BudgetTravel

Kingsley, Mich.: We're hoping to go to the Corn Islands in late March. (Please don't tell any more people about them!) We're thinking 2-3 days on Big Corn and 2-3 days on Little Corn, with a night in Managua on either end (for flight purposes). There are lot of accommodations listed for both islands; any tips you have for places to stay would be helpful. Also, any safety worries, either on the islands or in Managua?

Joshua Berman: Most of the options in Moon Nicaragua are still good ones, including Casa Iguana on Little Corn and Hotel Club Paraíso or Picnic Center on Big Corn. As for safety, when you arrive, ask your hotel hosts about where it's safe to go after dark and other specific local suggestions. Use standard common sense and you'll be fine.

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San Diego, Calif.: We are going to Granada & Corn Island in November. I have been to Corn before but this will be the first trip to Granada. Do you have any don't miss/experience for Granada? It looks beautiful. I am interested in transportation from Managua to Granada. also. The El Club Hotel's web has info that they will pick you up at the airport. Do you know anything about this place? Any other cool hotels in Granada that you can mention would be appreciated. Thanks!

Joshua Berman: There are now a few regular shuttle services between the airport in Managua and Granada--I assume this is what you're looking for. Check out Paxeos. To get from the airport to San Juan del Sur, check Adelante Express. If you're talking about traveling from downtown Managua to Granada, just make your way to the University of Central America parking lot (known as "La UKA" pronounced "La Ookah") and take a "microbus" for the 30-40 minute drive. This option costs less than $2.

El Club is new and nice and swanky, but if the bar is hopping, you'll hear it in your room, which is quite small. If you're in Granada, try one of the converted colonial options like Casa San Francisco, Hotel Alhambra, or Hotel Darío.

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Bradenton, Fa.: We are planning a combined Costa Rica/Nicaragua summer trip for mid-July with two adults and our children ages 9 and 13. What are the must sees of Nicaragua? We are planning on roughly 7 days for each country. Would you suggest San Juan del Sur of Pochomil for some beach relaxing? So far we are thinking of Granada, Masya, Mombicho volcano, Las Isletas. Planning on taking the tica bus across the border as of now. Would you advise against a car rental? We like to take advantage of public transportation. This will be our first Central America trip and want to remain safe but also do some exploring. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Joshua Berman: San Juan del Sur is much more friendly for foreign tourists than Pochomil, in terms of services and creature comforts, but Pochomil is closer to Managua and has a few fancy new hotels going up. One of my favorite rustic beach getaways is near Pochomil, called Los Cardones.

All of your other ideas for destinations are excellent, really hard to go wrong--you can reach all of those places on day trips from Granada or one of the Pueblos Blancos. Do you fly back home from Managua?

I would advise against renting a car. If you have a good guidebook, or a little bit of Spanish, you'll be able to figure out bus schedules and none of your destinations are too far from anything else.

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Buffalo, N.Y.: I have read that Little Corn Island in Nicaragua has become unsafe due to violent crime. I read that some tourists were robbed by machete. Any improvement on this problem?

Joshua Berman: There have been a handful of incidents of petty theft on Little Corn over the years, maybe one or two more serious crimes, but I haven't heard of any in a long while. I believe the island banded together and ran out the bad apples a few years ago, but always use common sense when in a foreign environment. Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast is, unfortunately, a part of the drug trafficking route between Colombia and the US, so there are occasional flare-ups of crime throughout the region related to this. Corn Islands are beautiful--enjoy!

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