Nicaragua Adventure along Rio San Juan

Arrive in Managua, the gateway for your adventure in the following days. Meet your expedition leader at the airport and transfer to the downtown hotel for the night.

Leave the capital city on the southwestern shore of Lake Managua behind and travel about five hours overland to San Carlos on the southeastern bank of Lake Nicaragua. Then, board a public boat and sail about 2.5 hours down the San Juan River to the jungle village Sabalos. Settle into a rustic jungle lodge and have a good rest.

Change to a kayak this afternoon and paddle around five hours along the river to Bartola. Along the way, land in El Castillo, a historical village standing on the southern bank of the San Juan River and protecting Granada from pirates in old times, and visit the Fortress of the Immaculate Conception.

Late in the day, check into your lodge on the west edge of the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve and relish its biodiversity surroundings.

Continue your kayak adventure to Boca de San Carlos. Before your start, the operations assistant of your expedition leader will travel ahead to prepare the campsite and food for you.

Along the way, you will immerse into the rainforest of the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, crossing some rapids and meeting some remains of steamboats from the 19th century.

Prepare for another full day of kayak adventure, for about 8 hours to Sarapiquí River Delta. Paddle through the heart of the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, exploring the tropical rainforest and spotting colorful birds, like scarlet tanager, king vulture, rainbow-billed toucan, etc.

Kayaking through dense forest and passing untouched islands along the river, about six hours later, you will arrive at El Jobo, a small community initially built by refugees from Costa Rica during wartime. En route, stop at a park ranger station, enjoy a hot drink and learn about local life.

Set off for the last leg of your adventure today, running through the lowlands of the Caribbean and arriving in San Juan del Norte in around five hours. Along the way, you will cross several lagoons and parts of the abandoned canal during the times of the gold rush. Reach your lodge in the early afternoon, relax and celebrate the success of your epic journey along the San Juan River.

It is a free day for recovering from the fatigue of the past few days' thrilling journeys. Enjoy the swimming pool in the lodge or take a leisurely walk to spot the surrounding wildlife. Or, explore the nearby lagoon and old towns at your own pace.

After breakfast, take a boat crossing the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve back to El Castillo and relish in the picturesque town with colorful riverside houses, cobbled streets, and rich histories.

Sail about 2.5 hours along the San Juan River up to San Carlos, where a 2-hour boat across the south of Lake Nicaragua will take you to Puerto Colón. Continue with a 2-hour land journey from Colon to Granada. Arrive at around 1 pm, have lunch and then explore the colonial town with your guide for a glimpse into the colonial past in Central America. Click off the historical landmarks of Granada, visit a local cigar factory and the Tio Antonio Social Center.

Today, a 10-minute boat ride from the Asese Port of Granada will take you to the luxury Jicaro Island Lodge on a private island hidden away on Lake Nicaragua. After arrival, jump in a kayak and explore the surrounding islets with an experienced guide. Navigate through the calm waters, spotting birds and other wildlife around the lake and discovering the daily lives of local fishing communities.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast and a relaxing morning on the island. Then, get back to Granada for the one-hour land transfer to the international airport of Managua. End your Nicaragua expedition and have a smooth journey back home.