Posted by Elisha & Gordon MacKay on May 13, 2014 May 13, 2014 Sights & Activities A photo gallery showcasing some of our favorite photos from our trip to Rio San Juan. (Click on any thumbnail to view larger sized images). We drove 6.5 hours from San Juan del Sur to arrive in San Carlos where we spent the night so we could catch the water taxi the next morning. A young fisherman in San Carlos. Ferry terminal in San Carlos. The sign says you may not bring dead animals on the ferry. We took “the fast boat” to the town of El Castillo. The boat ride from San Carlos took 1.5 hours and cost approximately $4 USD per person. The ride was relaxing. The views picturesque. The Port in El Castillo. This little town doesn’t have streets, just small paths. It has several hotels, hostels, restaurants, eateries and a butterfly reserve. Hotel Victoria turned out to be our hotel of choice and a great choice it was! $20 USD got us a super clean and comfortable room with air conditioning AND hot water. It was so great to be able to take this trip with my parents who were visiting us from New Brunswick, Canada. Cute, compact and crowned with it’s stunning 17th century Spanish Fortess, we really enjoyed our time in El Castillo. Taking a break from deliveries to send a text. Substitute for a pick up truck on the Rio San Juan. Many residents of El Castillo use dug out canoes like this as a means of transportation. Catholic Church – El Castillo, Nicaragua River rapids on the Rio San Juan at El Castillo, Nicaragua Fortress of El Castillo La Fortaleza El Castillo was built in 1672 to protect colonial Nicaragua from the attack of foreign enemies. Stone walkways surrounding the fort. River view from the top of the Spanish fort. Family photo at the Fortress of El Castillo. Renting rubber boots at Nena Lodge for our hike in Indio Maiz. Cost was $1 USD per pair. En route to Indio Maíz Biological Reserve with my parents and Maggie. Total cost for our 5-hour tour was $75 USD. Our guide had a great eye for spotting birds and other wildlife. We spotted this iguana basking in the sun at the river’s edge. This four month old baby ocelot was rescued along the river. Bartola was a feisty little cat and really not fond of our Miniature Schnauzer Maggie. Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off for a jungle hike we go! Just a couple of minutes into our hike we spotted this sloth. Rubber Tree The indigenous people use the leaves from this plant to make brooms. Poisonous tree frog. Another little frog. This one was the “non-poisonous” kind. Walking Palm Tree Natural Toilet Paper A Little Lizard Heron After hiking for a couple of hours we boated up the river to the swimming hole. A two minute boat ride from where we stopped to swim we spotted this “wee” caiman. Maggie, my Dad and Gordon enjoying a dip in the Rio San Juan. Having a good time and a “glass” of red wine in the river. Maggie hanging out in the boat watching out for the ocelot. Share this:FacebookPinterestWhatsAppLike this:Like Loading...
Fantastic pics! Looks like you had a great time. The baby ocelot is super cute. shellmcc1106 May 14, 2014 at 8:05 am 11 years ago
Nice pictures! It hasn’t warmed up here yet, so it looks even more appealing! julie moore May 14, 2014 at 9:07 am 11 years ago
Fantastic pics! Looks like you had a great time. The baby ocelot is super cute.
Nice pictures! It hasn’t warmed up here yet, so it looks even more appealing!
Great pics and tour. Thank you.