Lonely Planet Nicaragua (Travel Guide) by Lonely Planet & Egerton Alex & Benchwick Greg

Author:Lonely Planet & Egerton, Alex & Benchwick, Greg [Egerton, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications
Published: 2013-06-30T21:00:00+00:00

Reserva Privada Hato Nuevo

Just near the turnoff to Mechapa, is the newly established private reserve ( in Chinandega 2341-4245; www.hatonuevo.com; Carretera El Viejo–Potosí, Km 177.5; s/d incl breakfast US$40/50) . Rooms in the old farmhouse are a careful blend of rustic charm and modern amenity, and the dining area, bar and gardens are all beautifully designed. It offers trekking, horseback riding and boat tours.

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Reserva Natural Volcán Cosigüina

It was once the tallest volcano in Central America, perhaps more than 3000m high, but all that changed on January 20, 1835. In what’s considered the Americas’ most violent eruption since colonization, this hot-blooded peninsular beauty blew half her height in a single blast that left three countries in stifling darkness for days and scattered ash from Mexico to Colombia. Today what remains of Volcán Cosigüina reclines, as if spent, the broad and jagged 872m heart of the peninsula. It’s now a very manageable (if blisteringly hot) three-hour climb up one of two trails to the top: Sendero La Guacamaya , which starts at the ranger’s station near El Rosario; and Sendero el Jovo , which descends to more developed Potosí.

And beyond all that lies the Golfo de Fonseca , bordered by the largest mangrove stand left in the Americas. In the other direction, around the volcano’s back, Punta Ñata overlooks cliffs that plunge 250m into the Farallones-studded sea.

Sore muscles? Head to the hot springs ; in Potosí, Centro Ecoturistico Potosí offers hot springs with shade and food service, or go wild at one of several undeveloped springs that locals will happily point out.

Tours

Ecodetur GUIDED TOUR

( 8320-3481; www.ecodetour.com; entrance to Potosí) This homegrown tour operator does volcano tours (US$15 per person, five hours), birding trips to the neighboring Los Islotes islands (US$45 per person, four-person minimum) and fun shrimping tours (US$15 per person).

Sleeping

Hotel Brisas del Golfo HOTEL $$

( 8774-4356; Potosí; s/d US$20/25) This friendly hotel has clean beds, Pepto-pink rooms and a laid-back restaurant – it’s also the only place to stay in town, unless you can arrange a homestay.

Getting There & Away

There are at least three buses daily to Chinandega (US$1.50, 3½ hours). One bus leaves Chinandega daily for Punta Ñata (US$1.50, 3½ hours) at 1pm, returning in the early morning.

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