Our answer, is “Why Not?”  Located in the heart of Central America, Nicaragua is an exceptional country with its spectacular lakes, towering volcanoes, friendly people and legendary towns filled with cultural richness. The country beckons foreigners to come and see all it has to offer. 

Some foreigners have already gotten wind of the country’s potential.  A recent article in USA Today states that over 5,000 Americans currently call Nicaragua their home.

Devastated by the wrath of mother nature, its tumultuous political past, and a streak of misfortune, this often misunderstood country is now poised to emerge as a travel hot-spot, a potential haven for expatriates and a place where unlimited opportunities await the energetic entrepreneur.

In the 1980s most of Central American including Nicaragua was ground zero in the cold war, with the Soviets, Cubans and U.S. orchestrating events behind the scenes.  The dictatorship, economic hardship and natural disasters which devastated Nicaragua are disappearing into the past.

Today Central America has become the “in” place for Americans retiring overseas.  The hottest destinations seem to be countries like Nicaragua which were synonymous with strife and civil war. Consequently, they were off the beaten path for the majority of tourists, not to mention retirees and much less investors.  Now all of this has changed.

A 1998 U.S. News and World Report article touted Nicaragua as a hot new retirement destination, with Central America’s lowest crime rate.

At present, Nicaragua can perhaps be most seriously considered the land of opportunity of all the countries in Central America.   The country is ripe for investment because it is so underdeveloped. The government, in particular the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute, is bending over backwards to lure investors with the most aggressive incentive-filled law in Latin America.  They realize the importance of the country’s 300 days of  sunshine per year and tourist attractions like  the country’s wide, unspoiled Pacific beaches, wildlife, lakes rivers and volcanoes which are virtually untapped. They know what a potential impact tourism can give the country’s economy and have witnessed what the tourism boom has meant for neighboring Costa Rica. 

 People who missed out on the best real estate  buys in Belize and Costa Rica can still take advantage of great  bargains in Nicaragua. In Nicaragua you can purchase your own “piece of paradise” for a fraction of the cost you might pay in the U.S., Canada or even Costa Rica. One gentleman we know of bought a beachfront lot for a mere $20,000 and spent another $30,000 in constructing his dream home. The same home would have cost six to ten times as much in California.  Many countries do not permit non citizens to own property or place restrictions on foreign-owned real estate, but this is not the case in Nicaragua. 

At present the two "hot spots" are the city of Granada and the Pacific Coast. Granada is the country's third-largest city.  Located on the shores of Lake Managua, Granada is without a doubt the county's most colorful city and has managed to maintain its historical atmosphere and feel of a small town. The salient feature of this city is its strong colonial character. The churches and homes of the city have conserved their original colonial flavor. Spanish-style homes with beautiful interior courtyards, adobe walls and high ceilings abound.  The city is slowly becoming a haven for expatriates many of whom have started to buy and restore old homes.

We know a couple of Americans who are restoring some of these beautiful colonial homes. One couple converted a large home into a hotel.  Another speculator purchased a huge home in downtown Granada for $40,000. So far he has invested about another $40,000 fixing it up. His house is absolutely breathtaking.  In a few years he should be able to sell it for several hundred thousand dollars.

Other foreigners are purchasing land on the slopes of the nearby Laguna de Apoyo. It is a cup-shaped crater filled with water and looks like a smaller version of Crater Lake in Oregon. The view is incredible and lots are very affordable.

The main push in real estate has been along the Pacific Coast. Prices are still affordable but are rising quickly as more and more people get wind of the low cost of the country's property and everything else Nicaragua has to offer. 

Along the Pacific Coast you can find some of the most beautiful oceanfront property in the world for a fraction of what you'd expect to pay. You'd pay many times more for the same properties in neighboring Costa Rica and 10 to 50 times as much in the United States. Some lots may be purchased for as little as $20,000. 

Currently there are many developments located in this area. Near Managua there is Rancho Santa Rosa. This private development is located on 800 acres of beautiful grounds and with a number of beachfront lots for sale. To the south is Rancho Santana with its 2.5 miles of spectacular Pacific coastline. This project has three beach areas from which to choose: Playa Rosada, Playa Dorada and Playa Escondida.