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Dyani Makous has a B.F.A. in writing and a minor in Photography from Emerson College. She is currently living in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, working for Viva as a travel writer.
- Hometown
Philadelphia, PA
- Location now
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
- Work published
www.philadelphiarestaurants.com:
www.philadelphiarestaurants.com/restaurant.cfm/restaurant/265/BelliniGrill
www.philadelphiarestaurants.com/restaurant.cfm/restaurant/911/Tinto
- Travel philosophy
Traveling is not about militantly carrying out set goals and visits to popular tourist destinations, but about stopping to look around, and discovering the history, art, and culture of a place through stimulating conversations with natives and participation in the community.
- Bizarre experience
I was in San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua- a small village without phone service or internet located on the San Juan River bordering Costa Rica on the Atlantic Coast. I was trying to get to Bluefields. However, after discovering that my only option of getting there involved me waiting to hitch a ride from a fisherman indefinitely, I realized I was stranded. I was contemplating my global isolation, feeling sullen and stranded when suddenly a few businessmen appeared out of nowhere. They offered to take me to Managua in a helicopter for free. I of course, accepted. One of the men turned out to be Eden Pastora, a famous Nicaraguan war hero. After a two hour ride over jungles and lakes in a large helicopter piloted by the army, I was back in civilization.
- Advice
Be patient, flexible and open-minded when exploring a new place. However, depending on your specific destination, try to avoid appearing vulnerable by exhibiting stereo-typical 'tourist behavior,' such as breaking out large maps and blatantly carrying big, flashy cameras.
- Dream destination
I would love to eventually make it to Southeast Asia, specifically Laos, Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia.
- Traveled before
I have explored over 30 countries in Western and Eastern Europe. The last excursion I did was 3 months long. It started in Granada, Spain and ended in Istanbul, Turkey.
- Going next
I want to exerience more countires in Central America and eventually head to South America.
Dyani Makous's Guide Book Entries
Info
Safety on Big Corn Island
Oct 01, 2009 - NicaraguaDuring the day, Big Corn Island is a friendly and tropical paradise. However, at night, there are few streetlights, and ......
Read MoreGetting To and Away from Big Corn Island
Oct 01, 2009 - NicaraguaThe most popular way to get to Big Corn Island is by plane, from either Managua or nearby Bluefields. Planes ......
Read MoreGetting Around Big Corn Island
Oct 01, 2009 - NicaraguaBig Corn Island has one 12 km long road that circles the island. It takes three hours to walk the ......
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Destinations
Pearl Keys
Sep 28, 2009 - Laguna de Perlas, NicaraguaThe Pearl Keys, a set of 18 islands, are located about 145 kilometers (90 miles) offshore from the Pearl Lagoon. ......
Read MoreLaguna de Perlas
Sep 28, 2009 - Laguna de Perlas, NicaraguaForty miles north of Bluefields, is a relatively undiscovered cultural enclave. Pearl Lagoon is a small, tranquil, clean village with ......
Read MoreBig Corn Island
Mar 13, 2009 - NicaraguaFifty miles east of Bluefields, on the Atlantic Coast, Big Corn Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations ......
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Hotels
Casa Blanca
Sep 28, 2009 - Laguna de Perlas, NicaraguaOne of the most accommodating and comfortable places in Pearl Lagoon is Casa Blanca, located 100 yards north of the ......
Read MoreGreen Lodge Bed and Breakfast
Sep 28, 2009 - Laguna de Perlas, NicaraguaLocated in the ‘First of May’ neighborhood on the north side of Enitel, the Green Lodge Bed and Breakfast has ......
Read MoreRoy’s Café
Sep 28, 2009 - El Rama, NicaraguaA small, family-owned café, Roy’s is the perfect place to sit outside and enjoy a cup of coffee while listening ......
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Restaurants
Fry Fish
Sep 28, 2009 - Laguna de Perlas, NicaraguaFor a bar-like, casual setting, head to Fry Fish, one block north of Queen Lobster. A bamboo hut with red ......
Read MoreQueen Lobster
Sep 28, 2009 - Laguna de Perlas, NicaraguaSituated right on the lagoon, looking over the water, this stylish and eco-friendly lobster joint is not only unique, but ......
Read MoreHotel Costa Verde Restaurant
Sep 28, 2009 - El Rama, NicaraguaSoothing sea-green walls, lined with silver-framed paintings of the sea, contribute to the tranquil vibe of Hotel Costa Verde Restaurant. ......
Read More
Activities
Diving
Sep 28, 2009 - NicaraguaScuba diving is one of the most popular activities on Big Corn Island. Divers exploring the sea around Big Corn ......
Read MoreLa Fortaleza de San Carlos
Mar 04, 2009 - San Carlos, NicaraguaThe main tourist attraction in San Carlos is the ancient fortress that was constructed in the 1666 by the Spanish ......
Read MoreFishing
Mar 04, 2009 - San Carlos, NicaraguaSan Carlos is a small town located at both the mouth of the San Juan River and on the edge ......
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Tours
Nautilus
Sep 28, 2009 - NicaraguaLocated on the North End of Big Corn Island, Nautilus Diving Center offers Dive Tours for both the experienced and ......
Read MorePelican Eyes Hotel and Resort
Nov 13, 2008 - San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaThis hotel and resort has many features that are open to the public. They offer several types of tours, such ......
Read MoreBerman Gomez (Independent Tour Guide)
Nov 13, 2008 - San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaBorn in Ometepe, Berman Gomez has a strong knowledge of San Juan del Sur and the surrounding area. He speaks ......
Read More
Schools
Latin American Spanish School
Nov 11, 2008 - San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaThis Spanish school is extremely organized, with several course levels, volunteer opportunities and a wide variety of cultural activities and ......
Read MoreSpanish Ya-2008
Nov 11, 2008 - San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaSpanish Ya offers year-round programs in a San Juan Del Sur schoolhouse. The program features experienced native teachers and wireless Internet ......
Read MoreSpanish School House Rosa Silva
Nov 11, 2008 - San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaJust west of the Municipal Market is the small, yellow schoolhouse that house Rosa Silva’s Spanish School. All lessons are ......
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Services
Big Corn Island Shopping Summary
Sep 28, 2009 - NicaraguaMost of the shopping on the island exists between the North End, near Anastasia’s and Brig Bay, at the southern-most ......
Read MoreSafety
Nov 11, 2008 - San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaSan Juan del Sur is a small town with a tight-knit community. Because of this, it is much safer than ......
Read MoreShopping in San Juan del Sur
Nov 11, 2008 - San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaSan Juan del Sur is an excellent place to get souvenir or clothes shopping done, as there are several stores, ......
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Jobs
Volunteering Opportunities
Nov 11, 2008 - San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaDepending on your interests and area of expertise, there are various volunteering opportunities in San Juan del Sur. The wildlife ......
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