Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where exactly is Isla Ometepe?
2. How do I get there from the airport?
3. Do I need a Visa to stay in the country?
4. Where does the tuition money go for the course?
5. What does being a "non-profit" entail?
6. Are there any opportunities for work trade?
7. What should I bring?
8. Where do we stay and what do we eat?
9. Is Nicaragua safe?
10. Is there are doctor or nurse nearby?

1. Where exactly is Isla Ometepe?
   
   IIsla Ometepe is in the southern part of Lake Nicaragua, in the south eastern corner of the country of Nicaragua. It is an island of twin volcanoes and a myriad of natural and cultural diversity. It can be checked out on Google Earth, it looks amazing!


2. How do I get there from the airport?
   
   The airport is located in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. There are buses from the Huembes terminal (going southbound) that go to the town of Rivas. You can grab a bus from there (they come every hour), or you can take a taxi to the town of San Jorge (not very expensive, should be about $5 if you are alone, $1 for a full taxi) where the ferries run to the island. You can also get a bus straight from Managua to San Jorge at 9AM, and it should arrive to San Jorge at around 11AM. At the ferry dock, you will find that there are a variety of boats that can take you to and from the island. Some are small wooden boats (lancha), and then there are also the larger Ometepe ferry boats. They run almost every hour starting at 7:00AM until noon, then there is a ferry at 2:30, lancha at 3:00, lancha at 4:00, and the final ferry at 5:40. These times are subject to change, so you should double check if you can! Just know that there is always another one coming.
   
   Once you get to the island, there is the option of either taking buses or a taxi. Taxis can be expensive, around $25 total, but they can take up to around 6 people, making it around $4.15 each if you have a big enough group. This is a nice option because the taxi can take you straight to Finca Magdalena, where you will be staying, and it will help you avoid the walk up the hill up the Finca. You can take a bus that will take you to the town of Balgue, and then you will walk up the Finca Magdalena road which is the road immediately to the right after you get off the bus. If you are unsure about anything, just ask anyone - the islanders are very friendly folk and will be happy to help.
   
   We suggest that the easiest way to travel is within a group (cheaper, easier, a lot more fun too!), and if you let us know when you are arriving, we can help you guys get organized and in contact with each other. We also know of a great hostel in Managua if you are arriving at night and are only going to start out to the island the next day. This is usually the meeting place for all of those who will be traveling together. We may also send a representative from the farm to help guide everyone back to the farm if need be.
   
   Traveling in Nicaragua is usually smooth and easy, especially as it becomes a more and more popular destination for travelers. So just sit back and enjoy the adventure!


3. Do I need a Visa to stay in the country?
   
   Visitors from most countries can stay in Nicaragua for 30 or 90 days without a visa. For Canadians the limit used to be 30 days, but now has changed to 90 days, just be sure to tell them that you plan to stay longer than a month when you arrive. As long as you have a passport valid for the next six months, proof of sufficient funds and a ticket home or to another country (though this is rarely checked), you will not have any problems. If you need to extend your visa, it is simply a matter of crossing over into Costa Rica for a couple of days, though it may be possible to do it in one day if you talk to the right border officials.
   
   Citizens of Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Armenia, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, India, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Peru, Romania, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Vietnam and Yemen must have a visa to enter Nicaragua.
   
   The Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry (www.cancilleria.gob.ni) has more specifics.


4. Where does the tuition money go for the course?
   
   The cost of the course covers many different needs and projects of the organization. Some of the cost paid by you, the student, goes to sponsoring people from around Central America to enable them to attend the course. It would be very difficult for people from Central America to be able to join such a course as this without this sponsorship, and having this diversity of students learning and sharing together is something that is very important to us.
   
   The cost also covers the living expenses of you, the student. The students sleep at a local coffee co-operative (Finca Magdalena) that is very close to the site, where you will be given breakfast and dinner (lunch is on the farm). Though we could house everyone comfortably in tents on the farm, we feel that it is important to stimulate the local economy and reinvest into the community.
   
   We also need help to cover the cost of the lunches that we serve, to pay the salaries of the support staff that are essential to keep the farm running, and of course, the salaries and the travel costs of the instructors of the course. Many of the instructor's salaries are reinvested to the farm itself, as many of us live here for part of the year!


5. What does being a "non-profit" entail?
   
   When someone is listed as 501(c)3, it means that all the money taken in for programs running through the organization has to be reinvested into the organization and/or the community it serves. The money that we "gather", through courses, fundraising or private donations, is shared across many different facets of Project Bona Fide. Some of these are as follows:
   • More and more plant propagation and seed buying (when we can't save them). Can't have a farm with no plants/trees!
   • The programs that are run through the Escuela de Campo
   • The programs that are run through the women's group, Rosas de Volcanes
   • The Intercambio des Semillas, or seed and plant exchange, that happens every year in May
   • The Café Infantil Program in the town of Balgue
   • The money paid to instructors is minimal, and that is invariably reinvested into the land because they live here for part of the year and are all involved in various community projects



6. Are there any opportunities for work trade?
   
   We DO do work trades, but they are reserved for Central Americans who come from different organizations within Central America. We have had members from organizations in Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, and Trinidad attend the course in the past. For example, last year the lead Agricultural Extension Agent, Denis, came from Sustainable Harvest International www.sustainableharvest.org in Nicaragua to attend the course. His organization paid for his living costs, and we cover the rest as work-trade. The presence of such students brings valuable input to the learning environment, and enhances everyone's experience.



7. What should I bring?
   
   Usually less is better. Who wants to be carrying around a big pack in the middle of the heat? And really, you don't need much, there ain't no beauty contests out'n these here parts in rural Nicarawwgwwaa. Here are some suggestions of things you might need:
   • Hat (lots of sun)
   • Sunscreen
   • Towel or sarong
   • Bathing suit (we have a great swimming hole, and hey, there is this gigantic lake nearby...)
   • Bug spray (please bring enviro-friendly kind, NO DEET if you please. Lavender oil and tea tree oil are very effective too)
   • Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap (biodegradable please, a big bottle of Dr. Bronners is great)
   • Comfortable clothing that you can move around in! Maybe even a long sleeved shirt for sun protection, or for those random nights where it may get a little cool (though, this is relative, and you may think me crazy for suggesting such a thing as a "cool" night...). Do bring long pants as there may be times you want to protect your legs.
   • Water bottle
   • Light rain-gear
   • Covered shoes as well as sandals/flip flops
   • Headlamp/Flashlight - very, very useful!
   • Blanket or sheet (those will be provided but you may want to bring one)
   • Tent, sleeping pad and mosquito netting (optional)
   • Hey ladies: If you are bringing female sanitary products, please ensure that they are biodegradable or "the cup"!
   • Musical instruments (optional, but always nice, no?)



8. Where do we stay and what do we eat?
   
   Students will sleep at Finca Magdalena, a Sandinista run hostel/coffee plantation. It is located right at the base of Maderas Volcano, and is only a brief walk away from Finca Bona Fide. All students sleep in a dorm room, but if you would prefer more privacy there are private rooms available (but you will need to let us know ahead of time). There is also the option to camp, so bring your tent and sleeping pad if you would like to do that.
   
   Students will eat breakfast and dinner at Finca Magdalena. There are vegetarian options available, but it would help us if you specified this ahead of time. Lunch is eaten down at Finca Bona Fide, and is always delicious! All of our meals are vegetarian, and rarely include any dairy.



9. Is Nicaragua safe?
   
   According to the 2007 Moon Handbook, Nicaragua is considered one of the safest countries in all of Latin America. Big cities have more people, and therefore more opportunity for criminal activity. Though Managua would be considered more dangerous than other areas of Nicaragua, it is statistically speaking safer than San Jose, Costa Rica (contrary to what many people may think.) It should be noted that the island of Ometepe is home to a small, friendly community of people.
   
   In short, crime happens everywhere and there are a few simple, common sense things to be aware of to avoid any problems: don't flash money or valuable items around, and avoid walking alone at night.
   
   For the women: I usually will travel wearing long pants or a long skirt and avoid super-low cut blouses. This will be helpful when trying to avoid unwanted attention.



10. Is there are doctor or nurse nearby?
    
    There is a registered nurse in town, a clinic 25mins away, and a doctor at the hospital 40mins away. Please let us know when you are registering for the course if you have any medical conditions that we need to be aware of.