Corn Islands

About this place

The Corn Islands are two islands in the Caribbean, about 70 km east of the Nicaraguan mainland. They are known for their Afro-Caribbean culture and coral reefs, and their mood differs from the rest of the country, with English Creole, seafood and palms along the shore. Sources say the first inhabitants were the Kukra people. Buccaneers used the islands for firewood, water and ship repairs, and British settlers arrived in the mid-eighteenth century with enslaved Africans. From this grew a culture speaking English-based Creole and Spanish. The municipality has about 7,912 people on one large and one small island. Big Corn covers about 10 square km and Little Corn about 3. You walk coastal roads between timber houses, bending palms and coloured boats, with turquoise water over the reefs. The beaches include sea turtle nesting habitat, and local food is known for seafood, coconut dishes and crab soup, so ask about ingredients. Big Corn is about 79 km in a straight line east of Bluefields, usually reached by flights and boats, so check schedules. The sea can be rough in small boats, so take care with luggage. Do not touch the reefs or buy turtle products. Services are limited on Little Corn, so bring enough cash, and avoid the hurricane season.