CMK10

Already got a reservation at the Hilton Managua. It might be a bit far from Granada but it's a great rate and I need more stays/nights to requalify.

SJOGuy

If that's what works for you, that's fine. This will be a much more manageable trip than Copan would have been given the time you have.

CMK10

I was thinking the same thing and I've heard a lot of positives. It looks like it's about 90 miles to the Costa Rican border and a town called La Cruz so maybe I'll drive down there too just cause.

SJOGuy

No. Don't do that. Now you're starting to make it too complicated again.

1) La Cruz isn't that interesting.

2) You say "drive down there." You can't take a Nicaraguan rental car across the border.

3) You basically have two full days. There's more than enough to see and do in Nicaragua to keep you occupied.

CMK10

Alright fair enough, sorry I tend to overthink a lot of things which is why I rely on FT to keep me grounded. Though as to your second point, you actually can. It's in the the terms of my rental contract:

SJOGuy

Are you sure you wouldn't be switching vehicles at the border? Both Budget and Alamo have such arrangements (at additional cost), but the car does not and cannot cross the border. (I see that is the Budget number.) I seriously question if Costa Rica would let you drive in and out in a foreign vehicle that is not registered to you.

Whether this is possible or not, you're adding in too much complexity if you try to include Costa Rica in this trip.

Nicaraguan phone numbers have eight digits. That should be 2255-9000

CMK10

Don't worry I'll be sticking to Nicaragua and all it has to offer I promise! Really starting to get excited...guess I should get me a guide book

NC_Girl

The Hilton is in a nice area and 45 mins. or less to Granada, Masaya or Laguna de Apoyo. Those places should easily keep you busy for a few days.

I lived in Nicaragua 2 years, if you have any specific questions I can help you with, feel free to ask.

CMK10

I want to thank everyone again for all their help and input in this thread.

I drove out to RDU earlier today and am ticketed for Nicaragua! Arriving at 2 PM on 12/26 and leaving at 3 PM 12/29. Y down (for now, upgrades requested) and C back. Three nights at the Managua Hilton and a car with guaranteed automatic from Budget. Should be a great trip!

ANC RED-EYE

Fortunately you've already been talked out of this plan. I fully agree with SJOguy.

To add to his advice for anyone consulting this thread in the future:

1) central American border crossings can be unpredictable. They might be fast with no lines, however it's safer to assume inefficiency and a long wait.

2) I don't recall this road in particular, but in general a statement like "it's only 90 miles"doesn't belong in the larger context of central America. 90 miles in Nicaragua is an entirely different thing than 90 miles in most of the US.

CMK10

Don't worry that's why I learned long ago to always come to FT for advice, especially about stuff I don't really know much about, like Central America. So I appreciate all the advice and am looking forward to three days in Nicaragua. ^

miguel0881

You can easily see the "highlights" in MGA in a day. No reason to spend the night there -- spend a night in Granada instead, tour the isletas, and maybe stop in Masaya on the way down or back. Then spend a night in Leon, which is less touristy. These days Nicaragua gets lots of international visitors.

Next time don't miss out on Honduras, there's plenty to see. If you like cities, TGU is interesting -- perhaps not the most interesting in Latin America, but worth a visit for a more authentic experience. Stay away from Comayaguela and walk around during the day and you'll be fine. Valle de Angeles outside town is also worth a visit.

SAP is less interesting and more industrial, but can be used as a base for Lake Yojoa, Tela, Copan, etc., so you'll likely pass through at some point if you visit. Have never had a problem there.

El Salvador is also definitely worth a visit. Not many tourists and it's small, so distances are short. Enjoy!

vm00

Went with a tour group through Central America for a month several years ago. Did not appear to be any security issues in Honduras, we went to Copan and Roatan. Although I must say that Tegucigalpa did not appear to be too safe to walk alone at night. Really enjoyed Nicagargua, especially Granada and Ometepe Island.

CMK10

Glad to hear that! Welcome to Flyertalk, I see you're a fellow Bull City resident, always good to have more of those.

travelmydreams

I lived in Honduras for a number of years in the 90s and have kept in close touch with friends. The State Dept warnings for Honduras should be heeded in this case. I have spent time in Tegucigalpa and SPS and can't think of any reason I would want go there now (my trips to the mainland were business-related). Now granted this was sometime ago, when it was considered so-so safe, when you had to watch yourself. When I went I had a local bodyguard of sorts who accompanied and drove me around. Now it's very very bad in both those cities based on the opinions of my Honduran friends. Much drug and gang crime as well as growing poverty.

If you are set on going to Honduras, consider hoping over to the Bay Islands. Roatan is easy to get to, and the outlying islands of Guanaja and Utila are more private. You'll find some of the most beautiful beaches and coral reef in the Western hemisphere. There has been much real estate and tourism development in Roatan since I lived there, when desolate white sand beaches with giant Atlantic coconut palms were the norm, but even still it's really beautiful.

Though not as safe as in the past, the coastal towns of La Ceiba and Trujillo are interesting and fairly laid back. There are some dramatic mountains outside of La Ceiba and there is a fast river where you can go white water rafting. No beaches in either of these towns. Very inexpensive.