In Nicaragua a private island experience is also within reach for more than the 1 Percent. When the Mombacho volcano erupted hundreds of years ago, it scattered its top into Lake Nicaragua, creating 360-some islets.
My friends and I would either splurge and rent El Coyol, a stunning four-bedroom villa just off the shores of Granada, or we’d book a handful of the nine treehouse-style casitas at Jicaro, an ecolodge operated by the Cayuga Collection, one of my favorite sustainably minded hotel brands. Just a 10-minute boat ride from town, the lodge helps guests disconnect with yoga, wildlife viewing, stand-up paddleboarding sessions, and hammocks strung from the decks of every room so you can sleep beneath the stars, dreaming of still better days ahead.
Every surfer has experienced the moment when they think they’ve made the drop down a face of a wave, only to be unforgivingly pummeled, or sucked over the falls into a washing-machine spin drive of a beating. Many countries have faced wipeouts from political and natural disasters, but few have taken the licks and popped back up, ready for another set, like Nicaragua. After war, Zika virus, Tropical Storm Nate, and the political upheaval that all but shut down tourism the last two years, the country has been on a roller coaster of highs and lows—and now a pandemic.
I like to think the resilience it’s shown over the decades will kick in as the world slowly reemerges from lockdown. And when it does, although most surfers dream of having the ocean as their own private playground, I’ll be more than happy to share its perfect waves.
To help ensure Nicaragua’s people and environment remain strong for many more visits to come, the following charities are doing essential work. Waves of Hope, a nonprofit created in 2009 by the founders of Coco Loco Eco Resort in northern Nicaragua, is dedicated to education, infrastructure, and sustainability. Casa Congo, a nongovernmental organization in Tola, focuses on conservation projects including beach cleanups, night monitoring during turtle hatching season, and assisting with tree planting in Chacocente Wildlife Refuge. If you feel inspired, I highly recommend supporting them, too.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.