March 2008

Issue: 2008 - 2

Nica - Newsletter

Nicaragua 'catches the eye' of investors
Gran Pacifica Grows in the Coast
Oasis International Fishing Tournament
Nicaragua Will Connect Costa Rica and Honduras Through Coastal Highway
Europe too expensive? Consider Central America
Nicaragua Pledges Drug Cooperation

Tourism

Nicaragua 'catches the eye' of investors

Nicaragua is set to emerge as a property investment hotspot, reports suggest.

According to Homesgofast.com, a number of publications including the Financial Times have singled out the country as "the next great destination" in Central America.

The website added that attractive beachfront properties available at "amazing prices" and eco-friendly developments like Balcones de Majagual boost the country's appeal.

Situated on the Pacific coast, Balcones de Majagual features a selection of environmentally-friendly homes available both for sale and for rent.

Homesgofast.com also pointed out that the fact the property market in Costa Rica has now "matured" means Nicaragua has started to catch the eye of international property investors looking for new, emerging markets - something which should boost the value of real estate in the country.

Among other attractions on offer in Nicaragua are jungle tours and horseback rides through the country's indigenous forests, as well as more traditional beach-related activities.

This article was brought to you by holidaylettings.co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website

Gran Pacifica Grows in the Coast

Nicaragua Tourism Project will have two condo buildings, a hotel and a golf course.

Fidelina Suárez Moreno
www.capitalfinanciero.com

Pacifica Beach & Resort Nicaragua Project will invest around $ 100 millions in the next five years in the construction of a tourism citadel in the Pacific coast, including a hotel, condos, houses, restaurants, shops and a golf course.

By mid January, 150 project promoters, among Americans, Canadians and Europeans businessmen, presented the Milagro del Mar Complex, which is the second phase of the construction of luxurious Gran Pacifica condos.

Infrastructure started in 2004 and has all the benefits granted in Tourism Incentive Law, thus being exempted of income tax and added value tax during the first years of operations

It is located in Villa El Carmen, department of Managua, about 27 miles from the Capital city.

Tourism Development

Gran Pacifica first phase which is Las Perlas condo-hotel is now concluded. It has 40 unities and some apartments already sold starting from $180.000 and up.

Milagro del Mar will be more luxurious than Las Perlas development and the condo prices start in $400.000. Apartments in both constructions have ocean view and are offered mainly to foreign retired people. The new project will have pools, water falls, gyms and a shopping plaza. In addition to condos, individual house plots are also considered, and can be built by Gran Pacifica development company itself or whatever the client choose, as long as they respect the colonial architectural style of the complex.

Roger Keeling, partner of the Project, explained that they invested around $3.3 millions in Las Perlas and the rest of the investments they look forward to reach $100 millions by the end of 2012.

Up to now they have hired about 300 people from Villa El Carmen for work maintenance.

Golf Course

The Golf Course was designed by Tommy Haugen, in charge of projects in the United States such as Stonebrooke Golf Club y Pine Island, according to Adiak Barahona, Gran Pacifica Manager.

It will be 18 holes green but will be expanded to 45 to make it the first international events Golf Course in Central America. It will be located in an old livestock faro in front of the Pacific Ocean.

Among the partners of the tourism complex is former American Ambassador to Nicaragua John Maisto.

Gran Pacifica Resort, the development company, signed a corporate social responsibility agreement with the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism, committing to invest $300.000 in the next three years in the community.

Oasis International Fishing Tournament

www.nicaliving.com

The third annual Oasis International Fishing Tournament is set to take place from 6 to 8 March 2008 in Bluefields situated at the mouth of the Escondido River in the Autonomous Region of the Southern Atlantic (RAAS), Nicaragua. With a beautiful setting and abundant fish, the Oasis International Fishing Tournament is becoming increasingly popular.

The tournament focuses primarily on snook and tarpon; however there is also an open category, as well as a “fun fish” category. Past “fun fish” catches have included some unusual and even bizarre species. The tournament is sponsored by the Oasis Hotel and Casino and it is anticipated that previous sponsors – Suzuki, Victoria beer and Coca Cola – will once more join in the fun and excitement of the Oasis International Fishing Tournament.

The tournament kicks off on Thursday 6 March 2008 with a Captain’s Meeting followed by a festive get-together. Registered participants will be treated to a complete seafood dinner complete with drinks and live music performed by local Bluefields band, Caribbean Taste. After dinner the Old Bank award winning dance group will entertain the crowd in front of the Oasis Hotel.

Friday’s fishing starts at sun-up and continues until sunset. Participants are not obliged to return to base for weigh-in, although the scales will be available from 3:00 pm until sunset for those who want to make use of them. Saturday is the final fishing day, and due to the moon phases being perfect for tarpon fishing, judges expect to see some really big fish. Weigh-in starts at 2:00 pm and closes at 6:00 pm with no exceptions made for late comers.

The 2008 Oasis International Fishing Tournament will have a marine biologist as well as a representative from INPESCA examining fish as they are weighed. This is to ensure that anyone cheating with frozen, penned or netted fish (as has happened in previous years) will be disqualified immediately.

Prior to weigh-in on Saturday, the townsfolk will be putting on a sailboat race to entertain the spectators waiting at the pier. There will also be a Kayuko (panga sailboat) regatta between the Bluefields Municipal Pier and the Bluff. The sponsors of the tournament will award cash prizes and trophies to the winners.

The Oasis International Fishing Tournament trophies will be presented to the winners at a special awards brunch on Sunday which ends early enough to allow all the fishermen to make their way home before sunset. The entire takings from entry fees will be donated to the Bluefields Red Cross which is always quick to respond to the needs of the Nicaraguan people in times of distress.

Fishing enthusiasts who enter the Oasis International Fishing Tournament are not only assured of three days packed with fun and excitement, but they will also have the satisfaction of knowing that they are supporting a very worthy cause that benefits the people of Nicaragua.

Nicaragua Will Connect Costa Rica and Honduras Through Coastal Highway

Intur is announcing the coastal highway with support of Venezuela

Intur Press Release

A major impact project on the economy of Nicaragua is the construction of "Coastal Highway Project," said Minister President of the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR), Architect Mario Salinas Pasos.

Architect Salinas said that the Government of National Unity and Reconciliation is going to build a road that runs along the Pacific Coast until Masachapa, which will join the paved road to the old road to Leon and Chinandega where it will connect with the Port of Potosi. With this road project, Nicaragua is virtually connecting Costa Rica and Honduras from the Pacific. The Coastal Highways will be around 80 miles long and cost will exceed $ 120 million.

This Project was also designed by previous governments under unrealistic criteria as they contemplated high costs and thus the project was never accomplished.

In order to allow users to enjoy from the Coastal Highway scenery, the Government of National Unity and Reconciliation reviewed all designs of the road and set new parameters with the intention that it follows existing roads, that it becomes a tourist route and is not used as a road for high speeds

The social-economic project, said Minister President of INTUR, Architect Mario Salinas Pasos, will be built thanks to the solidarity of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in addition to contributions from some national and foreign private sectors who are doing development projects at a cost exceeding 700 million dollars

Architect Mario Salinas Pasos said that there is an investment of 750 million dollars for the next 5 years on the shores of the Pacific, among which highlights the project "El Guacalito" from the Pellas Group, that will develop an investment of 350 million dollars in the coming years.

Europe too expensive? Consider Central America

by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff –

Does the prospect of the strong euro and increasingly expensive Europe airfare have you thinking about other destinations? Maybe it's time to consider Central America. Decades removed from the civil strife of the 1980s, Central America is safer than it used to be, and tourism is on the rise. Travel is more affordable in the region, flights from the U.S. usually aren't too long, and you won't have to contend with a major time difference.

Plus, there's so much to do! Soak in hot pools in the shadow of a volcano in Costa Rica, dive the world's second longest barrier reef in Belize, and see the sunrise over ancient Maya ruins in Guatemala. Surf in El Salvador, explore colonial towns in Nicaragua, or go rare-bird watching in Panama.

U.S. airlines are making it easier than ever to visit Central America. In the last year, ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit has started service to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and Panama City, Panama, from Ft. Lauderdale. American Airlines will launch a new route from Dallas to San Salvador in El Salvador. And Denver-based low-cost carrier Frontier has new flights between Denver and San Jose, Costa Rica, five times a week.

There are ways to visit that suit most comfort levels and budgets. Independent travelers can build an itinerary within any price range, while people who want a helping hand can find tours catering to interests such as archaeology or adventure.

Have a great travel tip you'd like to share? Send your insider travel strategies to editor@smartertravel.com.

Nicaragua Pledges Drug Cooperation

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Fox News. Managua, Nicaragua

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is ready to work more closely with Washington on anti-narcotics initiatives, he told a visiting group of DEA and State Department officials Monday.

"We are seriously committed to the fight on drug trafficking because the poorer the country, the more easily it can fall apart," Ortega said at a meeting with DEA chief of operations Michael Braun, DEA regional director David Gaddis and Christy McCampbell, deputy assistant secretary of state for counter narcotics.

"Our goal is to turn a new page on our relationship with the U.S. and its institutions and agencies to strengthen this fight," Ortega added.

The U.S. officials were in Nicaragua for two days beginning Monday to evaluate the Central American nation's anti-narcotics effort, according to a U.S. Embassy statement.

The statement praised Nicaragua's National Police for anti-drug gains in 2007 and said the U.S. hopes to continue cooperating in training and equipment programs.

During Ortega's first run as president in the 1980s, the U.S. suspended all aid to the former Marxist and backed the Contra rebels trying to overthrow him.

Re-elected in 2006, Ortega has sought a more cordial relationship, promising to protect private property and foreign investment _ although he is still at times outspoken in his criticism of Washington and has deepened ties with U.S. rivals such as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

In comments broadcast on Nicaraguan radio, he underscored the importance of social programs in parts of the country plagued by drug crime.