San Juan River
The San Juan River area is located in the south -east part of Nicaragua , marking the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua in a large section of it. The river joins Lake Nicaragua and the Caribbean Sea , and is the way the Spanish conquistadors used to enter in Nicaragua . To get to this area, you have to fly from Managua to San Carlos (45 minutes flight), and then take a boat to tour the river and also visit the Solentiname Archipelago.
The area is beautiful and lush, with a large variety of biodiversity and wildlife, in the river and hosts the virgin Indio Maiz natural reserve. Modern civilization has not spoiled this region yet, home of indigenous natives.
Before deciding to tour this area, travelers should be aware that accommodations in this remote part of Nicaragua are quite basic and service in general is not really close to what you can expect in any part of the Pacific area. So if you are used to a good standard of comfort, the Rio San Juan area might not be for you.
We are offering two packages and will be glad to custom design a specific itinerary that suits your wishes.
San Juan River and Solentiname Islands
(3 days, 2 nights)
Managua- San Carlos- San Juan River- Solentiname Islands- Indio Maiz Natural Reserve- Bartola River-
Day 1. Managua- San Carlos- Solentiname Islands- Sabalos Lodge (L, D)
Today board the domestic flight from Managua to San Carlos , Rio San Juan. (45 minutes flight) San Carlos is the capital city of the Rio San Juan County .
Church, Solentiname
We will first go to the Solentiname archipelago, located 1h30 away from San Carlos and formed by 36 islands with lush vegetation. Enjoy a typical lunch at Mancarrun hotel, and then stop by famous poet and Nicaraguan writer Ernesto Cardenal's church. Visit the artisan village where all the families dedicate themselves to carving colorful small birds and animals in balsa wood.
Stop to visit the so local painters set along the coast and who elaborate the primitive paintings (All these people generally don't work on Sundays). We will also see the small Solentiname museum and the artisan's house located in San Fernando island.
In the mid afternoon we will leave the solentiname Archipelago, ride back to San Carlos and then in the San Juan River .
Our adventure there starts by traveling through area once known as the Gold Route to California . This trip is guided by a captain who is an expert in the river and will tell you about the regional legends. He also knows the location of the animals that live on the river banks, such as otters, alligator, etc. Also, you will be able to observe a vast variety of monkeys and an enormous diversity of migrating birds, such as eagles, falcons, blue jays, herons, aigrettes etc.
We will arrive at Sabalos Lodge 1* sup just before dark. Accommodation, dinner..
Room at Sabalos Lodge
Day 2. Tour to El Castillo Fortress and
Indio Maíz National Reserve (B, L, D)
In the morning we will visit the El Castillo Fortress, which was built by the Spaniards to protect the city of Granada from the English pirates; even the famous Lord Nelson tried to conquer it.
El Castillo Fortress
Early lunch at El Castillo. Visit to Indio Maiz National Reserve, there you cab.
We will navigate in the jungle in the Bartola river until we reach a small beach to spend the afternoon and swim in this stunning surroundings, or will walk in the trails of the Indio Maiz reserve (following the Bartola river).
Around 4.00. pm, ride back to the lodge to arrive before dark. Dinner and night in the lodge.
Optional today: night boat tour to observe the alligators in a boat.
Day 3. Sabalos lodge- San Juan river- San Carlos- Managua (B)
Free activities you can enjoy at Sabalos Lodge (according to your flight schedules):
A series of walking paths surround the Lodge are prime locations to observe amphibious reptiles near the river or creek, to observe birds on the canopy of the forest, wait for the hummingbirds to come to the feeders;
Rafting in the San Juan waters;
Visit and swim around the island in front of the lodge;
Horseback riding;
or Just lay back on a hammock, relax and enjoy the view and hospitality
Other activities (paying): Renting a kayak or a motor boat.
Then if time allows it, we will get the lunch early to be on a good time to catch the plane to fly to Managua .
Package includes:
La Costena round trip air ticket Managua , San Carlos, Managua .
Boat trips, visit the Solentiname Islands, artesans village and primitive painters, "El Castillo Fortress", visit to the Indio Maíz National Reserve Forest.
2 nights lodging at Sabalos Lodge, individual Cabin;
All meals included at Sabalos Lodge and lunch a El Castillo Fortress.
Taxi ride at San Carlos.
San Juan River
(3 days, 2 nights)
Managua- San Carlos- San Juan River- Indio Maiz Natural Reserve- Bartola River-
Day 1. Managua- San Carlos- Rio San Juan- Sabalos Lodge (L, D)
At 8:30 am board the domestic flight from Managua to San Carlos , Rio San Juan. (45 minutes flight) San Carlos is the capital city of the Rio San Juan County .
Our adventure starts by traveling through area once known as the Gold Route to California . This trip is guided by a captain who is an expert in the river and will tell you about the regional legends. He also knows the location of the animals who live on the river banks, such as otters, alligator, etc. Also, you will be able to observe a vast variety of monkeys and an enormous diversity of migrating birds, such as eagles, falcons, blue jays, herons, aigrettes etc.
We will arrive at Sabalos Lodge 1* sup before lunch. Accommodation.
Natives, Rio San Juan
Free afternoon to enjoy the lodge and surroundings.
Free activities you can enjoy at Sabalos Lodge:
A series of walking paths surround the Lodge are prime locations to observe amphibious reptiles near the river or creek, to observe birds on the canopy of the forest, wait for the hummingbirds to come to the feeders;
Rafting in the San Juan waters;
Visit and swim around the island in front of the lodge;
Horseback riding;
or Just lay back on a hammock, relax and enjoy the view and hospitality
Other activities (paying):
Renting a kayak or a motor boat.
Night boat ride to observe the alligators.
Day 2. Tour to El Castillo Fortress
and Indio Maíz National Reserve (B, L, D)
In the morning we will visit the El Castillo Fortress, which was built by the Spaniards to protect the city of Granada from the English pirates; even the famous Lord Nelson tried to conquer it.
Early lunch at El Castillo. Visit to Indio Maiz National Reserve, there you cab.
We will navigate in the jungle in the Bartola river until we reach a small beach to spend the afternoon and swim in this stunning surroundings, or will walk in the trails of the Indio Maiz reserve (following the Bartola river).
Around 4.00. pm, ride back to the lodge to arrive before dark.
Day 3. Sabalos lodge- San Juan river- San Carlos- Managua (B)
During the morning free activities in Sabalos Lodge, then we will get the lunch early to be on a good time to catch the plane to fly to Managua .
Package includes:
La Costena round trip air ticket Managua , San Carlos , Managua .
Boat trips, visit to "El Castillo Fortress", visit to the Indio Maíz National Reserve Forest
2 nights lodging at Sabalos Lodge, individual Cabin;
All meals included at Sabalos Lodge and lunch a El Castillo Fortress.
Taxi ride at San Carlos .
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