Top Ten Nicaragua Adventures

Little Corn Island is the humble, wilderness version of its southerly big brother, a mere three square kilometers of roadless desert island, surrounded on three sides by nine kilometers of thriving coral reef schooling with wildlife. "La Islita" or "Little Island," as it is called by locals, is indeed a delicate paradise, visited by an ever-increasing number of travelers. Although there are accommodations for several ranges of travel budgets here, the rough ride across 30 kilometers of open ocean should serve to hold destructively large crowds of tourists at bay.

The fishing remains extraordinary around Little Corn. Fish with a rod, spear, speargun, or even with your bare hands. There are lobster and sea urchin everywhere, and within a couple kilometers of shore, you'll find schools of kingfish, dolphin, amber jack, red snapper, and barracuda. Fly fishermen can catch tarpon and bonefish right from the beach, or hire Grant at Casa Iguana to take you out for $35 a person. Boat trips can also be arranged with a number of locals, or at the Hotel Delfines—ask around on the front side for a good deal.

Text © 2003 by Joshua Berman and Randy Wood. Used by permission of Moon Handbooks. All rights reserved. Book is available through local bookstores and online booksellers.