Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
hour climb up one of two trails to the top:
Sendero La Guacamaya
, which starts at the
ranger's station near El Rosario; and
Sendero el Jovo
, which descends to more developed
Potosí.
And beyond all that lies the
Golfo de Fonseca
, bordered by the largest mangrove stand
left in the Americas. In the other direction, around the volcano's back, Punta Ñata over-
looks cliffs that plunge 250m into the Farallones-studded sea.
Sore muscles? Head to the
hot springs
; in Potosí, Centro Ecoturistico Potosí offers hot
springs with shade and food service, or go wild at one of several undeveloped springs that
locals will happily point out.
Tours
Ecodetur
( 8320-3481;
www.ecodetour.com
; entrance to Potosí)
This homegrown tour operator does
volcano tours (US$15 per person, five hours), birding trips to the neighboring Los Islotes
islands (US$45 per person, four-person minimum) and fun shrimping tours (US$15 per
person).
GUIDED TOUR
Sleeping
Hotel Brisas del Golfo
( 8774-4356; Potosí; s/d US$20/25)
This friendly hotel has clean beds, Pepto-pink rooms
and a laid-back restaurant - it's also the only place to stay in town, unless you can arrange
a homestay.
HOTEL
$$
Getting There & Away
There are at least three buses daily to Chinandega (US$1.50, 3½ hours). One bus leaves
Chinandega daily for Punta Ñata (US$1.50, 3½ hours) at 1pm, returning in the early
morning.
