We visited after several weeks of heavy rain, so unfortunately, there were still some dirty patches in the ocean, especially around the rip tides (with green-yellow foam). The water failed the biweekly official quality tests, but that didn’t stop most people from enjoying the beach and water. The water temperature was fantastic, and we had amazing conditions for surfing. One very windy day made it tough for me as a beginner to paddle out to the lineup, but otherwise, the beach was super beginner-friendly. My husband and I took semi-private lessons with Kim from Nosara Surf Academy, and they were the best surfing lessons I’ve ever had! Kim was incredibly effective, and I felt safe pushing past my previous limits—highly recommend. One downside: the beach has almost no shade. I strongly suggest bringing a beach tent or canvas for sun protection; otherwise, it’s easy to get burned. Most people seemed to stay just a few hours before heading out. If you walk toward the end of the beach, there are several shortcuts to Playa Peladas, where you can see the water geyser! Also La Luna is the perfect spot for a drink will watching the sunset!

Hands down, the best beach for kids in the world (that I've been to). Surf was OK, not great. But the beach was uncrowded and all the people that were there were so friendly. You can walk down to the tide pools to the north and see live corals. Just love this beach so much. I played in the perfect sandbar waves for hours and hours with my daughter. I caught a few waves too on a 6'8" fun board. I will miss this place. I hope I make it back someday.

Amazing, open and extensive beach. Perfect to see sunsets. It's so big, that it's never crowded. The nice thing is that this is a tourist gathering spot and there is a lot of social and mingling, within a laid and relaxed vive. Upmarket feel. Perfect for surfing. Walking distance from restaurants and hotels.

My husband was scared after seeing a review about someone’s dad died from the strong rip tides there. Which made me scared too. Yes the tides were strong around 1pm-2pm still that day on a sunny day. It’s a quiet decent beach. Some surfers.

Playa Guiones in Costa Rica is a superb destination for surfing with a laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty. We recently brought 15 international surfers here for a coaching trip, and Playa Guiones exceeded our expectations. Surfing Experience: Playa Guiones offers consistent waves suitable for surfers of all levels. Our group enjoyed personalized coaching sessions against the backdrop of the beach's spacious shoreline. Beach Atmosphere: The beach exudes a relaxed, upscale vibe, appealing to both locals and tourists. Despite its popularity, Playa Guiones remains uncrowded, allowing us to focus on surfing and enjoy the serene surroundings. Local Life: The town is ideal for those who appreciate a slow-paced lifestyle. Evenings are quiet, with limited nightlife options apart from occasional house parties or events at places like Selina. Local Amenities: Conveniently located restaurants and hotels provide opportunities to explore Costa Rican cuisine and immerse oneself in the local culture after a day of surfing. Overall Experience: Our surf coaching trip to Playa Guiones was unforgettable. It offers excellent surfing conditions and a peaceful ambiance, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay in Costa Rica.

Spent a week at the nearby Bodhi Tree Resort and loved this serene beach! Sunset painting, sunrise bike riding, beginner surf lesson, and playing in the waves. Pura vida, good for the soul!

Fantastic place for learning to surf. The waves are popular, i.e. crowded, but with our awesome instructors it was no issue.. several huts for shade but otherwise bring an umbrella/tent to avoid the sun. Amazingly clean. Incredibly soft sand.

A reality like few others. To admire, support, and share with everyone. I’m always a little unsure of sanctuaries, I never understand if they are actually made for the animal’s sake or more for the money they attract. BUT, this is definitely not the case. We could say is more like an hospice, an hospital for wild animals, were the weakest have the chance to survive in a safe environment. Their work is really touching and necessary, being pretty much the only one in the country operating all round. We arrived at the Reserva at 15.30, and it normally closes at 16, but they let us stay inside a little longer and this was super nice, as we travelled from far to visit it. We also saw some wild monkeys around the place. This place and the people that work here deserve all the support—both financial and through word of mouth. To tell their story, to tell the story of the animals they save, and to ensure that this project, active for 25 years, will never come to an end. You guys are heroes! Thank you for doing what you do. (And thank you Fernando for telling us all this and introducing the animals to us.)

We really enjoyed viewing the rescued animals and learning from the staff. They have a big job with the number of animals that are brought to them. The animals that cannot be returned to the wild are well cared for and provide a great viewing opportunity. We saw pumas, a jaguar, spider and white face monkeys, parrots, macaw, toucan, deer, turtles, and more. It also felt good knowing that our tickets help support their future rescue and educational activities.

Great stop on our way from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa. Saw many animals … all well taken care off. Everything is done to try to release them again in nature is they are able to…. Really worth a visit! Saw all the big cats too!

Beautiful, ethical sanctuary focused on rehabilitation. The workers are wonderful with so much knowledge, love and respect for Costa Rican wildlife. Amazing experience. Highly recommend.

We also stopped here to break up our drive from La Fortuna to Samara. It had friendly staff and tons of animals that had been rescued from all kinds of sad situations. They're doing something great helping all these animals and the admission was only $15 USD.

This was a fun stop during our roadtrip. The park consists mostly of rescued animals who can not be rehabilitated into the wild. Every animal had their own sign with their story. The park itself is not too large, a visit takes about an hour. It is not too busy and you can see most animals well. Some cages could use some extra plants but it seems the animals are well taken care of.

Very cool place. Definitely worth swinging by for an hour or two. Lots of pumas, a couple jaguars, monkeys, macaws and more. A legit rescue facility that either rehabilitates animals for re-release if possible or keeps them if they cannot be released.

Amazing ecosystem, lots of animals- tons of different herons, migrating and local birds, crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and even saw a deer. It can get hot and more dry than the majority of tropical Costa Rica, but makes for a unique ecological environment. Absolutely worth checking out, only about 1.5 hours from Lake Arenal, even closer to Volcan Tenorio National Park.

It's hard to write a review of this place because in one hand you have beautiful nature, places to walk/hike around and great views; but in the other hand you have so many mosquitoes that will not leave you alone a second and will make you feel miserable! I recommend to go during January or so (when it's very windy!) so first confirm with the local station when is windy so you really enjoy it. The people is very nice, super friendly and the food is always delicious, however the infrastructure really need maintenance. The rooms and specially the bathrooms are very abandoned!

What else is there to say other than this place is absolutely breathtaking? An absolutely MASSIVE bird watching wetland is the central focus of this beautiful park. It is quite a way off the beaten trail, but with boat tours available, hiking trails, and a picturesque wetland how can one pass it up? It is also a beautiful display of the biodiversity of the area. On my way driving there, we went from a dense jungle down to a more arid landscape. The micro-biomes of changing flora are as much of a treat as the land itself. Make sure to educate yourself of the dangers of this land though, like the Acacia Tree, which maintains a symbiotic relationship with ants and will harm you if disturbed. Or the snakes that hide in the tall grass. Be prepared! And have fun exploring this magical place!

A great nature park with plenty of wildlife, great views and dense forest. Several trails, with lookout points, and plenty of roads throughout the park to see everything. In addition, there is a paid boat tour available at the far side of the park, with very friendly and knowledgeable staff. On our 80 minute tour we saw alligators, green herons, iguanas and monkeys. Highly recommend paying this park a visit.

The park is amazing, the tour was okay. We were only on the boys tour for about 40 minutes which wasn't enough time to see much, although we did see a fair amount. We were able to see bats, iguanas, monkeys, Jesus lizard, crocodiles, birds... The tour of the traditional (historical) sugar processing plantation was also interesting.

We used Hacienda La Vieja Wetlands tour to go on the river and they were excellent. We went in December and there weren't any mosquitos. Highly recommend the river boat trip. Saw monkeys, lizards, crocodiles, tropical birds.

We went here on a boat tour and it was awesome! Our tour guide Rodrigo was so knowledgeable of the area. We saw crocodiles, birds, iguanas and monkeys. Such a unique area to explore! Will definitely return.

The owner's 9 years in Italy show in the pizza quality. The Arab Antipasto and the Blu, Jungle & Bacon Pizza, especially, would hold their own against any highly rated big city place.

Secluded Paradise in the process of being discovered. Get there before it's too late

I have been at beaches all over the world and this is one of my favourite! Just so fun. Waves rolling in but gently and predictable. You can get out a long ways. Warm clean water. Great sunsets. One of my top 10 beaches in Costa Rica!

Beautiful beach with lots of surf and fishing. Perfect for walks on the beach with smooth sand and much less rocks.

This beach seems more for surfers than anybody else. Waves are huge and the water comes pretty far up the shore. The main complaint I have about this place is that the road getting here is terrible. I would recommend something with a high front and rear clearance. I did it with low clearance kia, it was possible by going slow but it took pretty long. There is parking. If you type in Playa avellana on Waze it will take you to the correct place.

Pristine beach, isolated from the hustle of Tamarindo and more than 5 surf breaks for all levels.

This place is known as little Hawaii, we didn’t understand why. The beach is rocky and hard to get in. You have to access it thru the restaurant Lola’s, the location in the map shows the access via Hacienda Pinilla, which you need to call in advance and make a reservation. I think they charge $35 per person for the day use of Hacienda Pinilla beach bar. We didn’t visit it since we accessed the beach via Lola’s restaurant. The street to access the beach is rough, but most beach access on this side of the coast are bad.

Nice waterfall, lots of steps so not accessible for wheelchairs or folks with mobility issues. Fun for swimming. We saw some monkeys in the trees.

Cortez Waterfall is an easy, quick stop from Liberia and worth the visit if you’re already exploring the area. The walk down is short, the space opens up nicely at the bottom. During rainy season, the water isn’t clear — it turns more brown and heavy from the runoff — but the flow is stronger, and the falls themselves look more powerful. Even without the bright turquoise water you see in dry-season photos, the spot is still impressive and good for cooling off. It’s a simple place: no major facilities, just a natural waterfall you can reach without a long hike. Good for a quick swim, photos, or a stop on the way to other attractions around Liberia.

I didn’t swim in the water but many people did and seemed to really enjoy it. This was a very calm and peaceful part of the tour. Fairly steep flight of stairs down but good width/safety of the steps. I’d recommend!

Easy access. Short walk down steps. Not far off the main road. An easy addition to another excursion. $7 per person for entry. Bathrooms and vendors in parking lot. Can swim.

Beautiful, peaceful. There were 2 guides to help with questions and picture taking. Very knowledgeable.

Absolutely beautiful! The water was a little murky but we absolutely enjoyed every minute. Would definitely recommend water shoes. There are rocks that I ended up cutting my feet on even with my sandals firmly strapped on. Once you get down to the waterfall area there is a trail off to the left that will take you to stairs where you can see the view from above but before you head up the stairs continue on the trail to a dive pool. Bring snacks!

Inexpensive, with easy access (5 minutes off the highway; 100m staircase). Water was murky (during the wet season at least). Good value nonetheless.

This place was pretty cool. They offer tours that will take you to the waterfall to take pictures. My wife and I saw plenty of people doing this, but we just went by ourselves. The trail is very well maintained and clear. Although, the elevation is extremely intense both ways. Wear proper footwear as it is steep, wet, and slippery. We saw the tourists in slides and bathing suits...it didn't seem like swimming was something you could do there. Also, we saw a few people slipping and falling onto their butts due to wearing improper footwear. It took a little under 2 hours for us to complete the full trail using trekking poles and moving quickly. The blue river is really neat, but the views from altitude were the coolest parts for us. We saw a family of Capuchin Monkeys. If you drive your car here (totally recommend) there is a parking lot for $6 next to the park entrance. The entrance fee was about $12 per person and you have to pay online. You can't bring any food into the park. Overall, this was worth it, and a great workout. Don't bring grandma.

This is a wonderful place if you enjoy outdoor hiking. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes because you will walk a lot ! I saw two snakes on the way but they seemed cool.

First and foremost if your coming buy your tickets in advance. Make an account and buy the tickets, they will not see you at the window without tickets and service sucks once you get there. The walk was awesome not recommended to do it if your hungover but that did help me sweat everything out. The walk is easy but if any elderly that can’t walk or is difficult to walk don’t do it. It’s flat then hilly and full of rocks. The water fall is amazing but the only downside of it is that you can’t walk all the way down to the bottom it’s closed off due to fallen trees. So you can only see it from where we took the photo. Is it worth the money maybe, but you should look elsewhere to get to a waterfall up close. You drive over the water and that’s free you can’t miss it. If we would of known that we couldn’t get to the bottom we would of gone to another one.

3km out and back hike. Challenging at times, but difficult parts are either paved or have man made stairs. The access to the waterfall was closed and definitely makes the effort of the hike less enjoyable but the pool and mixing area are worth it for those who enjoy the beauty and science of the natural world. Plenty of wildlife too including toucans, capuchins and coati.

Beautiful waterfall after a short hike. Trails are well maintained with interesting wildlife to be seen. Stairs were involved and it's a rainforest so we had some rain. Get there early. Nearby parking for a small fee.

One of the busier parks that we visited while in Costa Rica, but with good reason. We got our tickets ahead of time and we didn't have to wait to get in at all. We only went as far to see the blue lagoon waterfall, but I would almost wager that is enough on its own with how beautiful it is. The hike isn't too far but does have some decent vertical bits, and about 250 steps (each way) if you want to get to the base of the waterfall, which I highly recommend doing. At the parking lot there are bunch of vendors with delicious fresh fruit and other foods that make a great refreshing recovery snack after some good exercise.

We visited the park during the start of the rainy season but got lucky that it didn’t rain to much. 100% worth it to see the Rio Celeste. Parking cost 3,000 colones and afterwards you can get a chilled green coconut and fruit as a snack.

We had a relaxing boat ride led by a local guide and saw a large number of birds and caimans. Also a buffalo and monkeys!

If you're seeking an authentic, off-the-beaten-path wildlife experience in Costa Rica, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is a must-visit. Located near the Nicaraguan border in Alajuela Province, this remote haven offers a serene escape into one of Central America's most biodiverse wetland ecosystems.

I loved it here - away from the majority of tourists and lots of wildlife. To see it you definitely need to take a boat. I organised one at the bridge very easily - I was a couple of hours early and they fed me some fresh fruit and as much coffee as I could drink. There were some cayman directly in front of the restaurant which kept me busy.

Amazing place to see lots of birds and reptiles. You must have a guide, as without one you really wouldn't see much. I never knew that huge iguanas spent most of their time at the very top of trees, its amazing to see. I recommend you booking a tour for 10am, most suggest 7am, but that totally unnecessary. Also, I recommend if driving use the road from number 4, not 35. Road 35 has much more potholes and large rocks.

Nice boat tour. We got to see Spider Monkeys, Congos, lots of birds, a caiman and they even let us get off the boat and we went searching for a beautiful orange howling monkey! Gustavo and our captain (forgot his name) where very knowledgeable and really friendly! We finished with a nice lunch!

We had a wonderful 2 hour boat tour seeing all kinds of wildlife. Our guide was amazing at spotting things and ta,ing us in for a closer look. Although the day was hot, being in a covered boat on the river was delightful. Recommended

Fantastic wildlife, very close as boat drifted up and down stream. Definitely worth visiting. The drive there is tiring (so called Costa Rica massage 🤣😖) but the place is incredibly rewarding. We saw at least 23 species of bird and I suspect a lot more, plus caymans, crocodiles, lizards, iguanas, monkeys (at a distance), turtles

Fantastic park, we all had a great time. The zip lines are amazing and nice to see all the safety gear for the staff as well as the guests. Very nice animal park with large cages for animals, friendly staff around to tell you all about the animals. Horse riding was also pretty fun. Excellent buffet lunch, everything fresh and crisp , nice coffee and juices. Craft beers and full bar available for extra charge, craft beers were 5,000 colons ($10 us dollars ). Great view from the restaurant/main office. The coffee tour was interesting and sugar cane crushing was fun. Overall we all had a great day. Plenty of parking. Recommend staying a whole day in order to fit everything in.

Beautiful!!!! The park is absolutely gorgeous! The view of the ocean and Riu below is breathtaking. We sat and watched zip lining for a while. My husband and I did the nature walk. It’s a zoo. I was a little disappointed. It is nicely organized and clean, except for windows, but I’m assuming the animals make most of the mess. The animals looked well cared for. The sloth feeding was a little disappointing as you could not always hear the announcer. It’s a lovely park. I just think they should call it a zoo or animal park, not a nature walk.

Such a fun day! The all day adventure pass is well worth it. Nice buffet lunch after zip lining. Everything was well maintained and staff very professional. Zip lining felt very safe. The zoo is very well done too. So much to do on property you really can spend a whole day here. Be sure to bring an insulated water bottle to refill.

The zoo is especially well done with great landscaping and enclosures where you can actually see the native animals up close. The toucan and butterfly exhibits are especially captivating. Keepers are very knowledgeable and provide valuable information. There is also ziplining with one called the Superman. Exciting! A cultural experience, horseback riding, ATVs, a beach walk, a good buffet, and a gift shop are also available. Oh, there is also a spectacular view from the restaurant. Highly recommend a visit!

What a adventure! We did day passes which included all parts of the park, ziplining, buffet lunch, parking, shuttle, lockers. Only $140 each for all of that. The animal sanctuary was amazing. We spent the most time there. Saw many animals I have never seen before. The biggest adventure part was the ziplining. One was a MILE LONG! And started at the top of a mountain! For real. Good grief. I never would have done it if I had realized before hand. But, we did it. The crew was fantastic getting us in our harnesses and gear. Total of 5 zip lines and one drop zone or short repel. Fun and scary, too. Kenneth was an absolute treat to work with and talk to. The botanical center and learning centers were interesting. It was super hot while we were in there, so we cut that shorter than we should have. Lunch buffet hot and fresh. Also had salad bar, tea, juices, dessert. Nice selections available. Hammocks available to relax at the beach, or paddle boards. Also opportunities to ride horses or ATVs which we chose not to. Easy to spend the whole day there! So glad we did that.

Experience was great - the zip line was incredible and had the most spectacular views. The lunch that was with our package was so so, it got us easily each something we could enjoy though. The staff was so friendly from every driver and zip line person and each naturalist we spoke with.

Awesome! What’s a great place to spend the day at! So much to do. Great place to come when visiting Costa Rica. Family filled fun. If you’re driving here consider renting at least a mid performance car or at least something with 4x4. Steep hills and rocky dirt roads that are washed out or muddy. Driving yourself not for the weak of heart: narrow winding roads

My first time travelling to Costa Rica and I was not disappointed. October stay and was met with beautiful sunshine every day. Beach, restaurant's and groceries are all within walking distance. I'll be back.

Spent a week on this quiet, lovely beach. Sand may not be the prettiest due to all the volcanic pumice, but it is so soft. Nice tree cover at end of beach with path to walk with easy access to the handful of restaurant/hotels/bars that filled our needs (and bellies) for the week. Area is a wild mixture of wealth and poverty and is very safe. Will definitely be back.

The beach was less crowded and pleasant. There were more food options and it wasn’t as touristy.

Great beach with few tourists. We enjoyed restaurants with local fare, the sunsets, beautiful water, and relaxing atmosphere.

Im photograper in Playa Hermosa is a true paradise in Guanacaste. Soft sand, calm waters, and sunsets that look like paintings. The perfect spot to relax, enjoy with family, and capture unforgettable moments with stunning photo sessions. A magical corner of Costa Rica that always inspires!

Really fun beach. Calm waves break for kids do play in. Keep in mind the sand is black and very fine got everywhere but soft to walk on and kids loved playing with it. Very big too so plenty of space to have your space and vegetation to have shade when you want it. There is limited parking right on the beach no hike down tot eh water needed. Also has a few restaurants options near by including one on beach that is part of a hotel. Restaurant on beach I expensive but a good option.

Beautiful beach!!! And relaxing. You can see stingrays and cute fishes

From the moment we arrived at the hacienda, we were completely immersed in the beauty and culture of Costa Rica. The property is absolutely stunning – a perfect blend of natural wonder and authentic charm. It felt like stepping into another world. The service was nothing short of exceptional. Every staff member was warm, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about making our stay unforgettable. Their attention to detail and dedication to hospitality made us feel right at home. The range of activities offered on the property was spectacular. The highlight for us was the waterfall and Rio Negro – both far exceeded our expectations. Crystal-clear water, breathtaking views, and a sense of untouched natural beauty that’s hard to describe. If you're looking for a place that offers adventure, relaxation, culture, and world-class service all in one, this hacienda is a must-visit. We can’t wait to come back!

We loved our time at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin! There is a lot of beautiful things to see and do right on the property and very close to the National Park and La Leona. As someone with a gluten allergy, I was delighted that all the food on the property is Gluten Free (and delicious!). We stayed in the Honeymoon suite and while the room was great, we were bummed that the private pool was not heated and very cold. Overall, I highly recommended a stay here.

We loved this hotel! It was located on such an expansive beautiful property with so many things to see and do. We thoroughly enjoyed the one day adventure with waterfall rappelling, tubing down the river, zip lining through the canyon, horseback riding to a waterfall, followed by relaxing at the hot springs.

We did not stay in the hotel, so I cannot speak to the quality of the rooms, but the adventure tours were fantastic! We went first with a big group of 7 of us on the Canyon Half-Day tour and had an absolute blast. All the guides were competent and there was always at least one guide who's english was very good. We went back a second day in a row for tubing and horseback riding, and had an equally great time.

One the plus: - Perfect location - nearby activities are included and shuttle bus also - lots of activities - rooms are nice - staff mostly friendly On the negative - the food! Breakfast is OK Neither of the two restaurants offer good food, however. Vegetables were completely burnt, kids' chicken fingers soaked in oil and no salt at all. Burger below average, and so on Pizza was pretty good though - room doors are simply on thin layer of wood, why? - the zip line tour was really worrying!! Nothing happened, but our group was about 50 people, and all were rushed through the course. Staff was clearly not able to focus on safety. All the time, two people were on the same line. Platforms were stacked with people. Staff had to constantly rush. Again, nothing happened, and it was fun, but I only wonder when... They should just limit the number of people per tour and focus on quality over quantity. The same goes for the Tubing, which was fun too but again like 50 or 60 people.

We stayed two nights. Really wonderful place - clean rooms and we saw a lot of wildlife right in the property of the hotel. We took some of the tours as well as independently explored some of the trail.

What a gem. Amazing service, great food which happens to be gluten free. Wonderful location that allows you to access and do so much from your hotel room. Very impressed and my celiac wife was very happy with my choice.

I really enjoyed this park. I hiked the Las Pailas loop and it was really awesome. There was so much to see and so many interesting features. I loved all the mud pots and the little volcano in the hot springs and the waterfall. Saw lots of lizards and beautiful flora. It was one of the most fun trails I've done in Costa Rica.

We did the fumaroles trail. The boiling mud pits were interesting. There was a small waterfall at the end of the trail but if you’re up for waterfalls the trail to Las Gemelas would be your better choice.

This is a great park to see and you don’t need a guide, but buy your tickets online before getting there if you do it on your own. The Las Palias Trail is well marked and it’s an easy walk. Lots of volcanic evidence from mud pits, boiling ponds, and steam vents from the ground. Saw a lot of animal activity from Neotropical Green Anole, white nose coatis, and monkeys

The main trail is a loop. The loop has some pretty steep portions, but is doable for most. We saw an old lady with a cane complete it, but her and her party were moving very slowly. We had trekking poles with us and were out of breath. The seasonal waterfall is amazing. The mud pots are pretty cool to see. We saw some monkeys and birds. Apparently the trail can connect from Pailas all the way to the Santa Maria ranger station, but we were told by the ranger that the river crossings were too treacherous to make the trek. You have to pay a fee online to enter the park. Overall, the nature was cool, the walkway was very walkable but a fair amount of elevation to make the loop.

A very important thing to remember if you are making your own way there.... Book your ticket on Sinac the night before at least! If you are only English speaking the form can be confusing and you need to put your passport details and payment details in and it can take some time to create a log in.. not recommended in the car park with limited Wi-fi a d you cannot buy any National Park tickets on site! Once inside, a good stonechip pathway that's signposted to take you to some active areas of the park for a couple of hours stroll or much longer hikes with recommendations for the more avid hiker. Remember water to drink and a sturdy pair of walking shoes!

We walked the Las Pailas trail here in the Las Pailas sector. 3,5km trail, easy hike through different landscapes and volcanic activity sites. 15 dollars per person entry as a non-resident, must be booked online but can be done on-site, they have WiFi. There are bathrooms and water available. Road to access the national park goes through private land so you need to pay 800 colones per person in the car. There are several restaurants and a snack stand within a short drive.

We went to the Rincón de la Vieja’s Las Pailas sector. The trails are well-marked but don’t let that fool you—this is one of the more demanding hikes in the region, especially if you take on the La Cangreja or Escondida waterfall routes. Expect shifting terrain, elevation changes, and a good dose of cardio.It’s a trail that rewards effort with beauty—and leaves you feeling like you’ve truly earned the view.

Most excellent tours!!! Did the ATV on a Saturday. So much fun!! Terrain was beautiful & challenging!!! Guides were GREAT!!! Came back on to do their horseback riding & it was also incredible!!! Terrain was challenging, but the horses picked their way through perfectly!! BEAUTIFUL trails & excellent guides again!! Highly recommend!!

It was a good experience, been to better .. didn’t really see any of the indigenous on this tour … did find out that sloths 🦥 carry syphilis .. 😲 no.. what’s up with that one though

We did the ATV excursion & it was fantastic. The terrain is quite rugged so but our guides were great mixing it up while keeping it fun & exciting. If we were skiing I would call this a solid Blue terrain that had sections of Black terrain. Would definitely go again, next time we try the horseback riding.

Great spot if you want a horseback riding tour while visiting this corner of Costa Rica. It’s ideal for beginners and advanced riders alike: although I’m an intermediate dressage rider, my boyfriend is a complete beginner and we both felt equally safe and engaged during our ride. The horses are calm, docile, and sure footed for the hilly and rocky terrain. The guides are passionate about animal husbandry (this is a ranch as well) and love their horses. They showed us the traditional Costa Rican tack (it’s basically a western saddle) and let us help tack the horses. This is not something that most riders ask for but if you go with a small group I recommend calling ahead and asking if you can tack the horse / spend time with them beforehand. It gives you an opportunity to get to know your horse before riding. The course is on the ranch’s property, which encompasses many many mountains and fields. We easily rode for 1.5 hours without touching the same area twice, and it is completely secluded from public traffic. During your ride you will see cattle, other horses, wildlife, and the pinnacle of the ride is a brief rest on a mountain top with gorgeous views. We found this ranch via the tourist office within Dreams Las Mareas but I am sure you can contact them directly as well. If you - like myself - are passionate about riding horses on your vacations, Hacienda El Cenizaro is an ideal spot for you.

If your looking for a great Tour while in Costa Rica this is the place to go. We did both the horse ride and Atv tour on separate days and neither were a disappointment .. situated on a breathtaking 800 acre property that offers you great scenery along with amazing views of the country side and coast you will not be disappointed.. The facilities are immaculate the Atvs are mechanically sound and the horses are well kept .. the guides are knowledgeable very personable and lots of fun . We saw a great deal while on both trips and not to worry if you do both you are taken on different paths so you don’t see the same thing .. either tour stops in the woods to let you see the many monkeys living in the wild.

We had the absolute best time horseback riding with “Popeye”. We ended up going not once but twice during our week stay at Dreams Las Mareas. The landscape is beautiful and they truly take the best care of their animals. Each horse was turned out to the pasture immediately after each ride. I ride frequently — and these were the most behaved horses I have ever seen at a dude ranch / horseback excursion. Can’t recommend Adrian & Popeye enough!

Great place for horse back riding. Great staff and horses are kept in good health. It took about 2 hours to do the entire trail. Got to see plenty of animals and the view fro top of the mountain is amazing. Jeff and Gilberto were great guides. Thank you to both of them. 100% recommend them . We booked our tour with Amstar in the lobby at Dreams Las mareas.

It's a nice place to visit with excellent clubs and parties. The beach is also cool. Lots of tourists here.

One of the most exotic fun filled bays to travel to in the world. It is a surfer's and fish eaters paradise. Plenty of wonderful beachside hotels, pubs and restaurants. Come from all over the world to relax, eat surf, fish, walk and party.

•November 2023• a beautiful beach with perfectly warm water and a great place to watch the sunset. Also some great waves to swim in.

truly an amazing place. so pretty. the water is great fun to play in tho u do need to watch out for sting rays

One of the best places to visit in Nicaragua! Ambience is excellent! Great places to eat and to have fun! You must go to visit the christ statue up the hills.

There's definitely better beaches in the area, but it’s nice to watch the sunset. Everytime I came to this beach in the late afternoon, there was always volleyball games taking place on the beach and several people hanging out and drinking while waiting for sunset.

A beautiful sunrise and sunset - if you want a great spot with live music and free entertainment; walk down to the beach volleyball and sit on the bleachers to watch the sunset! Grab a beer from the bar next door and enjoy!

San Juan del Sur Cristo Rey is a wonderful spot offering breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors enjoy the scenic hike up to Cristo Rey, which is rewarding with panoramic vistas of the town and surrounding landscape. It's an excellent place for relaxation and photo opportunities, making it a highly recommended visit when in San Juan del Sur. The experience is enhanced by the warm local hospitality and tranquil environment.

The view is breathtaking for the first 5 minutes and then that's it. There is a nice little chapel at the feet of the statue and with not many visitors it's a quiet little place to meditate. The place is well kept, clean and with a little gift shop. Nationals pay 75 cordobas and foreigners 8 dollars.

I did the hike from San Juan and it was pretty steep! Very good workout though. As for the view etc is what you expect. 150 cordobas is the foreigner tax. The chapel is quite nice and the story behind it all is quite fun to read. 3 stars because of the price us foreigners have to pay vs locals.

Moderate hike up from la talanguera. Great way to stretch your legs in the morning. Incredible views of the surrounding area. $4 per person.

Breathtaking viewpoint and landmark in San Juan Del Sur. The view over San Juan is panoramic. Also budget friendly - bring small cash for entry fee. Overall a must visit place to visit if you are in San Juan.

Great place with a great view but a little too expensive for what it is ! I highly recommend to go to the light house instead and is free with a bar/restaurant and amazing views as well 😜

Nice view, but the entry cost for foreign people is higher which I think is not really neccessary to see the statue from upclose.

First let me say this spring is on par with ones I go to in Florida. It’s going to be the “Wekiva type” where the water is mostly arranged in large pools that have been manicured a bit for convenience. Truly, I think Ojo is rather well-designed. There is a shallow section with underwater ledge built to separate it from the deeper half with a diving/Tarzan swing. Some cute playset swings IN THE WATER 🫢 (why haven’t we done that before in FL?? Such a cute idea) and a smaller, medium-deep “adults” pool for those avoiding the kids & families. Sufficient seating, showers, and bathrooms all around. A really easy plantain farm hike (I greatly enjoyed it). And is no one mentioning the fact that c185 towards food is included at the restaurant?? The menu is much more expensive than expected for the most part (fish & chips for $20USD or 600+ Córdoba being the most egregious offender 😂). But c185 can get you a side of fries + queso + soda of your choice 💁🏾‍♀️ which was good enough for me. Had a lovely time. Great way to escape the heat of the day, and if you partake in one of the many cocktails (I did not), you’d probably have an even nicer time 🍻

It was super quiet when we went. People were so nice. The water was incredibly refreshing. It was so peaceful. It's definitely a nice place to stop!

A pleasant walk around a small Lake on the shores of the much bigger lake with the volcano in the background. Trail is minimally maintained. Okay if you don't have any other plans but Nothing special. Enter through the reserve Visitor Center. Don't drive past it or you will be on the property of the hotel on the shore of the lake

This natural pool was GORGEOUS and sooo refreshing on a hot day!! It has a really fun rope swing which was our favorite part!! they also have food with many options there. I would definitely recommend checking this spot out.

Really nice place with a natural pool! We were lucky to visit early in the morning as it got quite crowded by the afternoon. The food at the restaurant was quite tasty, though it had only a few vegetarian options. The staff was super helpful and friendly.

We stayed for 5h, perfect place to stay all day! Service is great, the waters are amazing, very clear, with little fishes that amaze the kids. The swings and Tarzan rope can keep kids busy for hours, and if water gets too cold for them, they can take a break in a trampoline and other games. Must do when traveling on Ometepe! Recommended to us both by tourists and locals, literally everyone we told we were going to Ometepe as a family.

Great experience! It wasn’t busy when we went which was lovely to have open seats and lots of swimming space! $10 usd per person but half of that is used as a voucher for the bar or restaurant, so great value!

Good ride, reservation required is your taking a car. Good prices. We paid $13 for 2 and one car, each way.

I would spend one night only on this island, rent an ATV, go to the waterfall, explore around see the volcanos and come back the next day. There are cute little bed and breakfasts around, but just make sure you book your trip ahead of time so you can bring your car into the island.

Amazing, peacefull island with two vulcano and lot of beautiful places for visit. I reccomend lent there motocycle or ATV better than car because many roads are really bad to see many places like waterfall, playa mangos for sunset or ojo de agua. I came here in off- season so places were empty so it was good. But in some places i felt like after some catastrophic dissaster some building or docks were empty like after nuclear accident i felt there like in chernobyl.

Amazing island. We loved our time here exploring the jungle and volcanos. The nature is fun to explore and the views of the volcanoes are just stunning. Very fun to ride around the island on a motorbike or Vespa. So much to do and see! Ojo de agua swimming pool, horseback riding tour through the jungle to see monkeys, amazing volcano views. Incredible and unique place!

Beautiful place. Just make sure you plan it well and consider being there for 7 days or more

One of the best, best places to go in Nicaragua 🤍✨ it’s really gorgeous 😍 I fell in love with the natural beauty everywhere. 💘

In Nicaragua you should not miss this great island. You can even spend there a week if you want to check all the nice activities / places. Take a boat or ferry from San Jorge witch takes around 1h (50-80C$). In my opinion Santo Domingo is the best place to stay, not many people, nice and cheap hotels / hostels / apartments and you’re in the middle of the island where you can start your trips all locations. It’s 45min with the bus or 20min with a taxi (100C$) from the harbor. 2 vulcanos (if you like hiking), nice beaches just around the corner. You shops also rent a motorbike and drive around the island. With some stops you can spend the hole day. A motorbike is much better than a scooter (25$ instead of 20$/day) because many “streets” are a bit offroad. With a motorbike it’s much easier and a lot more fun. Ojo de agua is like a small, outdoor bath where you can also relax one day. Don’t miss this great island.

There are many vulcanos in Nicaragua however, we decided to see this one as well. This is an absolutely incredible place to visit—stunningly beautiful and rich with nature, but you will need to climb it during the fine weather, otherwise, you will not see much from the top. From towering trees and howler monkeys to vibrant orchids and butterflies, I found it truly enchanting. It is quite steep but worth enjoying a walk in this beautiful park.

Mombacho is a must-see in Nicaragua. The views from the top are breathtaking, especially over Granada and Lake Nicaragua. The hike through the cloud forest feels magical-cool air, lush greenery, and lots of wildlife along the trail. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable, and the crater trails are well-maintained. A perfect mix of adventure and nature-definitely worth the visit!

As usual prices from the internet are different from reality once on the spot. So in August 2022 prices for foreigners are 5$ for entrance + 2$ for the maintenance of the tracks. That's only if you want to do the easy track, you have two other options where you'll have to pay a compulsory guide. Then you have yo pay an additional 20$ to go up and down. However on their website it was clearly said that the shuttle was 2$ one way (which feels more like a normal price considering it's a 20 mins ride) So...you'll have to pay $27 for a hike that lasts one hour. Not worth it considering it's not the best view around. Locals pay less for the transportation, which is stupid, because it's only transportation and it shouldn't be more expensive for us. I understand for entrance and other fees that locals pay less but here. Any way we just didn't go. Keep going like this and you'll have nobody on your volcano 👍

This vulcano is definitely worth a visit and you can choose to hike 3 different paths, varying in length. However, when going up with a pick-up truck from the entrance to the actual place where the 3 hikes start, be sure to ask when the truck is going down (since we waited for 1h+ in which we could've easily done a longer hike). To note, it is also possible to hike from the entrance to the starting point of the hikes, which is around 1.2 miles (steeply) uphill.

This is a beautiful and special place, BUT there are so many such places (including several equally or even more beautiful volcanies) and the experience dealing with the people work there and the ridiculously EXEPENSIVE, super HIGH COST of everything there is NOT worth it. They will pester you and demand more money from you. Try to get you to lay $22 even if you walked the crazy steep, hot and humid many hours long walk instead of the transport. And then you still have to pay $11 for the basic Crater path (about 30 min walk, but takes longer because of the 3-4 view point stops where you look at the crater ad then over Granada). Honestly, the vibe of the place is ruined by the intense and constant 💰 grab! I would advice enjoying the other things Nicaragua has to offer. It is beautiful but it is not a MUST see. The cloud forests of Omopete on the other hand, are gorgeous and free to explore. Nicaragua's other volcanoes - ones more active and easier to access do not have the awful vibe. I wish I could attach comparison photos to prove my point!

really great place, can highly recommend to go there. But here are some adivces You can only entry the park between 7-10 am. Later it is not possible to walk to the top anymore. It’s 5 km to the top that take you about 1.5 hours by walking. It is really steep! You can also go with a truck, don’t know if that’s also possible after 10. The entry without a guide is 400 c. At the top it’s a lot colder.

Amazing place to visit; I recommend a lot this place full of adventure

Nice boat trip out to the islands in Lake Nicaragua. Enjoyable with lots of flora and fauna particularly bats and monkeys to see!

Really beautiful islands to kayak (or via boat) through. 10/10 can recommend. For kayaking: Vladimir Kayak and Boat.

Great place to spend your vacations in Nicaragua. This is one of the most beautiful places in this country with a great variety of animals and plants.

Beautiful islands off the coast of Granada. We took a boat tour to see the different islands and it is definitely recommended if you are anywhere near. Our favorite island was the one that a Veterinarian bought a long time ago in order for the local monkey population to live in. It was great learning about the history of the Islands and who owns which one. Will definitely love to do this tour again if we are ever back in Nicaragua.

Hundreds of small Islands. Some have hotels, monkeys, Bars…

A very nice boat ride to the isles of Granada lake.

From our hostel we could book the tour for 15$ and it was great! We were the only two in the boat and our guide, Lorenzo was amazing, telling us about the islands and local wildlife. The hightlight was monkeys jumping aboard the ship, just an all around amazing experience.

A wonderful, very informative museum tour! Our guide, Sylvia, clearly explained the whole process from farm to final product. The tasting session (including different cacaos and liquor) was a great experience. The visuals were excellent for understanding the journey. We loved it and bought some dark chocolate and a brownie on the way out!

The place is eclectic, offers variety of services. For me it's a spot for hot chocolate, especially cup of a 'Ceremonial hot chocolate'. A bit overpriced, but price includes unique atmosphere. Don't forget to wander around this beautiful house, appreciate the three courtyards (!) and picturesque corridors.

I went there and I got a 60-minute massage for $30 usd. It was one of the best massages I've ever had. The staff are friendly, and the chocolate iced tea was unique and tasty!

Sylvia did the tour for us. We asked her to do it Spanish but slowly. She said ok. 2 mins after she was faster than formula 1. But whatever. It was very interesting. Sylvia seemed so tired and felt like she was about almost going to fall asleep in the middle of her speech but she was relatively friendly. It lasted About 30 minutes. We got to try various products. Cool location. Nice experience

Great experience at the Chocolate Museum of Granada, Antonio gave us a tour and we learned a lot about cacao history and how it's made. The cacao tree inside the museum is cool, we could taste every drinks they make there and the boutique offers great products (we bought brownies, cacao rum, moisturising cream, caramelized cacao and so many chocolate bars!). We will come back for sure next time we stay in Granada !

My 3 children and I had a great time at Choco Museo today in Granada! Their free tour is very informative, interactive and lots of fun. Their chocolate is also delicious. Highly recommend!

This place is amazing. I came here twice. Once I had the ceremonial drink and chocolate and it was delicious, everyone must try it. 2nd time I came for a facial and it was so good, i got a massage as well. The therapist named Katrina is just amazing, I would highly recommend her to everyone. And the prices for spa services is so much better than some other places i tried. At Socialtel reflexology was twice as much and it was terrible. Gonna write a separate review on that. Also tried Chocolate martini and just delicious.

Spent the afternoon at this beach and wasn't impressed. The beach itself is pretty great (what's not to love about surf, sand and waves) but there was a lot of trash and litter everywhere. My initial first impression was not enough to want to explore the area further. There are far better beaches in Nicaragua.

very nice and chilled beach!!! Place to stay a while!

My first time in the passigic Ocean. Amazing beach, perfect to surf, I would say because waves are very strong. We went in the low season (September), so a few people and a lot of good photos.

Great beach! Good for swimming and beginner surfing!

Lovely and relaxing ... Hope it will remain as is, unspoiled by big fat tourists their quads and their diet Coke

Delightful spot. Litter is a big issue for me. Pity there is no clean up crew.

Such a wonderful place, the sea is amazing. Nice place to swim and surf :)

The volcano is around a one hour drive away of Leon. After that it take around 45min to get to the top of the volcano. During the hike you’re treated with amazing views of the jungle and other volcanos in the distance. Definitely stay for the sunset which is amazing to see from the top of the bus!

Cerro Negro is one of Nicaragua's youngest and most active volcanoes, famous for the thrilling experience of volcano boarding down its steep black ash slopes. The hike to the summit is moderately challenging but rewarding, offering spectacular views of surrounding volcanoes and the volcanic landscape. Visitors love the adrenaline rush of sliding down the volcano while dressed in safety gear, and many highlight the unique adventure as a must-do activity in Nicaragua. Overall, Cerro Negro combines breathtaking scenery with an unforgettable, exciting experience

Worth the experience. Bit of a goat trail up the mountain, you carry your own board. Takes an average of an hour to walk up.

Totally worth the hike with your board. Amazing place, astonishing views from the top. Weather has been a little bit odd these days, but I liked the fog too.

The trek up is not difficult and took more than half an hour. Great view at the top of the volcano. Extremely windy at the top. Waiting for sunset was the icing on the cake. Beautiful panoramic view. Going down the volcano was a totally new experience, it took about 10-15 minutes to glide down the moving, sliding volcanic pebbles. It was not easy and some really enjoyed the descent

The youngest active volcano in Central America! I'm glad to have experienced volcano boarding here, it was exhilarating! Went here with a local guide, who is an independent contractor with a group tour that I booked. It's great that we went early in the morning so we had the whole volcano to ourselves and avoided the scorching sun. The hike up to the peak is about 45 mins, rewarding you with cool breeze and amazing view. Descending down the slope with the board takes a few seconds to few minutes. An experience of a lifetime that is worth doing again! :)

A few of us went volcano boarding a few years ago, and even if had just gone for the hike and views, it would have been spectacular. Boarding itself was great fun, but make sure you cover up as much skin as you can... and bring water!

Cathedral Roof experience GETTING THERE?- The ticket office is located on the southeastern corner of the cathedrals outer complex down a small cobblestone corridor. When you have a ticket you then go to the south western corner of the cathedrals outer complex where there is a tiny gate entrance to give someone your ticket to then go up 2 flights of stairs to the roof. COSTS / PAY / PRICE - Tickets for foreigners were 4USD per person, cash only. Could also pay cordoba. WHAT TO EXPECT? Ascend 2 flights of stairs, have to remove shoes and carry them, given 25mins to explore the 2 outdoor floors of the cathedral roof with white domes and views over the city and surrounding areas. OUR EXPERIENCE- It's a unique activity, only takes 30-45mins in total to look around and can be quite hot as it's exposed. Worth doing whilst you're in Leon. TOP TIP: Worth wearing socks as it's pretty hot on the white roof floor. It's open 8-12 and 2-4pm but other reviews have suggested it can be sporadic and often closed so give plenty of flexibility.

The grandiose Leon's Cathedral is a colonial architecture marvel. It has 5 naves, the size challenges the biggest cathedrals in America. The World Heritage Site, proclaimed in 2011. Visit, enjoy & meditate

This is probably the most important attraction of Leon and it is so poorly managed. 1. It has random opening hours and no update on closure time or days. Luckily I had an extra day so I could visit. 2. The guard at the ticket area is super rude. I came to buy the tickets and said we are not selling tickets now, to come after 15 mins in a rude way even though I can see people coming out with tickets. The tickets have time on it so why can't they just sell with advance time. 3. I asked if I could wait inside as there was a huge space and he rudely said no even though it was scorching hot outside. 4. Even though I was waiting outside then some guys went directly in and bought tickets before even if they came 15 mins after me. 5. The ticket counter is also run by scammers. They asked me 145 Cordoba which I paid. Then when I got the ticket it's says the price is 3 USD which is 110 Cordoba. I didn't argue but this is a pure scam. 6. Lastly when you go up you have to take out shoes even though the ground is hot and will burn your feet. There should be some sort of arrangement. 7. Lastly they let the tour groups block the whole room before the roof and let them do tour explanation there. In the mean time you are stuck outside in the heat and with your feet burning.

Went to the rooftop and it was incredible. The architecture is beautiful and watching the sunset was amazing. I highly recommend going up for it. The ticket cost 145 to go up (they recently increased the price from 110). You need to buy it before 5pm and they let the sunset group up to around 5:20 on the right side of the building. You get to stay there until 6pm.

Worth the visit if you are in León, just beware you have to take off your shoes once you go up. Don’t be stupid like me and arrive with shoes wearing socks. Take you socks off beforehand, that way, they have no other option to let you go on top of the roof with your shoes. Everyone who was wearing sandals was able to keep them on (smart and well prepared move). Meanwhile I was wearing thin socks and burning my feet soles. Ps: you buy the tickets to go up at the backside of the cathedral. So, not at the rooftop entrance which is located on the right side of the cathedral.

Leon’s cathedral is a great place to visit and take a 360 degrees view of the colonial city landscape. Additionally, you can’t take a look of other churches, the sunset and even your next attraction. Perhaps the “Cerro negro”, the black hill ;)

I went to the Cathedral for the Nicaraguan holiday of a “Purisima” and it was a unique experience as the towns people gathered at the Cathedral to celebrate. I would just be careful with personal belongings as the cathedral gets overly packed with people, and to bring or buy refreshments along the way.

Matagalpa tours and our phenomenal guides and driver, Ernesto, Esa, David and Jorge, created the most amazing experience for our large group during our time in Costa Rica. They provided deep knowledge of the biodiversity in the region, scouted amazing food for every single meal (which is not easy for a group our size), were flexible to needs and weather, and were just great people I am so happy I got to know. Thank you for everything! I will definitely be using this group for trips back with my family and sharing this recommendation with others as well.

I have traveled with Matagalpa Tours since 2015 in both Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Most impressive is the time and commitment this tour company provides to ensure every detail is stellar and satisfactory. This tour company provides detailed itineraries and transparency regarding costs and tour guides. Excellent service, kind people, and rewarding experiences. I will continue to travel and hire Matagalpa Tours for many years to come. Thank you Ernesto and your team!

Matagulpa Tours and specifically our tour guides Ernesto, Esa, David and our driver Jorge were absolutely amazing. The itinerary they planned not only showcased the culture and natural wonders of Costa Rica but also did so with thoughtfulness and conservation in mind. Any future trips planned will always be through this tour group!

I spent an unforgettable week in Costa Rica with a group of 28 people, planned and led by Matagalpa Tours. We were so incredibly happy with everything— they planned all of the logistics: transportation, food, park tickets, etc. Having people who are familiar with the area and culture make our arrangements meant that we didn’t have to worry about a thing. This company set up so many unique experiences that we likely couldn’t have figured out on our own. All of the guides were friendly and helpful, going above and beyond to make sure we had the best experience possible. Would absolutely go with this company again!

Ernesto, Esa, David, and our driver Jorge were absolutely amazing tour guides. This was my first time out of the country (USA) and these guys made it an unforgettable experience. From their knowledge of Costa Rica and the wildlife to making sure we had fun, safe places to stay made this trip so easy and fun. We can't thank them enough for all they did for us, we are are truly thankful and appreciative of all they did for us!!

We booked a coffee tour with Matagalpa Tours, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. They took us to a beautiful finca where coffee is produced, and we got to see and learn about the entire process in such a clear and engaging way. From the coffee plant and beans to the roasting and finally preparing the cup, everything was explained with so much passion and detail. What made the experience really special was how interactive it was — we weren’t just listening, we were participating. Grinding the coffee ourselves made us appreciate even more the work that goes into every cup. The setting of the finca was stunning, surrounded by nature, which made the whole tour feel peaceful and authentic. The guide was excellent — professional, knowledgeable, and very friendly. They answered all our questions, shared local stories, and really made us feel connected to the culture of coffee in Matagalpa. We left not only with great memories but also with a deeper appreciation for coffee. If you are in Matagalpa or anywhere nearby, I can definitely recommend this tour!

We had an amazing tour with Matagalpa Tours! Ernesto was extremely helpful coordinating the details before the trip and they were able to tailor the experience to perfectly fit the needs of our entire group of 9. The local fincas we stayed in were incredible and we learned a lot from the local conservationists. Hiking and camping in the jungle was unforgettable, and we were even lucky enough to see a group of monkeys. It was a nice bonus that part of the money goes to local organizations working to protect the environment. The guides were informative, entertaining, and highly capable. I recommend Matagalpa Tours to anyone looking to maximize their time in Nicaragua!

Very cool place! Highly recommend if you are in the area

This park changed my view of Tegucigalpa, literally as well as figuratively. The view of the entire city was breathtaking. The structures and facilities are impressive. An impressive copy of a Mayan temple, the Eiffel Tower, and a giant Cristo de Picacho as well as a zoo and play areas for kids coupled with cleanliness and stocked bathrooms are a refreshing experience. JG LTjg USN ret.

A very nice place to do several activities: they have canopy, trials for biking and walking, a wedding chapel, a Zoo, an area for private parties or gatherings, a museum, an overlook of the city etc..

El Parque del picacho is at the very top of a mountain. The road to get there is in decent conditions. I visited el Picacho during Christmas, and it had Christmas lights everywhere. It looked like they did a good job at decorating the place. They have food stands almost in every turn. Parking is decent. Be ready to walk in case you have to park far.

A nice park at the top of a mountain in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Lots of space to walk it's roads, trails, with a great look out of the city. Don't forget to get pics of the Christ monument that surveys the city.

The park is worth visiting. I would recommend at the evening. The view is amazing at the night . But my only concern is with the ticket prices. There are multiple tickets in this park to visit the attractions. Instead they can have just one ticket for everything. The prices of the tickets are completely different on day and evening. The park is well secured and maintained. Lots of food stalls inside the park I also observed people were celebrating parties inside the park with families and friends. The Mayan ruin was spectacular. It’s well maintained and worth the visit. I would highly recommend this park to families and friends. But just be careful with the multiple ticketing.

Parque El Picacho: A Verdant Sanctuary of Breathtaking Panoramas and Pristine Conservation Rating: 5/5 stars Parque El Picacho emerges as a sublime gem nestled in harmony with nature, offering an immersive experience that celebrates the majesty of the outdoors through its unspoiled landscapes and meticulously preserved environs. This Honduran haven distinguishes itself as an idyllic destination for enthusiasts of hiking, outdoor pursuits, and those seeking communion with nature's splendor. Unparalleled Natural Allure - Panoramic Vistas: Parque El Picacho boasts commanding views that unfurl breathtaking tapestries of surrounding topography, blending mountainous contours with verdant expanses, crafting vistas that indelibly etch themselves upon the memory. - Exemplary Preservation: The park's evident commitment to conservation underscores a laudable ethos ensuring its natural beauty remains intact, inviting visitors to traverse trails amidst pristine ecosystems teeming with indigenous flora and fauna. - Trail Networks & Accessibility: Thoughtfully curated pathways cater to diverse aptitudes, rendering Parque El Picacho an inviting arena for hikers and outdoor aficionados seeking both challenge and serenity in nature's embrace. Catalyst for Connection & Adventure - Outdoor Activities: The park serves as a fertile playground for myriad pursuits—hiking, birdwatching, photography—each activity harmonizing with the setting's intrinsic wild beauty to foster profound engagement with the natural world. - Ecological Richness: Biodiversity flourishes within Parque El Picacho's protected precincts, promising encounters with native species and underscoring the ecological vitality nurtured through conscientious stewardship. - Serenity & Inspiration: Amidst trails winding through lush habitats, tranquility interweaves with inspiration, Parque El Picacho proving a sanctuary where reflection and adventure coalesce in balanced measure. Commendation Parque El Picacho stands as a testament to the potent synergy of natural beauty and dedicated conservation, beckoning those who cherish the outdoors to discover its trails, vistas, and enveloping peace. For aficionados of hiking, nature immersion, and unspoiled landscapes, this park represents an essential Honduran treasure promising transformative experiences etched against the canvas of its majestic surroundings. Sincerely, The Perfecto Cleaners Team

Visited January 2022. It's a peaceful natural area. Walking from Livingston takes some time but you get beach views the whole way through. Recommended of in the area but not necessarily a destination. The history of the Garifunas was honestly my favorite part.

Still controlled by the Garinfuna people and we'll deserved.. The place is clean and well managed. Nice trek in the woods/jungle to reach the waterfalls. I spent the whole day there with my wife for her birthday and she loved it. I was a lucky guy that night.

The hidden waterfalls are not simply called hidden, because it is not possible to mark the beginning of the point on the map. From the point here on the map you have to continue walking for another 8 minutes in the direction of the coastline but not next to the water. From there you reach a very local structure and the entrance fee is 20Q per person. There is a preparation of 50 meters and then you reach the first waterfall where it is not recommended to enter, further on there are 3 more large waterfalls and a nice area with such small pools that is hidden under the flow of the water. The walk is marked with ropes and is very clear, a total walk of 15 minutes each way. You can take a ferry to the starting point.

I had no expectations when I came to this place. I didn’t even looked it up on the internet. It was a great surprise! A unique place hidden in the jungle with those pools that seem taken from a dream. Almost no people when we were there at around 3pm. Everything was super clean. They charge 20 pp. TIP: if you don’t want to walk a lot (the walk is not particularly beautiful) or don’t have a lot of time you can take a boat (50pp) or a Tuk Tuk (from the city center) until the hanging bridge (5pp) and work from there around 20/25m. We used the Tuk Tuk to go back.

Nice space to explore, recommend visiting at the end of the rain season for the full pool experience but it is well maintained.

I absolutely love this place for several reasons.If you want to see semuc champey and rio Dulce/Livingston area but only have time for one then come here it’s like a mini version of it. The walk here is on a very dirty beach but don’t let it deter you because this place is beautiful!I love that the waterfall has rocks you can stand on behind it.Also be super careful of where you jump in and swim in the pool by the water fall because there are rocks and branches that you can’t see well that can hurt you or worse if you’re not careful and just jump in. 20Q to enter.Wear sturdy footwear as you are walking on rocks , there are deep holes you can trip on. Water is cold if your use to tropical water but after that long hot walk welcomed💖 Otherwise beautiful so beautiful 💖💖💖

Absolutely heavenly place, 5q pp tuktuk + 30 min walk, 20q pp entry. Totally worth it

Great snorkeling at this spot. The park rangers live out here which is incredible because it's so isolated. They also have Coral nurseries and part of the island is a bird sanctuary. The rangers were super nice, inviting and provided some great education about the reefs. You can bring out drinks & food to grill and hang out as long as you want

Amazing snorkeling. Great place to just hang out all day and completely unplug.

Nice caye located about 30 minutes off the coast of Belize. Many local snorkel operators take tours to this caye, known for good snorkeling, and a rest stop for a nice picnic lunch on the beach. They also have (non-flushing) toilets here.

Amazing island where you can snorkel and swim around Laughing Bird Caye to see part of the Belize coral reef. Laughing Bird Caye is off the coast of Placencia and is a protected National Park which you can visit during the day. You can also see the Pelicans fly and dive into the sea. Very peaceful and a place to spend a day relaxing.

We had a truly lovely day snorkeling here. For our tour we sailed about 30 minutes from Placencia to the small island that is a part of Laughing Bird National Park. The rangers there gave us an overview of the park and the rules and we were off snorkeling. It was beautiful and peaceful and we had a chance to see Brain Coral, Fan Coral, and so much marine life from sea cucumbers to sea urchins. Despite it being the "rainy season" the water was beautiful and the weather could not have been clearer. It was really breathtaking.

Small island. Amazing snorkeling. Picnic tables, restrooms and friendly people.

Best place we have gone scuba diving. Saw many tropical fish, an eagle ray, sting rays, huge lobsters! I'm sure there is great footage on my GoPro, I haven't looked yet. We went with Go Sea tours, our dive guide Brian was fantastic. I would definitely return for more dives!

Right at the entrance of the Park. A great and beautiful place to observe the wild life and natural environment. The rooms are basic but clean. The electricity unfortunately didn't work when we stayed there.

Closed to visitors when we came to the reserve, but a good place to hang out and watch birds at the edge of the jungle. Its right by the entrance to the park.

No water, minimal electricity, some guys things in the lower room. Besides this it is in an amazing area, with a great view.