Nicaragua - a volcanic country with no street names

One of the most thought-provoking countries of the Caribbean is Nicaragua. In fact, it is the largest country in Central America. Its name is literally translated as “Surrounded by Water”. It is of particular tourist interest both to neighboring countries and to travelers from far abroad. Washed by the Caribbean Sea from the eastern side and by the Pacific Ocean from the west, Nicaragua is separated into three regions: the Atlantic Lowlands, the North-Central Highlands and the Pacific Lowlands. Each of them is distinct and differs from the others by geographical conditions and climate. Whether you are looking for relaxation and ease or adventure and activities, houses in Nicaragua are there to help you make your holiday absolutely brilliant.

The people are hospitable, and the country is truly beautiful. To make it easier to plan a perfect journey we present some tips which may prove to be helpful to you.

There are a lot of things to do in Nicaragua, but it is often necessary to interact with the locals in certain cases. This is pretty uncomplicated, because everyone is friendly towards foreigners. Generally this country is considered to be one of the safest in Central America. To feel natural in the Nicaraguan social environment it would be wise to learn some basics of the Spanish language. The locals are very patient with novice speakers. The other thing is that the street names and house numbers are not likely to be found. The point-reference system of direction is used by residents, and it can be quite challenging to find the places you are interested in. But politeness and sociability always do the trick.

One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of Nicaragua is hiking and trekking. Splendid views and extreme locations are the things that make Nicaragua trekking unbeatable. The best trekking routes are those including the volcanic strip along the Nicaraguan Pacific coast. There are over 50 volcanoes in different condition, some may even be active. Among them are Volcán Concepción, which had had about 25 eruptions, and Volcán Momotombo, the embodiment of one of the symbols of Nicaragua. Astounding views await you at the top of those ash-and-earth mounds. Before climbing the volcanoes it is also very exciting to trek in the cloud forests and pristine jungles. And there are many other opportunities to explore the island, if you’re not fond of volcanoes. Villages, beaches, forests are abundant in Nicaragua, and the choice is only yours.

Managua, the capital of the nation, took its residence on the southern shore of Lake Managua. It combines the role of the largest city and of a center of commerce, finance, transportation, education and culture. The peculiarity of this city is that there is no accurate city center, since it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and 1972. It was never rebuilt and now there are remains of the original buildings serving as sights. Some constructions that survived the ground shaking are still in use, such as the National Palace, the Fine Arts Palace and the Government House. One of the interesting places just at the northern edge of Managua is the Footprints of Acahualinca – human footprints left in the ash and mud more than 2000 years ago. And a small hill of La Loma near the lakeshore harbors a tranquil lagoon, where you can take rest from the activeness and bustle of the city. Managua vacation rentals will provide a nice and comfortable retreat for you to have a great time in the capital of Nicaragua.

After all, the country is a wonderful place for volcano and nature lovers. Keep in touch with the local people, and you may experience one of the best times of your life.

Anguilla - tiny in size, huge in impressions

Despite being one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean, Anguilla is a very attractive destination for tourists from all over the world. Its story began about 4000 years ago. The original name was Malliouhana, which means arrow-shaped sea serpent. After having been renamed by the Europeans due to its specific eel-like shape, the island’s name is of the similar origin in all of the Romance languages, so you will never make a mistake when inquiring about Anguilla vacation. After continuous colonization and two rebellions the island has become a British Overseas Territory. It is very easy to find a good villa to spend your vacation today, just check our Anguilla villas section and see for yourself.

Before starting off to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of this Caribbean treasure, spare several minutes of your time and read some useful notes on the Anguilla vacation.

The most exciting thing about all Caribbean destinations is beaches. Anguilla is absolutely not an exception. More to say, this island claims to have the best beaches in the world. Not less than 33 of them, all with clear azure water and glaringly white sand, offer a pampering experience of sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. There are crowded places along with beach bars, resorts, umbrellas and all other luxury attributes, as well as nice little secluded sands, where you can even spot sea turtles and iguanas. You can visit Captains Bay, Island Harbour, Shoal Bay East, Limestone Bay, to name only a few. No matter which one you choose, Anguilla will welcome you with calm sea and picturesque coast.

Another great activity in Anguilla is hiking. You will be amazed how many directions can be taken on such a small piece of dry land that is only 17 miles long and 3 miles wide at its maximum. The narrowness of the island makes it eventually possible to see the shoreline on the opposite sides when passing the low bush and rocks along the coast. One of the best places to start exploring the uninhabited area is Windward Point. If you find yourself bored with open spaces, then try the caves – natural formations, which emerged as gaps in the coral resulted by the erosion of the softer rock. The most prominent of them are Abadam Hole, Big Spring National Park, The Fountain, Iguana Cave and several others. So be sure to check at least one, as it is very interesting to see the insides of the island.

While some separate sights can be distinguished in other places of the Earth, in Anguilla the whole island is a natural and historical attraction. You can ride through the island on a bike or even on a horseback, for Anguilla is almost completely flat and has just one main road and nice side roads. While enjoying the splendid nature, be on the lookout for the birds – there are 136 different species of them. And if that all is not enough to satisfy your desire for Caribbean flora and fauna, come to the north side of the island and find a hiking trail near Crocus Hill. It will lead you to the small rainforest of Anguilla. It would be best to search for an accommodation in some of the small villages, such as West End vacation rentals, to have a nice place to refill your strength after the exploration of the island.

Anguilla won’t leave anyone indifferent. It is a kind of place which charms and enwraps you with its beauty right from the start. Who knows, maybe you wouldn’t even want to leave…

Guadeloupe - take a ride on the butterfly!

Guadeloupe is an absolutely unique archipelago in the Caribbean Sea, not only by its shape but also by its mixture of the modern infrastructure and civilization and local traditions and culture. It has a shape of a butterfly, if to look from above, and it is no wonder that the other name of Guadeloupe is the Butterfly Island. It has been a French overseas region and an inseverable part of the Republic of France since 2007. All of the islands are absolutely different, offering a varied complex of sights and attractions. As the local currency is euro, there will be no problems with sorting out the prices and planning your budget. And the availability of Guadeloupe vacation rentals will allow you to plan your vacation in detail and make the best of it.

While you are figuring out the best flight to Caribbean, spend some minutes of your time to read about the most outstanding places to see and things to do in Guadeloupe.

The main island consists of two parts, or ‘wings’ - Grande-Terre, the eastern wing, and Basse-Terre, the western one. Grand-Terre is a home to an assortment of coast towns and various beach activities. Azure water and white sand stretch along the shoreline as far as eye can see. You can as well learn to surf here or relax in numerous beach bars. Basse-Terre can boast a national park and La Soufrière volcano. For those who wish to have an adventure, there are hiking trails and a Jacques Cousteau underwater reserve. Each of the smaller islands, such as La Désirade, Terre-de-Haut and Marie-Galante, has its own matchless atmosphere – one being cool, the other – cosmopolitan, and the third – rural.

You can never be far from a beautiful beach while in Guadeloupe, whether it is man-made or wild, white or black sand, with calm water or high waves. But the islands have more to see than just beaches. The splendid tropical forest of Guadeloupe offers luxurious and endemic flora and fauna. It is best preserved in the Guadeloupe National Park, which occupies over 17000 hectares. Hunting, fishing and plant picking is prohibited there. You can enjoy picnics or mountain trail exploring in the national park, so don’t forget to take some warm clothes with you. But be sure to be careful if you decide to undertake the mountains during the rainy season, which is from July to November.

One of the most spectacular attractions in Guadeloupe is the Pulling Oxen Course. Every year such an event takes place at the end of the sugar season and reaches its full extent in November. Those extremely strong creatures pull unbelievable weights – from 1300 to 1700 kg – uphill along the coast. Every Sunday yokes of oxen drag large carriages with stones, and it is an opportunity for the inhabitants of the island to get together and arrange a party. To the tourists it is like a sight from another time. Certainly, you can also enjoy all this if you look for Ferry vacation rentals on our website.

Guadeloupe is a place to relax and ease yourself in a good and friendly environment. This small Caribbean archipelago can offer everything a tourist may wish for.

Grenada - a peaceful corner of the Caribbean

Though it is one of the smallest island countries in the Caribbean, Grenada is important to the region and to the world economy in whole. Being one of the world’s largest exporters of spice, particularly nutmeg, as well as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace, this small piece of dry land is often called “The Island of Spice”. The nutmeg is even depicted on the national flag of Grenada, which is due to exporting 20% of the world supply, or the second largest production of that spice in the world. And if you are into sweets, then don’t miss the bars from Grenada Chocolate Company, which processes organic cocoa growing on the island. Except that remember that this great country is not just all about food designed to spoil you, but also there are a lot of wonderful possibilities to have a good time, and in this case Grenada apartments will be very useful.

Before you start your exploration of this wonderful destination, make sure you read our tips on travelling Grenada.

The islands can boast their great national parks. An immense effort was put to preservation of the picturesque areas, such as rain forests and coral reefs. Among them is Levera National Park, which has the reputation of the most spectacular and charming coastal area in Grenada. Its lagoon is one of the most important wildlife habitats on the island. Don’t miss the other marvelous natural preserves, which are abundant in the country.

As any tropical island, Grenada is rich in various beaches, be it vast and lengthy or small and secluded. A variety of small bays is natural to the coastline, so you can surprisingly come across a quiet and untouched plot of white sand. There are even several black sand beaches, where the sand is much softer. The most famous beach in Grenada is Grand Anse, which is about 3 km long. It is always listed in the Top 10 beaches of the world. And in order to preserve the original charm of nature, no hotel on the island is allowed to have more than three stories.

St George’s, the capital of Grenada, is very small and beautiful. It is situated near the hillside of the old volcano and on a harbor that resembles a horseshoe. Though it has developed a lot in the recent years, it has preserved its natural culture and history, and is still a popular destination among tourists. Despite the fact that the city had suffered great damage from the Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the rebuilding efforts have been colossal, and now you can enjoy the Caribbean hospitality in St George’s vacation rentals, as there are a lot of places of interest: Roman Catholic Cathedral, Anglican Church, Wharf Road, Fort George, Grenada National Museum and many others.

After you’ve visited Grenada, you will have an impression of pure warmth inside you. The serenity of the islands and hospitality of the people are overwhelming!