Gringos, Sex, and Murder in Nicaragua

Nicaragua, it has been said, is the next Costa Rica. It’s a dubious forecast. One indication of its veracity is the sharp rise in sexual tourism in Nicaragua over the past decade. It is so brazen that in some popular beach towns, it’s difficult to distinguish sex tourism from dating. There, middle-aged American men dangle Nicaraguan women half their age from their arms as they walk down the street. Such sights have caused palpable tension between the Nicaraguan people and the American tourists and retirees living in seaside mansions.