6 Reasons We Can’t Wait to Go Back to Nicaragua

Here at Justifi, we’ve run numerous successful trips to the beautiful country of Nicaragua. Our days are often filled with the perfect mix of exploring its natural beauty, diving into the rich culture and of course overwhelming loads of fun and adventure. Nearly every time our trips to Nicaragua end, we begin looking forward to the next time we can return to this unique place that we’ve quickly grown to love so much. Here are just some of the many reasons we cannot wait to head back there…

 

1. Conflict in Nicaragua? That's SO 1979...

Of course anytime that you decide to venture outside of your home country, safety naturally becomes a concern. Well, as far as Nicaragua goes, visitors will be pleased to find out that long gone are your parents’ days when President Regan was trying to fight the ‘Commies’ in Central America. The country now has a stable government, positive U.S. relations and on top of that, some of the friendliest people and locals you will ever meet!

 

2. This Country is Breathtaking...

Known as the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes where visitors are able to climb nearly 50 active and dormant volcanoes or take a dip in one of the many crater lakes, Nicaragua continues to be a country of unmatched beauty. Combine these two different sites to see along with an abundance of lush rainforests, diverse plant and wildlife and of course some incredible beaches and you’ve got a country that not only allows you to gaze upon its natural beauty but experience it up close and personal.

 

3. Unforgettable, Pristine Beaches...

Whether you like to dive into the breaking waves, head out on a surfboard or simply dig your toes in the warm sand while you soak up the sun, Nicaragua has proven to be a beach bum’s paradise. Over 189 miles of Pacific Coast and 279 miles of Caribbean Coast, the beaches seem to be breathtakingly endless. Not only are they great during the day, but they’re maybe even more mesmerizing once the sun starts to dip below the horizon. Get your Smartphones and cameras ready to capture some amazing pictures your friends and family back home most likely won’t even believe is real!

 

4. It's an Off-The-Beaten-Path Paradise for Adventure Sports...

Rappelling down a 120-foot waterfall, anyone? 

Rappelling down a 120-foot waterfall, anyone? 

Afraid Nicaragua just isn’t able to deliver that blood-pumping thrill of a lifetime experience you’ve been craving? Well, think again because this country is filled with adventure sports that provide exactly that! Not only can visitors sled down a 2388-foot cone on top of a volcano (yes, we are serious) but you can also get the chance to rappel down waterfalls, zip-line through a forest canopy or even have a go at surfing for the first time. Nicaragua will undoubtedly not only give you an amazing adrenaline rush but it will provide unforgettable experiences you’ll be talking about for years to come.

 

5. Experience Some of the Oldest Spanish Colonial Cities in the Americas...

Granada is one of the oldest Spanish colonial cities in the Americas.

Granada is one of the oldest Spanish colonial cities in the Americas.

One of the most beautiful cities we are able to spend a great deal of time in is the city of Granada. American tourists seem to flock here for a chance to taste their incredible food and experience the tranquil nightlife the city has to offer. Most days can be spent strolling down the cobblestone roads, exploring the culture and meeting locals, taking in the beauty and of course ending the day finding the perfect spot on Calle La Calzada Street that boasts over 30 restaurants and bars. Who knows, this Spanish colonial city may just be your new favorite!

 

6. Fiestas Are Always Better on the Beach...

Making our mark in Nicaragua...

Making our mark in Nicaragua...

Remember those unforgettable beaches we talked about earlier? Well, one that you are undoubtedly going to enjoy while in Nicaragua is San Juan Del Sur. It is one of the greatest backpacker party hubs in the area where you can find fiestas being thrown right on its shores, offering a party that you will surely never forget! Get ready to meet other travelers like yourself while you simply take in and enjoy being a part of the beauty and excitement that every inch of Nicaragua seems to be overflowing with. Plus, honestly how can you go wrong with a beach fiesta? The answer is…you can’t!

 

If you want to join us on an upcoming trip, you can see the details here

The Key to a Life of Depth and Meaning

After about a year of travelling I decided that I’d never get married.

Why would I want to get married? I was free, could go wherever I liked, do whatever I liked with whomever I liked. I didn’t have to commit to anything or think too much about someone else. I didn’t have to make more money than I needed to provide for my very sparse necessities.

Responsibility. Even just the word made me feel drained. My thought was - Who needs it? It only served to hold you down, to spoil the party. Job, marriage, and - worst of all - kids.  Always whining and crying and demanding time, energy, and attention. And then when they're older, teenagers are a total nightmare. Who needed it?  

On my journey through life, "responsibility" has been something that I have variously laughed at, dealt with, frowned at, been free from, run away from and, much more recently in my ‘wise old age’ come to greatly cherish and respect.   

Here's what shifted....

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When you've been 'on the road' long enough you the experiences that excited you start to blur together and the characters become the same. You sit around enough fires on enough beaches, having the same ‘deep’ conversations with the same ‘authentic searchers,’ wearing the same collarless, thin white cotton t-shirts and baggy fisherman pants, chugging the same tasting half-cold local beer. You also start to notice that one 48 year old man, skin leathery and tanned from years of sitting on beaches throughout the world, playing the same 5 Bob Marley songs that he’s practiced on the guitar since 1979, plus Lean On Me and, if he’s a little more advanced, Wonderwall.  He's gathered an audience, regaling the young travelers on their year off before college, or after the army, with incredible stories of his experiences canoeing down the amazon and hiking in the Himalayas, the years he was a scuba instructor in Borneo and the time he came face to face with a king cobra in the Thai jungle. No matter where you go on 'the backpacker trail,' if you look for long enough, you'll see this guy everywhere. 

Yet, if you have really sensitive eyes, you can see beneath it all just how sad and lonely and unsatisfying his life really is. How he needs to keep moving on to the next adventure or feel validated through retelling his old stories. You see, lack of responsibility, lack of purpose, creates lack of depth, lack of meaning.

Depth and meaning. Without responsibilities, it's so easy to fall into a superficial life, a life centered around the small sphere of your self and your personal needs.

It’s only with responsibility that we can really grow and mature, that we can dig deep to reveal our inner strengths and ultimate values. It’s only through responsibility that we can uncover and learn about new parts of ourselves. Me the husband, Me the teacher, Me the father. Wow. I imagine now if I never got to know "me" the father? How much less of a human being I would have been.

The Torah teaches us ‘Al Ta’amod Al Dam Reicha’ – you are obligated to help those in need. You have a responsibility to the world around you. Tzedakah does not mean charity, it’s not just an act of good will and generosity, it means justice – it is the right thing to do, it’s our responsibility and obligation. Our responsibilities are not our burdens, but rather our opportunities to elevate ourselves.

Why? Because it’s only through taking responsibility for your life and the lives of those around you that you can become the best person you can be, that you have something really worth fighting for, that you reveal the deepest parts of yourself, and that you start playing a part in our collective goal, our collective responsibility, to make the world a better place. 

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And in your spare time you can perfect the chord sequence, including the cool twiddly bit, for No Woman No Cry…