Juan Venado Island Nature Reserve
Juan Venado Island Nature Reserve
Juan Venado Island Nature Reserve
4.5
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4.5
146 reviews
Excellent
83
Very good
52
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Susan T
Managua, Nicaragua37 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Birdwatchers paradise! I was told there are over 140
bird species that have been identified here. We also saw sea turtles being released. Hotel/restaurant Barca de Ora is located on the edge of this beautiful estuary. You can book a boating tour through the hotel or rent one of their kayaks. The hotel is the closest hotel to the reserve’s office to pay for entry or your boat captain will get them for you.
bird species that have been identified here. We also saw sea turtles being released. Hotel/restaurant Barca de Ora is located on the edge of this beautiful estuary. You can book a boating tour through the hotel or rent one of their kayaks. The hotel is the closest hotel to the reserve’s office to pay for entry or your boat captain will get them for you.
Written 29 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eluned1
Bridgend, UK142 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We took a day time trip through the mangroves, arranged through our hostel, Mano a Mano. It was a pleasant few hours and we saw some crocs, lots of birds and a distant view of a raccoon. Seemingly the best time to go is at night (which we weren’t informed of until we were actually on the tour) as there are apparently a lot of nocturnal animals.
Written 17 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oslogeek
Oslo, Norway16 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
I absolutely loved it, and if you like the quiet in-line-with-nature on a pasific humble island, so will you.
They take you out by boat to see the mangrooves and they will point out the different spècies and birds you will meet on the way. Please consider the seasons so you will not get dissapointed. Crocodiles only come here during vinter, and turtles are more likely in the turtle season. I was there in the turtle season and it was spectacular. Not only did we get to release the new born ones. (Make sure to check they have hatching the day you want to go..) We also saw an old sea turtle come up to the beach and lay her eggs. It was magical.
How to book it:
I took a turtle tour, wich took me aproximatly 2 days to find from Leon, but it was soooo wurth it. The easier way would be to go to the end of Las Penitas and book it there instead. You can go by your self, it is not to far, but it is hard if you are not familiar with the island and do not have a boat. The normal cost is 30 USD from both Leon and Las Penitas, You spend ap. 3 to 4 hours in the park, depending on what animals you will see.
What to bring:
Mosquito repelent is a must, camera and bikini. If you are staying there I would recomand to bring food and drinks, even though you can buy something there, it will be expensive considering it is remote. Do not stay here if you do not like crabs, because I have never seen som many crabs in so many colors in my life.
They take you out by boat to see the mangrooves and they will point out the different spècies and birds you will meet on the way. Please consider the seasons so you will not get dissapointed. Crocodiles only come here during vinter, and turtles are more likely in the turtle season. I was there in the turtle season and it was spectacular. Not only did we get to release the new born ones. (Make sure to check they have hatching the day you want to go..) We also saw an old sea turtle come up to the beach and lay her eggs. It was magical.
How to book it:
I took a turtle tour, wich took me aproximatly 2 days to find from Leon, but it was soooo wurth it. The easier way would be to go to the end of Las Penitas and book it there instead. You can go by your self, it is not to far, but it is hard if you are not familiar with the island and do not have a boat. The normal cost is 30 USD from both Leon and Las Penitas, You spend ap. 3 to 4 hours in the park, depending on what animals you will see.
What to bring:
Mosquito repelent is a must, camera and bikini. If you are staying there I would recomand to bring food and drinks, even though you can buy something there, it will be expensive considering it is remote. Do not stay here if you do not like crabs, because I have never seen som many crabs in so many colors in my life.
Written 19 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sariannak
4 contributions
Nov 2014
We went to the tour with a guy who had a tour boat and he showed us on the map where we would go. He didn't speak english and we speak only a little spanish so we did not fully understand what he said, but it seemed good: we would see turtles, crocodiles etc. BUT the tour lasted for 1hour and they took us only to one place were there were babyturtles on basket on a beach. The beach would have been only approximatly 1km by foot and easily accessible. So they took 30dollars +8 dollars entry to the island from the terrible 1 hour tour, which we could have done by ourselves for free. Do not go!
Written 9 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelflowers
Atlanta, Georgia90 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
We rented kayaks from Barca de Oro and paddled to San Juan Venado island via the estuary. It took about 45 minutes to kayak to the point where there is a small dock and a path across the island to the turtle sanctuary. We went before sunset because we were paddling, so when we arrived we were the only visitors there. The beach was stunning and the woman running the tortuga reserve was very friendly and welcoming. Visiting the island was one of the highlights of our two-week stay in Nicaragua. It's a magical place and if you go by kayak you get it all to yourself. Boats bring tourists for sunset, so if you can't paddle, you can still visit.
Written 8 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarzUSA
Wauwatosa, WI45 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
My friends and I toured the reserve- saw crocodiles, iguanas, so many bird species that if you are a birder, you will like this spot even more than I did (and I liked it so much I'd like to go again.) Our guide knew where to stop the boat and look for elusive, shy critters, and at the end, we were charmed by a tub of baby turtles that were released in the evening. A memorable journey!
Written 17 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward G
Southampton, UK7 contributions
July 2015
Wonderful trip, great wildlife totally peaceful and excellent guides.. what more could you ask for. The boat was really good and the guides got us close to see the wildlife
Written 15 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DocSnyder22
London, UK17 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
We came for a 2 night stay in the cabañas right on the beach. We only knew about it from friends who saw the beach huts at the turtle project site on a previous visit.
Don't expect any comfort and maybe bring your own mosquito net. One of the local women cooked for us (basic Nicaraguan food, but the grilled fish was pretty good).
The amazing beach is 22km long and you have it pretty much for yourself during the day. Waves are strong but fun to play with.
At night we went with a guide who worked at the project to see the turtles laying eggs. There were some other groups who did the night tours and locals who were hunting turtle eggs (the project buys the eggs from the locals to put them in large sand bags until they are ready to hatch and thus saving them from being sold at the markets).
Great place to relax, do nothing, sit in the shade and cool off in the ocean, see turtles if you are lucky. We paid the locals directly ($30 per night, C100 entry fee, plus meals). Take bus to Las Peñitas and walk 200m from the final stop to the rangers station. Or ask at the Barca de Oro Hotel.
Don't expect any comfort and maybe bring your own mosquito net. One of the local women cooked for us (basic Nicaraguan food, but the grilled fish was pretty good).
The amazing beach is 22km long and you have it pretty much for yourself during the day. Waves are strong but fun to play with.
At night we went with a guide who worked at the project to see the turtles laying eggs. There were some other groups who did the night tours and locals who were hunting turtle eggs (the project buys the eggs from the locals to put them in large sand bags until they are ready to hatch and thus saving them from being sold at the markets).
Great place to relax, do nothing, sit in the shade and cool off in the ocean, see turtles if you are lucky. We paid the locals directly ($30 per night, C100 entry fee, plus meals). Take bus to Las Peñitas and walk 200m from the final stop to the rangers station. Or ask at the Barca de Oro Hotel.
Written 3 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda300
British Columbia, Canada109 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
The mangrove tour then the nature reserve was a lovely 3 hour trip. We went with Aleandro, a local fisherman and his teen son. They were informative, the trip was educational but the nature reserve was a little "hokey". Our guide pointed out nervous exotic birds, large iguanas in the trees and one small croc. Bring water and sunscreen and wear a hat! We paid $75 USD for a family of 4 for 3 hours. It was really worth it. Left from The Lazy Turtle in Las Penitas. See Ryan there and he'll hook you up with Aleandro.
Written 16 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KanadianOnTheRoad
Kelowna, Canada16 contributions
Feb 2013 • Solo
Along the ocean side of Juan Venado Island is one of the world's most unspoiled beaches. A great place for long solitary walks with just you, the surf and the pelicans.
Written 3 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pouvez-vous, s'il vous plait, m'indiquer quel prix vous avez payé, pour cette visite accompagnée ?
Written 17 October 2019
C'était 10 USD pour la location des kayaks, et 100 córdobas pour l'entrée au parc. Si vous voulez y aller avec un guide, ce sont 10 USD de plus.
Written 29 January 2020
Bonjour, Avec quel organisme êtes-vous parti ? Combien de temps dure la balade ? ESt-ce en kayak ou en bateau et quel est le prix ? Merci d'avance pour votre réponse.
Written 12 November 2017
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