Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
was then the mouth of the Río San Juan, now a sandy extension of dry land. After you
cross the bay to the mouth of the remarkable Río Indio, you'll reach San Juan de Ni-
caragua, where you can explore black-water creeks, hidden lagoons and thick jungle with-
in the wide reach of the Indio-Maíz.
Sleeping & Eating
The Indio-Maíz is a restricted area and there are no accomodations in this part of the re-
serve; however, there are a couple of excellent options just outside its boundaries on the
other side of the Río Bartola.
COMMUNITY LODGE
$$$
Basecamp Bartola
( 8913-8215; indio.maiz@gmail.com; Comunidad Bartola; per person incl meals & transport
US$66)
Run by the tiny community of Bartola, 6km up the Río Bartola, this ground-
breaking new project is the future of sustainable tourism in the region. Visitors sleep in
tents (complete with mattresses and towels folded into swans) on wooden platforms over-
looking the thick canopy of the Indio Maíz across the river. Activities include fantastic
guided treks through nearby virgin forest full of monkeys and trips in traditional boats.
Prices vary depending on number of visitors.
Refugio Bartola
( 8885-7386, 8376-6979;
www.refugiobartola.com
;
r per person incl meals US$50, day-use fee
US$5, guides per day US$20)
Set at the confluence of Ríos San Juan and Bartola oppos-
ite the ranger post, this rustic wooden lodge and private reserve is the superlative option
for true nature lovers in the region yet receives surprisingly few travelers.
The large tract of virgin forest is identical to the vegetation inside the reserve and the
animals don't know the location of the boundaries; the only difference is here you are free
to walk deep into the jungle along a network of trails.
Accommodations are in simple, breezy wooden rooms with high ceilings set around a
lovely garden overlooking the river. Kayaks are available to explore the Río Bartola at
your own pace.
NATURE RESERVE
$$$
San Juan de Nicaragua (San Juan del Norte)
POP 1100
