Nicaragua has long inspired poets, journalists, novelists, and essayists, so there are always new titles to add to your stack of summer reading—and there are always out-of-print treasures to be dug up. It's hard to keep up sometimes. I realized how far behind I am after stumbling on this reading list, "Nicaragua: Surviving US terrorism," created by Preston C. Enright of Denver. It's 40 titles strong and was compiled "to honor the Nicaraguans, and those who work in solidarity with them." For something a bit more basic (or lighter, anyway) try "So You'd Like to Learn More About Nicaragua," compiled by Ryan, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. I found several books I’d never heard of, including a novel by Silvio Sirias which appears on both lists. Bernado and the Virgin is set in Nicaragua just after the 1980 Sandinista revolution. Based on the actual events of tailor and pig farmer Bernardo Martinez’s encounter with the Holy Virgin in his village of Cuapa, the book is also a “stormy epic of Nicaragua through the long Somoza years to the Sandinista revolution."

Many Central America–bound travelers are spending at least part of their time at one of the many Nicaraguan Spanish language schools, and with good reason. $150–200 per week gets you 4-6 hours per day of personal Spanish instruction—plus room and board in a Nicaraguan family's home, as well as field trips to local sites in the afternoons and weekends. Not only is this an incredible deal, but it's the best way to go deep and get the most out of your interaction with Nicaraguans during your stay here.

But which school is right for you? In addition to breaking it down in both our books (both of which contain extensive listings by region of the many Spanish schools throughout the country), Randy and I offer an online "Escuela Scoop" covering many of the country's best programs, including links to each school's website. In addition, there is a constant stream of Spanish school suppliers rising to meet the enormous demand. The newest of these is Spanish School Matagalpa, the first of its kind in Nicaragua's coffee country, and one which has not yet made it to the pages of Moon Handbooks Nicaragua.

"When should I visit Nicaragua?" is one of the questions we are most frequently asked. It's not an easy question! Nicaragua is tropical but not unbearable - it gets hot and stays hot for long stretches of time, but it's infrequent that you'll really melt unless you're exploring Chinandega or León in April/May. Otherwise, pay attention to the rainy/dry seasons and pack your bags. Some months are drier/dustier than others, and some are wetter than others, but never does it get to the point where we would say "avoid Nicaragua at these times". Rather, get ready to be just a little less comfortable than you were back home, and enjoy the trip.

No traveler's backpack or suitcase looks like another's, and the same goes for its contents. Likewise, it's difficult to recommend what to take on your trip to Nicaragua because everyone has different needs, different interests, and different requirements. Nevertheless, some tips might help set you on the way. Here's a look at what an unincorrigable gearhead, which is to say, what I pack on my way south to the land of Lakes and Volcanoes: