Last Stop: Solentiname Islands

San Fernando Island, Solentiname Islands, Nicaragua

More boat rides, more small, remote towns and more jungle. That’s what the Solentiname islands provide. So why am I going? Is there anything I haven’t seen here? Maybe I’ll just go to Panama City instead. I had already boated up the entire length of the Rio San Juan and made it to the town of San Carlos. From San Carolos there is one last boat ride across the river to the Costa Rican border. Why not just cross the border and make it to San Jose by the following night? I wasn’t sure what the islands held and just seemed like more of the same so why make an extra trip just to see it? But, it’s always hard for me to turn down an island trip plus Tez, Becki and Sean wanted to go. It would be nice to go on one last trip as a group of four before Becki heads North and the rest of us headed south and go our separate ways in Coast Rica.

On the island of San Fernando there is one small store that contains only dried goods that is run out of the side of someone’s house. Sleeping is limited to one of three overpriced options and eating is limited to two of those three sleeping options. With options limited and being captive on an island the locals charge a premium for eating and lodging. I was having doubts about staying here but with some negotiation the four of us were able to strike a deal for lodging and two meals a day for $25.

I’m glad I decided to take the trip to the islands. San Fernando is a peaceful island filled with tropical flowers, birds and jungle. A couple of days was a nice amount of time to spend with one day spent canoeing in Lake Nicaragua. The next was hiking throughout the island in jungle, cow pastures and banana plantations. Of course, no hike can be complete without crazy dogs looking to attack you. I’m still surprised I haven’t been bitten yet and every close call has me thinking of future rabies shots. Most dogs won’t bite but most isn’t all. For example, the pit-bull that bit Becki in the leg and still has the puncture wounds to prove it.

From Solentiname Islands 2011-01

Tomorrow I wrap up my time in Nicaragua and will spend the next two days traveling down into Panama. I’ve decided to skip Cost Rica entirely. There isn’t anything there that I haven’t already done and the country is not worth the money at this point in time. I’ve enjoyed Nicaragua and can say that the people of this country have been the nicest by far.