Bonnie W. Hayman

Bonnie Hayman, IL’s Coastal Nicaragua Correspondent, was always the intrepid traveler, fondly remembers hang-gliding in Lima, Peru; riding on top of a train through Devil’s Nose Canyon in Ecuador; eating grilled maggots in Bolivia; and taking a cargo boat down the mighty Amazon. After visiting 53 countries, Bonnie chose to make her home in Juan del Sur Nicaragua, where she loves her interesting life and her ocean-view home. And 11 years later, feels it’s the best decision she ever made.

Matagalpa: Nicaragua’s Cool, Green, Mountain Retreat

Matagalpa: Nicaragua’s Cool, Green, Mountain Retreat

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You notice the difference the minute your vehicle starts lumbering up the excellent road that circles the city. You suddenly feel a cool breeze through the window; everything is green and fresh. You’ve left the hot lowlands behind. You feel like you are somewhere else as you pass acres of coffee beans drying out in the sun, trees that you’ve never seen before, mountain vistas at every turn, and horses and cattle on their ranches eyeing you curiously. Miles and miles of thick forest beckon you to explore.

Finding a Work-Life Balance in a Pacific Beach Town

Finding a Work-Life Balance in a Pacific Beach Town

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Adrienne Greenwood had a choice. Stay in wet and rainy Whistler, Canada, close to the poverty line or go elsewhere. That’s when she discovered the tropical beach town of San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. “Nicaragua has everything I need: warm, friendly, family-oriented people and a good yoga-and-wellness community, full of colorful and quirky individuals who have also chosen an off-the-beaten-path existence, and a sunny tropical climate all year round. I love that,” says Adrienne.

Five Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventures in Nicaragua

Five Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventures in Nicaragua

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I’ve lived in Nicaragua for seven years, and I can tell you that this is one of the most beautiful, affordable, and exciting countries in Central America. You can leave your stressful life behind and relax in the tranquility of a liquid gold-touched sunset, listen to a gentle forest rain, or watch from your patio as thousands of fireflies make it look as though the stars have descended from the sky. And if you like excitement and adventure, Nicaragua will not disappoint. Here are just some of the once-in-a-lifetime activities Nicaragua has to offer, whether you’re stopping over for vacation or staying full-time.

Choose Your Ideal Retreat in Good-Value Nicaragua

Choose Your Ideal Retreat in Good-Value Nicaragua

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“The people in my new community are some of the best I have ever met in my entire life. They are like my family. I feel safe, protected, and loved,” says Dawn Noel, who made the move to Nicaragua in 2012. “And there is a rich flora and fauna here. I am enveloped in beauty!” After a busy career as a traveling nurse, Dawn was ready for a new adventure. She longed for a place where she could feel free, be herself, and “be able to live out my later years without working myself to death.”

Profiting From a Niche Surf Scene in San Juan del Sur

Profiting From a Niche Surf Scene in San Juan del Sur

Entrepreneur profiles
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Licensed attorney Ashley Blaylock thought she had her life all mapped out. She was planning a legal career, specializing in corporate and tax law. But prior to taking a summer program in international law and human rights in Costa Rica in 2003, she took a vacation to Nicaragua. And that changed everything for this Houston native. “As a kid you have a vision of paradise, and when I saw Nicaragua, it was exactly like the vision I had,” explains Ashley. “It’s a gorgeous country, with mountains, verdant green countryside, and miles and miles of unspoiled ocean.

Ditching Retirement to Open a Beach Hostel

Ditching Retirement to Open a Beach Hostel

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"My husband Fred and I haven’t felt as vital as this in years. It’s like we’re young again and just starting out. It’s a fabulous feeling. We wake up every morning to happy conversation and laughter, the guests in our Nicaraguan hostel all having breakfast together,” says Carla Batty. Back home in Queensland, Australia, Carla and Fred had a life of relaxed dinners with friends, easy jobs they enjoyed, and the odd night out.

The Day I Knew Nicaragua was Home

The Day I Knew Nicaragua was Home

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Not long after arriving in Nicaragua, I’d bought a big lug of a car, a Toyota Forerunner Turbo. It cost $11,000 and I called it “Bruiser.” It clinked, razzed, burped, and generally sounded like a mobile hardware store in a blender. The CD player didn’t work, the four-wheel drive was broken, the radiator overheated after 15 minutes, and the security alarm went off indiscriminately. But it was my car, and it took me where I needed to go.

Feeling Youthful and Engaged in Beach-Town Nicaragua

Feeling Youthful and Engaged in Beach-Town Nicaragua

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My daughter Talia brought me to Nicaragua in 2006 for my birthday present. When I exited the plane and my foot hit the tarmac, I literally felt a shot of electricity course through my body. That two-week trip blew me away. Suddenly colors seemed brighter, the food more delicious; sunsets were spectacular in gold, purple, pink, blue, and orange; the water clear, the air fresh, the native people kind and friendly. I felt more alive.