A night in the desert reveals a landscape transformed. The intense silence and profound darkness that follow sunset give way to a celestial display, with the Milky Way arching vividly across the sky. This experience often begins with the thrill of dune bashing at dusk, followed by the tranquillity of a traditional camp. Here, the evening is spent around a fire, enjoying aromatic coffee and sweet dates, perhaps accompanied by the gentle bubbling of a shisha pipe. It is a stark, beautiful contrast to the daytime heat and a chance to comprehend the vast, empty spaces that have shaped Bedouin culture for millennia.

Comprised of a church, a convent, and a cloister, the Convent of the Jacobins houses the remains of its patron, St Thomas Aquinas. Its stunning walls and ceiling provide a beautiful backdrop for concerts and exhibitions that are regularly hosted in the building. If you only have time to visit one church in the city, this should be it.

With such close proximity to the ocean and fertile tropical farms, you'll find some of Nicaragua's real treasures along the stalls of this market. It is also a great place to mingle with locals and get a true glance at local daily life.