Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PARKS & RESERVES
About 18.2% of Nicaragua's land is federally protected as part of 76 wildlife areas. The system isn't
even close to perfect, and problems with poaching and deforestation are rife. But the government has
deemed it worth fighting for and is stepping up patrols in and around parks.
Nicaragua's national parks and reserves are unlike those in many other countries in that the majority
have next to no facilities for visitors. Accommodations within park boundaries are rare, dedicated
zones to pitch a tent even more so. There are very few marked trails, which makes hiring local guides
even more important, and reliable maps of the reserves are also hard to come by.
Marena administers most wildlife areas, often through other public and private organizations.
There's a Marena office in most major towns, and while tourism is not its main job, staff may be able
to find guides, transportation and lodging for more-difficult-to-access parks. They can at least point
you toward folks who can help, which could be, for example, a women's organic coffee collective.
Have fun!
MAJOR PARK OR NATURAL
AREA
FEATURES
ACTIVITIES
driving to the edge of an act-
ive crater, bird-watching,
hiking
most heavily venting volcano in Central America,
possible gateway to hell; lava tunnels; parakeets
Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya
Reserva Natural Volcán Concep-
ción & Parque Nacional Volcán
Maderas
1 island, 2 volcanoes: gently smoking Concepción
& dormant Maderas, crowned in cloud forest
hiking, petroglyph hunting,
swimming, kayaking
Reserva Biológica Indio-Maíz
epic riverboat rides, macaws, walking trees, frogs
canoeing, kayaking, hiking
largest reserve in Central America, indigenous vil-
lages
testing your limits, trail-less
hikes
Reserva de Biosfera Bosawás
hiking, bird-watching,
swimming
Reserva Natural Cerro Musún
quetzals, cloud forests, huge waterfalls, real trails
milking cows, hiking, swim-
ming in waterfalls, admiring
orchids
cloud-forest reserve innovatively managed by ag-
ricultural cooperative: its nature & culture!
Área Protegida Miraflor
Área Protegida Cerro Tisey-
Estanzuela
cloud forests, views across the Maribios Volcanic
Chain, goat cheese
hiking, swimming, eating
cheese
hiking, rock scrambles,
swimming in freezing-cold
water
Monumento Nacional Cañon de
Somoto
the Río Coco is born - in the 'Grand Canyon' of
Nicaragua
Reserva Natural Isla Juan Ven-
ado
sandy Pacific barrier island; mangroves, sea
turtles, lagoons
boating, surfing, camping,
swimming
climbing, hiking, boating,
pretending you're an archae-
ologist
Parque Nacional Archipiélago
Zapatera
isolated islands covered with petroglyphs, ancient
statues, small volcano, rustic accommodations
Refugio de Vida Silvestre La
Flor
leatherback & olive ridley turtles, primary dry
tropical forest, beaches
surfing, camping, sea-turtle
ogling
