Nicaragua is a challenging travel destination.

It is important to remember when you travel where are you going not only how cheap it is compared to the neighboring countries.

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere followed only by Haiti and with a strong machista culture.

Even when you probably think of yourself as “middle-class” for them you are extremely wealthy and even a few Córdovas would have been a lot for them.

As far as men’s behavior I don’t condone it but I would say that pretty much anything goes.

Yes, the behavior of those men is deplorable but the current US president has use similar language (“grab them by the p***y”), so should we ask different behavior from far worse educated men?

But political commentary aside, I remember having lunch in Granada and having kids who seemed half-Nica half-blond begging for money or food and I wonder how many of those kids were the offspring of one night stands Western male tourists had in the country only to leave after a week.

None of that justifies the harassment you and your boyfriend suffered, but places it in perspective. When they see you they don’t see people willing to help build their communities or even pay for a cab ride-even when expensive, the same way many of us would pay $350 a night for a hotel in Manhattan because that is what the market asks not because it is fair. When they see you, they see people who potentially will take advantage of them or their children or their sisters if given the chance.

And I know, I’m sure that you and your boyfriend are lovely people. But the saying goes, you get burned by milk and you see a cow and you cry.

Next time try Playa Madera. It is lovely there. You pay an instructor for surfing lessons and there is a nice restaurant by the beach. I don’t recall having anyone asking for money.
Pablo