Trip Coach: August 5, 2008

Regarding the mountain bikes, you'll have to assess how muddy the roads are when you arrive. Late August can go either way with rain—sometimes you get a 2-week dry period during this time (called "la canicula" by farmers who use it to time their second planting). Sometimes, it rains right through August though.

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Saint Paul, Minn.: My Husband and I have a time share. We can exchange it to go anywhere in the RCI network. For the past 5 years we have gone to different places in Mexico. We are now ready to explore other countries but are not sure which we should choose and which are safe. We enjoy the beaches but also enjoy the different cultures and tend to go to the local markets. My husband loves to shop. Any ideas?

Joshua Berman: Sorry, I'm not familiar with the RCI network but I highly recommend a visit to Nicaragua regardless.

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Chicago, Ill.: What is the best way to get to the Caribbean coast (either Bluefields or Puerto Cabezas) from say Managua? I understand that in the past, flying was the only practical option, but can one drive or take a bus?

Joshua Berman: Flying is still very much the only practical option, especially for Puerto Cabezas, whose 24-hour rutted highway trip is like a double-black diamond for masochist backpackers. The highway and boat trip combo to Bluefields can actually be quite pleasant, depending on what time you do it (the overnight bus ride is a bear but the dawn boat ride is unforgettable).

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Carlisle, Pa.: How safe is Nicaraugua? How corrupt? Can one find Cuban cigars in Nicaragua and bring them to the U.S.?

Joshua Berman: Contrary to what most people would assume, Nicaragua has been considered one of the safest countries in Central America for a few years now. I need to check the current stats, but I believe Nica has far fewer crime incidents than Costa Rica.

However, as tourism and foreign property ownership continue to rise, a parallel rise in petty crime (and occasionally worse) is the norm in any country. Corruption is about standard for Latin America (i.e. there is lots of it) but not enough to scare off the recent waves of foreign visitors and investors.

Most Nicaraguan cigars are grown from Cuban seed and many Nica puros are ranked among the best in the world. You'll also find plenty of Cubanos in the tourist markets but I cannot speak about their authenticity. Remember to take the labels off before returning to the U.S.