A guy in BigFoot came in the other day asking – “So why is like everyone saying BigFoot is like the totally raddest baddest hostel in the world dude?” (He was from California). Yes, it seems that all of you are spreading the BigFoot word around town and searching for an experience equally as awesome.
Why am I making this whole story up? Just so I can tell you what I would’ve told him.

First up is our RISE-UP SURF CAMP with our Northern American friends who revived their love for surfing and Indiana Jones (dum dah dum duuuhm, dum dah duuuuhm – the theme tune), and acquired a new love for volcano boarding. This lively group of people certainly brought a lot of atmosphere to BigFoot and a lot of noise to Leon on a friday night! Thanks!

VOLCANO BOARDING saw records broken this week! Congratulations to our 3 crusaders who broke the boys record this week.

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our surf school instructor Robbie who celebrated in style with a healthy helping of both Tona beer and Flor de Cana rum at BigFoot and Olla Quemada resulting in a very entertaining night and a very deep sleep thereafter.

And finally a few hellos and goodbyes to BigFoot staff who are coming and going. A big warm welcome to our two new Volcano Boarding Instructors- Alix Paver from England and France and Sarah Masson-Forbes from Australia! And we say goodbye to our previous instructor Mike Bateman from South Africa and we wish you luck in your travels through America, Canada and beyond. We also say goodbye to our Canadian chef Bryce and wish you luck on your return to Canada.

This national religious event creates a stir of excitement and a real buzz about town visible from day to day. The daily processions down streets, parading statues of Jesus and Mary, attract large crowds. People from all over Nicaragua have flocked to Leon’s coastal region to celebrate and enjoy the festivities offered here. Nightly parties are held on Leon’s closest beach – Las Penitas, finishing off at the weekend with a large and very popular music festival, plus all you can drink for only 200 Cordobas! This festival sees a fun and peaceful integration of the many locals, tourists and backpackers in the area. All in all a great week, and an even better end to it!

Other BigFoot activity this week included:

HUMAN BOWLING! – An idea stemming from a fair few Mojitos and a pile of large wooden Jenga blocks… This Wednesday there were 10 contenders and scores were attributed to both the number of pins knocked down, as well as style points – congratulations to Ben who got first place! In second was our activities promoter James, and finally in 3rd place our only female contestant for the evening – Marissa!

LIMBO MANIA – Mainly consisting of Elvis a horizontal wooden pole and quite a few shots … Contestants had to successfully limbo under the pole without touching it or falling to the floor and would in turn receive a free shot on the other side! Congratulations to the Norweigans who were the most successful in the competition (although we’re sure one girl is actually in the circus…)

Thanks all for a great week!

The epic volcano boarding has been pumping more than ever and the new surf school started by Robbie last year has been going well.

We just played host to a big group of Montreal students for their spring break, a part of it was the Bigfoot Surf School, which you can check out here BIGFOOT SURF SCHOOL . To get an idea of the last week check out BIGFOOT SPRING BREAK 2011

On a side note our partners Green Pathways have had an amazing start to the year as they just played host to the Annual conference of Rainforest Alliance. Green Pathways has recently been certified by Rainforest Alliance and is truly striving towards sustainability and one day hopefully will be at the forefront on sustainable travel in Nicaragua. More on Greenpathways  can be found at GREEN PATHWAYS and more on their collaboration with Rainforest Alliance can be found at GREEN PATHWAYS BLOG .

Our partners at RISE UP SURF TOURS NICARAGUA have also started their  year  with a blast. They are the ones to look to If you are looking for a fully guided surf trips that are personalized to your style and budget . They are guaranteed to get you to some of the best and most uncrowded waves on the northwest coast of Nicaragua.

The Pure Earth Project thanks to Green Pathways is going to have a website soon and the project itself has some great ambitions this year in that they hope to fully fund sea turtle conservation in the Isla Juan Venado Reserve and start on the first year of the reforestation project in Boaco. This last month alone the profits from the cafe and the Mojitos raised over US $1000. Our café has been thriving thanks to the help of Bryce and now we are finally using produce from our very own veggie garden thanks to the help of Mike!

If you are coming to Leon then come and check us out. We have so many things on offer from the Volcano Boarding, surf school, tours, great food and great people. We are truly lucky to have such a great crew and to meet so many great people.

We still have our $30 overnight volcano boarding special on. We also have a competition on to win a free trip if you become a fan of our VOLCANO BOARDING FAN PAGE

Keep an eye out on this blog for more up to date news and info.

Big thanks from all of us at Bigfoot!

Now finally with the help of Mike we have the garden up and running again. We have also managed to more than double the amount of worms in our worm compost over the last year and have some great compost for the garden. Over the last week we have planted a wide variety of things such as Pak Choi, spinach, beans, peas, tomatoes, cucumber and a variety of herbs. The lettuce and beans have already sprouted and we are excited about eating fresh veggies in a few weeks.

Tonight is Pizza Night in the cafe. Every Wednesday and Sunday we make fresh baked pizzas in our stone baked oven. Definitely some of the best pizza in Leon.

Come and check out the Pure Earth Cafe any day of the week from 8 am to 10 pm.

Bigfoot Nicaragua is located in the beautiful colonial city of Leon Nicaragua.

Our vibrant hostel is located in a colonial building in the centre of the city. We offer the perfect environment to meet like minded backpacker’s and an oasis from which to explore the many attractions and activities in and around the city.  We offer a bar and lounge area with delicious and cheap Mojitos, an organic vegetarian cafe, wireless internet, proper beds, large lockers, swimming pool, free cable TV and DVD’s, pool table, book exchange and large guest kitchen.

Bigfoot Nicaragua also developed the high adrenaline sport of  volcano boarding. Where you board down the side of the active Cerro Negro Volcano. Volcano Boarding requires no experience at all, we have over five years of experience and taken over 13,000 participants to date. We welcome you to come and join us for the thrill of a lifetime, a must do if you come to Central America. These Trips depart everyday of the week.

At Bigfoot we also offer a variety of other great tours and services including our New Surf School and hikes to all the volcanoes in the area.

Our all vegetarian non-profit cafe serves healthy and delicious foods everyday. On Wednesday and Sunday night we have our famous pizza and Mojitos nights. Honestly some of the best pizza in Town.

At the moment we are offering a volcano boarding overnight special for $30 US including the full volcano Boarding tour, dorm bed, breakfast, t-shirt and stickers.

Stay tuned to this blog for updates on all the action at Bigfoot Nicaragua including our latest deals and events!