The market at San Carlos is hands-down the best place to try typical Nicaraguan dishes. It is also wise to purchase any essentials that you will need for the trip down the San Juan river. Here you can also observe local life.
San Carlos is a small but hectic port town. Located at the mouth of the River San Juan, this is where the journey truly begins. From San Carlos, it is possible to take day trips to places of amazing natural beauty or to various beautiful islands. A truly “off the beaten track” destination.
⭐ Local life – 10/10
⭐ Local food – 10/10
⭐ Adventure – 9/10
⭐ Night life – 8/10
At this point along the route, you have two travel options: boat or bus.
Buses are a practical option, as they leave to San Carlos every day. You will pay 220 córdobas for the eight-hour journey. Managua is easy to get to from Granada. More buses leave from Managua to San Carlos every day than from Granada, making it a good connection option.
Taking this journey by boat is a cheaper alternative, at around 150 córdobas. However, the boat only leaves once a week, on Mondays. It sets sail from Granada in the evening, delivering passengers to San Carlos by the next morning. This makes for a very enjoyable ride, since the boat sails off during sunset. Bring a fleece and something to cover you, like a blanket or a sheet. Be prepared to sleep on a bench (or bring a hammock!). During the boat trip, you can buy relatively inexpensive food, roughly in the price range of 50-120 córdobas.
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Hostal Seledith and its kind owner offer a safe and pleasant guest house for your San Carlos stay. This hostel can’t be booked online, but it is unlikely that it will be full. Therefore, it is totally fine to simply show up and pay your 500 córdobas for a two-person room.
To get there: Hostel Seledith is located at around a 5-minute walk away from Muelle San Carlos. This is where both the port and bus terminals for San Carlos arrivals are located. Since the two stations are opposite each other, you will need to turn left if coming out of the port, or right if out of the bus terminal. You want to go towards the Malecon. For this, you will be walking through the market. Keep walking straight on the main road through the market, then pass the Malecon. The road with Hostel Seledith will be the second to last street on your right. It is located right on the corner. You can recognise the building by its beautiful blue-white colour and pretty patio.
The market at San Carlos is hands-down the best place to try typical Nicaraguan dishes. It is also wise to purchase any essentials that you will need for the trip down the San Juan river. Here you can also observe local life.
Monkeys, jaguars, deer, butterflies, reptiles, and birds roam and fly over this rich reserve. You can explore this jungle sanctuary on horseback or on foot. A day tour from San Carlos costs 25 USD. This price includes transport, entry fee, a guide for the hike, and lunch. If you prefer to stay overnight, the 40 USD ticket will grant you lodging and three meals, alongside the entry fee and guided hike.
An archipelago of 36 islands located on the Lake Nicaragua, perfect for art and history lovers. All the inhabitants of these islands are artists who actively create art, such as balsa carvings and primitivist paintings. This place is also full of gorgeous natural spots and unique, colourful birds. The Solentiname Islands are not touristy, so your only choice of accommodation is staying at a local’s house, which is a wonderful experience! The islands can be reached from the San Carlos port and the ride lasts around 2 hours and cost 150 córdobas.
This ecological reserve is home to over 100 species of orchid, as well as turtle hatcheries and caiman breeding centres. Los Guatuzos is the best place to get close to the unique wildlife of Nicaragua. You can explore the reserve on a kayak or canoe, or go hiking with a knowledgeable local guide. A guided hike will cost you around 150 córdobas, while a canoe tour through the dense jungle and rivers of the reserve costs 350 córdobas. There are plenty of other tours and options to choose from, too.
