Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lago de Apanás
The third-largest body of water in Nicaragua came into being in 1964 when the Mancotal
dam was built on the Río El Tuma, just 6km north of Jinotega. It's actually two lakes, the
much larger Lago de Apanás (54 sq km) and Lago Asturias (3 sq km), just north. If you
like freshwater bass, try the
guapote,
on sale at lots of rickety-looking
ranchos
lining the
lakeshore in the town of Asturias. If you'd prefer to catch your own, fishermen will take
you out on the lake for around US$5 per hour in a rowboat, US$10 per hour with a small
outboard.
On the western lakeshore in the village of Sisle, the community-run
Cooperativa El
Conejo
( 8917-0072; Sisle; 8am-6pm)
will take you out on boat tours to nearby is-
lands including Isla Ave (US$2) and Isla Conejo (US$5). It also organizes fishing trips
(US$5 to US$10) and prepares fresh fish meals at the brand-new Malecón Turistica de
Sisle (Sisle Tourist Dock) overlooking the water. It's possible to spend the night here in
the simple community lodge (US$7 per person).
There are two bus routes to Pantasma from the Cotran Norte in Jinotega: via Asturias
on the eastern shore of the lake and via San Gabriel on the western side. To get to Sisle,
take any San Gabriel bus and ask to be let off at the Pulpería Emilio Gomez, from where
it's a 800m walk downhill to the dock.
