Thank you for the trip report, schlegal. It was interesting to read about more of Nicaragua we we didn't get to (which was most of it) and revisit some we did. The volcano boarding must be awesome.

Even during the day, Masaya was more smoke than lava. Can't imagine night would be that much different. They were limiting the number of people when we went too, but fortunately, there was no line. (I think the limit is for possible evacuation purposes), We saw that sloth (or a cousin) on Mombacho though and got his smiling mug on camera.

Susan, I second Granada and Burrito Loco! We ended up staying in Granada for a week and didn't make it elsewhere, but enjoyed it. It's an interesting, slow paced, place to take walks. Plus day trips (Masaya, small villages and a boat trip around the isletas).

Susan, local buses are a really easy and cheap way to get around but we generally didn't use them. We are time hoarders so we traded off money for time and took either private transport (Managua to Granada--arranged through our hotel for $40 total) or tourist shuttles (from Ometepe Ferry up to Leon--arranged through Big Foot Hostel and about $22 per person I think, maybe less). But the local buses are quite reliable and run regularly. They are also quick and very, very cheap (our ride from Granada to Mombacho was less than US $1 per person, though of course it was not far).

But we didn't want to deal with luggage and waiting and figuring out timing---we'll save that part of the adventuring for when our trips can be longer.
This was our shuttle service:
Bigfoot Hostel & Volcano Boarding | León, Nicaragua
I also considered this one:
https://www.tierratour.com/shuttles.html

CC--thanks for commenting. I have only seen a sloth from a distance in Costa Rica. I want to see one closer! We are returning to CR this summer with our niece and I am hopeful we'll see one! Do you have a website with all your pics from trips? I know you are an avid photographer and a skilled one, too from what you have shared.

Hi Schlegal,

Unfortunately, no I don't have a website. I did but took it down to move it to a new server and got too busy to finish.

I have a photo of that sloth though. I hope you come across one on your CR trip.



Sloth on Mombacho<br/>

Oh he's so cute, CC! If I didn't know what, well, sloths, they are, I would say he looks playful!
All this talk sloth reminds me of the Kristen Bell sloth meltdown, which is just so cute:

LOL schlegal. I've never seen that clip before. Wow, she really likes sloths!

I've booked flights for 11 days in January. I know it's months away, but I saw a great deal (less than $500 CAD for direct flights to Managua) so it's done! I don't think we'll do the volcano boarding - it looks like fun, but scary and I don't like to be scared. (I think we're like twice your age, schegal1 - so that probably is part of my decision.) But there are a lot of other activities that sound like fun. Anyway, I'm quite excited about it.

I intend to do a lot more travelling in 2019 - first Nicaragua, then we'll likely spend a couple of weeks in Merida (Mexico) in February, and then the big trip - the Galapagos in April or May. That will take a lot of planning.

For those wondering if Masaya is worth it on a clear night, the answer is indeed yes.

Very cool pics RAC!

Susan, it sounds like you have lots of fun travel plans for 2019 and that's always reason to get excited and celebrate. I hope you have a wonderful time. And I am jealous of your Galapagos plans. That's a place we are itching to get to.

Well, after booking my flight to Nicaragua, the country was plunged into a serious state of civil unrest. About 300 people have been killed and a couple of thousand have been injured. I know that the situation can change, but we've decided to cancel our trip. In addition, I'm having knee replacement surgery in late September after we get back from a couple of weeks in Newfoundland. My surgeon is saying no long haul flights for the first 3 months. The flight is 6 hours so that's another consideration. Then I need to have the second knee done. I want to go to Merida (Mexico) for 3 weeks in February - it's a much shorter flight, and I'm sure I can manage there even with 1 dodgy knee. Then in March, hopefully I can get the other knee done.

I'm disappointed about Nicaragua, but obviously I feel a lot worse for the people there.

The first half of 2019 isn't going to be quite what I had hoped - but I know that travelling with good knees will be so much more enjoyable!

Hm, I thought I replied to you, Susan but it was on mobile so it seems it disappeared---

Indeed, it's a terrible situation. I feel so bad for the people of Nicaragua. I hope that eventually all the turmoil leads to positive political change for Nicaraguans but that's by no means clear. My husband was considering a trip there this month as a work retreat and has now shelved that for another time. It's a shame because I am sure the country could use the tourism but it's not stable enough politically to recommend itself for travel at the moment.

Meanwhile, I wish you a wonderful trip to Mexico and best wishes on your surgery. My mom got a new hip back at the end of Jan and she's felt like a new woman! And Mexico is such a wonderful place as well (I just love Central America in general--I know Mexico is North America but it feels like CA to me).

Oh and CC, we had great luck with sloths (and wildlife generally) in Costa Rica--we saw at least three (all three-toed) and this one even smiled for the camera. I mean, sloths always "smile," but I like to think she was posing.

I agree, schlegal1, that nothing seems very clear. The Cdn government is still advising against non-essential travel. I've read that people are more or less ok during the day, but are not out in the evening. I hope that the airline cancels the flights. They are a charter airline and flights to Nicaragua don't start until November, so right now they are still selling flights. If there are still travel advisories, even if they don't cancel, I hope I can get a full credit and book another destination later in the year. Even if they don't give us a full credit, I'll be cancelling.