Anyone ever been to Nicaragua?

[CO Hummer]

Been there on vacation before? Ever seen this place?

www.morgansrock.com (http://www.morgansrock.com)

[usetosellhummer]

Been to Costa Rica, They like Americans there

[MarineHawk]

A guy where I work has had a coffee plantation down there for a long time. He says that it became almost worthless overnight with Ortega's return to power. Says foreigners and their interests are no longer actively protected. He expects his property to eventually be appropriated for the socialist cause.

[usetosellhummer]

Most Costa Ricans like us and have for a long time. stay local and your money goes a long way. Alot of Americans are retiring in CR and this is where I stayed. A black sand beach on the west coast. Poas Volcano is awsome but active and San Jose is tourist central. Check it out http://www.hotel-poseidon.com/photoalbum.html
I went in the late 80's

[DRTYFN]

A guy where I work has had a coffee plantation down there for a long time. He says that it became almost worthless overnight with Ortega's return to power. Says foreigners and their interests are no longer actively protected. He expects his property to eventually be appropriated for the socialist cause.
Start polluting the soil with mercury now.;):clapping:

[CO Hummer]

Poas Volcano is awsome

Cool! Didn't know about that. I will definitely check it out.

[Adam in CO]

I've seen the website. Does that count?

[CO Hummer]

I've seen the website. Does that count?

It might be a good place to vacation while your truck is in the shop.

[MarineHawk]

Start polluting the soil with mercury now.;):clapping:

Good idea.

[CO Hummer]

Says foreigners and their interests are no longer actively protected.

What exactly does this mean? :eek:

[MarineHawk]

What exactly does this mean? :eek:

Not exactly sure. I haven't heard of any violence agaisnt visitors - yet. But I'm not big on visiting foreign contries where the head of state would not want to protect Americans.

The guy at work predicted this months ago, and much of the forestry on his land was just torched. Of course, the gov't won't do anything about it. Basically, the government won't enforce laws against anarchist acts by Nicaraguan workers against Westerners . The guy I'm talking about is such a Leftist himself, that he won't put a bunch of guys with whips and guns down there to protect things because that would be against his non-violent tendencies. Even if he did that, it would probably just help temporarily anyway. It pisses me off because my free Nicaraugaun coffee supply is going to dry up.

[lvs]

I visited a very remote resort in Costa Rica 9 years ago with a group of about 100 and as long as you stayed on the property you were OK, but then the rooms safes were broken into and the local police and resort management could have cared less about us rich Americans on vacation.

[CO Hummer]

Not exactly sure. I haven't heard of any violence agaisnt visitors - yet. But I'm not big on visiting foreign contries where the head of state would not want to protect Americans.

The guy at work predicted this months ago, and much of the forestry on his land was just torched. Of course, the gov't won't do anything about it. Basically, the government won't enforce laws against anarchist acts by Nicaraguan workers against Westerners . The guy I'm talking about is such a Leftist himself, that he won't put a bunch of guys with whips and guns down there to protect things because that would be against his non-violent tendencies. Even if he did that, it would probably just help temporarily anyway. It pisses me off because my free Nicaraugaun coffee supply is going to dry up.

Thanks for the info. I booked the vacation long ago, before the take-over. We'll see what happens.

[DennisAJC]

Thanks for the info. I booked the vacation long ago, before the take-over. We'll see what happens.

I don't think much will be changed. But it's good to take extra precautions if you're bringing family with you.

How are their cigars there?;)

[CO Hummer]

How are their cigars there?;)

If I had to smoke a non-cuban cigar, it would be a Padron which is Nicaraguan tobacco!

[BlueTJCO]

:beerchug: Assaults: 716 (per capita): 0.178287 per 1,000 people Car thefts: 2,399 (per capita): 0.597361 per 1,000 people Convicted: 3,005 (per capita): 0.748257 per 1,000 people Death penalty > Abolition date: 1,877 Embezzlements: 216 (per capita): 0.0537849 per 1,000 people Frauds: 1,572 (per capita): 0.391434 per 1,000 people Illicit drugs (http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_ill_dru)
transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising Judges and Magistrates: 581 (per capita): 0.144671 per 1,000 people Manslaughters: 580 (per capita): 0.144422 per 1,000 people Murders: 245 (per capita): 0.061006 per 1,000 people Murders with firearms: 126 (per capita): 0.0313745 per 1,000 people Police: 1,489 (per capita): 0.370767 per 1,000 people Prisoners: 8,526 prisoners Prisoners > Female: 10.8% Prisoners > Foreign prisoners: 8.7% Prisoners > Per capita: 229 per 100,000 people Prisoners > Pre-trial detainees: 39.5% Prisoners > Share of prison capacity filled: 109.6% Rapes: 475 (per capita): 0.118277 per 1,000 people Robberies: 19,241 (per capita): 4.79109 per 1,000 people Software piracy losses: $17.00 Software piracy rate: 68% Total crimes: 48,107 (per capita): 11.9788 per 1,000 people Unpaid diplomatic parking fines: 4 (per $ GDP): 0.000105346 per $1 million (per capita): 0.996016 per 1 million people

they sure do have alot of software piracy problems......:)


and here is your list of US Gov warnings for Americans traveling abroad..

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html


My uncle and his wife just got back from Costa Rica awhile ago and loved it. They felt safe the whole time and ran into zero problems.

[MarineHawk]

:beerchug: Assaults: 716 (per capita): 0.178287 per 1,000 people Car thefts: 2,399 (per capita): 0.597361 per 1,000 people Convicted: 3,005 (per capita): 0.748257 per 1,000 people Death penalty > Abolition date: 1,877 Embezzlements: 216 (per capita): 0.0537849 per 1,000 people Frauds: 1,572 (per capita): 0.391434 per 1,000 people Illicit drugs (http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_ill_dru)
transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising Judges and Magistrates: 581 (per capita): 0.144671 per 1,000 people Manslaughters: 580 (per capita): 0.144422 per 1,000 people Murders: 245 (per capita): 0.061006 per 1,000 people Murders with firearms: 126 (per capita): 0.0313745 per 1,000 people Police: 1,489 (per capita): 0.370767 per 1,000 people Prisoners: 8,526 prisoners Prisoners > Female: 10.8% Prisoners > Foreign prisoners: 8.7% Prisoners > Per capita: 229 per 100,000 people Prisoners > Pre-trial detainees: 39.5% Prisoners > Share of prison capacity filled: 109.6% Rapes: 475 (per capita): 0.118277 per 1,000 people Robberies: 19,241 (per capita): 4.79109 per 1,000 people Software piracy losses: $17.00 Software piracy rate: 68% Total crimes: 48,107 (per capita): 11.9788 per 1,000 people Unpaid diplomatic parking fines: 4 (per $ GDP): 0.000105346 per $1 million (per capita): 0.996016 per 1 million people

Sure sounds safer than Ogden, Utah. I wonder if those are the Nicaraguan government statistics?

I do doubt that it's very dangerous to travel to the resorts there.

[K9sH3]

Costa Rica has alot of theft. Do not take anything of value. They blame the panamians for coming down and stealing. I stay at Surf camps, much safer and everything is taken care of for you.
As for Nicaragua, never been there, but the same holds true. Stay at a well stafed resort and you should be OK, make sure that wherever you stay has a resort employee pick you up and return you to the airport. (Same for Costa)

Oh yeah, CAR RENTAL IS INSANE $$$$$$$

[timgco]

I visit near there once a year. I have several sweat shops there. You should see those kids sew. Most of them are fast. We pay them with food. Of they don't sew as much as the kid next to them, they don't eat. It's a great incentive plan.

[CO Hummer]

Stay at a well stafed resort and you should be OK, make sure that wherever you stay has a resort employee pick you up and return you to the airport. (Same for Costa)


So, everyone is saying to stay at the resort. But I want to get out - go see Grenada, San Jose, etc. Am I supposed to hole-up and never leave? We were planning to take taxis/buses to see some of the tourist sites. Do I need to bring an uzi to do that? :eek:

[DennisAJC]

So, everyone is saying to stay at the resort. But I want to get out - go see Grenada, San Jose, etc. Am I supposed to hole-up and never leave? We were planning to take taxis/buses to see some of the tourist sites. Do I need to bring an uzi to do that? :eek:

Your wife and daughter are OK, but I'd smear some black shoe polish over your face, hands and any exposed skin if you want to mingle with the locals.:jump:

[BlueTJCO]

Collective Political Violence in the 1990's combined: 0 Collective Political Violence in the 1990s with Excessive Targeting of Civilians: 0 Collective Political Violence in the 1990s without Excessive Targeting of Civilians: 0 Convention on aircraft offences: 24-Aug-73 Convention on civil aviation safety: 6-Nov-73 Convention on crimes against protected persons: 10 March 1975(R) Convention on seizure of aircraft: 6-Nov-73 Global Terrorism Indicator: 1 Protocol against violence at international airports: 25-Apr-02 Terrorist Acts > 1968-2006 > Deaths to incidences ratio: 0.565217391 Deaths per act
SOURCES: GLOBAL TERRORISM: AN OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS Monty G. Marshall INSCR Integrated Network for Societal Conflict Research CIDCM Center for International Development and Conflict Management University of Maryland, College Park and the Center for Systemic Peace Draft: September 11, 2002; MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Database (http://www.tkb.org/Home.jsp); Center for Nonproliferation Studies (http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/inven/pdfs/apmunter.pdf)


Looks plenty safe to me.............

[CO Hummer]

Your wife and daughter are OK, but I'd smear some black shoe polish over your face, hands and any exposed skin if you want to mingle with the locals.:jump:

Good point. I don't wanna stick out like that couple on The Jeffersons. :D

[K9sH3]

So, everyone is saying to stay at the resort. But I want to get out - go see Grenada, San Jose, etc. Am I supposed to hole-up and never leave? We were planning to take taxis/buses to see some of the tourist sites. Do I need to bring an uzi to do that? :eek:

Nah, a small pistol of choice would be good...

No for real, Go have fun. Just be sure that whatever you do and or go. You have done your research first. Go with a group. As with any foriegn travel it always has it risks. Shoot in here in the states we have our places not to go too. Some right near you!
I lost a fellow surfer in the Bali night club blast a few years back, and that was a nice place.

So, Go have fun, enjoy life.

[MarineHawk]

Collective Political Violence in the 1990's combined: 0 Collective Political Violence in the 1990s with Excessive Targeting of Civilians: 0 Collective Political Violence in the 1990s without Excessive Targeting of Civilians: 0 Convention on aircraft offences: 24-Aug-73 Convention on civil aviation safety: 6-Nov-73 Convention on crimes against protected persons: 10 March 1975(R) Convention on seizure of aircraft: 6-Nov-73 Global Terrorism Indicator: 1 Protocol against violence at international airports: 25-Apr-02 Terrorist Acts > 1968-2006 > Deaths to incidences ratio: 0.565217391 Deaths per act
SOURCES: GLOBAL TERRORISM: AN OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS Monty G. Marshall INSCR Integrated Network for Societal Conflict Research CIDCM Center for International Development and Conflict Management University of Maryland, College Park and the Center for Systemic Peace Draft: September 11, 2002; MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Database (http://www.tkb.org/Home.jsp); Center for Nonproliferation Studies (http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/inven/pdfs/apmunter.pdf)
Looks plenty safe to me.............

Coffee plantations owned by U.S. citizens torched in the last few weeks: appx 1.

Not sure if those 2002 figures represent what it is or will be like under the Ortega administration. Maybe not much different. It's probably fine. It's probably safer than going to New Orleans, which I'm doing in about 6 weeks. But, then again, I'm bringing a semi-auto .40; at least 20 rounds of ammo; my concealed carry permit; and no children. I'm just a little nervous about going to a country where the police might reflect the attitude of their new anti-American El Presidente.

This piece makes it sound okay:
"Interpol ranked it the safest country in Latin America ... The return of Ortega, however, has spooked some outsiders. In the surfers' paradise of San Juan del Sur and the colonial gem Granada several building projects have been halted while investors wait to see if the Sandinista really has changed." http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1984401,00.html

Off topic, but, according to the guy here, the language such as "No one is going to allow the seizure of property big or small" and 'We need to eradicate poverty, but you don't do that by getting rid of investment and those who have resources." Is just talk and more directed to very large investments like resorts and infrastructure. While Ortega probably will not seize properties like my co-worker's plantation, he will simply let it get vandalized until it has no economic value. Then he will let some local crony have it for cents on the dollar, etc ..

[usetosellhummer]

Just as safe as the South Vally at midnight or any other high Crime zone. do research and travel around with established groups. anytime your on your own you are a kidnap target.

[CO Hummer]

So, what's good to EAT in Nicaragua? What's a customary dish that I should order? What's unique?

[MarineHawk]

So, what's good to EAT in Nicaragua? What's a customary dish that I should order? What's unique?

Don't eat the local fish tacos, if you know what I mean.

[K9sH3]

So, what's good to EAT in Nicaragua? What's a customary dish that I should order? What's unique?

Bring your own freezed dried food....:giggling:

[CO Hummer]

Bring your own freezed dried food....:giggling:

I'll be bringing a week's worth of Peeps and flavored Tootsie rolls, just in case.

[CO Hummer]

This sounds pretty good:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carne_Pinchada

Carne Pinchada

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Stabbed Meat"
Nicaraguan Dish where the meat (chicken, beef, etc) is marinated in an alcoholic sauce (wine, beer, etc) and then served on a stick.

[CO Hummer]

Check this out. LMAO at "afronicaraguan".

Vaho

Vaho is a mix of meat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meat), green plantains (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantain) and yuca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuca) cooked in banana leaves. It is a traditional Nicaraguan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua) dish originated from the mix of cultures between the indigenous and afronicaraguans (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afronicaraguan&action=edit) of the country.

[h2co-pilot]

Maybe you'll get to try Carne Asada.:jump:

Looks beautiful CO.:cool:

[CO Hummer]

Maybe you'll get to try Carne Asada.:jump:

Looks beautiful CO.:cool:


Hahaha! :D Forgot about that. I wonder who could cook me some.

[Hmmm2]

Don't eat the local fish tacos, if you know what I mean.
x2 :giggling: