Print this trip dossier

Journey Latin America asks you to accept cookies for performance and social media purposes. We use cookies on our website to personalise content, evaluate website traffic and enhance performance. You can delete or restrict cookies via your web browser. To get more information about these cookies and the processing of your personal data see our Cookie Policy. Do you accept these cookies and the processing of personal data involved? Find out more

Nicaragua: Rio San Juan

The beautiful 170km-long Rio San Juan marks the border with Costa Rica and runs from Lake Nicaragua to the Caribbean Sea. Strategically important, it has a hectic history of disputes and attacks from outside Nicaragua and within. The remarkable fortress at El Castillo, built by the Spanish to repel pirates (although Horatio Nelson briefly held it after capture by stealth), bears witness to that. However it’s now a peaceful waterway passing through thick tropical jungle, where efforts are being made to encourage eco-tourism. Downstream from El Castillo is the primary rainforest of the Reserva Biológica Indio Maíiz, possibly the largest nature reserve in Central America.

View all holidays

Signature Nicaragua: Fire, water and revolution

Private journey

10 days from £2,186pp

Cotinga: Off the beaten track Nicaragua

Group tour

18 days from £2,868pp

Signature: Best of Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Private journey

12 days from £2,636pp

Our insider tips for Rio San Juan

Rafe Stone

Wildlife spotting from a boat trip on the river. It’s a rewarding experience, you should see sloths, howler monkeys, macaws, storks and caimans on the banks.

Edward Welham

A visit to the fortress at El Castillo where there is a library with over 1,000 books on the history of the castle and the area around it, and a museum. The views are magnificent from the top.

Lina Fuller

Hiking the trails in the Reserva Biólogica Indio Maíz, a dense, hot stretch of jungle sheltering shy manatees, jaguars, macaws and toucans.

Ben Line

Continuing from San Carlos to relax on the Solentiname Islands on Lake Nicaragua. Only an hour by boat but light years away from the modern world, these 36 peaceful, forest draped tiny islands are vehicle free, with a radical history and world-famous primitivist art.

What our experts say

For me this was the highlight of my trip to Nicaragua in 2014. Taking a boat ride along the forest-fringed, wildlife rich river San Juan and suddenly coming upon rapids, overlooked by the vast bulk of the Spanish fort once seized from the Spanish by Lord Nelson. What a shock! The little port-village of El Castillo beneath with its stilted-houses will inevitably lose some of its remote charm when projected roads and the new canal are completed. Go now to experience the rustic charm of this isolated corner of the country.

Claire Milner

Product and Marketing

What our clients say

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Rio San Juan | Rating: Excellent

Most memorable experience: "Rio San Juan - kayaking down the river in the early morning mist and then walking in the Indo-Maiz reserve."

BC, London | January 2015 | 35 - 50 | With Partner

Rio San Juan | Rating: Excellent

"El Castillo is remote and absolutely rewarding. Our guides took us kayaking and made us a picnic from local produce and treated us like family. Many people never make it to El Castillo and it is so worth it ---no tourists.”

SF, Reading | June 2013

Tailor-made holiday

Speak to an expert Travel Consultant or send us your enquiry today.

Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for over 37 years.
We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.

Design my trip

03098589426

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Articles you may like

Browse our inspiration area of the site. It's packed with insider travel tips, Top5s, competitions, events, recipes and holiday ideas for Central and South America sure to whet your travel appetite.

Easter in Latin America

Q&A: Rafe Stone in Nicaragua

On how not to do a border crossing

Border crossing between Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Our Self-drive Tips

More inspiration

Journey with the UK's NO1 specialist in travel to latin america

Meet Our Specialist

Kathryn Rhodes, Travel Consultants

Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

We love latin america

A passion for the region runs through all we do

All our Consultants have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America

Up-to-the-minute knowledge underpinned by 40 years' experience

travel with confidence

Fully bonded and licensed

ATOL-protected

On your side when it matters

Book with confidence, knowing every penny is secure

The real latin america

Our insider knowledge helps you go beyond the guidebooks

We hand-pick hotels with character and the most rewarding excursions

Let us show you the Latin America we know and love

Feefo - Platinum Trusted Service 2020

British Travel Awards - Best Tour Operator to Central and South America 2019

Selling Travel - Best Tour Operator to Latin America and the Caribbean 2019

Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards - Top Ten Specialist Tour Operator 2019

Feefo - Gold Trusted Service 2018

CIM - Travel Marketing Awards for Best Website 2017

Food and Travel Magazine Readers' Awards - Tour Operator of The Year 2017

Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards - Top Ten Specialist Tour Operator 2017

Selling Travel Agents Choice Awards - Best Tour Operator to Latin America 2017

Food and Travel Magazine Readers' Awards - Tour Operator of The Year 2016

Share this Page

Social share page will open in new window

Send a friend

First name*

Last name*

Email address*

Friend's first name*

Friend's last name*

Friend's email address*

Your message

Would you like to receive our insider tips, offers and holiday advice by monthly emails? You can unsubscribe at any time and we do not pass on your details to third parties.

Nicaragua: Rio San Juan

Visit Us