Bluefields and Juigalpa
Bluefields
Bluefields and the Atlantic Coast is a very different area compared
to the rest of Nicaragua. The Caribbean
environment prevails there, just like Jamaica. The majority of the population
is black and they all speak English. This is the zone of the Afro-caribbean music
and of the sensual dance called "Palo de Mayo" (a fertility dance). This region
is still a virgin area because there are not many people living there. The most
important means of transportation is by boat, which is why the cities were built
near the rivers and lagoons.
In order to go to Bluefields you have to leave your car
at the Rama City, and follow your route via rapid boats on the Escondido
River. It's a very picturesque trip, and even though there is a fast boat
service, it's better to rent a big boat that travels slowly on the river
and stops in every little town there is to pick up people and merchandise.
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Bluefields'
Lagoon
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Morave's church
Corn Island
You
can take a boat in Bluefields if you want to go to Corn Island (a Nicaraguan island
located 50 km. away from the coast of Bluefields). It's a beautiful island with
white sand beaches and turquoise transparent waters. The Afro-caribbean environment
is more palpable here than in Bluefields. Corn Island is really a Postal Cards'
Island.
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Long
Beach, Corn Island
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Juigalpa
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Juigalpa
has nothing to do with Bluefields, I placed them on the same page because in
order to go to Bluefields you have to pass Juigalpa, and it's worth to stop
by this city. Juigalpa, capital city of Chontales, is located at the center
of a cattle region that reminds you very much of the North American Wild West.
Santo Domingo, which was a typical gold seeker town, is located 30 km away.There is an excellent Museum called "Gregorio Aguilar
Barrea", where they have an impressive collection of pre-Columbian statues (similar
to the ones located at the Zapatera Island).
