Nicaragua

Corn Island, Nicaragua "30 Most Beautiful Beaches"

BASICS:
Region

• Pacific Side (West)
• Spanish speaking
• Surfing, lakes, rivers, and lots of outdoor adventures 
• Cave tubing is supposed to be AMAZING here (bonus!) 
• Minagua, the capital is kinda sketch, but cheap and rich in culture.
• Caribbean Side (East) 
• Creole & English speaking
• Field station "Apoyo Field Station"
• Cheap hostels & hotel

Potential Destinations

• Corn Island (Caribbean)
• "One-time pirate hub, now a (seriously) low-key Caribbean kick-backer w/ fresh lobster and cheap dives"
  
• "The two Islas del Maíz retain in many ways the magic associated with the Caribbean - clear turquoise water, white sandy beaches fringed with coconut palms, excellent fishing, phenomenal coral reefs to explore and an unhurried, peaceful pace, as yet uncluttered with Cancún-style resorts. Little Corn in particular lives up to this elusive image."
  
• This place is seriously out in the cuts!!
• Isla de Ometepe (Pacific)
• An island located in Lake Nicaragua.
• "A fantasy island formed by joined volcanoes, with lovely villages, great beaches hiking and prehistoric rock art"
  
• Primary forests trade off with organic farms in the folds of the volcanoes' fertile skirts, teeming with howler monkeys and parrots, and hiding a wealth of archaeological treasures.
• Granada (Pacific)
• A trip-maker, Granada's colonial lakeside gem rolls out the welcome mat with volunteering opportunities and volcanoes to climb
  
• It's close to Isla de Ometepe so we could hit up both destinations (which LonelyPlanet recommends)

COSTS:

1. Flights starting at $581 R/T LAX to MGAon 8/19/13 - 8/26/13 
2. Hotel ???
3. Food starting at $3 / meal

PERKS:

1. Affordable flight & stay
2. Great beaches "30 Most Beautiful Beaches"
3. Colonial towns
4. Safe