Tostones con Queso - An easy Nicaraguan appetizer or light snack

A very simple and easy to prepare snack in Nicaragua is Tostones con Queso. Many times you will find this delicious treat under appetizers when you head to your favorite restaurant. For a variety, some restaurants serve Tostones con Carne - which basically is the same as the cheese variety but they substitute a small (cocktail size) meatball for the cheese.

Personally, I don't like such big hunks of cheese as some restaurants prepare them. The last time we made them we added a slice of tomato beneath the thin slice of cheese - truly delicious.

Tostones con Queso - Barca de Oro, Las Penitas, Nicaragua

Tostones con Queso with a slice of tomato

How to make these at home:

Choose green plantain. Peel your plantain and slice into sections about 3/4" to 1" . Put into hot oil. After about 2 minutes turn the cooking plantains over. Cook another 1 to 2 minutes and remove from oil. Squash each of the cooked plantains and put them back into the oil to cook until they are a nice golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel. Salt lightly. To serve - place a slice of cheese on top of each Tostone. You can add a slice of tomato or avocado if desired.

Tsunami Taco Bar, Las Peñitas

After spending a fantastic day on the beach in Las Peñitas we were waiting for the bus to go home when I noticed a sign outside of the Tsunami Taco Bar - Pan de Banano.

Banana Bread! I hadn't had any in ages and since I LOVE banana bread we thought we would grab a piece for the road - are we glad we did. It was melt in your mouth fantastic! We have always wanted to try this little place for their tacos but somehow the timing has never been right. However, we figure if the banana bread is this good then we have got to get back to try the tacos.

If you want to find the Tsunami Taco Bar it is located on the main road when you enter Las Peñitas, across from Playa Roca. If you decide to try it out - please leave a comment for our readers.

another beautiful sunset in Las Penitas

Isla Juan Venado Nature Reserve

Isla Juan Venado Nature Reserve is an amazing 22 km island on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua and is part of Nicaragua's National Park system. You can reach this Reserve through an organized tour (via motor boats or kayaks) or you can arrange with one of the local fishermen to take you.

We visited this nature reserve on Monday, December 3rd, 2012 - a bright and sunny day (as they all are). We had arranged to meet up with our guide, Nelson, at Barca de Oro Beach hostal/restaurant at 9:00 am. Our tour was not arranged through any Tour Company, but was made directly with Nelson from recommendations from friends.  Before we could embark on our tour we were required to register with the Nature Reserve and pay a 50 cordoba per person fee to enter the island.

local transportation using dugout canoe

Traversing the mangrove swamp - Isla Juan Venado

Soon we were on our way. We traveled through the mangrove swamps between the mainland and the island to a landing on the southern end of the island. On the way we saw a variety of birds (egrets, herons and pelicans) and enjoyed the winding waterway with a new scene around every corner.

 tour through the mangrove swamp at Isla Juan Venado

Enjoying Isla Juan Venado by kayak

Mangrove swamp - Isla Juan Venado

We arrived at a part of the island that has a beach that perhaps isn't what you would call a sandy beach. What there was however, was an amazing amount of small sea life in the nooks and crannies of the rock that lined the beach. Even though the shore is lined with rock formations it is possible to swim here - so don't forget your bathing suit.

First stop on Isla Juan Venado

Hermit Crab - Isla Juan Venado

Rocky shore - Isla Juan Venado

Tidal Pools - Isla Juan Venado

Fish left in the tidal pools - Isla Juan Venado

After about 1/2 an hour scouring the rocks for all it's treasures we got back on the boat and started our return. However, another delight was in store for us because Nelson had whispered the word "turtles". In no time at all we were stopping at the first "dock" that we had passed earlier in the morning. This is a wider section of the island and you walk through an area with many hungry mosquitoes - so be warned you should bring some insect repellent.

walking through tall grasses - Isla Juan Venado

The beach at this part of the island is beautiful. If you have time be sure to paddle in the water.

Beach - Isla Juan Venado

We, however, opted to view the baby turtles that were being reserved for the tourists to see. We were asked to put on a glove before we picked up any of the turtles in order to protect them.

Chelsea showing one of the baby turtles - Isla Juan Venado

 After an enjoyable time visiting the baby turtles it was back on the boat for the final leg of the return journey to Las Peñitas. The tour lasted about 3 hours and was well worth the cost.  I would suggest anyone who is visiting this part of Nicaragua to take the time to enjoy the beauties of Isla Juan Venado. Thanks Nelson for an unforgettable tour!

Nelson - our captain - Isla Juan Venado

Sea shells - Isla Juan Venado

Sutiava Market (El Mercadito), León, Nicaragua

Vegetable stand at the Sutiava market

A short distance away from the city centre - on the west side of León  - you will find an indigenous neighbourhood called Sutiava. It is here that you will find a small market - the smallest of the four in León - nicknamed El Mercadito. If you like fresh seafood then this is the market you want to visit - early in the morning is best time to get the freshest fish, shrimp, crab and other goodies from the sea.

From the south side of the Central Market you can find either a bus or camionetta that will take you to Sutiava. Heading to the beach? It is from El Mercadito that you will find the bus that will take you to the beaches of Poneloya and Las Peñitas.

Fresh fish at the Sutiava market

Restaurant at the Sutiava market

Fish stand at El Mercadito in Sutiava

Fritanga at the Sutiava market

The market in Sutiava

The bus to Las Penitas and Poneloya, Nicaragua

The market in Sutiava, Nicaragua

Sutiava market, Nicaragua

Get out of the city and head to the beach!

Las Penitas, Nicaragua

I miss living by the ocean!  Even though León is a great city to live in, there are times when you need to get out of town, smell the salt in the air and relax on a nice sunny beach. Thankfully, there are a number of beaches very close to León which makes it very easy and affordable to get a "beach fix".

Taking the bus to the beach from León to Las Peñitas is very easy and fits a meager budget - it's only 11 1/2 cordobas each (one way). The ride can take anywhere from  1/2 hour to an hour depending on the number of stops the bus makes but the end result is worth it. Recently we were quoted $15.00 US for a taxi to drive us to the beach so 23 cordobas is a good bargain - besides, the bus is far more entertaining.

The bus to the beach leaves from the Sutiava bus terminal (Mercadito). We usually try to arrive at least 15 minutes before the bus is due to leave in order to get a seat. Arriving early is very important for the 12 pm bus run because there are a LOT of students on the bus and seats are at a premium. The bus seems to leave on the hour and within a short time will pull into the small town of Poneloya. There is a nice beach here that seems to be very popular with the locals but there is little to no shade on the beach. The bus will turn around and then head into Las Peñitas. You can get off on the road along the beach front and settle into one of the beach bars/restaurants or stay on the bus until it arrives at the estuary.

If we are planning on spending the day playing in the big waves then we like to find a nice spot at Playa Roca and use it as our base for our beach day. They have a great spot on the waterfront and offer delicious food and drinks. On days when we don't want the wild waves then we enjoy the calmer waters in the estuary and spend time at Barca de Oro.

The sunset is beautiful here in Las Peñitas but remember that the last bus back to León leaves around 6:30 pm - be sure to double check with some of the locals in case the time has changed - so that you don't miss it the walk back to León is a long one!

view from Playa Roca

view from Playa Roca

Barca de Oro from the beach in Las Penitas

view of the estuary from Barca de Oro

view of the estuary from Barca de Oro

view of the estuary from Barca de Oro

Bus arriving at the Estuary in Las Penitas

Some food selections you will find in Las Peñitas, Nicaragua.

Fish with Sala Jalapena from Barca de Oro

Burger at Playa Roca