1) General changes and remarks
If US$ are still usefull, local Cordobas will be accepted everywhere without
problems now. Be careful about bargaining : at least in places not crowded
with tourists, prices are often fair, and definitive. Of course this might
change with the growth of tourism activities.
The Media situation is one of the poorest in Central America : if there
is no lack of newspapers, their quality and independance are awfully bad.
Very little information, and not reliable, even in the surprisingly thin
and uninteresting "Barricada", supposed to be opposing the "UNO supported
government".
2) Specific changes and remarks
Trains :
No more trains in Nicaragua! Too bad…
Managua :
I didn't like the Hotel "El Molinito", and preferred very much the Hospedaje
Quintana, or even better, the Guest House Santos, for its hammocks, its
courtyard, and its backpacker's style.
León :
The Hotel Telica, and another cheap new family pension close to it, in
spite of being the cheapest in town, are not pleasant or friendly at all.
If you can spend more, the Hotel Colonial, one block away from the Church
of San Francisco, might be a very good choice for those who appreciate
the colonial architecture, in the same range of price as Hotel America
(very friendly people), or Hotel Europa (C$ 60 for a single room).
The best deal in town, you will get it in the new hotel Avenida (facing
the Esso gas station, almost in front of the former train station) : the
owners are really nice and helpful, and prices very reasonnable for what
you get (C$ 40 for one person using a king size bed with private bath,
70 for two persons - a room wtith 3 beds and private bath costs C$ 100
- a room with a king size bed + 2 single beds and private bath costs 120
- a single bed is 35 with private bath, 30 with shared bath). Consider
that the courtyard is very nice, and that they have a TV room with plenty
of international channels, for those missing their home set.
Go to Poneloya beach if you like the Pacific waves and have fish in
the outdoor restaurants there.
Granada :
Comparable to the Hotel Avenida in Leon, one of the
best deals will be the Hospedaje Cabrera (facing the hospedaje Vargas on
the "Calzada"), with single rooms at C$20 (after bargaining : normally
C$ 25).
Blueffields :
The Hotel Dorado is cheap, but will be convenient only if you don't care
about bugs, general cleanliness, and about the "bathroom" quality. Usually
all foreigners do agree and gather in the Hotel Hollywood, or if full,
in the Hotel Cueto. Do run out of the boat for having a choice!
Isla de Ometepe :
The hospedaje Castillo, is still a very good place where to stay, but it's
no longer the only one in Altagracia, and some travellers might be interested
in comparing different styles.
I met some travellers who did not appreciate at all the owner (Sr Ramon
Castillo) : it is true that he will try to sell you the services of a son
or cousin to guide you for climbing one of the volcanoes (pretending that
you will not find the volcanic pool near the top without a guide) which
is not necessary. Do not climb it alone, but it is easy to find the pool.
A guide will be useful for those interested by petroglyphs.
This hotel used to be "a family running a business", but clearly becomes
"a business runned by a family". Thanks to this changing and efforts towards
tourism standards, you might enjoy the very good food they serve (but it
is a bit expensive for budget travellers). And if some might think the
old man is very kind and even provides you with something like "affection"
if needed, others might feel surprised to meet their invading mother so
far from home!
Contact : 
or www.metey.com
CENTRAL
AMERICA - NICARAGUA (Expenses Data)