NICARAGÜENSE

NICA

NICOYA

While we Nicas have plenty of words to describe ourselves, we've always had a soft spot for the word Nicoya – a phrase not often recognized outside of Nicaraguan communities. (Pinolera/o/x is another perfect example of this, but it doesn't quite rhyme with joya.) 

There are several theories about the origin of Nicoya, including that it means on both sides in Nahuatl, but the term commonly refers to the Indigenous nation located in present-day Guanacaste in Costa Rica. 

Las Pinoleras

La Joya Nicoya was started by us, two primas who endlessly searched for Nicaraguan-owned businesses that sold items that allowed us to proudly rep our Nica roots. Seeing a gap in the market, we decided to take it upon ourselves. (Yeah, that’s us below as kids soaking up the sun in our hometown of Miami.) Here, you'll find merch and books we lovingly created to celebrate Nicaragua, the rest of Central America and hopefully, you.