10 Tips for Little Corn Island in Nicaragua

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Little Corn Island is the perfect place to conclude your journey through Nicaragua. This small paradise offers everything you’d imagine when thinking of a Caribbean island. White beaches lined with swaying palm trees, friendly locals who greet you with a smile, and a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere. It’s not large, as the island is 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long and 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) wide. In about 45 minutes, you can walk from the south to the north along the many narrow paths that wind across the island. Relax completely on the most beautiful beaches, savor a fresh smoothie in a hammock, and clear your mind by going completely offline. Welcome to Little Corn Island!

How to Get to Little Corn Island?

There are essentially two ways to travel to Little Corn Island: by plane or by bus and boat.

By Plane from Managua to Little Corn Island

The easiest and quickest way is to fly from Managua with La Costeña. Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive option as flight ticket prices can be on the high side. Prices vary depending on the season but start at $195 for a round trip. After a 1.5-hour flight, you’ll arrive at Big Corn Island, where you can take a taxi to the harbor. From the harbor, a boat departs for Little Corn Island every morning and afternoon, aligning with flight arrivals. After approximately 30 minutes of sailing, you’ll reach your destination.

By Bus + Boat from Managua to Little Corn Island

If you find flying too expensive, you can also travel to Little Corn Island by bus and boat for a very reasonable cost. From Managua, head to Terminal Costa Atlántica and catch a bus to Bluefields. This is an 8 to 9-hour journey, with both overnight and daytime buses available. In Bluefields, board the ferry, and it’s about a 6-hour ride to Big Corn Island. Keep in mind that the ferry only departs a few times a week. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find reliable information about ferry departure times and days. We flew ourselves, so we don’t have experience with the ferry. It’s advisable to inquire at a tour agency in Managua for information. If you happen to know more about the ferry schedule, we would greatly appreciate it if you could share this information with us so that we can update this article and assist more travelers.

Tip: The sea between Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island can often be quite rough. The boats travel at high speeds, making this journey sometimes quite intense. It’s smart to wear a raincoat or poncho because there’s a good chance you’ll get wet. Also, a rain cover for your backpack and bag is useful to keep your belongings dry. If you tend to get seasick, it’s a good idea to take a motion sickness pill beforehand. Sitting at the back of the boat minimizes the impact of the waves. When there’s strong wind, only large boats operate, but normally, you’ll travel in a small panga boat. Don’t be discouraged because this journey lasts only 20 to 30 minutes and will be over before you know it.

 

What to Do on Little Corn Island?

You don’t come to Little Corn Island for an abundance of activities. It’s all about the relaxed island life and the beautiful tropical beaches. However, there are a few things that are definitely worth doing here.

Snorkeling and Diving

Off the coast of Little Corn Island lies a reef where you can snorkel beautifully. While snorkeling, you’ll encounter a lot of marine life, such as sea turtles, rays, and blacktip reef sharks. You can book a snorkeling tour at both Little Corn Island Beach Bungalow and Yemaya Reefs, where you’ll visit the most beautiful snorkeling spots on the island. Little Corn Island is also known for its fantastic diving opportunities, with a total of 20 dive sites around the island. Dolphin Dive Little Corn is a reputable dive school, and if you don’t have a diving certification, you can get one here.

Join a Yoga Class

The Little Corner is a yoga school in the southern part of Little Corn Island where yoga classes are held a few times a week, often in the early morning or late afternoon. Kelly is the yoga instructor, and you can contact her via WhatsApp if you want to participate in one of her classes. Her number is: +505 5741 4296.

Kayaking or Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Hop in a kayak or onto a SUP board to explore the blue waters around Little Corn Island. Both Little Corn Island Beach Bungalow and Yemaya Reefs rent out kayaks and boards. When renting, inquire about the current weather conditions. Sometimes there’s a strong wind, causing large waves on one side of the island, and it’s not advisable to paddle in that direction.

The Most Beautiful Beach on Little Corn Island

The beaches often have seaweed, palm leaves, and coconuts scattered around, giving it a rugged and unspoiled feel. However, sometimes the white sand isn’t as visible due to these elements. In the far north of Little Corn Island lies the beautiful Yemaya Reefs Resort. They clean the beach daily, and even if you’re not staying there, you can relax on the beach. The beach is filled with palm trees, and the water is crystal clear blue.

Tip: If you have a generous budget and want to treat yourself to a stay in a beautiful bungalow on the most beautiful beach of Little Corn Island, book one or more nights at Yemaya Reefs. This is the most beautiful hotel on the island, and you’ll stay in a fantastic bungalow with sea views. It’s pure bliss.

You Can Keep a Trip to Little Corn Island Affordable

Many travelers find a trip to Little Corn Island expensive and therefore opt not to visit this tropical paradise. And yes, there’s some truth to that because the round-trip flight does cost a fair amount of money. Additionally, food and drinks on the island are pricier than on the mainland of Nicaragua. This is because the island is so remote, and everything has to be imported. However, you can still keep it relatively cheap by considering a few things.

Tips to Save Money

  1. Shop for groceries in Managua before departure. For example, bring along some muesli for breakfast and buy fruit, milk, or yogurt on the island. Don’t forget snacks and/or alcoholic beverages.
  2. Don’t use credit cards on the island as high transaction fees will be charged. Ensure you have enough cash with you on Little Corn Island because there are no ATMs.
  3. You can find some local restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish at a reasonable price. One of them is Rosa’s Restaurant, where you can have a tasty meal for just a few dollars.

No Motorized Transportation

One of the unique aspects of Little Corn Island is the absence of motorized transportation. Everything here is done on foot, by bicycle, or occasionally on horseback. This creates an atmosphere of ultimate tranquility and relaxation. The island is crisscrossed with narrow pathways, some paved and others unpaved.


Best Restaurants on Little Corn Island

Due to its small size, the restaurant options on the island are not extensive. However, there are some great places to enjoy a meal. Here are our favorites:

Tranquilo Cafe – This may be the coziest restaurant on the island. They offer tacos, fish & chips, and burgers on their menu, and in the evening, it’s a great place for drinks.
Turned Turtle Bar and Restaurant – This charming restaurant is located on the beach and serves delightful breakfast and lunch options. For breakfast, they have pancakes, omelets, and French toast on the menu. For lunch, you can enjoy fresh seafood.
Cafe Desideri – At this lovely spot, you can indulge in delicious lunches and dinners. Order a panini, pizza, pasta, wrap, or fresh fish.
Rosas Restaurant – As mentioned earlier in this article, Rosas Restaurant offers affordable and tasty dining options. Their menu mainly features seafood dishes but also includes meat options and a few vegetarian choices.

Electricity Isn’t Guaranteed

On the island, you’ll truly disconnect from the world, and it’s wonderful to put your phone away for a few days. It’s important to know that they have a different approach to electricity here. There’s no electricity from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Some restaurants and hotels have their own generators to ensure a continuous power supply. However, there might be times when the generators fail, leaving you without power.

Bring Sufficient Cash to Little Corn Island

There are no ATMs on the island, so make sure to carry enough cash with you. It’s better to have a little extra than to run out of money on your last day. While there is an ATM on Big Corn Island, we recommend withdrawing money in Managua for added security.

Pack a Headlamp and Rain Poncho

Since it gets dark early on Little Corn Island, and it gets really dark, it’s advisable to bring a headlamp with you. This is especially important if you’re not staying in the main village, as you’ll need to walk back to your hotel in the dark after dinner. Additionally, it’s a good idea to pack a poncho or rain jacket because the weather can be unpredictable. While the sun may be shining one moment, you could experience a short tropical downpour just five minutes later.

Our Favorite Places to Stay on Little Corn Island

Unfortunately, the selection of hotels on Little Corn Island is quite limited, but we still have three great recommendations for you. If you’re traveling on a tight budget, Christina’s Guest House is perfect. It’s located in a very central spot near restaurants, the beach, and across from the pier where you arrive by boat. The guesthouse is relatively basic but has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Looking for more luxury? A bit further down the coast, you’ll find Little Corn Island Beach and Bungalow. This is a beautiful eco-lodge with lovely beachfront bungalows! You’ll fall asleep to the sound of waves in the background, truly immersing yourself in the island vibe. Lastly, we must recommend Yemaya Reefs. If it fits your budget, staying here is fantastic. You’ll be pampered with luxury, and from your bungalow, you can walk straight onto the island’s most beautiful beach. Pure bliss!

Christina’s Guest House
  Little Corn Island Beach and Bungalows
 Yemaya Reefs

Don’t Hesitate, Just Go!

Despite the expensive airfare, this island is absolutely worth the trip. Your journey through Nicaragua won’t be complete without spending a few days in this tropical paradise. Little Corn Island is unlike any other place in Nicaragua, offering a truly paradisiacal and laid-back experience.