Nicaragua, Indigenous island of Rama Cay on Caribbean coast

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Caribbean Coast

Nicaragua’s remote Caribbean coast often feels like an entirely separate country from 'mainland' Nicaragua; barely connected to the rest of the nation and looking out toward the Caribbean rather than inwards to Managua. Here you'll find English-speaking Creole people living side-by-side with indigenous Miskito, Mayangna, Rama and Garifuna populations; some of the country's best beaches on the Corn Islands and Pearl Keys; and various slices of wilderness bisected by wide muddy rivers, lined with thick jungle, and connected by mangrove-shrouded black-water creeks and lagoons.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Museo Auka Tangki

    Museo Auka Tangki

    Caribbean Coast

    Don’t miss Dr Dionisio Melgara Brown’s museum, a 10-minute walk along dirt roads curving away from the river. Brown, a retired teacher, built this museum…

  • Museo Arqueológico Gregorio Aguilar Barea

    Museo Arqueológico Gregorio Aguilar Barea

    Caribbean Coast

    Mystical stone statues rise like ancient totems in the courtyard entrance here. It houses the most important collection of stelae in the country, with…

  • Waiku Centro de Arte

    Waiku Centro de Arte

    Caribbean Coast

    This excellent social project is run by two English-speaking activists, Greta and Yesi, whose small arts center displays painting, handicrafts, clothing…

  • Long Bay

    Long Bay

    Corn Islands

    This stunner of a beach arcs from a pile-up of local fishing pangas and lobster traps to a wild, jungle-covered headland at its far end. If you’re looking…

  • Reserva de Biosfera Bosawás

    Reserva de Biosfera Bosawás

    Caribbean Coast

    This remarkable expanse of protected wilderness is Nicaragua's biggest biosphere reserve, and makes up more than 14% of Nicaragua’s national territory. It…

  • Muelle Viejo

    Muelle Viejo

    Caribbean Coast

    Take a stroll along the wooden boards of the historic Muelle Viejo (Old Pier), where both Sandino and the Contras received arms smuggled in from abroad,…

  • Rama Cay

    Rama Cay

    Caribbean Coast

    This tiny and rocky barbell-shaped island 15km southeast of Bluefields is the de facto capital of the Rama nation. Dotted with coconut and banana palms…

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Go Beyond

Caribbean Coast and beyond

Beyond Caribbean Coast
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