©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Caribbean Coast Includes ¨ Why Go? Bilwi (Puerto An overland ramble to Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast would Cabezas) . 206 be the perfect terrain for an epic novel. Your settings Miskito Keys . 210 would include wide, muddy rivers surrounded by thick Waspám & the jungle, a fascinating tropical port town and an expanse Río Coco . 212 of mangrove-shrouded black water, home to more than a dozen ethnic fishing enclaves. And we haven’t even got to Managua- El Rama Road . 213 the pristine offshore islands ringed by white sand with a turquoise trim. El Rama . 220 Your cast will feature tough and insightful characters Bluefields . .. 221 from English-speaking Creole towns and indigenous Miski- Pearl Lagoon . 224 to, Mayangna, Rama and Garifuna communities. And there Around Pearl Lagoon . 227 will be plenty of action too, with scuba diving, epic treks Pearl Keys . 228 through dense rainforest, beachcombing, and fishing in the mangroves. Corn Islands . 230 But even the most skilled author would struggle to cap- ture the essence of the region, a vibrant mix of indigenous, African and European cultures that you’ll only really get a feel for if you check it out for yourself. Best Places to Eat When to Go ¨ Habana Libre (p238) ¨ From February to April visitors are greeted by clear skies ¨ Casa Ulrich (p227) and perfect beach weather, although you may be sharing ¨ Desideri (p239) your patch of paradise and accommodations prices tend to ¨ Sea Side Grill (p234) increase. ¨ Restaurante Faramhi ¨ The region’s strong winds drop off significantly from March (p209) to April, bringing the best conditions for diving around the Corn Islands and snorkeling in the Pearl Keys. ¨ While technically in the middle of the wet season, during Best Beaches September and October the heavy rains ease off, prices are ¨ Long Bay (p231) low and beaches are empty. ¨ Grape Key (p229) ¨ For a high-energy full-color carnival experience, head to Maypole in Bluefields in May for a full month of partying, ¨ Monkey Point (p225) culminating in the colorful Carnival and Tulululu. ¨ Otto Beach (p236) ¨ Maroon Key (p229) 204 CARIBBEAN COAST COAST COAST COAST CARIBBEAN CARIBBEAN CARIBBEAN TS H G hli G I H ST A CO N aribbea C 85ºW 84ºW 83ºW 0 50 km 0 25 miles Caribbean Cabo 15ºN Gracias Coast 15ºN Living a Dios Creek Cabo Highlights O Wangki Boom Viejo 1 Little Corn HONDURAS Laguna o Coco Reserva Natural Island (p235) Rí Bismuna Laguna Bismuna Kum Diving with Bismuna hammerheads and Waspám Tara Río Patuca Leimus stingrays in crystal- San Carlos clear waters . 2 Pearl Wisconsin Lagoon (p224) Reserva de Li Dákura Miskito Experiencing true Biosfera Keys Caribbean food and Bosawás Río Wawa Reserva Waspuk Natural culture in this laid- Laguna back town . Río Pahara Cordillera Entre Ríos Auya Pihni 3 Pearl Keys Seven Banks (p228) Chartering Yulu Aserradero Tingni Krukira a speedboat to Sumu Sanders Bila Tuapí visit the luscious, Musuwas 21 Bonanza Kukalaya Yulú Suniwas Mani snow-white islands 14ºN Mukuwas Sahsa Lamlaya Bilwi (Puerto 14ºN and snorkeling with Watla Cabezas) Laguna Vesubio Klingna magnificent sea Rosita Atlántico Karatá Karatá turtles . Lapan Wawa Wasakínn Norte Reserva Natural 4 Great Corn Río Bocay Laguna Karatá Parque B Island (p231) a Nacional Danlí Siuna 21 m Reserva Natural Kukalaya Grooving to classic Ayapal b Laguna Kukalaya Saslaya Ariba an Haulover reggae while sipping El Empalme a a drink by the water’s El Ocote Rosa Layasiksa Laguna Wounta Grande Reserva edge . El Naranjo Natural Layasiksa Wouhnta Alamikangban Limbaika Puerto Viejo Ri o lka Cordillera Prinz apo Isabelía Tasbapauni Zinica Prinzapolka 5 Waslala Yaoska Las Dalias.