Marlon Moreno believes that going downhill in Nicaragua can truly be uplifting.

Moreno, who represents the Nicaragua tourist board Visit Nicaragua in this country, told a recent Toronto gathering that the Central American country is ideally suited for outdoors enthusiasts, including adrenaline seekers, who among other things can go “volcano surfing” down the pebbly slopes of Cerro Negro on what are labelled sandboards, wearing goggles and special suits while doing so.

The active volcano has a lunar-like landscape and those who ascend it will enjoy dramatic views of the surroundings, which includes other volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean.

Moreno added that Nicaragua — which he dubbed the “land of lakes and volcanoes” — offers many other activities for those who appreciate Mother Nature, including riding waves in “one of the best surfing spots in Central America”; kayaking; ziplining in cloud forest; and hiking, with the country having some 72 biospheres in which nature can be explored on foot.

Sprawling Lake Nicaragua is in the unusual position of being home to freshwater sharks.

“Nicaragua is an adventure destination,” Moreno told his audience.

The country, which has large tracts of rainforest, has numerous ecolodges, with Moreno describing it as a “very green, sustainable destination.”

But Moreno also praised Nicaragua’s urban side, citing the colonial cities of Leon and Granada, the latter of which is marking its 500th anniversary this year. Granada has Spanish colonial structures, cobblestone streets and a lively nightlife scene. Guided bike tours are available for visitors.

Leon, also home to Spanish colonial architecture, has an art gallery consisting of 5 colonial houses and showcasing an art collection valued at millions of dollars, he reported.

Moreno also said the Nicaraguan capital of Managua is an interesting locale, adding visitors can have an “amazing rum experience” there, with Nicaragua being a major rum producer.

Visit Nicaragua has produced a brochure detailing different routes designed for visitors, among them one labelled The Route of Volcanoes; another called the Route of Handicrafts Villages; a third called The Caribbean Route, which showcases the Caribbean coast’s cultural and natural sides and promotes the likes of diving, snorkeling and sailing; and The Beach Route, which touts the likes of surfing, scuba diving and whale-watching opportunities.

Moreno praised other sides to Nicaragua, including golfing opportunities, 

Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast has seen less development than the Pacific coast but Moreno said it has “beautiful turquoise water” and sees relatively few tourists.

Moreno said that visitors to Nicaragua will find accommodation options that range from budget to “uber luxury.”

Among properties he cited include the TreeCasa resort, opened by a tourist who became smitten with the country after visiting it on a surfing vacation. The property is on Nicaragua’s Pacific side and is “100% sustainable,” said Moreno, who pointed to the likes of solar panels.

Another property identified by Moreno was Rancho Santana, which he labelled a “wellness sanctuary” that has multiple beaches; while the Jicaro Island Lodge in turn is found in Lake Nicaragua.

NEKUPE can offer luxury all-inclusive stays for those wanting to be by the Pacific Ocean.

Among airlines serving Nicaragua are American Airlines, United Airlines, Avianca, Copa and Aeromexico.

Moreno reported that Goway Travel has just launched 4 Nicaragua packages, and the tourist board is also working with TourRadar, with that company’s Emily Sherman telling the Toronto audience that her company is working to “raise awareness of Nicaragua.”

Sherman reported that she has visited Nicaragua, a trip that enabled her to see “the absolute beauty of it.”

More information on Nicaragua can be found at visitnicaragua.com.