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Featured Articles

By Brooke Rundle | Get free updates of new posts here.

Market Guide to the Tropical Fruits of Nicaragua

photo credit // Pontus Ohlsson

Pitaya (Dragon Fruit) 

Cut open a pitaya in Nicaragua and the flesh is a hot pink. The bright color packs a flavor punch with creamy, nutty, berry notes. The black seeds are eaten with the flesh. Pitaya is available during the rainy season. The cactus that produces the pitaya fruit only blooms at night. Fun fact: Dried and frozen pitaya sourced from Nicaragua is packaged and sold by Pitaya Plus throughout the United States. Pitaya Plus operates one of the only solar-powered facilities in Central America and provides over 250 jobs for single mothers in Nicaragua. 

Nispero, Zapote or Sapote (Sapote)

Native to Central America the nispero belongs to the Sapodilla family.  The flesh is white, red or orange (depending on the variety) with two long black seeds and extremely sweet. You’ll find the fruit widely available from February to May. Fun fact: If you come across a nispero dessert you should try it. You’ll be in for an ultra-sweet flavor sensation.

photo credit // Henry Doe

Platano (Plantain)

Plantains are easily confused with bananas.   The difference is how they are used (plantains are cooked) and their size (plantains grow larger than bananas).  Available throughout the year, plantains are used in many typical Nicaraguan dishes. Fun fact: In Nicaragua tostones are slices of starchy unripe plantain that have been flattened and fried. Platano maduros are long lengthways slices of the sweeter, ripened fruit that have been baked in oil.

Nancite or Nance (Savanna Serette, Golden Spoon)

This strongly scented, small, round, sweet, yellow fruit can be eaten both raw or cooked.  Nancite is also fermented to produce an alcoholic beverage. The skin is thin, opening to reveal a white, oily pulp surrounding a single large stone. Fun fact: Nancite is mixed with ice (raspado) and sold by street vendors on the streets of San Juan del Sur.

Mamon Chino (Rambutan) 

Locally named “Mamon Chino” due to the fruit’s Asian origin, Rambutans are available throughout Nicaragua during the rainy season.  Closely related to the lychee, once the hairy outer skin is removed the exposed yellow flesh has a sweet, grape like quality and a large single seed. Fun fact: You know you have a good mamon chino when the flesh comes easily away from the seed.

photo credit // Charles Deluvio

Papaya (Papaya or paw paw)

You’ll find papaya available year round in Nicaragua.  When the fruit is ripe it feels soft to the touch and the skin turns yellow or orange.  Most people avoid eating the tiny black seeds that line the sweet interior flesh due to their bitterness.  Green or unripe papaya is cooked before eating. Fun fact: Papayas in San Juan del Sur can be huge – some are as long as your arm. 

Calala or Maracuya (Passion fruit)

The passion flower vine not only produces a beautiful flower reminiscent of a water hyacinth but also a delicious fruit.  The juicy interior is both sweet and tart and filled with numerous seeds.  Available year round, the fruit can be juiced, used in smoothies, added as a topping for yogurt, as a flavoring for cheesecake or eaten whole. Fun fact: When the skin begins to shrivel the fruit is ripe.

Noni (Cheese fruit)

This strange looking yellow/white fruit has a pungent odor and a bitter taste.  But you don’t eat a noni fruit for its taste, you eat it for its medicinal qualities.  According to folklore noni juice can be used for many health conditions – from constipation to diabetes to high blood pressure and depression. Fun fact:  Got a scratch on your cornea?  Some noni juice evangelists even claim that the juice can heal eye problems.

Jocote (Hog Plum)

As a jocote ripens the skin changes from green to a dark red or yellow color and the flesh sweetens.  Mostly available in the dry season this is a small fruit, sold in bags of 20 or 30.  The skin and flesh are eaten, leaving only a single large seed. Fun fact: Unripe, green jocote are eaten with salt.

Tamarindo (Tamarind)

The brown sticky pods of the tamarind make for an odd looking fruit.  Sold wrapped in plastic, tamarind has a wide variety of culinary uses.  Add it to water for a tart tasting juice, mix with sugar to make jam or syrup, or use as a paste to add a savory kick to curry dishes. Fun fact: According to local folklore, tamarind is good for cleaning the digestive system.

photo credit // Maria Fernanda Gonzalez

Piña (Pineapple)

Pineapples in Nicaragua are commonly eaten raw but can also served in smoothies and jams at restaurants catering to tourism.  The fruit pulp of pineapples in Nicaragua appear to be more of a white color rather than yellow, but they’ll equally sweet and delicious! Fun fact: It takes almost 3 years for a pineapple to fully grow.

Mango (Mango)

Mangos are probably the most popular and common fruit found throughout Nicaragua. Mango season peaks in April and May. When in season, you’ll find them sold in local markets and even on street corners.  Fun fact: It is not uncommon for mango trees in Nicaragua to grow over 100 feet tall!

Filed Under: About, Featured Articles, Travel Tips

By Brooke Rundle | Get free updates of new posts here.

Solar Powered Spanish Colonial Masterpiece

In Nicaragua, houses have names instead of numbered street addresses. On occasion the house name adopts a personality and transforms into a life form of its own. Over the course of the past 10 years, a vacant 8.6 acre Hacienda lot in Las Fincas de Escamequita was converted into an awe-inspiring eco-guest ranch under the extraordinary vision and tireless care of Heather Van Doorninck. The locals call her Blue. And it’s her anthem that rings through the walls of this solar powered Spanish colonial masterpiece –  “at Rancho Chilamate we endeavor that our life and activity in Nicaragua continually respects and benefits our local community and environment.”

The main Hacienda boasts over 4,500 interior square feet with expansion outdoor living spaces. Rancho Chilamate was built by local hands using regional resources. The entire construction crew was hired from the nearby villages of El Carizal and Escameca. Building materials were all sourced from Nicaragua and local oxcarts delivered the wood and sand.  The iron work, doors and windows were installed by a neighboring carpenter.  The wooden beams were hand-cut by chain saw, the cement holding them together was mixed by hand and it’s recycled sun-baked clay tiles that line the roof-tops.  As advertised, the entire ranch is truly and proudly “solar and horse powered.”

Every corner of the property boasts of historic detail and character. The entrance is defined by a pair of 13 foot antique blue doors which has been used by many as the beautiful backdrop for photo-opps.  The dining hall hails exalted ceilings lined with exposed wooden beams. You can almost hear the laughter of past travelers lingering in the walls. The kitchen looks out across a grassy prairie lined with ancient trees and bordered by a river.

The guest ranch consists of 4 rentable rooms, a casita and the owners barracks. El Romanitco is the most luxurious room offering a beautiful iron cast framed king size bed, antique furniture, colorful artwork and saloon style doors leading to a 1/2 barrel cowboy shower; named for the privacy of its backside balcony with hammock.  El Pirata and El Sueno each offer a queen bed, private entrance and bathroom in parallel Chilamate design quality.  El Nido offers 2 bunk-beds (4 pax sleeping capacity) a private outdoor shower and plenty of horseshoe hooks to hang your cowboy hat. There’s also a stand alone owner’s casita and ranch helper’s quarters consisting of 4 bedrooms and 2 baths.

Despite the masterfully designed sleeping quarters, the ranch was intended for outdoor communal living. And it’s in the pool and among the outdoor patio that you’ll want to spend most of your time. There’s a covered BBQ and bar area for outdoor grilling, next to an outdoor shaded living room lined with palms. The patio is filled with several options for relaxation. If it’s quiet time you seek, try the cushioned day bed and nook, or the hammock filled rancho in the garden. The layout and configuration of the ranch was designed with relaxation and comfort in mind.

The entire ranch is solar powered with electric backup and wifi accessible.  There’s a private well providing  solar warmed pressurized water to the ranch. Equestrian facilities include hay barn, 15 covered stalls, fenced paddocks, washing stations, round pen and a blacksmith shop. The property entrance is gated and the 1/4 acre are of the main hacienda and flower gardens feature a privacy wall.

The eco-guest ranch at Rancho Chilamate is ranked # 1 on Trip Advisor for speciality lodging in the region. Travelers who have visited always rave about their experience as evidenced by the 100+ 5-star Trip Advisor reviews it has to its name.  The property has the potential to continue as a fully operation B&B or converted to a private residence.

We’re ringing in the bell on the beginning of a new era as we announce that Blue is officially moving her headquarters from Rancho Chilamate across the road to the new Big Sky Ranch. Rancho Chilamate is officially on the market for sale. You can grab all the details and schedule a tour with Blue here.

Filed Under: Featured Articles, Real Estate, Hotels, Accommodations Tagged With: Rancho Chilamate, EcoGuest Ranch, San Juan del Sur, San Juan del Sur Real Estate

By Editor SanJuanDelSur.Org | Get free updates of new posts here.

7 High Yield Rental Properties for Sale in Nicaragua

2017 was another record breaking year for Nicaragua tourism and the numbers continue to grow. According to the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur), it is estimated that Nicaragua will receive 1.9 million tourists in 2018 generating close to $830 million. Compare these numbers to the 2015 tourism statistics where La Prensa Latina reported 1.4 million tourists visited the country generating $450 million in economic activity.

A chunk of that money is spent on lodging which is why we are highlighting properties that hold the promise for great rental returns.  They’re all located in areas popular with tourists and many are already producing an income and generating a return on investment. If you’re in the market for a rental property you should definitely check these out: [Read more…] about 7 High Yield Rental Properties for Sale in Nicaragua

Filed Under: Featured Articles, Real Estate

By Brooke Rundle | Get free updates of new posts here.

Thinking About Relocating?

Nicaragua Relocation tour
photo credit // Kirte Kinser Photography

We’ve got new 2018 dates and we invite you to join us in Nicaragua to experience what expat living is really like. On our relocation tours you’ll get an inside peak at residential communities, historic landmarks, local markets and beautiful beaches. You’ll also get to meet local residents, legal representatives, real estate experts,  business owners, and fellow ex-pats!

We can say in all good conscience that these relocation tours are worth investing in if you’re seriously considering a move to Nicaragua.  Following the tremendous feedback from of our relocation tours last spring. We’re excited to announce new dates in 2018:  February 24 – March 4, August 18-26 and November 10-18. [Read more…] about Thinking About Relocating?

Filed Under: Featured Articles, Relocation

By Brooke Rundle | Get free updates of new posts here.

The Changing Tide of 2018

photo credit // Lauren Stocker

We’re entering 2018 with a collective spirit of a renewed commitment to reinvent, grow and improve. Improve the community efforts towards repairing and restoring those homes lost at the hand of natural disasters. Improve the quality of education and career opportunities available to young people in Nicaragua. Improve the protection of and opportunities for women.

I’m going to be honest, 2017 was a difficult year. Both locally and globally. We’re living in the wake of controversial presidential elections both in Nicaragua and the United States. Tropical storm Nate battered the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua leaving thousands without electricity and some without homes. And the surfacing wave of “me too” stories from brave women around the world shattered trust among many organizations and relationships.

[Read more…] about The Changing Tide of 2018

Filed Under: Featured Articles, Volunteering

By Brooke Rundle | Get free updates of new posts here.

New Beginnings for San Juan Live

photo credit // Jessica Ruscello

With 2017 behind us finally, we’re entering 2018 with a renewed commitment to reinvent and improve our online media content. We’ve been working really hard the past 5 months to launch tons of new material at the beginning of the new year.  We’ve also got 3 big announcements to make.

1. New Real Estate Marketplace

We launched a brand new version of the San Juan Live Real Estate Marketplace. Now you can search for property by price, type or region. Within each of our property listings, you’ll find multiple photos and in some cases videos of the property, a detailed property description, an information brochure, (if available), a topographical map or house blue print, feature highlights, and a map identifying the exact GPS coordinates of the property so you can actually zoom in and see it online.

And best of all, we make it super easy for Buyers and Sellers to communicate directly through each property listing. If you’re interested in property, be sure to check out the new website and search for property here.

[Read more…] about New Beginnings for San Juan Live

Filed Under: About, Featured Articles

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About San Juan Live

sanjuandelsur-logo-colour-REsite San Juan Live is your guide to San Juan del Sur - Nicaragua's most vibrant tourism and investment destination. We provide tons of travel tips, as well as information about volunteering and relocation in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Get monthly updates in your inbox, totally free.
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Recent Posts

  • Market Guide to the Tropical Fruits of Nicaragua
  • Solar Powered Spanish Colonial Masterpiece
  • 7 High Yield Rental Properties for Sale in Nicaragua
  • Thinking About Relocating?
  • The Changing Tide of 2018

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