A month in Nicaragua took us through the coffee farms and highlands of Matagalpa and Diriamba, the cities of Leon, Granada and Managua as well as the beaches of San Juan del Sur, Ometepe and the Corn Islands; each destination more spectacular than the last.

I hope that the following 23 photos can do the natural beauty of the country some justice.

Purple sky on Big Corn Island, an island 70 kilometres east of Nicaragua's Caribbean coast.

Purple sky on Big Corn Island, an island 70 kilometres east of Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast.

Bay of San Juan del Sur.

Bay of San Juan del Sur.

The rolling hills of Matagalpa. While taking this picture, a guy on a motorcycle rolled up to us and started asking questions about my camera. All was good until we realized he carried a gun. I'm sure he meant nothing by it and he wasn't directly threatening, but we took no chances and fled the scene fast!

The rolling hills of Matagalpa. While taking this picture, a guy on a motorcycle rolled up to us and started asking questions about my camera. All was good until we realized he carried a gun. I’m sure he meant nothing by it and he wasn’t directly threatening, but we took no chances and fled the scene as fast as we could!

Matagalpa.

Also Matagalpa, this time without any guns.

Splendid sunset in Granada. Every 15 minutes the huge church bell rung right next to us, forcing us out unto a ledge with our fingers in our ears!

Splendid sunset in Granada. Every 15 minutes the huge church bell rung right next to us, forcing us out unto a ledge with our fingers in our ears!

Tranquilo vibes in San Juan.

Tranquilo vibes in San Juan.

Strange, almost monochrome sunset in the highlands of Matagalpa.

Strange, almost monochrome sunset in the highlands of Matagalpa.

The road to the top of Cerro Negro, one of Nicaragua's many active volcanoes.

The road to the top of Cerro Negro, one of Nicaragua’s many active volcanoes.

Water hammocs on Little Corn Island, Big Corn Island's smaller brother.

Water hammocks on Little Corn Island, Big Corn Island’s smaller brother.

Volcanoes everywhere! The white tipped one erupted just a few weeks ago.

Volcanoes everywhere! The white tipped one erupted just a few weeks ago.

Early morning on Little Corn. To get to the beach before sunrise, I walked through the jungle in the darkness.

Early morning on Little Corn. To get to the beach before sunrise, I walked through the jungle in complete darkness, the path only illuminated by the moon.

Finally a clear view of Volcán Concepción on Ometepe.

Finally a clear view of Volcán Concepción on Ometepe, which was always covered in clouds.

Walking past this sleeping man, I couldn't resist taking a photo.

Walking past this sleeping man, I couldn’t resist taking a photo.

The contrast between the volcano and its green surroundings were like night and day.

The contrast between the volcano and its green surroundings were like day and night.

I should probably have worn a gas mask...

I should probably have worn a gas mask…

Good morning!

Good morning!

Paradise views from the house below.

Paradise views from the house below.

16

Thanks to the help of a local boy, we managed to find and ascend the highest point on the island.

Thanks to the help of a local boy, we managed to find and ascend the highest point on the island.

The Corn Islands are different in many ways to mainland Nicaragua. For one, most people are not of neither indian nor hispanic descent and most everyone speak english (with a thick creole accent!)

The Corn Islands are different in many ways to mainland Nicaragua. For one, most people are not of neither indian nor hispanic descent and almost everyone speak english (with a thick creole accent!)

Long exposure moon + beach photography.

Long exposure moon + beach photography.

A final good morning.

A final good morning.

And good night! Nicaragua had everything, yet always left me yearning for just a little more. In the best possible way.

And good night! Nicaragua had everything, yet always left me yearning for just a little bit more.