Managua  - In Nicaragua, tourists can be found strolling through Parque Central in the colonial city of Granada, driving to the crater of the Masaya volcano or swimming in the surf of the Pacific Ocean.

Twenty years after the end of the civil war, tourism has become an every day feature in this Central American country.

Many tourists often return to Nicaragua in search of new adventures, not least of all the "Caribbean Feeling" the country provides on its quiet eastern coastline.

But Nicaragua is not an entirely safe country for holidaymakers and some European countries warn against journeying there due to the rising rate of crime and the risk of political conflict.

On Nicaragua's east coast lies the small city of Bluefields, which was founded by pirates 400 years ago.

Almost 50,000 people inhabit Bluefields which is located in the otherwise sparsely populated Atlantic region.

The Atlantic coastal area is home to a few thousand indigenous people belonging to the Miskito group of Native Americans, many of whom lead a simple life.

The trip by air from Managua 380 kilometres away takes an hour.

However, it is just another 20 minutes by plane from Bluefields to Corn Island and its sister island, Little Corn.

Both islands provide the typical Caribbean atmosphere of Reggae, rum, grilled fish, coconut palms and a sea with many blue and green hues.

A bus takes passengers around Corn Island but there are also mopeds and taxis for 15 Cordobas each way - the equivalent of 1.40 dollars.

Staying overnight on Corn Island is also inexpensive. Accommodation costs between 11 and 89 dollars per night - in many instances guests share facilities with the host family.

Little Corn has no cars and hardly anything in the way of loud noise.

Children can be seen pedalling their bicycles along the island's narrow main road near the beach as an elderly man pushes a cart and greeting all the passers-by.

"Four churches, one school and 12 small restaurants," says island resident Arnold Archibald listing off his home's main structures as he sits beneath an almond tree in the Sweet Oasis bar.

Yet, not everything is as perfect as it would seem. Some foreign consulates in Nicaragua warn holidaymakers to be on guard even when visiting Corn Island and Little Corn because of the country's rising rate of crime.

Bus travellers should not let their luggage out of sight and avoid going for night time walks or taking taxis after dark.

The mainland city of Granada is one of the most popular destinations for travellers. Founded by the Spanish in 1524, it is situated right beside Lake Nicaragua.

The lake's large island of Ometepe is home to two of Nicaragua's 40 volcanoes.

The 1,600 metre high Concepcion is an active volcano and has erupted several times over the past few decades. Maderas is 1,400 metres high and is inactive.

Small but lively is the 635 metre high Masaya not far from the colonial city that bears the volcano's name.

While you can actually park a car right beside the crater, be careful when viewing the volcano as a sudden change in wind-direction can lead to an encounter with some very unpleasant smelling odours emanating from the ground.

Black lava stone in Masaya National Park bears witness to earlier eruptions.

Many farmers in Nicaragua are also betting on eco-tourism as a source of income.

"That will only work if the country remains peaceful," says coffee plantation owner and horse breeder Alvaro Reyes Portocarrero.

Portocarrero proudly shows off his hacienda in Nicaragua's highlands north of Matagalpa. Two women work here almost full-time breeding rain worms to make humus for the coffee plantation.

However, the apparent peace is deceptive and the conflict between Nicaragua's rival political factions is a source of concern for tourists.

After the local elections in November 2008, clashes broke out in Managua and Leon.

At least one foreign representation in Managua has warned that the conflict "has calmed down again but could reignite at any moment."

For more information, see www. nicaragua. com/tourism/, www. nicaragua-info. org, www. bigcornisland. com. (dpa)