By The New York Times.
Nicaragua
A darling of ecotourists is ready for its next renaissance.
The less traveled sister to Costa Rica and the largest country in Central America, Nicaragua is full of attractions like tropical jungles, picturesque colonial towns, Caribbean islands, and long, sweeping beaches. This year, the country will be much easier to explore, with the unveiling of the Costanera highway, a multimillion-dollar project connecting more than 50 beaches and communities on its Emerald Coast along the Pacific, from the Gulf of Fonseca in the north to Playa El Naranjo in the south. With new nonstop flights from the United States into Managua, you can take in the country’s colonial capital before heading on a road trip along the coastline. Set up digs at the sustainable Rancho Santana, with five beaches on the vast property as well as riding stables and a turtle sanctuary. Surf retreats for beginners and couples, paired with a barefoot-chic vibe, are among the draws at Hide and Seek Resort, which opened last year in Popoyo.— Ondine Cohane