Things to do in South East Nicaragua

Somewhat off the beaten path, the South East of Nicaragua receives relatively few visitors, largely on account of the relative difficulty in getting here. Flights to San Carlos are still suspended so the only way to access the region is by an approximate 5 hour drive from Managua or Granada.

Those prepared to put in the effort will be rewarded with a region offering outstanding natural attractions as well as real sense of off-the-beaten-track adventure.

Most visitors spend between three and four nights in the area after which they have the choice of returning north along the eastern shores of Lake Nicaragua or continuing around the bottom of the lake by boat and car before either taking the ferry to magical Ometepe Island or heading to the beaches of San Juan del Sur & the Emerald Coast.

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Things To See & Do In South East Nicaragua

The Solentiname Islands

Located in the very south of Lake Nicaragua, the Solentiname Islands is an archipelago that comprises four, relatively large, inhabited islands together with a number of much smaller, uninhabited islets that are home to a wide variety of birdlife.

Aside from their natural beauty and options for spotting birdlife, the Solentiname Islands are also famous for being home to an extensive community of artists whose work generally focuses on their colourful, natural surroundings.

Los Guatuzos Wildlife Reserve

Located on the southern shores of Lake Nicaragua, and border Costa Rica to the south, Los Guatuzos Wildlife Reserve is one of the most extensive wetland regions in Central America.

Incredibly rich in both flora and fauna, the reserve is home to some 400 endemic bird species, in addition to a huge variety of migratory species. In addition to birdlife, the wetlands and bordering jungle are also home to caimans, crocodiles, monkeys and even jaguars.

Navigating along the Papaturro River, visitors will be able to take in the abundant natural surroundings from their boat, before visiting an observation platform for a bird’s eye view of the Reserve.

Rio San Juan

Connecting the Caribbean with Lake Nicaragua, the dramatic Rio San Juan winds its way past small settlements and through lush jungle on its 120 mile journey. With few roads in the region, travelling along the river is a traditional and ongoing way of life and not simply a touristic experience.

That said, with very few roads in the area, the only way to access the likes of El Castillo and the Indio Maiz Biosphere Reserve is by means of a fascinating and picturesque 2-hour plus journey by boat from San Carlos.

El Castillo

El Castillo is a village on the banks of the Rio San Juan that takes its name from the imposing Fortress of the Immaculate Conception (El Castillo de la Inmaculada Concepción), which dates back to the late 17^th century and which was just one (the only one that remains today) of a number of defensive settlements built by the Spanish to guard Lake Nicaragua – and especially Granada – from pirate attack.

Accommodation is available within the village while the fortress can also be visited from nearby Guacimo Lodge.

Indio Maiz Biological Reserve

Measuring over 3,000 sq kms, and bordering Costa Rica to the south, the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve is one of the largest lowland forest systems in Central America.

Boasting a huge variety of flora and fauna, the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve is a nature lover’s dream but, unlike nearby Costa Rica, has little in the way of tourist infrastructure and limited hotel options. For some this is a drawback, for others it is one of the area’s most appealing features.