Central America is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the Americas, to the point where Arthur Frommer identified travel to Central America as one of the top new travel trends. Frommer's Nicaragua and El Salvador gives readers an insider's perspective on these two breathtaking countries. With detailed information on the pristine beaches of the Caribbean coast and nearby islands, inland lakes and volcano tours, and the spectacular colonial cities of Granada and San Salvador, this book provides numerous maps, thoroughly researched reviews of reputable accommodations, dining recommendations, and suggested itineraries. It's an essential companion for outdoor enthusiasts, cultural explorers and those looking to explore these fast-developing destinations.
LIST OF MAPS.1 THE BEST OF NICARAGUA & EL SALVADOR.
1 The Most Unforgettable Travel Experiences.
2 The Best Small Towns & Villages.
3 The Best Beaches.
4 The Best Outdoor Adventures.
5 The Most Intriguing Historical Sites.
6 The Best Museums & Churches.
7 The Best Small & Moderately Priced Hotels.
8 The Best Luxury Hotels & Ecolodges.
9 The Best Local Dining Experiences.
10 The Best Markets & Shops.
2 NICARAGUA & EL SALVADOR IN DEPTH.
1 Nicaragua.
2 El Salvador.
Maya History.
3 Nicaragua & El Salvador in Popular Culture.
4 Eating & Drinking in Central America.
5 The Lay of the Land.
3 THE ACTIVE NICARAGUA & EL SALVADOR VACATION PLANNER.
1 The Best National Parks & Nature Reserves.
2 Activities A to Z.
Health, Safety & Etiquette in the Wilderness.
EcoLodges.
3 Organized Adventure Trips.
4 SUGGESTED ITINERARIES.
1 The Best of Nicaragua & El Salvador in 1 Week.
2 The Best of Nicaragua & El Salvador in 2 Weeks.
3 Two Weeks of Outdoor Adventures.
4 Two Weeks of Shopping.
5 PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO NICARAGUA.
1 When to Go.
Intur Offices.
2 Visitor Information.
3 Entry Requirements.
4 Getting There & Getting Around.
Air Nica.
5 Money & Costs.
6 Health Concerns.
7 Safety.
8 Tips on Accommodations, Dining & Shopping.
9 Specialized Travel Resources.
10 Staying Connected.
6 MANAGUA.
1 Essentials.
2 Where to Stay.
3 Where to Dine.
4 What to See & Do.
5 Shopping.
6 Managua After Dark.
7 A Side Trip to Pochomil Beach.
7 MASAYA & LOS PUEBLOS BLANCOS.
1 Masaya.
Festivals in Masaya.
2 Los Pueblos Blancos.
8 GRANADA.
1 Essentials.
2 What to See & Do.
Volunteering Opportunities in Nicaragua.
3 Shopping.
4 Where to Stay.
5 Where to Dine.
6 Granada After Dark.
7 Side Trips from Granada.
9 SAN JUAN DEL SUR & THE SOUTHWEST.
1 San Juan del Sur.
2 Rivas.
3 Isla de Ometepe.
10 SOLENTINAME ISLANDS & THE RÍO SAN JUAN.
1 San Carlos.
2 The Solentiname Archipelago.
3 Refugio de Vida Silvestre Los Guatuzos.
4 The Rio San Juan.
11 THE CARIBBEAN COAST.
1 Bluefields.
2 The Corn Islands.
12 NORTH-CENTRAL NICARAGUA.
1 Esteli.
2 Matagalpa.
13 LEÓN & THE VOLCANIC LOWLANDS.
1 Poneloya & Las Peñitas Beaches.
14 PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO EL SALVADOR.
1 When to Go.
CORSATUR Offices.
2 Visitor Information.
3 Entry Requirements.
Cut to the Front of the Airport Security Line as a Registered Traveler.
4 Getting There & Getting Around.
5 Money & Costs.
6 Health Concerns.
Tips for a Strong Stomach.
7 Safety.
8 Tips on Accommodations, Dining & Shopping.
9 Specialized Travel Resources.
Frommers.com: The Complete Travel Resource.
10 Sustainable Tourism.
It’s Easy Being Green.
11 Staying Connected.
15 SAN SALVADOR.
1 Essentials.
2 Where to Stay.
3 Where to Dine.
Spanish Classes in El Salvador.
4 What to See & Do.
Remembering Monseñor Romero.
Staying Safe.
5 Shopping.
Fernando Llort: El Salvador’s Preeminent Artis.
6 San Salvador After Dark.
16 SUCHITOTO & NORTH CENTRAL EL SALVADOR.
1 Suchitoto.
2 Concepcion de Quezaltepeque.
3 La Palma & El Pital.
Volunteer Opportunities in El Salvador.
Border Crossing.
17 EASTERN EL SALVADOR.
1 Alegria.
2 Perquin.
Understanding El Salvador’s Civil War.
3 Mozote.
4 San Miguel.
5 San Vicente.
18 THE PACIFIC COAST.
1 The Balsamo Coast.
2 Eastern Pacific Coast.
19 WESTERN EL SALVADOR.
1 Ruta de las Flores.
Sonsonate.
La Matanza.
Coffee Republic.
2 Parque Nacional El Imposible & Tacuba.
20 SANTA ANA & NORTHWESTERN EL SALVADOR.
1 Santa Ana.
Defining MS-13.
Border Crossing.
2 Lago de Coatepeque.
Natural Disasters.
3 Parque Montecristo & Lago de Güija.
Border Crossing.
21 FAST FACTS.
1 Fast Facts: Nicaragua & El Salvador.
2 Toll-Free Numbers & Websites.
22 GLOSSARY OF SPANISH TERMS & PHRASES.
1 Basic Words & Phrases.
2 Menu Terms.
3 Other Useful Terms.
INDEX.
General Index.
Accommodations Index—Nicaragua.
Accommodations Index—El Salvador.
Restaurant Index—Nicaragua.
Restaurant Index—El Salvador.