Escape The Crowds At These Two Lesser-Known Caribbean Islands

If you've ever fantasized about being washed up on a Caribbean island for a week or two, the Corn Islands off the coast of mainland Nicaragua look like a dreamy postcard come to life. These amazing Central American destinations are off-the-beaten-path and tick all the boxes if you're looking for crystalline waters, white-sandy beaches, warm locals, freshly baked coconut bread, and plenty of seafood dinners from fish and lobster caught that morning. You'll have the distinct feeling of being in a place like Tulum or Thailand decades ago before the developers arrived and paved paradise.

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Getting to the islands is difficult, which is part of how they maintain their laid-back charm. Sometime between December and May (the dry season), you'll start the adventure in the capital city of Managua, Nicaragua. You'll take an hour-long prop plane ride ($194) to Big Corn, about 43 miles off the coast. If you continue to Little Corn, you'll catch an open-air boat or a "lancha" for another 30 minutes ($6) to cover the 8-mile stretch between the two islands, often on choppy water. But once you dip into the warm surf and sip a cocktail out of a coconut, you'll soon realize the trek was worth it. No wonder there's a "leave return open-ended" feature on the La Costena Airlines website. You might never want to leave.

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Things to do on Big Corn island

The larger island is around 4 square miles, and your first taste of the laid-back lifestyle in the Corns. Of the two, Big Corn is less touristy but has more amenities you're used to, like full-time electricity, Wifi, and taxis. While most travelers head straight for Little Corn, it would be a shame not to explore this gem first. Not only are the grocery stores and restaurant prices one-third cheaper, but the snorkeling spots are easier to access, and two stunning beaches are all but deserted: Picnic Beach and Long Beach. You can easily have the golden sands and teal surf all to yourself.

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Diving is also popular in this area. With 20 offshore dive sites, you can glimpse sea turtles, stingrays, dolphins, nurse sharks, and hammerhead sharks against a backdrop of colorful corals. If you're just starting your scuba diving journey, the Corn Island Dive Center has a PADI-certified course for $320, a steal considering most range from $300 to $700.

If you're interested in sunbathing, grab a day pass from the Arenas Beach Hotel ($10), which grants access to loungers, towels, and non-motorized beach toys like stand-up paddle boards. For happy hour, grab cocktails from an Instagrammable bar inside a boat, aptly named the Boat Bar. You can also try a floating spot called the Bit Coin Island Bar. Simply stand on the beach, wave to the bar, and someone will pick you up in a boat.

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Things to do on Little Corn island

Little Corn Island, a 1.5-square-mile dot in the Caribbean, is a refuge for those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of modern life. There are no motorized vehicles like cars or golf carts, so you'll breathe in pollution-free air. However, you'll have limited phone signal and spotty Wi-Fi. The electricity shuts off during the day, giving you plenty of time to explore the outdoors and reconnect with nature. Plus, where else in the world can you spend $10 on a fresh lobster dinner for two?

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As you explore the area on foot or a bike, head to Otto Beach, known as the most popular and picturesque on the island. It's perfect for catching a few rays, reading a novel, swimming, or grabbing a cocktail from a nearby tiki bar. You could also book a two-hour snorkeling tour for $20 from Grace's Cool Spot. If you happen to be in town on a Sunday, join the locals at the baseball diamond and catch a game between the Big Corn and Little Corn teams.

At the popular four-star Yemaya Reefs hotel, there are plenty of activities for the ideal vacation in the Caribbean, like cooking classes ($45), cocktail classes ($45), spa treatments ($60 to $120), or a sunset cruise ($50). After the sun goes down, meander to Tranquilo Cafe and enjoy some nightlife. It has bonfire nights, trivia nights, drumming sessions, and a live weekend DJ. With vibes like this, those emails can wait.

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