Eastern Nicaragua Holidays from £381

Eastern Nicaragua Holiday Packages

This remote coastline, best explored by boat or plane, promises thick jungle, paradise islands and a rich mixture of cultures.

Remote, impenetrable and undeveloped, the Atlantic coast attracts fewer travellers than the country’s Pacific coast hotspots, but those who do make the journey here will be rewarded for their effort. Mingle with Miskito tribes, enjoy the slower pace of life in towns and admire vast, undeveloped swaths of nature.

This region is often called the Mosquito Coast, after the indigenous Miskito tribe native to the area, not the bug, though there are plenty of those, too. Start your adventures in Pearl Lagoon, a small, sleepy, mostly Creole fishing town on the edge of the lagoon it is named for. Enjoy the relaxed ambiance and be sure to sample the fresh seafood. The town makes a great base for exploring the region.

Take a daytrip to the pristine, near-uninhabited Pearl Keys, a string of small Caribbean islands roughly 20 miles (35 kilometres) from Pearl Lagoon. Unwind on white-sand beaches and swim or snorkel in the warm, clear sea.

Head up the forest-lined rivers that feed the vast lagoon to explore traditional tribal villages. Stay the night at the tranquil, riverside Wawashang nature reserve.

An hour’s boat ride away is Bluefields, a cosmopolitan yet chaotic town filled with colourful wooden houses and the sound of reggae music. From here, hop on a boat out to the idyllic Corn Islands, famed for their delicious Creole cuisine and distinctly Caribbean vibe.

The northern part of the coast is more rugged still, with only one real town: Bilwi, also known as Puerto Cabezas. The only real way in is by plane, but this is the access point for exploring the wild, Miskito-speaking northwest.

Travel by boat and plane is common in Eastern Nicaragua and adventure-seekers can charter planes to the port town of Bluefields from Managua airport. Muddy roads, thick rainforest, mangrove swamps and a lack of infrastructure make travel along the coast very difficult and so only a few areas receive many visitors.

The Mosquito Coast mostly remains an unexplored tangle of thick forest and swamp. But for those who dare to venture this far off the beaten path, natural beauty and rich cultural experiences await.