The United States has a long history of extending a helping hand to those people struggling overseas to make a better life. The Millennium Challenge program is dispensing $175M in the states of Leon and Chinandega over the next 5 years.

The mandate is to invest it all in infrastructure, health, education, anti corruption, agriculture, natural resources, a land registry, family planning and transparent governance. This greenhouse is nurturing seedlings with assistance from the US Forest Service. Many plant species will flourish in this area. For more information, please send us an email.

On Dec 9, Jaime Morales the new Vice President of Nicaragua from the Sandinista (FSLN) Party spoke to a group of investors in San Juan del Sur.

Mr. Morales takes office mid January 2007 with a minority government of 38% of the assembly (Congress) for a five year term. The FSLN message is clear and repetitive: 'Our mandate is to raise living standards and improve education. Foreign investment is critical. No change from the present investment model is being considered.  Nicaragua continues to be open for business'

John Bramwell of Nica Projects, (on right), notes the assembly is 62% liberals, dissident liberals, and dissident Sandinistas. Thus, all proposed laws must be moderate to receive the required majority vote.

Over October to December 2006, a completely new island access road has been cut through the bush connecting two municipal roads en route to the island. This circumnavigates a difficult road building area that was both a river drainage area and contained settled volcanic ash from the most recent eruption in 1590. This 2 mile section features dry, elevated, rocky ground with a culvert system to divert water.

The upgrade of electrical service to North American standards is going well. This 3 km section of concrete poles attach to the 3 phase municipal line on the Salinas Town Main road.

The Leon airport is in the second largest city of Nicaragua, and a 29 minute drive from Tamarindo Beach & Ocean Estates. 

Mid 2007 will see the municipality begin paving the only unpaved 5 miles of road between Tamarindo Beach and this airport. This will reduce the drive time to Leon to 17 minutes.

Yacht access to 18 miles of river behind the island is through a 35 foot deep river channel at the south island tip. Marina plans are in progress. At present, you can drop a sand anchor or tie to your private dock. This relief from the Pacific Ocean waves is unique on the Nicaraguan coast. You could not be closer to Managua marine suppliers, who can order parts from Florida only 1.5 hours away.

Float planes on the calm river is also an option.