Shhh… don’t tell anybody, but… Nicaragua’s got a secret.

Two, actually.

Located just 50 miles (83m) northeast of Bluefields on the Nicaraguan mainland, the Corn Islands are a low-budget version of the Caribbean dreamscape: white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and endless plates of cheap lobster, shrimp and yellow tail (which is – among other methods – fried and served in a spicy tomato sauce with fried plantains and salad).

It’s an ideal tropical setting where no one hassles you to buy sunglasses, whistles or pirate DVDs.

But there’s something, well, strange about the islands.

Here you have an island off the coast of Nicaragua – a land of Spanish-speaking Latino culture – with predominantly English and African heritage, and they listen to country music.

Old school country music.

Hank Senior. Willie Nelson. Kenny Rogers. All heard blasting – alternating with bouts of reggae – from small waterfront restaurants.

Life here proceeds at a slow pace. So slow, in fact, that you can take a taxi anywhere on the island for less than a dollar.

And speaking of places to go…

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