Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The classic trip (US$450 per boat) takes you 135km upriver to
Salto Yaho
(US$540, max-
imum 5 people)
, a spectacular waterfall on the Río Waspuk. After swimming in the falls,
you'll spend the night in the small village downriver before returning home in the morn-
ing.
Or extend the trip two more days, continue upriver on day two and take a two-hour tour
of a
Mayangna Pueblo
and the
Coco gold mines
on foot or horseback. Then shoot the
Los
Raudales canyon
rapids in a canoe and sleep in a typical village
cabaña
overlooking large
boulders, foaming water and narrow canyon walls. The extended four-day trips cost
US$1000 and have a five-person maximum.
It's also possible to continue up the Waspuk and onto Bonanza where you jump on a
flight or bus to Managua - but this requires travel in a long wooden boat rather than a
panga
.
Although most locals discourage trips downriver because of the inhospitable insect life,
bird-watchers may consider a five-hour excursion eastward to
Cabo Viejo
(per person
US$425, maximum 5 people)
, a haven for migratory birds, oysters and tarpon. There's also
excellent tarpon-fishing in
Cabo Gracias a Dios
(per 5 people round trip US$2000)
, where the
river mouth meanders into a lagoon dotted with colorful wooden homes. A two-day trip
will cost around US$500. One problem: if there's no wind, you will feel like you're star-
ring in a horror movie called
Attack of the Killer Sand Fleas
.
If you're short on time or money, consider a day trip to the local riverside Miskito com-
munities of
Ulwas
,
Sowpuka
,
Bilwas Karma
,
Kisalia
or
Kum
, where the former Miskito
royal family still resides. You can organize a private
panga
(US$40, two hours) at the
main dock.
