Overview
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.
Holidays Rio San Juan
From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.
Group - Discovery
Nicaragua
Cotinga: Off the beaten track Nicaragua
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
Nicaragua
Signature Nicaragua: Fire, water and revolution
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
Costa Rica / Nicaragua
Signature: Best of Costa Rica and Nicaragua
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
El Salvador / Nicaragua
Undiscovered El Salvador and Nicaragua
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.
Where to go when - our guide to Rio San Juan
The weather in Rio San Juan is wide and varied
The Rio San Juan is 170 kms long and marks the border with Costa Rica. Passing through thick tropical jungle it was in the past strategically important and the fortress at El Castillo was built by the Spanish to repel pirates. Now efforts are being made to encourage eco-tourism and the area is home to one of the largest nature reserves in the region.
View our Rio San Juan weather guidePapagaio
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