Nicaragua

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, most of it still undeveloped. Dozens of volcanoes (some still active), rain forests, jungles, beaches and reefs have made the country a hot destination for eco-tourism while its low cost of living, excellent real estate value and financial incentives have drawn international retirees and second-home investors, especially from North America.

The only restriction on international ownership is for land near its borders with Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south.

Nicaragua’s revolution and bouts of political unrest are long over. The country that gained its independence from Spain in 1821, has enjoyed a stable democratic government since 1990.

Three main regions make up the land of lakes and volcanoes: the North Central Mountains with its cloud-covered forests, the Pacific Coast and the Atlantic Coast.

The capital and largest city, Managua, is inland on the Pacific side of the country. Its historical attractions are clustered along the shores of Lake Managua. Luxury homes in Mangua include estates in gated communities with views of the lake. The Pacific region boasts the tallest volcanoes and a smattering of archeological ruins. It also encompasses the Emerald Coast, a strip of coastline marked by upscale real estate developments and miles of spectacular beaches, just an hour’s flight from the capital.  The Emerald Coast Airport offers regularly scheduled flights, plus private jet and charter service. The Emerald Coast is north of San Juan del Sur, a popular beach town near the border with Costa Rica with beaches surfers claim have some of the best waves around. Granada is a major Spanish colonial city that hugs the lake. Expats gravitate to its historic homes with their telltale red tile roofs.

English is widely spoken on the Atlantic Coast, an area once a British protectorate.  The sparsely populated region has more than 200 miles of beaches and the largest expanse of tropical rainforest north of the Amazon Jungle.