The city of Bluefields was founded in 1602; today it
is known as the oldest coastal city in Nicaragua. Bluefields
Nicaragua has a rather interesting history:
it was once a hiding spot for pirates. Today, Bluefields,
with a population of around 30,000 people, is still one
of the most important port towns in Nicaragua. Activities
on a Bluefields vacation can range from learning about
the Creole culture to feasting on Nicaragua
cuisine such as fresh seafood and coconut desserts at
the Palo de Mayo festival.
The residents of Bluefields Nicaragua are a relaxed
crowd who are known for enjoying and celebrating life.
As a result of this open attitude, the main Bluefields
attraction is the Palo de Mayo festival, which celebrates
the arrival of spring time and dates back to
the 19th century. This cultural festival starts at the
beginning of May and lasts for the entire month. Residents
in elaborate costumes perform cultural dances using colorful
ribbons. The locals of Bluefields Nicaragua also enjoy
dancing and drinking into the wee hours. Experiencing
the nightlife at the Palo
de Mayo festival is a quick guarantee to cast your worries
aside--a perfect way to begin your Bluefields vacation.
Other things to do on a
Bluefields vacation include taking a trip to the area
of Pearl Cays and the Blue Lagoon. Boats depart every
morning and arrive at the Pearl Cays in about one hour.
You’ll experience some Nicaragua jungle trekking
where you can visit indigenous villages. Also of note
are the interesting historical churches in Bluefields
Nicaragua, including the Roman Catholic Church and the
Moravian Church. In addition to marveling at the churches’
history and architecture, you can talk to the people worshipping
and congregating there.
Once you’ve found your favorite Bluefields attraction, move on to the Miskito villages, home of the indigenous people of Central America. Most of the people there still speak the native Miskito language. These villages extend all along what is known as the Mosquito Coast, which is the western coast of Nicaragua.
The city of Bluefields is geographically remote from
the main cities in Nicaragua (such as Managua
and Leon), so getting there can
be a challenge. You can get there by taking a flight from
Managua. Or, for a longer journey, take a boat going from
Managua to El Rama; once you’ve reached El Rama,
take another two-hour boat ride to Bluefields. Most people
usually fly from Managua. Of course, the mode of transportation
you decide on will depend on your budget and your style
of traveling. In Bluefields, you’ll need to get
around using public transportation or on foot. Even though
much of Nicaragua cools down considerably during its rainy
season, travelers should be aware that Bluefields Nicaragua
usually stays in the high 80s most of the year.
It can be quite humid, so keep these weather
differences in mind when planning your Bluefields trip.
With all of the fun things to do in the town, most visitors
find that the hot weather isn’t enough to keep them
away from enjoying a Bluefields attraction or two.
