What makes Río San Juan special can be seen in the Solentiname Archipelago: it is designated a national monument and is also the site of archaeological finds. Pieces of unknown Indigenous origin have been found buried at scattered locations. Inscriptions have also been discovered on walls and in caves on various islands. These different traces make Solentiname a cultural highlight of the destination. If you also seek out history when you travel, the archipelago offers a tangible point of reference within the Department of Río San Juan.

Protected Areas and Regional Nature Highlights

The protected areas in the Department of Río San Juan include the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, the Río San Juan Wildlife Refuge, the Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge and the San Miguelito Wetland System. Their names make it easy to distinguish among them: alongside one biological reserve are two wildlife refuges and a wetland system. For nature enthusiasts, this distinction provides an initial point of reference; the selection includes different types of protected areas rather than just one category.

Activities in the Municipalities

Birdwatching, hiking, sport fishing and boat trips are possible activities in the municipalities of the Department of Río San Juan. This selection appeals to different interests: observing nature, getting around on foot, and activities on the water. This raises a practical question for planning your trip: would you prefer to focus mainly on observing, hiking or an experience on the water?

By the Lakeshore and in Rural Tourism

Playa El Arenal is a beach on the lakeshore. This specific lakeside location adds a clearly named place on the lake to the region’s nature highlights. Another facet is provided by cocoa farms and a chocolate tour, which are part of community-based rural tourism in the Department of Río San Juan. In addition to nature and water activities, cocoa and chocolate thus come into focus as a culinary and rural highlight.

Nicaragua in Comparison with Other Islands

The wider destination of Nicaragua has island destinations in different bodies of water. The Isletas de Granada are among the island destinations in the great lakes. Corn Island, the Miskito Cays and the Perlas Cays are among Nicaragua’s Caribbean island destinations. Ometepe and the Island of Love are also among the country’s island destinations. This comparison places Solentiname within the country’s broader diversity: island destinations can be found in the great lakes as well as in the Caribbean. If you are comparing island destinations in Nicaragua, you can begin by distinguishing between the great lakes and the Caribbean region.

A Festival with a Historical Date

The Carnaval Acuático de Río San Juan is a cultural marker in time. The 2021 edition was celebrated on November 20; additional activities began on November 18, two days earlier. By that edition, the event had been held for 13 consecutive years. If you would like to include the Carnaval in your travel plans, check the dates for the edition you want to attend.

Discover more destinations: El Castillo, Santa Cruz, San Carlos, Las Colinas, Mancarrón. Managua, Rivas, Granada.

Go to the main travel overview: Nicaragua.