Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua
Accessible only by boat, Pearl Lagoon lies roughly 20 miles north of Bluefields along the eastern edge of Nicaragua. Though it bears some resemblance to its neighbor, Bluefields, it is an incredibly unique region, and something of a time warp. The spoken language is English, though Spanish is also spoken, and the locals are primarily people of African decent. Pearl Lagoon is widely considered to be the truest taste of the Caribbean in all of Nicaragua.
Upon pulling into the dock and stepping ashore for the first time, it quickly becomes apparent that this is truly a special place. A sign greets all newcomers to the lagoon while clearly stating Pearl Lagoon’s community values and standards. It is a simple statement that welcomes all, while explaining that indecency will not be tolerated.
Through the gate is a single brick road lined with small restaurants, B&B’s, and small multi-family homes. It’s difficult to differentiate between these at first glance, and passersby may not know whether they are walking past someone’s home or a world class restaurant. This is where visitors really begin to tune into the local frequency and start living on “island time.”
As with most places in Nicaragua, car rides are only a few dollars. If staying for a few days, it is possible to get one driver and ask for his cell phone number to call him up whenever you need a ride somewhere. Of course Pearl Lagoon is a small area and easily navigated on foot, but it can be quite hot and when high humidity is added to the mix, it’s sometimes easier — and far more pleasant — to jut get a ride. Drivers can be almost anywhere in about 10 minutes and can take tourists sight seeing, to the liquor store, or even the hotel to take a quick nap and get a few minutes break before heading back out for the island nightlife
It should be noted that air conditioning is provided by many hotels — but certainly not all — and it may cost significantly more. A 10 dollar room could easily become 40 with air conditioning, but it could be well worth it to get a cool and comfortable night’s sleep.
Hot water is also not something commonly found, even in the bigger cities. It tends to be so hot that many people don’t feel the need for hot water and find the cold showers to be a refreshing respite from the heavy heat outside. At home, a 70 degree shower may feel cold, but in Nicaragua, you may not even want to get out.
Many homes along the coast are stilted to protect against flooding. These modest structures are hand-built from plywood and sheet metal and have no running water or electricity. Water is collected from frequent downpours, food is grown outside and smoke billows from the front porches to keep the insects at bay. While this place may be an island getaway for tourists to enjoy an inexpensive experience, for the locals, life can be extremely difficult.
This is not a place to come for luxury. It is a place to explore. Whether you are exploring new foods, new people, or new experiences, Pearl Lagoon should be high up on the list. It’s a place where the clock ticks to the rhythm of a steel drum band and life just becomes a little less hectic. One realizes what’s truly needed in life, and everything else falls away. The office cubicle and seemingly endless city traffic will quickly become but a distant memory in the land where easygoing is a way of life.
