Whoever said “travelling is relaxing” never had to get up at 3.15 am to catch a flight! After spending a few weeks on mainland Nicaragua, I am off to discover the Caribbean charm of the Corn Islands. They are situated 65km off the coast of Nicaragua and consist of two islands: Big Corn Island and, yes you guessed it, Little Corn Island.
Little Corn Island: how to get there
The airport is on Big Corn island. You can catch a flight from Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, with the local carrier called “La Costena” . Big Corn Island must have one of the weirdest airports I’ve ever been to: the runway doubles up as a proper road! Bicycles, dogs and pedestrians all walk across the runway! There are some security guards blocking the passage, in case a plane comes in, but most of the day you’re free to go!
From the airport, it’s a short walk to the ferry terminal. The ferry, aka “panga” operates on a “first come, first served” basis and seems to be is full when I arrive, but a cargo ship is willing to take me. It’s a choppy 40 minute ride to Little Corn!
Little Corn Island: where to stay and what to do
Little Corn Island is only 2km². Being so small, it can get pretty tricky to find accommodation during high season. I manage to get the last room at “The Lobster Inn”, a very pink affair right on the beach front. The balcony, the English accent and the darker skin of the people give you an instant Caribbean feel. This is very different from mainland Nicaragua, it actually seems like you’re in a totally different country!
“The Lobster Inn” is in the middle of “The Village”, which is basically one long path with a couple of bars and restaurants. This is where the majority of tourists hang out. Once you walk 100m further, you find yourself among local bars, playing country music, and small-town shops.
The trails to the secluded beaches lead through a forest of palm and coconut trees. The beach coves are completely empty, this is the perfect escape!
After a few days of lingering, I make my way to the north coast of the island, where the beaches are supposed to be even prettier! Jungle tracks lead to beaches that are as Caribbean and white as you can possibly imagine: palm trees hanging over the water, locals passing by on horses: what a treat! I spend the rest of the day walking around, stopping at beaches to read a book and sipping a few beers. There is little else to do on Little Corn, and let that be a very good thing!
Visiting Little Corn Island is a must on your Nicaragua itinerary!
So tell me, have you been?
This looks like a good place to just get away from it all. I’m impressed with Nicaragua and hope to explore there this year or next. So much unspoiled beauty.
Thanks for sharing this with us. This is some great insight for our upcoming trip. Plus, your posts have us all the more excited. Great wrap up of your trip
Love the beach shots! I would like to be there just now, looks like paradise!
Would like to be there again as well, it beats sitting on my couch 🙂
It seems to be a beautiful island with amazing pristine beaches, would love to go there one day!
Pristine and unspoilt indeed, if you got the chance, GO!!
Oy 3:15 is early! But just may be worth it to stay in a place called The Lobster Inn…I love it.
I haven’t been to Corn Island but it looks beautiful! Did you find a lot of tourists though? It’s definitely one of the more popular parts of Nicaragua and I’d love to visit but during a time when there’s less people.
Hi Samantha! They are beautiful indeed! No, there weren’t a lot of tourists when I was there (February) Most tourists that were there were the backpacker-type. “The village”-part is the busiest, but still very low key. As soon as you walk the paths inland, it’s almost deserted, and there are so many beaches to choose from!
Oh these beaches look so stunning. I’m yearning for the ocean right about now. It’s amazing how you can stumble upon great things when you aren’t expecting it… or when you walk just a little further than the person before you. 🙂 -Alexandra
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Haha, true, Alexandra! As soon as you walked out of the “village2 (basically 1 street) there was almost nobody anymore!
Wow! I would love the roam and hang out on those beaches! They look absolutely stunning!
They absolutely are! I am normally a very impatient and hyper person, but had no problem whiling the day away there 🙂
the beach looks amazing I bet it was even better in person
It was, Lorrie! I sometimes had the feeling: “is this for real???” 🙂
These are some nice beaches. I wish I could be lying down there now with a cool drink. Haha.
Me as well! 🙂
Oh that beach looks so perfect and totally secluded. Definitely somewhere I’d love to visiting when I eventually get to this region.
Perfect setting indeed! Since you need a flight and a boat to get to Little Corn, it’ll hopefully stay off the big tourist radar for a while!
I would love to go to Little Corn, I didn’t get a chance when I was in Nicaragua. Beaches look amazing 🙂
You can use that as a perfect excuse to go back 🙂
That runway is crazy! I’d probably run across it out of paranoia for incoming planes. Looks like a cool island, though! I love hidden gems like that.
Thanks for the comment, Amy! The runway is a bit surreal indeed! 🙂
Wow, those beaches are amazing! I’m having some major travel envy/wanderlust haha.
And you’re right about waking up for flights not being exactly relaxing. Why do they always seem to be so early?
Thanks for the comment, Jessica! I know, horrible flight times, but once you’re there, forgotten in 2 seconds 🙂