Nicaraguan Trip 2018

BPBO Birding & Culture Trip to Nicaragua – December 2018 

 An exciting opportunity to visit some exciting & important “off the beaten track” birding areas in Nicaragua in December 2018(07th to 17th).  

This trip is being planned in conjunction with Salvadora Morales’ “Quetzalli” Company, and with visit a number of important habitats, including cloud forest, true jungle, temperate highlands, active volcanoes & the historic colonial Granada area.

  If you have any questions about the trip, contact Ted Cheskey (international birder & BPBO President) at echeskey@videotron.ca . 

Birding Nicaragua 2018

Departure from Canada – December 7         Return to Canada December 17

Estimated Cost: 2500 US Dollar participant not including International air fares; visa fees, alcohol; any other activities not listed in the itinerary

Trip itinerary

Friday 7 

Day 1 – Arrival in Managua at Managua International Airport and transfer to Granada 

Stay at http://patiodelmalinche.com/rooms 

Saturday 8        

Day 2 –  Volcan Masaya & area, PM extended boat birding at Granada 

Sunday 9  

Day 3    Volcan Mombacho and exploration of Granada 

Visit a Mosi station 

Monday 10  

Day 4 Transfer to Selva Negra, Matagalpa. Birding in the afternoon 

http://www.selvanegra.com/es/

Tuesday 11

Day 5 Birding at Selva Negra in the morning and in the afternoon el Arenal 

http://www.refugiobartola.com 

Wednesday 12

Day 6 Birding at Selva Negra and transfer to San Carlos 

Stay at Posada de Doña Juanita 

Thursday 13

Day 7 Birding at Rìo San Juan and transfer to Bartola 

Stay at Bartola  (Cabins)

Friday 14

Day 8 Birding at Indio Maiz and el Castillo

Saturday 15

Day 9 transfer to San Carlos and fly to Managua and Ometepe (Optional with additional cost)

Saturday 16

Day 10    Departure  (Group one departure) 

Sunday 17  

Day 11    Exploration of Ometepe  (Optional) 

Monday 18 

Day 12 Exploration of Ometepe 

Tuesday 19

Day 13 Transfer to Managua  (City tour) 

Wednesday 20

Day 14 Departure 

Other information 

Weather: Probably rain specially in Bartola Reserve

Temperature: The month of December is characterized by essentially constant daily high temperatures, with daily highs around 32°C throughout the month, exceeding 33°C or dropping below 30°C. 

Selva Negra temperatures are around 22°C, falling below 20°C or exceeding 23°C only one day in ten. The lowest temperature could be in Selva Negra with 15 °C

Currency:  ATMs are widespread in most midsized towns in Nicaragua, but you’ll need to stock up on cash before heading to Bartola.   Visa is the most widely accepted card followed by cards on the MasterCard network. American express is not generally accepted. Most Nicaraguan ATMs charge a fee (around US$3) on top of what your bank charges.

Credit cards are widely accepted in larger towns but rarely in rural areas apart from in higher end hotels. US dollars are the alternative currency and are widely accepted, but for smaller items using Córdobas is cheaper and easier.

It’s worth carrying an emergency supply of dollars in case you have problems with your card.

Meals: Meals are included in the tour package.  In Bartola there is no options of others restaurant just where the group will be staying.  We will be bring snack all the time. But the prices in the restaurant depend on where you will be eating you could find prices from $5 to $ 30 dollars. 

Laundry services:  There is two moment recommended for use of laundry services, one will be in Bartola but this will depends on the weather and the other moment in Granada at the end of the trip. 

Other things: There is access to electricity in almost all the places, only in el Jaguar are solar electricity.  To charge camera and other electronics device bring portable chargers.   

Remember to bring:  flashlight, insect repellant, sunscreen, hat, boots, binoculars, camera.  Leaders will have spotting scopes.

Package include:

• Tour leaders
• Accommodations based in double occupancy.
• Round-trip ground transfers from Managua to the  lodge and all travel within Nicaragua
• All Meals 
• Nicaraguan Gift
• Check-list of the birds of Nicaragua
• Travel insurance (we need the age of each participant) 
• Contribution to conservation

Note: The group that stay in Ometepe the cost is additional 

ABOUT the Tour leaders: Birding Nicaragua is an initiative of Quetzalli SA. and BPBO. Quetzalli SA’s team includes biologists and ecologists with over 10 years studying the birds of Nicaragua and being part of research programs and conservation projects. Ted Cheskey is the Canadian tour leader. Please RSVP Ted Cheskey at echeskey@videotron.ca