Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
masons from St John's Lodge. Unfortunately, the new airport has been constructed bang
in the middle of the ruins, which torpedoes the atmosphere somewhat.
More and more visitors are coming to San Juan de Nicaragua to explore deeper into the
mystical Reserva Biológica Indio-Maíz. There are few hiking trails - you will spend most
of your time exploring the spectacular jungle in your boat.
You can spend a glorious six hours cruising between enormous yet hidden
Laguna Silica
,
Laguna de San Juanillo
and
Laguna La Barca
(four people US$150), which are surrounded
by primary rainforest. You will occasionally hack through humid forests with machetes
just to get from place to place and may spot manatees.
Or dedicate a day or two to the jungle and its original Rama inhabitants along the
Río
Indio
, which runs parallel to the Caribbean Sea before turning inland and winding deep
into the heart of the reserve.
On a typical one-day trip (up to six visitors, US$180) you'll cruise upriver through
La-
guna Manatee
to
El Encanto
, where there is a hiking trail in the forest. On the way back
you'll stop on the beach at El Cocal, where you'll sip fresh coconut water on the sand.
The two-day version (US$400) continues upriver to
Makenge
, a Rama community where
you'll spend the night in the solar-powered communal house. It's also possible to organize
a homestay with a Rama family further upriver. The next morning hike four hours through
primary forest to
Canta Gallo (Piedras Basálticas)
, a basalt outcrop that local Rama say is
the foundation of an ancient pyramid. Others say the formation is geological in nature.
Whatever. It's stunning, and the hike is tremendous.
Hotelito Evo
( 8350-5145, 2583-9019; evohotel@yahoo.es)
In addition to being top jungle guides, En-
rique Gutiérrez and his sons at Hotelito Evo offer kayaking trips (US$25 per person, min-
imum two people) and nocturnal alligator-spotting tours (US$25 per person, minimum
two people) in the waters around town. They also offer half-day sportfishing trips
(US$180 per boat).
SPORTFISHING, KAYAKING
Tours
Asociacíon de Guias de Greytown
GUIDED TOUR
