Nicaragua Tour
Hey Guys, Hola Community!I'm doing my volunteer work near Jinotepe, Nicaragua. My familiy will probably come down here at the end of january, so I'm right now figuring out what to do and where to go. They will only be able to come for two weeks, however I'd like to show them as much as possible of this wonderful country...
When they arrive, they'll stay one or two days at my current location. We will certainly go to Ometepe and stay there at least 3 nights. I would really love to drive down the Río San Juan, although I'm not quite sure if it's worth going right up to the Atlantic, because you can't swim there anyway. It's already pretty certain that we'll stay at this hotel. From there we may visit El Castillo. What do you think of that? Or is it more advisable to do the whole river trip?
After some days staying in the hotel we'll head back to the airport in Managua.
One thing, which I personally really would like to include into the trip, is the Pacific coast! Is it possible to go for a couple of nights to San Juan del Sur before crossing over to Ometepe? Or is it to stressful? And how long will it take to get from Jinotepe to San Juan del Sur? It would be great if you would have any other time schedules from getting to one point to another!
I'm thankful for every reply, please tell me what you think!
Patrick
Edited by: patrick4
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Hello,day 1,2 Jinotepe
day 3,4,5 San Juan del Sur. Bus to Rivas will take 1,5 hour, on to San Juan another hour.
day 6,7,8 Ometepe. Bus back to Rivas, bus or taxi to San Jorge (15 minutes), ferry to Moyogalpa/Ometepe (almost every hour, one hour)
day 9,10,11 Rio San Juan. Nightferry from Altagracia/Ometepe to San Carlos (monday,thursday 8 pm, 9-11 hours) , riverboat to the Sabaloslodge. I would not go al the way up the river to San Juan del Norte at the Atlantic coast, It takes 6 to 8 hours, the schedule is irregular depending on weather conditions, and you will have to go all the way back. In my opinion this is not a familytrip!
day 12 Riverboat from the lodge back to San Carlos. Are you flying back to Managua? A bus might take 8 hours.
So you might extend you stay at some of this places or add Granada or Leon. Ever been to Pochomil/Montelimar? I enjoyed it more than San Juan del Sur . It is close to Jinotepe and Managua at the pacific coast, more local and familystyle. I always enjoyed it as a weekendtrip from Matagalpa.
Have fun
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Hey globaler, thanks for your quick reply!I like your schedule. And yeah, I would prefer going to a different place than San Juan del Sur, as I've heard it's quite touristy... So maybe we'll change that for Pochomil, looks great!
No, we don't have a flight yet. I didn't know that there's the opportunity. It would be a nice option, but unfortunately it costs around 350 Dollars for all (we're 4). So, I don't know. But thanks for mentioning it!
Isn't the ferry to Granada another possibility, too? If so, how often do they depart.
I know that the trip isn't the best to do with a family, but at least the flight to Nicaragua should pay off somehow. You see? Or is it just too much?
Thanks so far so much!!! More comments are welcome. ;)
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sure the ferry to Granada is another option but it requires some planning because it only leaves San Carlos at tuesdays and fridays at 2 pm, will be arriving at Altagracia at 11 pm and then continues to Granada which will be 4/5 hours more. when i did that last november there was plenty of space to sleep on the upperdeck inside or if you bring a hammock outside.So you can skip SJDS and add Pochomil if there are any days left, up to you ofcourse
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p.s when i stated "this is not a familytrip" i only meant travelling down the Rio San Juan to the Atlantic coast and back.And to save some money, i think the sabaloslodge will be very expensive?, you can stay in the village of El Castillo as well and book a daytrip to the Indio Maiz resererve, 75 us for a group/family
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Okay, thanks. As I see that you're quite street-smart you possibly know too, where La Concepcion/ La Concha is located. Otherwise just click here. How long does it take to drive to El Crucero? Do we first have to drive to Jinotepe? And is there a bus from El Crucero to Rivas? Where would you stay at Pochomil, any tips? Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate that!I'm still a little bit uncertain if I can expect my family to put up with that trip and the long transport times. I indeed don't know.
Saludos,
Patrick
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Don"t know about La concepcion/La Concha.If you are uncertain about the long transport times skip the Rio San Juan and stick to Ometepe and the Granada/Masaya/Laguna Apoyo/Volcan Masaya area , SJDS and/or Pochomil and you will have a perfect mix of nature,boat trips,culture/playa. At playa Venecia /Ometepe there is always a group of howlermonkeys, fun for kids
At Pochomil i alwyas stayed at el Cangrejito, not really comfortable for a family. Be sure to be there at a weeknd when nica-familys come for a day...
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I would go to Granada for at least one night to show them the colonial city part of Nicaragua. I agree that Pocomil may be a better choice. I would go to El Castillo over Sabelo. if you want to go to Sabello you can stay at the Sabello lodge right over the river. Small but clean rooms and really cheap. I think you would like it. However, my vote would definitely be for El Castillo and a trip to the Indigo Maize reserve, that's what you want for the real jungle/wildlife experience.11
Hey dollyd,thanks for your thoughts. I probably won't include Granada, since it just would be too much. And although I think SJDS is the better choice because it's just fitting more into the tour, in geographical sence. There are also some nice spots not too far away.
Do you mean the Sabalos Lodge Hotel? Sure el castillo would be the better place to stay, but can you recommend me a good hotel there for reasonable prices? I haven't found one yet...
Saludos,
Patrick
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No, not the Sabello Lodge Hotel, other is a Sabello Hotel right when you come into the town. There is actually a smaller river that enters the Rio San Juan at this town. The hotel I am talking about was on the left side if that river, opposite from the town. I think it was about $10 a night. basic but a really nice deck to hang out on over the river and good food. The place I stayed at El Castillo was up the hill from the docks. open ceiling between the rooms. Common bath downstairs. Nice porch, that's about the best thing I can say about it. This was a while back so I'm sure here are many other places by now as many more people are traveling down the river these days.
