The San Juan River is a timeless passageway through dense tropical rain forest from Central America's grandest lake to the Caribbean Sea. This historic river was the stage for great colonial period battles between the Spanish Crown and British and French pirates and later became the route of Cornelius Vanderbilt's inter-oceanic steam ship service during the California gold rush. The Rio San Juan, described by Mark Twain as "an earthly paradise", is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding rain forest experiences available anywhere. This boating wildlife safari travels the entire 190 km length of the San Juan River, from the inland sea of Lake Nicaragua to the Caribbean. You'll savor the fabulous flora and fauna of the Indio-Maíz Biological Reserve, 4,000 square kilometers of virgin rainforest and wildlife. The rain forest Indio-Maíz reserve has been described by University of California at Los Angeles biologists as "the gem of Central American nature reserves". We'll explore it in depth with visits to the extraordinary Indio River, which runs into the heart of this precious rain forest nature reserve and many others of the reserve's hidden veins. The Indio-Maíz Biological Reserve is home to many endangered species: howler, white faced and spider monkeys, jaguar, giant anteaters, crocodiles, toucans, parrots and a rainbow of orchid and butterflies. Over 600 species of birds live here, along with more than 300 species of reptiles and 200 species of mammals. Join us for a trip into the lungs of Central America, into the biggest expanse of lowland rain forest north of the Amazon basin, Nicaragua's Indio-Maíz Biological Reserve.

San Juan River and Indio-Maíz Rain Forest Reserve Itinerary

DAY 01: MANAGUA
Airport greeting and transfer to the Hotel Intercontinental.
DAY 02: SAN CARLOS - SAN JUAN RIVER - SARAPIQUÍ RIVER
Breakfast and transfer to airport for domestic flight to the jungle capital of San Carlos, transfer to dock to board private boat. Magnificent journey down the mighty Río San Juan with wildlife viewing. Lunch in route. Continue down river to the confluence of the Sarapiquí River and the Río San Juan. Dinner and lodging at the basic river front lodge of Doña Adilia.
DAY 03: SAN JUAN RIVER - CARIBBEAN SEA - BAY OF SAN JUAN
Breakfast at the lodge and early boat departure for the great journey down the Río San Juan. This part of the river is full of turtles, caimans and crocodiles as well as monkeys and is great for bird watching. Continue down the Rio San Juan to its spectacular finish at the Caribbean Sea. Visit to the famous sand bar where the river meets the sea. Lodging on the spectacular rain forest bay of San Juan at the luxury wilderness Rio Indio Lodge. Lunch and dinner at the lodge.
DAY 04: GREYTOWN - BAY OF SAN JUAN
Visit to the old British ghost town called Greytown, which is now covered in tropical rainforest and located in the giant San Juan Bay. The old settlement described by Mark Twain is great for birding and is historically fascinating. Hiking near the lodge on several rain forest trails to view monkey, sloths and many rare birds. All meals and lodging at Rio Indio Lodge.
DAY 05: INDIO RIVER / RIO INDIO, INDIO-MAIZ
Early breakfast and departure up the virgin Río Indio for exploration in boat, into the east side of the Indio-Maíz Reserve. Half-day boat tour to explore this untamed paradise of rain forest flora and fauna. The Río Indio is like no other in Central America with kilometer after kilometer of thick rainforest filled with wildlife. This kind of untouched tropical splendor can not be found anywhere else north of the Amazon. All meals and lodging at the Rio Indio Lodge.
DAY 06: BAY OF SAN JUAN - SAN JUAN RIVER - EL CASTILLO
Breakfast and private boat transfer up the Río San Juan. The chance to see the length of the river twice means that new rainforest species are spotted, weather conditions change and the river shows a different face to the visitor. Often on the return journey we spot more crocodiles and iguanas, as well as Scarlet Macaws and other previously unseen bird species. Lunch, dinner and lodging at El Castillo on the Río San Juan. Lodging at Posada del Rio.
DAY 07: EL CASTILLO - MANAGUA
Private boat transfer up the Río San Juan to San Carlos for domestic flight to Managua. Airport greeting and transfer to check in to the Hotel Intercontinental. Farewell dinner.
DAY 08: MANAGUA
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to international airport for flight home.

San Juan River Rainforest tour includes:

• Ground transportation in private car with a/c and driver
• Cessna Grand Caravan 208B flight: Managua - San Carlos - Managua
• 2 nights lodging at Hotel Intercontinental in Managua
• 1 night lodging at Doña Adilia, San Juan River
• 3 nights lodging at the Río Indio Lodge in San Juan Bay
• 1 night lodging at Posada del Río, San Juan River
• All meals
• 6 days of private motorboat touring
• 6 days service of an expert river boatman
• Hiking in the rainforest of the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
• Visit in private boat to the Rio Indio inside the Indio-Maíz
• Visit to Spanish colonial fort at El Castillo
• All admissions and hotel taxes
• Full time assistance of an English speaking guide
• Assistance of selected local guides

All tours are private and can begin any day of the year.

Tour costs depend on the number of travelers in your party; please specify number when requesting a quote.

Custom tour itineraries are available upon request.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rain Forest Tour does not include: International flights or airport taxes. Travel insurance, tips, visas, or medical treatment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please contact us