car_free_traveler

Fellow travelers,
I'll be going to Nicaragua mid-Nov and have a few gear questions. Itinerary not worked out in detail but will probably involve Northern Highlands, Leon area, Granada area, Ometepe, & Rio San Juan.
Can you recommend a good map? If taking only 1 guidebook, what would it be?

Will low hiking shoes be OK for hiking volcanoes (Ometepe etc.) or do I need ankle-height boots?
Can I easily buy rubber boots for Rio San Juan? In S. Carlos? Granada? Ometepe?
Do I need a mosquito net?
It seems there isn't a bird guide for Nica. Am I wrong--does anyone know one? Would the Garrigues & Dean Costa Rica field guide be a decent option?

Thanks much.

RAC

Garrigues & Dean would be the way to go. Montibelli private nature reserve is very much worth checking out--we got the long-tailed manakin and elegant trogon there.

costaricacoffee

I wish i could help more. Here is the little i can answer:

yes, mosquitoes will be plentiful. You can buy rubber boots anywhere in nicaragua and central america for that matter, they will run you about $15 BUT sizes are not readily available. if you have a big foot, like 11 or bigger, better buy them in the USA and be all set before you get there.

The bird populations of nicaragua and Costa Rica are very similar, any CR birding book will work.

The rainy season would be over, or almost over, by mid november. we had a El Nino effect so it will diminish considerably after october 15. low hiking shoes will be ok, nicaragua is scorching hot and the higher boots will be a bit of a problem.

if you want to get an idea about birding in nicaragua go to ebird.com and see what you can find.

car_free_traveler

Thank you both for the tips and information.

car_free_traveler

Hello again.

Am still wondering if anyone can recommend a country map I could purchase in US, and would like to know your thoughts on different guidebooks. I bought Moon but may want to check out some others.

Thanks.