Nicaragua Voted number 3 holiday hotspot in 2006

Nicaragua has just been voted the 3^rd best global destination in 2006 by the staff of the global travel guide, Lonely Planet.

Lonely Planet invented the idea of compiling a ‘bluelist’ (popularly known to mean travel recommendation) after management asked the staff to list their top 3 hotspots in 2006. The responses were ranked and the outcome was the creation of the ‘Bluelist’, believed to become an annual compilation.

In addition to profiles of 60 hotter-than-ever countries, the book contains 40 “bluelists” of recommendations in such categories as “Most Awesome Treks,” “Best Beaches to Swing a Hammock,” “Most Kid-Friendly Destinations,” “Biggest Adrenalin Rushes,” “Countries on the Rise,” and “Best Foodie Destinations.”

Nicaragua ranked 3^rd as the ‘top hotspot’, after China and Argentina. One respondent wrote: “In 2004, there was a 16 percent increase in travel to Nicaragua, with the largest share of visitors coming from the United States. Nicaragua has been a hot surfing destination and has seen unprecedented surfing coverage in the press over the past year. It’s the one to watch in 2006 as the media attempt to find the ‘next Costa Rica.’” Another travel writer agreed saying, “There's a cool kid factor to visiting this place -- it's safe, the people are very friendly, there's a lot to do, yet it still has this perception of being dangerous. It's gonna pop, no doubt!”