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OVERVIEW
Little Corn Island is a safe tropical paradise boasting a clear turquoise sea with white sandy beaches, surrounded by coconut palms. There is excellent fishing and good shallow reef diving and beach snorkeling. And if it’s simply relaxation you’re looking for, Little Corn has enough hammocks for everyone.
GETTING THERE
Flights leave Managua, Nicaragua 3 to 4 times a day, ($180.00 U.S. return) usually with a stop at the Caribbean coastal town of Bluefields, before flying onwards to Big Corn Island. There are currently two airlines that ply this route: Atlantic Airlines (PH 575-5055) and La Costena www.tacaregional.com. From Big Corn Island it’s a short 30 minute boat ride to Little Corn ($6.00 U.S one-way). The boat ride can be a wet one. Store your valuables in your luggage which will be stowed in a dry area at the front of the boat.
Upon arrival at The Village on Little Corn you’ll be met by the usual touts. In order to avoid hassles a planned place to stay, at least for the first night is a good idea.
A four to six hour boat trip is also possible from Bluefields, but a lengthy, somewhat difficult cross-country trip to the Caribbean coast in required.
VISAS/PASSPORTS
Upon entering Nicaragua you’ll need to purchase an inexpensive tourist card. Keep this card. You’ll need it to leave the country. A valid passport is also required. You should always, no matter where you travel, keep a photocopy of the main pages of your passport.
WHEN TO GO
January to mid-May is sunny and mostly dry. The second half of May thru September brings lots of rain and its resulting mud. Parts of October, November and December can be wet too.
SHOTS AND VACCINATIONS
No particular shots are required, but Little Corn is considered a malarial zone, especially in the wet season. I was there in the dry season and saw not one mosquito. After a couple of bad nightmares locals convinced me to throw my anti-malarials into the sea.
MONEY
The Cordoba is the national currency of Nicaragua. And you should take a good pile of either it, and/or U.S. dollars along with you. There are no banks or ATM’s on Little Corn; and don’t expect to be able to use travelers cheques. Dive operations will take Visa, but expect to pay 5% or more to use your credit card. Tipping is expected at restaurants.
LANGUAGE
Just about everyone speaks English. Amongst themselves the Caribbean locals speak a completely indecipherable Creole. When speaking with the minority Latinos, an odd sounding Spanglish is used. Being fluent in Spanish won’t help with this mish-mash.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is moderately inexpensive and plentiful. However, advance reservations are a good idea if you’ve got a particular spot in mind. Casa Iguana (starting at $35.00 per night/shared bath, economy cabins) www.casaiguana.net is the spot everyone seems to flock to, but there are three choices near Garrett Point that are quieter and come highly recommended.
Farm, Peace & Love is quite pricey at $60.00 U.S. - $70.00 U.S. per night. They have only two cabins. The food is reportedly excellent. www.farmpeacelove.com
Derek’s Place offers well constructed bamboo cabins at $40.00 U.S. - $60.00 U.S. Prices have risen sharply in recent months. Tasty meals can be had with advance notice. www.dereksplacelittlecorn.com
Ensuenos with its sand beach and shallow reef is the place to stay on little Corn if you’re looking for a touch of eccentricity. Quirky Spanish owner, Ramon has built architecturally fascinating gnome houses. The property is a feast for the eyes. The shared bathroom and shower a gem. And if you’re lucky you might be able to reserve your own gnome home, right on the beach for $25.00 per night. Check out number 3b on the website below. Palm trees sprout right up through the ceiling of this magnificently odd dwelling. On the downside, Ramon favours creating Hundertwasser type design over answering e-mails. Ensuenos takes reservations with a one week minimum stay. But give yourself ample time as response could be slow. Tasty meals can be had with advance notice. www.ensuenos-littlecornisland.com
Hotel Los Delfines in The Village, where Dolphin Dive is located might be a decent option if you feel the need for A/C or TV and want to be close to the Internet. Be aware that the hottest, maybe only disco is said to be located on the premises as well. www.hotellosdelfines.com
FOOD
There are five or six restaurants in The Village and most hotels offer reasonably priced meals. Casa Iguana with its rock-top terrace serves excellent breakfasts and claims to be the only place on the island where you can get a ‘real’ cup of coffee. But the best place for dinner is called simply, The Cuban Restaurant. One seafood meal - especially the shrimp and lobster dishes - at the CR and you’ll want to eat there every day. The roast pork and spicy shredded beef are supposed to be excellent too, but with the abundance of seafood I never considered trying either. Reservations are required unless you’re content in having an early meal in the blazing sun.
Snacks and decent baked goods can be purchased in The Village, near the boat dock. There’s also an abundance of the Nicaragua’s treasured, Flor de Cana rum. But bring your own lime from the mainland. And always remember never to put anything but pure squeezed lime in this wonderful copper coloured potion. All other mixes should be drunk separately.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Strengthen up your leg muscles and try to secure accommodation at the quieter northeastern Garrett Point. It’s a good 30 minute walk from The Village, but well worth the effort. If you’re not already a certified scuba diver, consider becoming one on Little Corn. Prices are excellent. The mostly shallow reefs are great for both novice and skilled diver alike. They also offer exciting world class cave diving for the more experienced.
There are two dive operations on the island. Dive Little Corn (www.divelittlecorn.com) is about thirty metres from the boat dock and Dolphin Dive (www.cornislandsscubadiving.com) is one-hundred or so metres beyond that.
If you’re into sports join the locals for a game of baseball or basketball. Afterwards, climb into a hammock with a flat rock beside it, stare at the sea, your navel, or read a book. Use the rock as a place to set your Flor de Cana rum or thirst quenching Victoria beer.
COMMUNICATIONS
Reasonably priced, fairly fast Internet service is available in The Village at Hotel Los Delfines, also home to Dolphin Dive. Telephone calls can also be made at the Internet site.
SAFETY ISSUES
In years past Little Corn had some fairly significant robbery problems. Rape was also reported. In recent years however, an increased police force checks incoming boats for undesirables. Those who have no business being on Little Corn are sent away. As in any foreign country, take the usual precautions to protect yourself and your valuables.
WHAT TO PACK
Less is definitely better than more on Little Corn. Toiletries, medications, a T-shirt or two, and a pair of short pants, a bathing suit, money and above all a mask and snorkel. There’s an abundance of reef snorkeling possibilities from several shores and daily rentals can be costly. Bring a good strong fishing pole, if fishing is your game. I’ve snorkeled with barracuda right off the shore in three feet of water. Extra batteries for your camera are a good idea. Electricity is not available at many places.
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jackdrury Little Corn Island starter kit Sep 9 2008, 12:14 PM
Little Corn Island starter kit, By Local Expert jackdrury
Sep 9 2008, 12:14 PM
