Sendero
The municipality of Cárdenas is located on a coastal strip between the coast of Lake Cocibolca and the border with Costa Rica.
They are flat and sandy lands in the coastal area and with much influence of humidity from the lake, in the area adjacent to Costa Rica there are prominences of considerable altitude, which alternate with hills and plains, which motivates a great diversity in the floristic composition .
It is an interesting area because a transition between the Pacific dry forest and the Caribbean tropical rain forest is reflected in the ecosystem.
The municipality is located on a plain with moderate drainage. It is located in the Cárdenas River micro-basin, with a slope that runs from west to east, draining towards Lake Nicaragua.
Cárdenas is located on the western limit of the Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge. Among the sites with natural features of the municipality, are:
El Lake Cocibolca: one of the main natural attractions in the area, a large part of the surrounding vegetation is preserved, artisanal fishing, research, aquatic recreation and interaction with rural communities are the main attractions for this important resource. One of the benchmark beach sites on the lake is Punta de Piedra Beach, located in the Kalula community.
Los Petroglifos Viewpoint: It is located in the Las Mercedes region, it is a privately owned site where you can see stones carved by our ancestors and that reflect different artistic or nature forms. On site you can enjoy panoramic views of the forest and the lake plain.
To get to the place you must take a tour of a path where you can observe and take pictures of the variety of flora and fauna of the site. This tour lasts about 40 minutes on foot and about 30 minutes on horseback. It is located in the Las Mercedes region, at kilometer 148.9 on the Sapoá-Cárdenas highway.
Guapinol
The caves and hot springs: It is located in the community of Colón, it is a place where you can enjoy walks in wooded places, here you can observe a lot of wildlife, also refresh yourself in the rich and warm hot springs in the vicinity of the landscape and the waters of Lake Cocibolca . Located in the community of Colón, 33 kilometers from the urban area.
La Zanata, Zanatita and Zanatilla Islands: there are three islands located in Lake Cocibolca, with an area of 10, ¼ and ½ blocks, respectively. It is a place full of charm and natural beauty; The boat ride is surprising since you can observe the landscape of the lake, tropical flora and fauna, especially the species of aquatic birds, or enjoy artisanal fishing in the company of local people. It is a site that is preserved in a virgin state.
Zopilotera jump: it is located in the Sotacaballo region, 23 kilometers from the town of Cárdenas. It is a natural site with a great diversity of plants and animals, the waterfall is approximately 110 meters high. The climate is cool, due to the presence of well-preserved forest, and many tropical birds can be observed. The waters of the waterfall give rise to the Ostayo River. Go hiking amid cold weather and the greenery of many trees; There are two trails, one that takes you to the top of the waterfall and the other at the foot of it, crossing rocky and wet stones.
Observe and enjoy the fresh waters coming from the Ostayo River. You will be able to hear the chirping of the birds and have direct contact with nature. The site has three viewpoints from where you can enjoy exceptional panoramic views.
The Hill 45: it is a site with impressive panoramic views of the municipality, Lake Cocibolca, Sapoá, the Pacific Ocean and neighboring cities with Costa Rica. This will be the prize after hiking and enjoying the flora and fauna of the place, where you can breathe peace and tranquility.You can get to the foot of the hill by vehicle in about 20 minutes and to walk up it will take you about 30 minutes . The Hill 45 is located in the region Sotahhorse, 29 kilometers from the town center. Visit the El Espejo viewpoint, a natural site where you will have a great time, take tours to observe the flora and fauna of the place, as well as beautiful panoramic views. Located in the Las Mercedes region, at kilometer 155.
Another interesting place, to observe spectacular panoramic views of the municipality and its surroundings, is the Cerro Zapotillo viewpoint, located 18 kilometers from the urban area of Cárdenas. The hydrographic network is made up of important attractions to get to know the gallery forest and the aquatic ecosystem.
The walks on the banks are interesting, since many species of animals are located, also the boat rides to contemplate the landscape and artisanal fishing are usually very attractive. Unlike the rivers of other municipalities, these run all year round, even when their flow drops in the summer.
Sapoa River
El Mena river It is a natural site full of great diversity of plants and animals, 30 meters wide; In this place you can make trails on the river bank and the surroundings, in addition to observing the flora and fauna.
Here you will learn about the fall in combat of Commander Gaspar García Laviana in the fight against the Somoza dictatorship. This museum is located 12 kilometers from the urban area in the community of Río Mena.
El Sapoá river invites you to enjoy its cool waters, with an approximate width of 35 meters. You can take a tour of a natural path, walking on the river bank until we reach its mouth we can observe its beauty in flora and fauna. This river is located in the Sapoá region, kilometer 144 on the Sapoá-Cárdenas highway.Another option to enjoy the crystal clear waters of this municipality is the El Toro river. It is a navigable river, with a great diversity of flora and fauna. Here you can do field days, surrounded by nature, take tours of the banks of the river and its surroundings, it is ideal to visit with the family, and it is used as a route to the municipality of San Carlos, Río San Juan. It is located in the community of Colón, 40 kilometers from the urban area.
We invite you to enjoy the Punta de Piedra beach, where you can visit the small caves on the coasts, practice kitesurfing, beach volleyball, sunbathe, and take a boat ride. This beach is located at kilometer 154, Cárdenas-Kalula highway.
El eaquatic cosystem It refers to Lake Cocibolca, it is the only freshwater lake that houses a marine species such as the shark.
Coasts of Lake Nicaragua
Another important ecosystem is the gallery forest found on the banks of rivers, most of them run all year round and maintain lush vegetation on their banks, with tall trees that serve as a refuge for the surrounding fauna. The Tropical moist forest it is characterized by its rains during much of the year. The soils are shallow, the trees develop supports on the roots and the humidity allows many orchids, ferns and araceae to grow on the branches. The wetlands They are transition zones between the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, they are flooded lands during the winter. There is much grass and trees adapted to humidity, which serve as habitats for resident and migratory waterfowl, as well as many species of mammals and reptiles. The dry forest It is located in the lower parts of the western sector of the municipality. Some species lose their foliage during the summer.
El agroforestry system is made up of citrus groves and the network of living fences used for property boundaries and management areas, while the agricultural system It is mainly represented by the development of meat and milk cattle ranching, in whose lands the production of pastures is established, alternated with some scattered trees. The agricultural system It is represented in the crops of basic grains, mainly beans, corn, rice, sorghum, banana, coconut and cassava are also sown.
A large number of forests surround the municipality and among the representative species of trees are the acetuno, avocado, river almond, anona, brazil, cacao, caimito, black cinnamon, ceibo lucio, chilca, chiquirín, cornizuelo, escobillo, espadillo, Eucalyptus, genízaro, granadillo, soursop, guanacaste, guapinol, guarumo, guachipilín, big man, rubber, jiñocuabo, laurel, jocote, llama of the forest, black wood, arbutus, mamey, mamón, malinche, mango, marañon, nancite, neem, papaturro, quebracho, macuelizo oak, sardinillo, tempisque and tigüilote Among the representative fauna species of the municipality are squirrels, armadillo, eyeglass owl, carpenters, rattlesnake, rabbits, congo monkey, cuajipal, guinea pig, wild hen, wild cat , guatusa, congo monkey, white-faced monkey, otter, oriole, peacock bass, sloth, pizote, querque, pijul, ox kill, deer, toledo, skunk, bare-tailed fox, wild pig, taltuza and zenzontle.
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