The People

The people of Nicaragua are by far the countries greatest
attraction. Opening up yourself to the people of Nicaragua,
who in essence define this land, will be your first step in a
true Nicaraguan Experience.

Today, almost 5 million people live in Nicaragua. The
majority live in the Pacific lowlands and decend from a mixture
of Spanish, Native American and other European cultures.
Many of the cities retain a strong Spanish influence and
Catholicism is the dominant religion.

Indigenous blood is most easily noticed in the northeast
of the nation, where the Spanish had less presence and on
the mid-Atlantic coast where English and African influences
are prominent.

The major language in Nicaragua is Spanish although
some 4% of the country speaks indigenous languages
including Miskito, Mayangna, Rama and the languages of
African origen, Crillo and Garifuna.

Nicaraguans are generally very friendly, open and casually
hosipiatable. They enjoy a good party and are usually very
curious in talking with foriegners. The family unit is a very
strong support structure of society in Nicaragua. Family life as
is all life in Nicaragua is lived by La Hora Nica which means a
meeting scheduled for 3:30 won't start until at least 4 in
Managua and later in the countryside. Nicaraguans have
a saying, "Hay mas tiempo que vida, (there is more time
than life.) So why hurry, just chill, and enjoy the pace of
La Vida Nica.