Laguna de Perlas

Introducing Laguna de Perlas

Laguna de Perlas (Pearl Lagoon) forms where the Río Kurinwas meets the sea, about 80km north of Bluefields. Along its mangrove-lined and sandy-shored perimeter, 18 small indigenous communities make a living off abundant fish, shrimp and lobster. You could easily spend a few days getting away from it all up here, walking to nearby beaches, visiting fishing villages and enjoying the best country and reggae music in the world in Pearl Lagoon's ramshackle collection of restaurant/bars.

And if you find yourself longing for the clear, blue Caribbean instead of the admittedly murky lagoon, just off the coast are the beautiful Pearl Keys, with white-sand beaches, coconut palms and turtle nesting sites, all with very little development and lots of fairly healthy coral reef. Getting here isn't cheap, but this is one picnic that you'll never forget.

There are no banks or other services in Pearl Lagoon, though there is an Enitel(822 2355; 8am-noon & 2-5pm Mon-Fri).

Last updated: Oct 20, 2009