Chaos & Coastlines

So, here we are. Sweating slightly (okay, maybe profusely), sipping lukewarm instant coffee because that’s all the barrio tienda had, and trying to remember if I scheduled that crucial call with a client in the USA before or after the inevitable afternoon downpour knocks out the Wi-Fi. Again. Welcome to my world: running businesses straddling continents while attempting to raise four energetic kids in the vibrant and beautiful coastal city of Bluefields, Nicaragua.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably dreaming of trading packed commutes and skyrocketing costs for sun-drenched beaches, volcanic horizons, and a slower, richer pace of life – with kids in tow. Maybe you’re a remote worker eyeing a lower cost of living, an adventurous parent craving a different kind of childhood for your littles, or someone simply wondering, “Is it even possible to juggle spreadsheets and sunscreen applications without losing your mind?”

SPOILER! It’s possible. Mostly. But “easy”? Let’s just say my definition of that word has undergone a radical transformation since landing here.

Why Nicaragua? Why Now? Why Us?

My name is Amanda. Along with my loving husband and our four little hurricanes (The Leader of the Kids (7), The Twin Tornados (4), and Rude Boy (2), we took the plunge. While the stunning landscapes and lower cost of living were huge draws, the biggest reason Nicaragua called to us? My husband is Nicaraguan. This move wasn’t just an adventure; it was a homecoming for him, a chance for our kids to connect deeply with their heritage, and for me to fully embrace the culture that’s part of our family’s heart. We swapped our Texas ranch for the Caribbean coast, traded cowboy boots for flip-flops (year-round!), and exchanged the hum of central heating for the symphony of howler monkeys and crashing waves.

We manage remote businesses based in the USA (because, well, bills!) while also navigating the thrilling (read: bureaucratic and bewildering) adventure of starting something new right here in Bluefields. All while trying to ensure the kids don’t adopt a stray gecko as a pet again, figure out where to find decent cheese, and remember that homework exists even when paradise is literally outside your door.

What to Expect from Chaos & Coastlines:

This blog isn’t about painting a picture-perfect, filtered Instagram life. It’s about the real deal:

The Nitty-Gritty: Practical, no-BS advice for parents considering the move. Think visas, schools, healthcare, finding housing that doesn’t flood in the rainy season (yes, ours did!), and navigating grocery stores where you might find plantain chips but struggle for sunscreen and fly swatters.

Remote Work Realities: Time zone acrobatics, the eternal quest for reliable internet, setting up a “home office” that doubles as a fort, and conducting video calls while pretending the crashing noise in the background isn’t a child attempting a base jump off a bunk bed.

Family Adventures & Misadventures: Hilarious (in hindsight, always hindsight) stories of culture clash, language barrier disasters (Señor Arana is NOT Señor Araña [Mr. Spider]), rainy days that turn into minor survival episodes, and the sheer, unadulterated joy of watching your kids chase fireflies under a sky bursting with stars.

Starting Up in the Sand: Lessons learned (often the hard way) about launching a business in Nicaragua – the challenges, the unexpected rewards, and the paperwork… oh, the glorious paperwork.

Embracing the Chaos: Finding the magic in the messy middle. Learning that “Nica time” isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a way of life. Discovering that resilience isn’t built in comfort zones. And realizing that sometimes, the best memories are born from the moments where everything goes gloriously, hilariously wrong.

This is Your Invitation…

Whether you’re seriously researching, just daydreaming, or already knee-deep in your own Nicaraguan adventure with kids, welcome aboard! I’m figuring this out one sunburn, one power outage, one successful Teams call (miraculously!), and one belly laugh at our own expense at a time.

So, grab your Flor de Caña rum cocktail (or juice box, no judgment here!), pull up a hammock, and let’s navigate the beautiful, bewildering, and utterly unforgettable chaos of family life on the eastern Nicaraguan coastline together. Expect honesty, hopefully some useful tips, and definitely a lot of stories where the main takeaway is: “Well, that didn’t go as planned…”

First up next week: The Big Decision – Why Nicaragua Won Out for Our Family of 6

Bless up from Bluefields!  

Amanda