VolunTourism is the idea of doing service work on vacation. VolunTourists spend a portion of their time volunteering and the rest as regular tourists. For many, this experience proves to be much more meaningful and enjoyable than a regular vacation. VolunTourism is also one of the most sustainable forms of tourism as it contributes directly to the local economy and, through projects, often helps the local environment and the local community. VolunTourists often leave with the knowledge and personal connections that are impossible to attain through traditional forms of tourism. At the same time, they have the chance to enjoy all the traditional activities such as going to the beach, surfing, exploring, hiking, etc…

Comunidad Connect is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable community development in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. To learn more please visit our website. We believe in the power of VolunTourism to bridge the gap between the developing and the developed worlds not only in terms of resources, but also in terms of understanding.

Our program is different from many others in that it is much more flexible and independent. Our volunteers can choose among numerous on-going projects or start one based on their own interest and skills. They can choose how much they want to volunteer and can customize their schedule for travel, surfing, or any other commitments they have during their time in Nicaragua. While we help to arrange activities, homestays, Spanish classes, and of course the projects, our volunteers are essentially independent travelers making their own decisions. We believe this flexibility allows out volunteers to thoroughly enjoy their trip instead of having to follow a program with a set schedule that might be less interesting. Most choose to volunteer only about 4 hours per day, but we can also accommodate people wishing to spend more of their time on their project.

Most people who come to San Juan del Sur either want to come back soon or simply never leave. There is something about the friendly people, the relaxed lifestyle, the vigor and simplicity of life, and the incredible natural beauty that makes people fall in love with this place. We hope that the same thing happens to you.

San Juan del Sur is a world class surfing destination, offers many exciting activities (such as zip line canopy tours), has good services (internet, restaurants, Spanish schools), is centrally located for exploring other countries in Central America, and is not over-developed like many beach towns in Costa Rica. This is a vibrant community that has maintained its character, friendliness, and authenticity even in the face of rapid change over the last decade.
 
At the same time, there are many needs in this town and the surrounding rural communities that are yet to be met. Therefore, San Juan del Sur is an incredible setting with many service work opportunities, perfect for VolunTourism.

The income from the VolunTourism program goes to fund Comunidad Connect operations in sustainable development. Each participant pays $200 for project and homestay placement. Additionally, each participant donates $45 per week for support with the project and the homestay, as well as emergency assistance and general advice on everything from travel to culture. This amount is tax deductable. Those staying 8 weeks or longer are asked to only donate $35 per week. Participants staying with a local family pay an additional $110 per week.
 
The homestay fee includes three home cooked meals per day and laundry services once a week. The fee paid to Comunidad Connect includes cell phone rental for the duration of the stay, but volunteers have to buy their own calling cards for making phone calls. Receiving phone calls is free.
 
These fees do not include airfare or health or travel insurance, both of which are recommended. Comunidad Connect can help to reserve additional services and activities including transportation to and from the airport, hotels, Spanish lessons, surfing etc...

In choosing our program, you choose to support our mission of sustainable development in Nicaragua. Your fees help offset the costs of salaries for our staff, office supplies, marketing, gasoline, etc. so that we would not have to take money away from donations given to our programs (recycling, sports leagues, small business development, and public safety). For comparison, most non-profits take between 10% and 20% for their administrative overhead from funds donated to them. VolunTourism is a way for us to be self-sustaining even as a non-profit organization. You can think of these costs as a donation for which we reward you with an incredible experience.

Furthermore, your experience will encompass much more than just volunteer work. We will welcome you into our community, provide support during your stay as well as emergency assistance, help you make travel plans, arrange activities, and be your number one resource. We also throw in a cell phone for you to use during your stay to sweeten the deal and make it easier for volunteers to contact each other and CC staff.

Our program is flexible enough to accommodate a stay of any duration, but most volunteers come for at least 2 weeks, and some have come for as long as several months. Of course, the longer you stay the deeper will be your cultural immersion, the more your Spanish will improve, and the more of a contribution you will be able to make. Furthermore, coming to Nicaragua for a longer time will allow you to travel to places outside of San Juan del Sur and partake in a greater number of activities outside of your project. Nevertheless, even if you are in Nicaragua for a week, we can find a project for you to help with for a few days.

Nicaragua has the lowest crime rate of any Central American country. In fact violent crime here is as rare as in Canada. However, when traveling you are always at more risk because you are not familiar with your surroundings and are usually carrying valuables. Thus, it is a good idea to be well prepared and use your common sense to stay out of trouble. Most people who come to Nicaragua do not have any problems, and the ones that do usually experience petty theft. San Juan del Sur is much safer than Managua and other large cities. Rural areas are also very safe and locals will always help you find your way.

A money belt, worn under your clothes, is a good place to keep your passport, credit cards, and large bills. You should put a copy of your passport, a back-up debit card, a little extra cash, and phone numbers to cancel your credit cards in a separate place in your bag. When going out at night only bring a copy of your passport and just as much cash as you think you will spend. Bringing a camera out at night is a risk, but many people do it. It is a good idea to have contact phone numbers written down to use if you get lost or need help.

Common sense things include not walking alone at night, asking locals for advice on safety, not buying drugs, and not being drunk. It is generally safer to take a taxi than to walk at night in Managua and other large cities. It is also not advisable to flash your wealth, including expensive clothing, sunglasses, jewelry, stacks of cash, or camera. When in public keep good track of your belongings.

In general there is nothing to worry about when it comes to health in Nicaragua. Unless you are in the jungles of the northeast of Nicaragua, there is little risk of Malaria. Most people who live in San Juan del Sur do not take Malaria pills, as the medicine is very strong. The ultimate decision rests with the traveler. Another disease is dengue fever, which has no preventative treatment, but again, your chances of getting it are about as low as getting the West Nile Virus in the US. To limit your risk, use mosquito repellant, your fan at night, and a mosquito net. You might also want to wear long sleeves and pants at dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. It is highly advisable to get vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, and maybe Rabies. More information on health concerns is available from the Center for Disease Control, or from MD Travel and Health.

The most common illness experienced by travelers is diarrhea. Not drinking water from the faucet and washing your hands often will limit your chances of being affected. Drinking water is sold in bottles and large jugs. You can brush your teeth with tap water, consume tap water ice, and eat veggies washed in tap water. It simply has a lot of chlorine. Food, both on the street and in restaurants is generally safe, but you should take the time to assess the cleanliness of an establishment. Some travelers take a longer time to adjust to the Nicaraguan diet because the food is very greasy.

Medicine for most illnesses is readily available without prescriptions. Healthcare, including emergency treatment, is very cheap. Private hospitals and clinics cost slightly more but provide a higher quality service and have shorter waiting times than public hospitals. If you have special medical needs, it is wise to bring items that might not be available in Nicaragua.

Other dangers and annoyances include scorpions, whose stings are similar in pain and danger to those of wasps. Simple anti-histamine medicine is effective against scorpion sting allergic effects. Snakes, spiders, ticks, and fleas are also present, but the chances are you will not come into contact with any of them unless you venture into the wilderness. Further information is available from the Department of State. 

Nationals of most countries receive a tourist visa for 90 days when they enter Nicaragua. You do not need to make any prior arrangements, but be prepared to pay $5 at the airport to receive your tourist card. Those wishing to stay longer than three months have several renewal options. The first is visiting Immigration in Managua and extending the visa for a fee. This can be a lengthy process and often multiple forms of documentation are required. Most people choose to leave and then reenter Nicaragua, thereby automatically extending their visa for an extra 90 days. Visiting Costa Rica is the best way to do this, and is also the easiest. In some cases tourists may be able to reenter the same day, but its best to plan on spending at least one day in Costa Rica. Finally, you can pay $1 per day of exceeding the 90 day limit before leaving Nicaragua. Therefore, the decision should be based on the amount of time you plan to stay extra in Nicaragua.  

We have found that some volunteers who come with friends enjoy their time in Nicaragua more. On the other hand, they are less likely to have a complete immersion experience with their host family and in other settings. Female volunteers wishing to travel around Nicaragua are encouraged to bring a friend, although there are many who do travel alone. Volunteers referring friends who come along on the CC program receive $50 off for the first person and $25 off for each additional person.

There are only two seasons in Nicaragua. In the southwest of the country, the dry season is from December to May and the wet season is May through November. In some years one season might be longer than usual. In the dry season it almost never rains. In the wet season it may rain for a few hours during the day and there might be long stretches of rainy days, especially in October. In most cases you can wait it out. The temperatures range between the mid-80s and the mid-90s for most of the year. January and February are the windy months. March, April and May are the hottest. You can search for current conditions in Rivas, Nicaragua on www.weather.com.

You can learn more about Nicaragua on the following websites:

CIA fact book – government database of facts on Nicaragua and other countries

Nicaragua.com - tourism information

Nicaliving - blog for people living or thinking about living in Nicaragua

San Juan del Sur Guide – travel information for San Juan del Sur

San Juan Del Sur Newspaper - bilingual local news and events

Nicaragua Surf Report – complete information on surfing in Nicaragua

GoToNicaragua.com – blog and authors’ site for the Moon Handbook           

There are many good books on Nicaragua as well.

Bernardo and the Virgin – A great account of Nicaraguan life and recent history

http://www.gotonicaragua.com/">Moon Handbook Nicaragua - the best guidebook

Life is Hard - cultural insight through an interesting narrative

The Country Under my Skin – a woman’s account of the Sandinista Revolution

Blood of Brothers – another great account of the Revolution in Nicaragua

Fundraising is always a challenge for non-profits, and now you can experience it for yourself. One effective strategy is asking your family, friends, and acquaintances to become involved in development work in Nicaragua. By contributing to your trip and your project they know that their money is in good hands, goes directly to the cause, and they can receive updates and pictures once you finish the project. Try sending out an email with a brief description of the project, how much money you are trying to raise, and the benefits of donating.

You might also want to look into scholarships and grants from your university, private foundations, and national organizations, many of which can be found online. Feel free to refer donors to our website www.comunidadconnect.org or to us directly info@comunidadconnect.org">info@comunidadconnect.org if they have any questions. Also, let us know if you need help writing a grant proposal, a scholarship application, or an email to your friends and family.

The following websites offer good flight search engines and discounts:

Spirit airlines offers very cheap, but usually inconveniently scheduled flights from Ft. Lauterdale, Fl.

Flight prices to Nicaragua range from $450 to $1000 depending on the time of year and where you are flying from. We recommend looking for flights to Managua (MGA), which makes getting to San Juan del Sur easier. If you are more adventurous and are willing to deal with an at-times problematic border-crossing from Costa Rica, you can look for flights into Liberia (LIR). When deciding, it is best to get flights that arrive in the morning and depart Nicaragua in the early afternoon or night. This way you will not have to travel at night to get to or from the airport.

You will be able to buy most things in Nicaragua, but a few items should be brought from home:

• ATM cards (not travelers checks). It’s a good idea to bring two cards and keep them separate.
• Backpack, instead of luggage (it will make travel easier)
• Books to read and/or to donate to local library
• Camera
• Eye glasses/contact lenses with solution
• Headlamp/flashlight (for when there is a power outage or hiking)
• Health insurance information
• Money belt
• Nice polo shirt (boys) or top/dress (girls) for going out
• Passport with a photocopy of the first page kept in a different place
• Photographs of your home to show to your host family
• Special medication
• Travel towel (for staying in hostels)

Bringing gifts to your host family is optional. If you do want to bring something, make sure it is not too expensive, which would embarrass your hosts. Items symbolic of your home, like postcards or calendars, baseball cards, hats and shirts, games for kids, lotions or other bath items for women, and gadgets are all good ideas. Creativity always works best, and the idea is not to impress but to show your appreciation of your host family letting a stranger into their home.

Get travelers health insurance. Make sure that the policy has good coverage outside of the US. Googling “Travel Health Insurance” gives you many options. It is important that your insurance covers emergency treatment and operations, which do cost money in Nicaragua, especially if done in a private clinic or hospital. Furthermore, the insurance should cover emergency evacuation expenses. It is your responsibility to choose the right company and policy. Comunidad Connect cannot guarantee your safety on your trip. You are ultimately taking the risk of traveling to a different country and it is your responsibility to purchase health and travel insurance. We will do everything possible to minimize your risk of injury.

Get Power of Attorney rights for your parents or someone you trust. This will help if any legal or banking issues come up while you are away. Your local bank should be able to arrange this free and easy process.

You might consider travel insurance that will cover lost baggage, trip cancellation, and other unforeseen problems. Again Googling “Travel Insurance” is a good place to start.

Let your bank know that you are traveling to Nicaragua and check your daily spending limit. If you don’t have one, considering putting a $500 daily withdrawal limit on your debit card, in case it gets stolen.

Research Nicaragua, its culture, and travel destinations. Resources are available on line and in this packet. There is no excuse for being an ignorant traveler. Get a Nicaragua guide book (Moon Handbook Nicaragua recommended), which will have all the information.

If you arranged transportation to San Juan del Sur, look for a driver with your name on a sign. The shuttle will take you to your host family’s house or to the Comunidad Connect office. In either case a CC staff member will be there to greet you. San Juan del Sur is not a big town. There are about 5,000 people living in the urban district and another 15,000 or so that live in the surrounding rural areas that are part of the municipality. You should have no problems finding your way around town.

In the first day we will show you around town and answer the many questions you will probably have. We will be there to help with everything during the rest of the stay, but your host family will be another valuable resource for you. Please do not hesitate to ask them questions.

You will most likely start your project the 2^nd day or the next working day if you arrive over the weekend. A CC staff member will take you to the project site, introduce you to your on-site coordinator and make sure you understand your assignment.

There will be times when electricity goes out for no reason. This is common in the developing world. In most cases electricity will be out only for a couple of hours. Take this time to sit with neighbors and friends on the front porch, like Nicaraguans do. Some businesses and hotels have backup generators, while most families do not.

There will be times when your house will not have water. Most businesses and some families have water storage tanks and/or wells. Water is another problem in the developing world.

Do not throw toilet paper in the toilet, because it can clog it. Instead you will see trashcans for used toilet paper.

Women should be aware of the machismo culture in Nicaragua, which means more attention, cat calls, “I love yous” etc. Ignore these, like Nicaraguan women do, and be aware that they are not meant to intimidate but rather to compliment. The less clothes you wear the more attention you get.

• On a side note, men and women are rarely just friends in Nicaragua. If you are spending time with a person from the opposite sex, it is understood that you are interested in them. The same is true if you acknowledge a cat call even by simply making eye contact and smiling.

All visitors should be aware of local characters that seem too friendly. If a person seems shady (untrustworthy) they probably are. If a person seems drunk or high, they probably are. Do not let strangers borrow money. This is a common trick. Also, do not buy drugs. You will always deal with shady characters and all drugs (including marijuana) are very illegal in Nicaragua. You can easily end up in jail if you get caught.

San Juan del Sur is a very safe town. Nevertheless, take the following precautions:

• Do not walk out on the beach at night. It is very dark and people have been robbed there.
• It is best to walk in groups or at least with one other person at night
• If you are drunk, you are putting yourself at greater risk
• In San Juan people often walk in the middle of the street. When doing so, especially at night, be aware of cars which sometimes drive too fast for the small streets and at night often have drunk drivers.
• Stay away from the area to the east of the Cangrejo Loco disco. The disco is fine, however.
• If you are hiking up to the cross or going around on the rocks on the north side of the bay, it is best to go in a group.

The Nicaraguan córdoba to the US dollar exchange rate is about 20 to 1. The US dollar is accepted as legal tender everywhere, including banks and street stalls. If you pay in dollars, you will get change in córdobas. Money can be easily exchanged at banks or on the street. ATMs dispense both types of currency. Several ATMs are located in the airport. An ATM card is the best way to get to your money in Nicaragua and traveler’s checks are the worst way, because most businesses, including banks, do not accept them. Credit cards are accepted in some of the nicer hotels and restaurants.

Tipping is usually about 10% of the bill and is sometimes included. The bill will say “Propina Voluntaria” or PV. Do not confuse this with the 15% IVA (Value Added Tax) which is also sometimes included on the bill, but goes to the government and not the waiter. You do not need to tip taxis.

Do not flash stacks of cash, especially dollars, in public places. At best, you are making people around you envious and at worst asking to get robbed. It is best to keep your money separated in different pockets and not go around with too much cash. $20-30 should be enough for a night out and $50-80 should be enough for a day of travel and activities.

No matter what part of the US you are from, life in Nicaragua will be a lot different from what you are used to. Staying with a family is an excellent way to experience this difference.

Nicaraguan families are generally larger and more closely knitted than American families. Nicaraguan men are generally heads of the household. This has to do with machismo, which is not necessarily a negative cultural attitude but a cultural norm for many places in Latin America. Nicaraguans are very hospitable and you can expect your hosts to treat you as part of the family. Of course, this comes with the responsibility to reciprocate respect, and kindness. Living with strangers that speak your language and are of the same culture as you is difficult. Even more difficult is living with strangers in a foreign country who don’t speak your language. Just remember, a smile is the same in every language.

The house itself might be equipped with fewer luxuries than you are used to at home. Most homes do not have hot water, but because it’s hot all the time, you don’t really need it. At times during the day there will be no water in the house, due to town or even country-wide shortages. Most houses have tanks to store water in for this occasion, and some have wells. Also, due to scheduled or unscheduled power outages there will be times when there is no electricity. Generally this will be during the day, but you are advised to bring a flashlight for when this happens at night. All families have either candles or rechargeable lamps to use during these times.

Your room will be equipped with a fan and maybe a mosquito net. The fan helps keep you cool at night (sleeping without one is almost impossible) and also keeps the bugs off. The mosquito net provides additional protection from insects, which are more plentiful in the rainy season (May-December). Most people sleep with a fan but without a mosquito net.

One of the favorite pastimes all over Nicaragua is sitting on the porch. Many houses have rocking chairs just for this purpose. Join your family on the porch with all the neighbors and friends to chat about town rumors, news, and events. Also, feel free to help your family with chores around the house. This is a good way to earn respect and give back for the hospitality.

You might find that the family does not take their meals with you. It is common for people to eat separately in Nicaragua and your family might be trying to give you extra privacy. If you would like them to eat with you, ask when they take their meals and ask if you may take them at the same time.

Communication is key in a homestay. Tell your family what time you like to eat, what you like to eat, what is going well and what needs to be changed. If something is off, it is most likely because of a miscommunication or a lack of understanding. CC staff can help you communicate with your family as well.

Your family will respect your privacy and you should respect their house. While it is perfectly fine to go out at night and come back late, as long as you aren’t partying in the house at 2 am, it is not appropriate to bring home guests after 9 or 10pm. While it is fine to drink alcohol, it is not appropriate to be drunk in the house. Remember, you are representing your country and, whether you want to or not, you are a role model for local youths. Act accordingly.

Culture shock is not the surprise of seeing a different culture. It is a psychological condition, similar to depression, in which a person living in a foreign environment has feelings of desperation, inadequacy, and frustration. You should care because you will probably get it, at least for a little while. Culture shock is more common in longer stays and in complete immersion experiences, such as a homestay. Most people are not aware of it when they are going through culture shock. Overcoming it takes patience and perseverance. This is the most difficult part of the VolunTourism experience, much more so than the project, and overcoming it is a personal triumph and life-long lesson.

The negative feelings stem from the inability of the person to function as well in a foreign culture as in his or her own. For example, most people are not used to experiencing problems buying groceries, but this happens when buying groceries in a foreign language, in a place you’ve never been before. Problems with simple everyday tasks lead to a feeling of helplessness.

Culture shock varies from person to person. Some do not get it at all. Others spend a few days or weeks being upset. Culture shock can be thought of as an emotional curve with peaks and troughs (see graph below). The duration of time and the magnitude depends on the person, but in general everyone goes through something of this nature when living abroad for an extended amount of time. Familiarizing yourself with the Nicaraguan culture, customs, and etiquette, as well as talking to your host family, CC staff, or friends, are the best ways to overcome culture shock.

In the graph below, the traveler enters a high emotional level upon arrival, where everything seems incredible. She then progresses to a lower emotional state finally hitting a crisis, where everything seems terrible, and the recovery phase, where a normal emotional state is achieved. The same thing can happen when she returns home, and the degree of culture shock at home may be stronger or weaker than abroad.

Your guidebook, or some of the books mentioned above can be good sources of information on this topic. The following is a list of personal observations:

Nicaraguans are very open, talkative, friendly, and hospitable. Sometimes they will try to talk to you even if you are not interested, but their curiosity is sincere.

Nicaraguans do not hold grudges against Americans in spite of the long political history between the two countries. They differentiate Americans from the American government.

To “save face” Nicaraguans will often invent an answer when they in fact don’t know it. This is common with directions. Ask more than one person.

• Nicaraguan families are large and the family bonds are strong. Young adults rarely move out of their parents’ house, even after they are married.
• People in Nicaragua get married and have children at a young age, often before 18, and often in reverse order.
• Many of the differences between American and Nicaraguan cultures can be attributed to machismo, a cultural standard that dictates how men should act around each other and around women. Machismo is especially prevalent in rural communities.
• Nicaraguans generally have very neat haircuts, facial hair, and clothing. Even poor, rural Nicaraguans take much care to look as neat as they can. Outside of San Juan del Sur, people generally do not wear shorts.
• The concept of time is more flexible in Nicaragua. People are often late and live life at a more relaxed pace than in the States or Europe.
• The word gringo is not derogatory. It is used to describe a foreigner. Also used is the word “chele” for both foreigners and light skinned Nicaraguans.
• Nicaraguan Spanish uses the word vos and not tú to say the informal “you”. The conjugation of many verbs in the 2^nd person singular, as well as with commands, is slightly different as well, with no stem change and emphasis on the last syllable (e.g. vos tenés – you have). The letter “s” is often not pronounced on the end of the word (e.g. vo tené – you have).
• The word adios is used both as “hello” (only in some cases) and “goodbye.”
• Important body language includes pointing with your lips, as if puckering for a kiss, waving your hand palm down to ask someone to “come here,” and scrunching your nose when you don’t understand something and want the speaker to repeat or explain.
• Respect for elders is very important in Nicaragua. Use usted with anyone you do not know and with everyone older. Older people are often referred to as don (men) or doña (women) and their first name. Saying con permiso (excuse me) is appropriate when leaving the room or the table, passing someone, or taking a seat.
• A handshake is appropriate when meeting someone for the first time. With a group of people it is appropriate to shake everyone’s hand when arriving and when leaving. With women who you already know well, a kiss on the cheek may be appropriate, and the woman will let you know so by extending her cheek toward you.
• Table manners in Nicaragua are very casual. People often eat with their hands, wipe with their shirt, and never wait for the whole table to be served before digging in at a restaurant.
• Inviting someone to drinks or dinner means that the person extending the invitation will pay for the person being invited.

A weekday during which you volunteer may look something like this:

7 am           Wake up, eat breakfast, chat with your host family

8 am            Head to your project site and begin work

12 pm          Lunch

1 pm            Grab your board and head to the beach on a shuttle

5 pm            After an afternoon of surfing and lounging return to San Juan del Sur

7 pm            Eat dinner with your host family, watch TV, chat, read

9 pm            Either read your favorite novel or meet up with your friends

Your project might take place in the afternoon or in the morning. In either case, we recommend spending only half the day on your project to allow time for other activities. Instead of surfing you might take Spanish classes, go for a walk, hike or bike ride, play sports in town, or take advantage of a number of activities including canopy tours, horseback riding, Salsa, yoga, jet skis, ATV, etc… CC staff can help you fill your free time.

When working in Nicaragua please keep in mind that the business culture in countries outside of the United States is often very different. In Latin America the most noticeable difference is the way time is treated. Deadlines are never solid, if made at all. People are often late for meetings, and sometimes it seems that you are waiting around the whole day. In general people do not take work as seriously as they do in the US, and this is both good and bad. Operating in the Latin American business culture can be challenging for North American organizations, like Comunidad Connect, as well as for volunteers. Often things do not go according to plan and changes have to be made last minute. Please be patient and try to make the most of your time, even if you are not as busy as you expected to be or if you find yourself doing something different from what you expected.

While your tangible contribution to the project is very important, your simple desire to help and presence are also important. The local people with whom you interact will come to see foreigners as positive figures in the community, as opposed to the negative feelings often associated with foreigners who isolate themselves.

Please come to your project not only with the desire to help, but also with the desire to learn. In many cases you might be able to suggest new ways of doing things or new ways of thinking; in other cases you might learn that the simplicity of things in Nicaragua is actually more efficient. Please communicate as much as possible with your project coordinator, others at the project site, and with Comunidad Connect staff.

CC staff will be able to provide assistance on any issue, including your project work. Please let us know if something is not working as well as it should. As a last resort we can change your project placement, but please do your best to make the original placement work. Again, patience is key in Nicaragua.

One last note: VolunTourism is not just volunteer work. We believe that the service component of your visit is as important as the travel, cultural, and leisure components. We want our volunteers to have a balanced vacation. We encourage you to seek out recreational opportunities (e.g. surfing, hiking, exploring, sports) to compliment the service project. If you need help in this regard, we are more than happy to be of service.

Sports and fun

• Surf or boogie board at Maderas, Remanso, or Yankee beaches
• Pick-up basketball in the afternoons at the Comunidad Connect Sports Park
• Pick-up soccer on the beach during low tide in the afternoons
• Pick-up beach volleyball near the Eskimo ice cream shop on the beach
• Ask locals about pick-up baseball games
• Learn the Nicaraguan rules for billiards and practice your skills in a pool hall
• Go for a swim, dip, or body surfing session in the San Juan bay
• Go for a run on the beach or a hike to the cross (2 hours r/t)
• Check out one of several yoga classes around town
• Go scuba diving or snorkeling
• Go on the canopy tour near San Juan del Sur
• Go on a horseback ride near San Juan del Sur
• If you are in San Juan for a longer time consider joining a sports league in soccer, baseball, or basketball

Travel

• Weekend trips: Granada, Masaya, Managua
• 3-4 day trips: Ometepe, Leon, Esteli, Jinotega, Matagalpa
• Week-long trips: Nicaraguan north, Bluefields and Corn Island, Puerto Cabezas
• 10-day trip: Rio San Juan and Solantiname Islands
• Longer trips: Travel by bus to anywhere in Central America. Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador are closest. Each can be lightly explored in a week and has a unique tourism offering. Allow for at least one extra week to visit Guatemala or Panama. Flying is more expensive but will save you time.

Learn

• Spanish classes
• Salsa dancing classes
• Cooking classes
• Surfing classes

Read

• You favorite novel from home
• Check out the library across from the church for a great selection of English and Spanish language reads
• “Del Sur” the bilingual weekly San Juan newspaper with local happenings
• El Nuevo Diario or La Prensa have national and international news and are a great way to practice Spanish
• Internet is available at one of many internet café’s in town for about $1/hour

Make friends

• Foreigners often congregate at El Gato Negro coffee shop or at Pelican Eyes restaurant, especially on Wednesday and Friday happy hours from 6-8.
• The nightlife is dominated by bars, which are an excellent place to meet people, but remember, you don’t have to drink to go out to the bars. They all have excellent non-alcoholic beverages.
• Most Nicaraguans are very friendly and happy to meet new people. When you meet a local feel free to see what they are doing later and if they want to meet up. Surf shop employees are some of the friendliest people in town. But remember when you invite someone that means you are buying.

Relax

• Sit with your family or friends on the porch or watch TV with them
• Go for a walk or bike ride around town
• Watch the sun set into the bay from a beach-side restaurant
• Go out to one of the many excellent and cheap restaurants

The cheapest way to communicate is through Skype. This service is available in most internet cafes. Talking computer to computer is free. Calling the US is 2 cents per minute, and calling Nicaragua is 25 cents per minute. In either case it is the cheapest way to call. There are also call centers in San Juan del Sur. Your Comunidad Connect issued cell phone works to call the US (dial 001 then the area code) for about 5 cents per minute, and receives local and international calls for free. Internet connections are also plentiful in San Juan del Sur.

When staying the night in Managua after getting in late or before an early-morning flight, the easiest choice is the Best Western across the street from the airport, which costs about $80 per person. A more economic place to stay in Managua is Backpackers Inn, which costs less than $10 per person, but requires a taxi ride from the airport ($17). There are many hotels in between these two options which can be found in any guidebook or online.

Taxi service in Managua is plentiful and you can get around town with ease. Do check that the taxi has a white and red license plate and that the driver’s registration as a taxi driver is visible inside the car. Taxis with solid white plates are not registered, and are less safe for that reason.

To catch a cab, make a downward motion with your wrist and arm while looking at the driver. Before getting into the cab always negotiate a price. In May 2008 an average fair was about $2 with the shortest fairs costing about $1 and the longer fairs, such as from the airport, costing $5-8. Official airport taxis charge at least double, but are the safest option.

Comunidad Connect Staff

Roman Yavich – Director

roman@comunidadconnect.org

US Telephone: (720) 363-6453

Jon Thompson – Director

jon@comunidadconnect.org

Nicaragua Telephone: (011) (505) 8853-8242

US Embassy in Managua

Hours: 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Address: Km 5½ Carretera Sur, Managua

Telephone: 252-7100, ask for the “American Citizens Services Unit”

Emergency/After hours: 252-7100, ask to speak to the Embassy Duty Officer

Hospitals

Managua - Hospital Vivia Pellas

Address: Carretera Masaya Km 9.75, 250 mts West

Tel: (505) 255-6900

San Juan del Sur

For minor treatment: Centro De Salud (Near Texaco Station)   Tel: (505) 8-568-2320

For medium treatment: The hospital in Rivas     Tel: (505) 8-563-3301 or (505) 8-563-3615

For major treatment: Patients should be taken to Managua (see above)

We understand that in some cases extenuating circumstances might require you to change your plans and leave your placement early. In such cases, we may be able to refund your homestay fee for the time you will not be here. It is your responsibility to let us know about the change in your plans with two weeks of anticipation. A $50 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. Cancellations made with less than 2 weeks notice will not be refunded.