Nicaragua allows you to enjoy nature at its best. There is a great variety of landscapes and habitats that give rise to different types of animal species and vegetation.

The autonomous regions located in the eastern part of the country and that cover the entire Caribbean Coast, are home to many forests and have two biosphere reserves declared by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture, Unesco: Indio Maíz (in the southeastern part of Nicaragua, next to the San Juan River) and Bosawás (in the northeast part). These two areas are home to magnificent, ancient trees and a wide variety of tropical animals.

The Nicaraguan National Assembly approved the January 28, 2021 the creation of the "Nicaraguan Caribbean Biosphere Reserve", located off the east coast of the Central American country. The title of “biosphere reserve” was granted by the National Assembly.
The objective of the declaration of this area as a biosphere reserve is to protect the natural heritage of the nation and guarantee the environment of the town to a healthy environment to face the consequences of climate change.

Another of the reserves declared by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture, UNESCO, is Ometepe Island.

In addition to the rain forest, or 'Tropical Humid Forest', there is another equally interesting type of vegetation, which corresponds to the 'Tropical Dry Forest' that is in the Pacific side of Nicaragua, where many tropical plants, trees and animals live, without such an abundance of water.

In places with more elevation you can find the 'Cloud Forest', especially on the tops of some volcanoes, where the continuous humidity makes the forest remain always green, so the trees do not have to drop their leaves, some examples are the Maderas Volcano and the Mombacho Volcano.

Other areas of rich nature are the swamps and estuaries, which are visited by migratory birds, some present in the Cosigüina Volcano, and the estuary in the Istián River on the Ometepe Island.

Lakes, ponds and rivers are also present in many shapes and sizes. Lake Nicaragua is the largest in Central America, containing the Solentiname archipelago and a large island of about 274 kilometers formed by two volcanoes joined by a strait of land.

Bosawás Biosphere Reserve

Located in the territories of Wiwilí, El Cuá and San José de Bocay in the department of Jinotega, Wiwilí in Nueva Segovia, Waslala, Bonaza, Siuna and Waspam in the Autonomous Region of the North Caribbean Coast.

It forms part of the heart of the Mesoamerican biological corridor and is in turn the second largest of the tropical forests of the American continent, after the Amazon forest.

It represents 15% of the national territory. The Mayangna and Miskito indigenous ethnic groups live here almost exclusively, maintaining many of their traditional forms of comprehensive and sustainable management of ecosystems.

Indio Maiz Biosphere Reserve

It is considered one of the best preserved nature reserves in Nicaragua. It is located in the southeast corner of the country, bordering the San Juan River. The reserve covers 3,180 km² and is home to a wide variety of jungle animals.

Be sure to visit the department that houses it, Río San JuanIt has many mysterious places to discover, it was the scene of various historical events over the years, it was a transit route.

Its chronicles tell how amazed you will be to visit its Solentiname archipelago, Los Guatuzos, its fortress in El Castillo or its magical little towns with friendly people.

Ometepe Island Biosphere Reserve

The largest island in the world with two volcanoes in the middle of a freshwater lake, it attracts more and more visitors year after year, definitely a fascinating natural wonder.

It has an extension of 276 km², with 31 kilometers long and approximately 10 kilometers wide. This island, with exuberant nature, rich in history and friendly people, is made up of two imposing conical volcanoes, Concepción (1,610 m above sea level) and Maderas (1,394 m above sea level).

Much to offer to those who visit: beautiful beaches, interpretive trails, archeology, museums and various species of animals and orchids.

Ecotourism

Some destinations in the country are part of Central America Green (Environmental Certification), in them you can enjoy a quality ecotourism product, comfortable, safe, authentically natural and committed to conservation and human development. Among them, the Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve, the Masaya Volcano National Park and the Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge stand out.

First geopark in Central America and eighth in Latin America

On July 7, 2020, UNESCO approved the Rio Coco Geopark designation, which covers the municipalities of Somoto, Totogalpa, San Lucas, Las Sabanas and San José de Cusmapa in the department of Madriz, comprising almost 1,000 square kilometers.

It has 12 geosites of international geological and landscape relevance. A unique territory that integrates geological, aesthetic and cultural values ​​to promote sustainable tourism, education and research.

Somoto Canyon, Piedras Pintadas Archaeological Park, Tepesomoto La Patasta Nature Reserve, donut workshops, churches with historic architecture, unique crafts, Coco River, La Bruja Lagoon and natural viewpoints of the highest municipality in Nicaragua (San José de Cusmapa) are some of the tourist options located in this geopark.

Birds

More than 700 species of birds can be found in Nicaragua, many of them permanent and a few others migratory that escape the icy climate of the north.

Among some of the species that you can observe are seagulls, rangers, pelicans, falcons, trogons and quetzals.

Depending on the habitat, it is the type of birds that can be observed in Nicaragua, in the dry tropical forest some typical species are the Saltarín Toledo, the Copetona Magpie, the Woodpecker, the Sabanero Cuckoo, and the Pacific Parrots (chocoyos).

In the case of the rain forest, it is one of the richest habitats, present in the Bosawás and Indio Maíz Nature Reserves, some of the birds that particularly inhabit are the Gray Coa Tail and the Red Bellbird, in the Mangroves, a species of bird found in these systems is the Yellow Mangrove Warbler.

Mammals

Nicaragua has many types of mammals, in the forest you can find the puma, ocelot, anteaters, monkeys (white face, howler monkeys, spider), sloths, and tapirs.

The largest mammal in the world can also be seen in Nicaragua, on the Pacific coast, in San Juan del Sur, you can see whales, which migrate from north to south or vice versa. They are seen more often in the dry season. Other marine mammals that you can see are the dolphins, sometimes in the Pacific. And in the San Juan River and some Caribbean beaches, families of manatees live.

Marine life

Besides the dolphins and whales there is much more to see. Not only do the Pacific and Atlantic coasts offer a variety of marine life, but also the lagoons, lakes and rivers; They have their flora and fauna.

On the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua you can find abundant and colorful reefs surrounded by fish and other marine animals. Other animals that live in both the Caribbean and the Pacific are sea turtles.

reptiles

Nicaragua is home to many terrestrial reptiles such as lizards, iguanas, which can be green or brown, called garrobos. Another water reptile is the alligator. They inhabit rivers, lakes, and ponds, but are generally not a threat to humans.