Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado
This 18km-long, sandy barrier island (in some places only 300m wide) has swimming
holes and lots of wildlife, including nesting turtles and mosquitoes galore. On one side of
the island you'll find long, wild, sandy beaches facing the Pacific, on the other, red and
black mangroves reflected in emerald lagoons. Best of all, it's very easy to visit.
Several hotels set up guided boat tours of the reserve, but it's generally cheaper to go
through the reserve itself. You can get here by boat from less-developed Salinas Grandes,
where you'll need to ask around for park rangers who organize three-hour
guided boat
tours
(15 people US$50-60)
. Make reservations, if possible, or just show up at the
ranger sta-
tion
( 8861-9099, in León 2311-3776; infocomap@apcomanejo.com; admission US$2.50-4)
. It's
actually much easier to go through Las Peñitas, which has a ranger station and is closer to
the turtle nesting sites.
During turtle laying season, which runs July through January, peaking in September
and October, thousands of olive ridleys, careys and leatherbacks lay their eggs in El
Vivero, close to the Las Peñitas entrance; nighttime turtle tours (August to December,
US$15 per person) can be arranged. You can also go fishing here, in Casa de las Peñas.
Puerto Sandino
This is a hard-working port town with 'Hawaii-sized waves.' There is reliable and rocky-
bottomed 'Poneloya,' which is not actually in Poneloya (look for it at Playa Diamante).
The most photogenic break is at the mouth of the port but isn't always working. The best
wave around, sometimes called Miramar (although it's not actually in Miramar), is about
6km south of Puerto Sandino. At low tide, there's a reliable reef break just south.
Buses leave for León (US$0.75, 30 minutes) and Managua (US$1.75, one hour) at least
hourly.
Sleeping & Eating
Miramar Surfcamp
( 8945-1785;
www.miramarsurfcamp.com
; dm US$19, s/d US$56/80, without bathroom US$35/
56)
Check out the basic rooms at this surf lodge outside of town that also offers weekly
packages.
LODGE
$
