San Juan de Nicaragua.

San Juan de Nicaragua formerly called Greytown, located 200 kms from San Carlos has fabulous swamps close to the Caribbean Sea; on the way you pass where Rio San Carlos and Saripiqui end. Tourists from Costa Rica enter the area via the delta. You will also find places such as a natural sediment barrier of sand where crocodiles lay in wait.

At the end of the waters of San Juan, on the junction of where Rio Indio originates the lagoon, you can see an old steam dredger, where at one time, the Inter-oceanic channel was planned to be built.

From the beautiful old San Juan, formerly known as Greytown, and from the historic San Juan del Norte of today, only remains a physical space where there are four historic cemeteries; British, Mason, north American, and catholic which can be reached through a small pier.

Tourist Attractions

Flora, Fauna, Passages, Fishing, visits to the old cemetery, Blue Lagoon, old steam dredger, San Juan’s Bay, old Boats, Indigenous Small Houses.

What to do?

Sport Fishing, nature walks, Watching of Nightly Reptiles, Bird Watch, Boats, Canoes, Walk trough town, visits to Ramas Indigenous.

What scenic places to visit?

Los Guatuzos: Is a wild life refuge with an extension of 437 Km2 and with 47,000 acres, it is part of the Biosphere Reserve Indio-Maiz made up of tree and palm savannahs, swamps forests, and its exuberant vegetation form different types of ecosystems such as: lagoons, mangroves, and dry forests.

There is valuable diversity of species and the adaptation to its environment is of great interest. Around the lagoon there are more than 385 species of water birds, that makeup the biggest concentration in Nicaragua and Central America. This refuge is an important site for the migration of birds from the north to the south of the Americas It also has a large amount and variety of other animal species, many of them in danger of extinction.

Tourist Attractions

Flora, Fauna, natural walkways, Fishing, Caimario, Mariposario, Tortugario, Hanging Bridge, Orchids.

What to do?

Sport Fishing, Flora Watching, Walks, Watching of Nightly Reptiles, Bird Watch, Boats, Canoes, Passage Walking.

Solentiname Archipelago: It is located on the Big Lake of Nicaragua formed by 36 islands, of which Mancarron Island is the most accessible, the best known and the biggest. Mancarron Island has a history of the creation of the peasant’s church led by the Priest Ernesto Cardenal.

You will also find a library with archeological pieces and large amounts of artisans and painters.

The islands are also formed by:

• Isla La Venada, historic site because of its caves with petroglyphics.
• Isla Zapote, with more than 10,000 nests belonging to different species of wild birds.
• Isla San Fernando, you can see the island’s museum and the small shop of artists and artisans. There is also a passage and petroglyphics.

Reserva Biologica Indio Maíz (Biological Reserve Indio Maiz):

This is a natural reserve of 261.875 acres of green forests, well drained, with swamps dominated by palms (yolillales). Sweet water lagoons with aerial and submerged vegetation; and diverse river ecosystems.

It is considered one of the most important areas of Central America. Due to its scientific value and the wide diversity of vegetation and fauna (tapires, manaties, jaguars, wild pigs, zahines, etc) species, as well as the presence of archeological artifacts.

Refugio de vida silvestre Río San Juan (Wild Life Refuge Rio San Juan):

It is composed by mangroves from Lake Nicaragua, green forests with swamps and palms. Lagoons of sweet water estuaries full with floating and submerged vegetation.

This area is similar to the Reserve Indio-Maíz. It has a wide diversity of animals and vegetable species. It has an important presence of big mammals, sweet and saltwater fish. As well as the presence of reproductive populations of Manatees. Plus the esthetical, economical, scientific and educational value of the presence of many water birds, and the value of conservation that include the nesting of a great number of marine birds.