Karl WP Beyer The port city of Puerto Corinto is located in northwest Nicaragua on the Pacific Ocean. The Republic of Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America with 129.779 square kilometers. The state area corresponds to about a third of Germany. Compared to Germany, Nicaragua is sparsely populated. Almost six million people live in the country.
Puerto Corinto - the port
To the west, Nicaragua borders the Pacific Ocean; to the east, the Caribbean Sea forms a second natural border. The country boasts breathtaking landscapes with tropical jungle and several dozen volcanoes, some of them active. Formerly an agricultural country, Nicaragua now protects nearly 20 percent of its territory through nature parks and reserves.
Puerto Corinto - Restaurants on the waterline
Porto Corinto - Complejo Volcanico Christobal Casita
Despite this abundant natural wealth, Nicaragua is economically the second poorest country in Latin America after Haiti. The per capita income of its citizens was estimated at $2023 in 2.673 (source: statista). This means that more than 50% of Nicaragua's population lives in poverty.
Puerto Corinto - past and present
Before Puerto Corinto was founded in 1863, the port city of Puerto El Realejo existed in the vicinity. The founding of this port dates back to 1532. Puerto El Realejo was Nicaragua's most important port in the 16th and 17th centuries. After constant and momentous pirate attacks, the Spanish colonial rulers were forced to give up the location.
Puerto Corinto - the berth for cruise ships
Puerto Corinto marked the beginning of a renewed, ultimately successful attempt to establish a port on Nicaragua's Pacific coast. Located on an island, the deep-water port was named after the Greek city of Corinth. It is 160 kilometers from the country's capital, Managua. Reliable population figures are not available. Depending on the source, the number varies between 12.000 and 20.000.
Puerto Corinto - the port - behind it the volcano San Cristóbal
Puerto Corinto was once the terminus of a railway line. A museum locomotive bears witness to that time as a historical legacy. Nowadays, freight traffic has shifted to the road. Puerto Corinto's main industries are port operations and fishing. Puerto Corinto is Nicaragua's most important port for freight and container traffic. Every now and then cruise ships also stop in Puerto Corinto.
Puerto Corinto - the fishermen's quarter
Puerto Corinto from a tourist point of view
How do tourists perceive the place? Puerto Corinto is nestled amidst a lush green tropical landscape. Mighty volcanoes rise in the hinterland. The town itself, by contrast, appears insignificant and poor. The cityscape is dominated by simple, low-rise buildings, many of which are in need of renovation; there is a lack of sights.
What is there to see anyway? - There are many small shops, pubs and a few restaurants. There are also the Mercado Municipal, the theater, the Parque Central and the Church of Santo Tomas Apostól. The wide beach is built with stone barriers to protect the shore zone.
The poverty is visible everywhere. Even so, Puerto Corinto is a safe place and the locals are welcoming and welcoming. To receive the MS Rotterdam In December 2019, a group of school children, it was holiday season in Nicaragua, was called up as a receptionist. The children were later entertained and given small gifts on board the ship.
Puerto Corinto - School children receive a cruise ship
It is noteworthy that Puerto Corinto and Cologne have been twinned since 1988. A special symbol of this solidarity is the Circo Colorinto, a youth circus founded in 2005 and financially supported by the City of Cologne and the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.
Puerto Corinto - Circo Colorinto
Puerto Corinto - Circo Colorinto
Puerto Corinto for cruise ship guests
Although the range of excursion tours is rather limited, we know that Holland America Line and Princess Cruises describe the destination Puerto Corinto benevolently. Mainly:
- Excursions to the city of León, 60 kilometers away;
- Excursions to the nearby towns of El Viejo and Chinandega or the Cerro Negro volcano;
- Boat tours to the El Cardón island off Puerto Corinto.
Isla el Cardón - lighthouse and statue of the poet Rubén Darío
What do individual travelers who do not book an organized tour do?
- Rides with one of the many cycle rickshaws - the rickshaws are the preferred and inexpensive means of inner-city transport. Within an hour, guests receive extensive impressions of Puerto Corinto;
- The city is a fishing port; Anglers book fishing trips on one of the fishing boats;
- Fish lovers will find decent fish restaurants near the quay;
- Drive to Playa Corinto or Playa Paso Caballos.
A stretch of beach in Puerto Corinto
The following photo galleries show our impressions from December 2019.
The one-hour rickshaw rides through the city can be booked directly at the port. For security reasons, the rickshaws are registered with their license plates before departure. In 2019, the tour cost $20. Outside the port gate, the tour cost $10, and outside the port area, the tour costs $5.
The bicycle rickshaw, the main means of transport in Puerto Corinto
Puerto Corinto inspires reflection on global poverty. The port city isn't a must-see. It's not entirely clear to us why cruise ships stop in this poor and unattractive place.
Update - February 2025