About 60km down the Rio San Juan from San Carlos is the tiny town of El Castillo, built around one of the most important forts along the Rio San Juan. The fort was built in 1675 and was one of a number of defences built by the Spanish to protect the trade route and prevent pirates from sailing up the Rio San Juan from the Caribbean to Granada. The fort at El Castillo is located at a bend in the river where the Raudal el Diablo, or Devil?s Rapids, made it a strategically important point for repelling invaders. The town was built around the fort in the 1700?s. Nowadays it is attractive and peaceful town to visit although it is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. There are a number of small restaurants and hospedajes in the wooden buildings along the riverside. There is no road access to the town so it can only be reached by boat. The banks of the river were once densely forested but have now mostly been cleared for farm land. The fort has recently been renovated and now contains a museum. There are no banks or ATMs and there is no internet available in El Castillo. Sights Fort Built by the Spanish in 1675 to prevent pirates sailing up the river from the Caribbean to Granada. The fort has been recently restored and now contains a museum on the history of El Castillo, entrance US$ 2. Reserva Biologica Indio Maiz The reserve is a few kilometres downstream from El Castillo. Tours can be organised by local tour operators. Walking tours start from US$ 10 and boat tours from around US$ 20. Canoe tours Canoe tours through the rapids can be arranged from local tour operators. Prices vary depending on the length of the trip. Jungle tours The jungle tours can last from 1 to 5 days. They begin by taking a boat along the river and then hiking into the jungle, camping overnight. There are no set prices so you will need to negotiate. Ask around at the dock. Undiscovered Archaeological Site In the jungle around El Castillo there is a set of ruins that was only recently discovered. At the moment there are no tours organised there as the site is still officially undiscovered. The bar/restaurant beside the dock is a good place to start for your quest. (Ask about the swordfish.) We would be grateful for any further information you can give us about the sights around El Castillo. |
Accommodation Hospedaje Universal Room: US$ 5 per person Just by the dock on the river. Hospedaje Aurora Room: US$ 3.50 per person The other side of the docks from Universal. Transport Boats leave every day for San Carlos. Schedules vary so ask at the dock for departure times. There are fast boats and slow boats. The fast boat will cost C$ 120 and take 1 and a half hours sailing upstream. The slow boat costs C$ 75 and can take up to 5 hours. The boats to San Carlos will stop at Bocas de Sabalos, half an hour upstream and around C$40. If you are going to any of the jungle lodges along the river you can ask the boat driver to drop you there. Boats to San Juan del Norte leave every tuesday and friday. The journey takes 9 hours and costs around C$ 150. |
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| Nicaragua El Castillo |
