First timer questions

[Flashwoman]

Hi there,
My friend Ryan suggested I check out your site and I have a few questions.  Picked mid. Sept. to head to Nica for first time before I realized this was the peak of the rainy season.  I understand this isn't a huge problem, but could use some suggestions on what to bring to make life easiest.  Here are my questions:

1.  As a female, should I even consider bringing shorts??

2.  Is a gortex rain jacket best or is a simple big poncho better for hot and rainy?

3.  Will the rainy season keep us from hiking volcanos?  I not, any suggestions of what shoes to bring?  Are running shoes ok or trail runners or hiking boots best??

4.  Also, if I want to go up to Maltagalpa, will I have any problems with roads or are they paved?

5.  Finally, I would love to do a 5-day spanish intensive at the beginning of my trip to polish up my conversational skills.  Any suggested schools or teachers?

Thanks,

Deborah

[Joshua Berman]

Deborah,

I'll answer your last question first by sending you to an article I just published about Nicaraguan Spanish schools:

http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2007/07/09/AR2007070900881.html

A poncho will serve you fine -- depending on where you are, it may not rain every day, but it's tough to say in these times of uncertain global climate.

You'll make it to Matagalpa just fine, they were repaving the road from Sebaco the last time I was there. I recommend the Spanish school up there.

More later, JB

[Randall Wood]

I arrived in Nicaragua in '98 with a goretex rain jacket and found it far too hot.  I traded it in for a light poncho type thing - rolls up well in your backpack - and eventually traded that in for a $2 umbrella I tucked into the outside pocket of my backpack.

As for shorts, you will invariably attract more attention in shorts than you will in something like khakis, so it's a matter of whether you'll be willing to deal with that.  Lots of female travelers wear shorts though so if that's your decision you won't be alone.  Certainly in the countryside or small villages you should err on the conservative side, ie long pants or a long skirt.

[Flashwoman]

Thanks!!  Any suggestions on the best footware to bring?  Is a gortex liner shoe just too darn hot or would it be nice to keet the footsies dry.  I do want to do some hiking...

I know this may seem like a silly question, but if I just bring running shoes, will that be enough for hiking on muddy trails?  What have you used and been happy with?

DF

[Joshua Berman]

Flash -- imagine the worst case scenario -- deep, splashy mud mixed with green, gooey cow pies. What do you want on your feet? Wool socks and goretex boots will wick and dry and usually breathe enough not to be so hot -- for me, anyway. You know your feet better though. You may just want a trashy pair of sneakers -- or you may need ankle support. Hard to say.

[Randall Wood]

I hiked the volcanoes on Ometepe in a pair of sneakers.  The one advantage is that they're easier to store in your pack, whereas heavier boots take up to much space and you wind up wearing them all the time, which is awful.  You can also rinse the sneakers out and they dry after a day in the sun.  My personal preference would be for decent running shoes (nothing too lightweight).

[michelle]

OK, long pants & long skirts I can deal with. Are long sleeve shirts required? Can I get by without attention in sleeveless tank tops? Or do they at least need to be short sleeves?  Actually, I'd love to just blend in (with a darker tan I am usually assumed to be hispanic), so any suggestions on what local women wear would be great.

[Joshua Berman]

Nothing's "required". Long sleeves are simply recommended to protect you from sun and bugs -- and also to cut down on unwanted machista cat-calls from men. A sleeveless tank may attract more attention than you like, depending on where you are. I'd say err on the side of modesty, but take comfort into account as well, like if you are hiking or at the beach. As you'll see, the local Nica girls cover a wide range of dress, from skimpy to conservative.

[Randall Wood]

There are also foreign travelers who say, "you're going to get the cat calls anyway, so wear what you'd like."  I personally feel you're better off on the conservative side.  As Josh points out though, this is Latin America, and many women go for flashy.  It comes down to your personal tolerance for attention.  If you're hoping to just blend in, keep it cool.  Short sleeves are fine, I'm sure.