Reserva Biológica Indio MaÃz
Reserva Biológica Indio MaÃz, El Castillo: Address, Phone Number, Reserva Biológica Indio MaÃz Reviews: 4.5/5
Reserva Biológica Indio MaÃz
Reserva Biológica Indio MaÃz
4.5
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4.5
137 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
28
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Miles O
1 contribution
Friends
We stayed in El Castillo to visit the nature reserve of Indio Maiz. We went to Juan Ardilla Tour (when you arrive at the port it is on the right side of town) for information. He is a very kind and helpful person that provided us with all the information we needed with competitive prices. Unfortunately we were not able to do a tour with him in de end. We are sorry for that, but would recommend the company in terms of communication and kindness!
Written 19 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Utepil
Vuorela, Finland340 contributions
Friends
Half day tour with Juan. We were also fishing and then having a walking tour through the jungle. Amazing trees and bushes having medical substances important for locals who are living here.
Written 11 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Salome Santos
London, United Kingdom5 contributions
We travelled to Nicaragua as a couple in September 2019 and spent 3 nights in the Indio Maiz reserve. At the time we did not find a lot of information so I hope that this is helpful:
We travelled by car with a driver arranged via our lodge in the reserve (it was actually the cheapest, most convenient and fastest way). It takes around 5/6 hours from Managua to get to San Carlos and then another 2.5 hours by colectivo boat to get to El Castillo (the last town before the reserve). You should know the boat timetable in advance to save time in San Carlos. Give yourself 1 day for travel each way but make sure that you have at least 2 full days to explore this paradise.
You cannot stay in the reserve, so the closest place we found was Guacimo Eco Lodge (see separate review). It's totally immersed in the jungle and the scenery is breathtaking.
The goal was to explore the rich fauna and flora. We booked two boat trips with Juan Ardilla: full day and a night tour. You can contact him via facebook: search for Juan Ardilla (Juan Alberto Aguilar Gomez). Juan helped us with everything in advance. He an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable of plants, birds and reptiles (which are very abundant here). He takes you in a motor boat or canoe to explore the river and guides you through walks in the jungle. He also prepares local fish which he cooks in a fire he makes near the river banks while you refresh yourself with a swim. We saw alligators, frogs, basiliscus, spiders, snakes birds and a sloth.
We travelled by car with a driver arranged via our lodge in the reserve (it was actually the cheapest, most convenient and fastest way). It takes around 5/6 hours from Managua to get to San Carlos and then another 2.5 hours by colectivo boat to get to El Castillo (the last town before the reserve). You should know the boat timetable in advance to save time in San Carlos. Give yourself 1 day for travel each way but make sure that you have at least 2 full days to explore this paradise.
You cannot stay in the reserve, so the closest place we found was Guacimo Eco Lodge (see separate review). It's totally immersed in the jungle and the scenery is breathtaking.
The goal was to explore the rich fauna and flora. We booked two boat trips with Juan Ardilla: full day and a night tour. You can contact him via facebook: search for Juan Ardilla (Juan Alberto Aguilar Gomez). Juan helped us with everything in advance. He an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable of plants, birds and reptiles (which are very abundant here). He takes you in a motor boat or canoe to explore the river and guides you through walks in the jungle. He also prepares local fish which he cooks in a fire he makes near the river banks while you refresh yourself with a swim. We saw alligators, frogs, basiliscus, spiders, snakes birds and a sloth.
Written 4 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Matt S
Toronto, Canada7 contributions
I toured the Reserva Biologica Indio Maiz with Juan Ardilla and his associate Orlando. The morning consisted of a peaceful ride down the San Juan river to the reserve and a jungle hike. We saw three varieties of poison dart frogs, eagles, leaf cutter ants, and many types of birds. Orlando showed us plants and explained their medicinal and practical uses. He is incredibly knowledgeable in this area. After the hike we ventured further downstream to Rio Bartola for a swim and lunch. Basilisk lizards and iguanas were spotted along the way. We traveled up another river and were treated to great views of a troop of spider monkeys. We also saw capuchin and howler monkeys. The highlight of the day was when we spotted a jaguarundi relaxing in a tree!
We liked the trip so much we booked the caiman tour for that very night. Within 20 minutes of setting out, Juan left from the boat onto shore and produced a two meter caiman. He caught it with his bare hands! We had a close look at this formidable creature before it was carefully released back into the river. The view of the night sky, from the boat, was absolutely gorgeous.
Juan and Orlando are very friendly, knowledgable, and approachable. I highly recommend you book a tour with Ardillas Tours. You can feel the love they have for this beautiful region. The office is on the main street in El Castillo, just west of the dock. Juan can also be reached on the Ardillas Tour FB page.
We liked the trip so much we booked the caiman tour for that very night. Within 20 minutes of setting out, Juan left from the boat onto shore and produced a two meter caiman. He caught it with his bare hands! We had a close look at this formidable creature before it was carefully released back into the river. The view of the night sky, from the boat, was absolutely gorgeous.
Juan and Orlando are very friendly, knowledgable, and approachable. I highly recommend you book a tour with Ardillas Tours. You can feel the love they have for this beautiful region. The office is on the main street in El Castillo, just west of the dock. Juan can also be reached on the Ardillas Tour FB page.
Written 29 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Manou
Utrecht, The Netherlands16 contributions
Couples
Many animals, high biodiversity, really amazing jungle to hike and canoe! We saw a sloth, many frogs (toxic), many beatiful birds and all kinds of alligators, even crocodiles and caymans! And of course, always, the enjoyable and playfull monkeys over ypur head while swimming in a no-croco place!
Written 4 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Louisa
4 contributions
Friends
We (2 female backpackers) explored the reserve together with the guide juan ardillo and his daughter and in the evening searched for caimans and other animals in the dark on the river. Both tours were really exciting and absolutely recommendable! Juan and his daughter are super nice and know a lot about the area. (if you want to do the tour with juan, you just have to walk the "main street" in El castillo and at the end you will find the house of juan with a sign, so you can not miss it)
Written 21 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vicki
Australia3 contributions
Couples
Highly recommended! April 2019. As independent budget birdwatchers, we opted to do the 2 day 1 night tour. Juan offers many options. We found him to be reliable, cheery and honest. On the first day we departed at 6am - Juan paddled down the mighty San Juan River seeing numerous herons, jacanas, and other species. Howler monkeys, Green Basilisks and other 'Jesus Christ' lizards were a plenty. Reaching Indio Maiz headquarters we then paddled along the quieter Bartola River - so extremely picturesque and tranquil. So many Amazon and Belted Kingfishers! A three hour walk in Indio Maiz jungle we saw the most Poisonous Dart Frogs in our so far six week Central America trip: Green and Black and the Blue Jeans species. Juan cooked a wonderful bbq lunch on a sandy river bank. After that, two men collected us in a canoe and they paddled us upstream to the Sol y Luna cooperative community. A tent under cover with sheets, blankets, towels and soap; hammocks, showers and toilets. Covered platforms to sit and birdwatch - we saw numerous species in a two hour period the following day. Also a small restaurant. Our English speaking guide Catalino was friendly and informative. A river night tour revealed fireflies, numerous frogs, and bats. A chocolate tour was interesting the following day. Green and Scarlet Macaws were frequently seen and heard. Lunch at Sol y Luna was a small additional cost, then at 1pm we were taken back down the river - Juan was there to meet us. Highlights included all six Nicaraguan Kingfisher species including the American Pygmy Kingfisher. Contact Juan via Facebook, or if you arrive in El Castillo there is a sign on the wharf indicating where to walk (west along the main street). Juan requires a day or so notice to organise permits and provisions.
Written 18 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rebecca
North Wales, UK38 contributions
Couples
We were debating travelling all the way to the Indio Maiz, after all its not the easiest place to get to! However, I’m so glad we did! We booked an overnight camping tour of the reserve with Juan Ardillas tours (find him on Facebook as Juan Alberto Arguilar Gomez) and it was fabulous! We saw so much wildlife, including an Osprey, crocodiles, frogs, and so many other beautiful birds. We also found footprints of puma and Bairds Tapir. Juan is a fearless and knowledgable guide and he even grabbed a Caiman right out of the water! He supplied great food for the trip, but I personally needed to bring snacks along too. Book with Juan, you won’t regret it!
Written 17 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bat m
14 contributions
Couples
This is such a beautiful area! We went to El Castillo to do an overnight tour with local guide Juan Ardilla who we contacted through his Facebook page and it was fantastic. Juan gave us great advice on how to get to El Castillo and helped us find a nice place spend the night. The tour itself was fantastic! The canoe trip on the river, the walk through the reserve, fishing for dinner, sleeping in a hammock on an island in the river, the hike through the jungle the next day - it is hard to choose which part we liked best. Juan is amazing at spotting animals and is very knowledgeable. We were lucky enough to see two sloths, crocodiles, caimans, turtles, poisonous frogs, various lizards, a snake swimming the river, many many birds and more. It was simply amazing.
Written 7 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lroschmann
Budapest, Hungary7 contributions
Friends
we had an amazing tour going with juan adillas tours. saw so many amazing animals and were lucky enough to see a baby jaguar in the night. the overnight camping on a small island was unreal as was the experiences of fishing with troops of monkeys swinging overhead. the guide was fearless and would catch anything he could to show us - from frogs to crocodiles.
Written 18 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hola a todos. Estoy buscando informaciones para hacer un tour en la reserva y quedarme algunos dias alla? Me podrian recomendar gente o agencia de viaje? Muchas gracias
rincha
Marseille, France27 contributions
bonjour comment reserver pour le mois de fevrier 2019 merci
Sally B
20 contributions
We are going to Indio Maiz in March. I like the idea of the overnight canoe camping trip. Do they provide everything for camping, i.e. sleeping bags, tent, etc. or do we need to bring our own stuff. Also, do we need to reserve this in advance or can we just do it when we get there?
Hilary018
Guildford, UK104 contributions
I am pretty certain that they will provide all the camping equipment you need. It is always wiser to book in advance if you don't want to be disappointed when you get there because their camping facilities are fully booked. If you look on your screen you will see a window that says: "Ask a question: Get quick answers from Reserva Biologica Indio Maiz staff (and past visitors). I would address your question directly to the Reserva. We didn't do the overnight camping trip; we did a day trip to the Reserva by canoe which was very enjoyable. We were well looked after.
BinWoodside
Woodside, CA124 contributions
How do I get in contact with this magical Juan Ardilla in advance of our trip to Nicaragua the first week of December 2017?
Nicole K
4 contributions
Hey! Write to him on Facebook or call him. The phone number here on the page is the right one. His name on fb is Juan Alberto Aguilar Ardilla (he has a monkey as his profile picture)!
Cecilia A
3 contributions
Is het mogelijk om nu op voorhand voor eind november al de 2 daagse tour te boeken?
valli2015
Castelfiorentino, Italy
ciao, mi sai dare un indicazione di qualche guida o tour operator per visitare la foresta!
grazie
Fifitravels
London, UK12 contributions
Hi there, how can you get in touch with Orlando? Which company does he work for?
Peter E
Pueblo, CO2 contributions
How do you get to the reserva from Managua?
Chris M
Granada, Nicaragua8 contributions
The quickest way is the way I used - flying La Costena airlines from Managua to San Carlos, a city on Lake Cocibolca at the mouth of the Rio San Juan. From there, the only way forward is to take a river shuttle to El Castillo or to one of the hotels nearby on the shores of the river. From your lodging, a tour company or individual guide of your choosing will take you to the reserve. The cheapest way follows the same route, but instead of flying to San Carlos, you would take a bus to San Carlos. There are no express buses going there to my knowledge, so you would have to take the chicken bus. Another option has been taking the ferry from Granada, but I believe the ferry service has been suspended for now owing to conditions in the lake. If available, the ferry ride is also inexpensive, but a long trip.
Sally D
Highland WI29 contributions
WHo do you recommend for guided activities, boat rides and horse back riding.
Chris M
Granada, Nicaragua8 contributions
I can't say I have experience with the various tour companies available in El Castillo. I stayed at Victoria Hotel and asked the staff as well as tourists in town about the experiences before signing up for a trip to the reserve. I ended up using the service recommended by my hotel. I would say that if you do not speak Spanish at least at the intermediate level, you should look for a guide that does speak your primary language. That will probably narrow the list down considerably. The competition being fierce, there is not a lot of cost difference, except where it relates to add-ons, like lunch being included or binoculars being provided.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Reserva Biológica Indio MaÃz
- Hotels near Reserva Biológica Indio MaÃz:
- (8.83 km) Hotel Luna del Rio
- (8.54 km) Hotel Victoria
- (3.42 km) Guacimo Lodge
- (8.83 km) Hotel Lara's Planet
- (8.75 km) Nena Lodge and Tours