destinations, the Belize Barrier Reef. It’s on Ambergris Caye, with the Caribbean spread out before you. Diving spots nearby include the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, known for its formations of elkhorn, brain, and staghorn corals. The coral is 20 to 40 feet tall, providing the perfect habitat for reef sharks, yellowtail snapper, lobster, grouper, sea turtles, and many other species.
A Low Cost of Living in Granada, NicaraguaPosted on August 21, 2012 by Jason Holland
I have a bit of an embarrassing problem every time I go to Nicaragua. For at least half the first day, I’m constantly asking waiters to repeat the price for a beer, cocktail, or meal, thinking I misheard. Could it really that low? They give me a weird look and reassure me it is. Then there’s the next embarrassing part—I’ve just come from the ATM and only have big bills— that’s a lot of change…
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