We travel to places that we perceive to be safe and desirable and limit our travel experiences to exclude places that we perceive as unsafe and undesirable. 
Sometimes this is because the perception has not caught up with reality.  Such was my realization during a recent research trip to Nicaragua.  Once a civil war torn nation, Nicaragua has become the darling of the travel industry in Central America.  
 
Recently named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the Top 10 destinations to watch in 2014 and considered a safe haven in Central America by The Economist, Nicaragua possesses abundant natural verdant beauty, incredible volcanoes, gorgeous beaches, UNESCO colonial towns, excellent paved roads, lovely people, and up-and-coming gay-friendly boutique to ultra luxury hotels, and is less than a 2.5 hour flight from the USA. All of this at very affordable prices.  Look for our upcoming trip to Nicaragua!