Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest and most sparsely populated Central American country. Located between Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south, Ocotal is nestled in the tropical mountains of north central Nicaragua, near the Honduran border. Nicaragua's central mountain range divides the fertile valleys of the Pacific coast in the west from the swampy Caribbean coast in the east.
Official Name: Republic of Nicaragua
Capital City: Managua
Population: 5,200,000
Language: Spanish
Area: 129,494 sq. km (49,998 sq. miles)
Currency: Córdoba (C)
Ocotal
In Ocotal life is much the same as it has been for the last 50 years. Many activities revolve around the town center with its hand-manicured gardens, cathedral, library, and government offices. Visitors and natives alike enjoy working and socializing in the heart of the city and spending time in the garden plaza with its relaxing atmosphere. The streets are bustling with cars, pedestrians, bicyclists, and burros. As uniformed school children pass to and fro you cannot help but feel that this is a simpler place - a simpler time.
Ocotal is surrounded by lush green mountains and the region is filled with colonial towns, farming villages, coffee plantations, and nature preserves. In the countryside children still carry water from wells each morning and daily tasks revolve around producing food and maintaining family life.
Daily life in Ocotal proceeds at a comfortable pace where everyone pauses in midday to eat and escape from the heat. Fortunately the city is not overrun by tourism and locals are naturally welcoming so don't be surprised if you fall in love with the community, the slower pace of life, and the people.
Weather
Ocotal has a tropical-arid climate with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65 to 75 degrees during the evening. Located near the equator darkness occurs at 7 pm and at the same time year round. Like most of Nicaragua, Ocotal has two seasons - summer (November to April) and winter (May to October.) Summer days are hot and sunny, but without the humidity of the coastal regions. Winter days are also hot and sunny with occasional showers that may last for an hour or two.
