Other Activities:

The Mombacho volcano, Granada and the Isletas

Visit the Mombacho Natural Reserve and its tropical cloud forest, a paradise for nature lovers. We will take you to the top of this extinct volcano, 1150 meters above sea level. Explore the nature trail around one of the craters, with incredible views to Granada , Lake Nicaragua & the “Isletas”.

After a typical Nicaraguan lunch, we will visit the colonial city of Granada , founded as the first city in continental America in 1524 featuring classical and neo-classical buildings, antique churches and horse-drawn carriages! The tour ends with a boat ride on Lake Nicaragua to explore some of the 365 small islands called “Isletas” that are remains of an eruption of the Mombacho volcano.

Duration: about 9 hours, price per person $160.

Masaya volcano and markets, Granada

Visit the Masaya National Park featuring the active Masaya Volcano. You can walk right up to the volcano and take a look down into the crater. Continue on to the city of Masaya and its famous handicraft market featuring wooden products, hammocks, leather products, ceramics, paintings and much more.

Enjoy a typical Nicaraguan lunch after visiting the Catarina lookout over the Apoyo crater lake and go on to visit the home of Nicaragua ’s best ceramic manufacturers in San Juan del Oriente (Los pueblos blancos). Finish your day with a visit to the colonial city of Granada , founded as the first city in continental America in 1524 featuring classical and neo-classical buildings, antique churches and horse-drawn carriages!

Duration: about 9 hours, price per person $160.

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Surfing

Nicaragua is a surfer’s paradise. During your stay at Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge you will have the opportunityto arrange at our tour desk one of our boats that will take you to nearby surfing beaches. Morgan’s Rock does not have surf boards for rent but in nearby San Juan del Sur rentals are available.

One of the most popular surfing spots in Nicaragua is Popoyo, located a few beaches from Morgan’s Rock where you will find various surf breaks ranging from hollow, A-frame beach break to super fun, classic point breaks, to critical outer reef breaks. These surf breaks benefit from.  

Nicaragua ’s permanent Santa Ana condition, and enjoy offshore winds over 300 days per year. Nicaragua ’s Santa Ana phenomenon is a phenomenon whereby the dominant NE trades from the Caribbean are accelerated across Nicaragua ’s narrow land mass by the absence of mountains in this southern region and by Lake Nicaragua , a massive inland lake approximately one-half as wide as the country. As the NE trades sweep across the narrow isthmus of the country towards the Pacific ocean they blow straight into the approaching SW ground swells.

The offshore winds groom these swells into clean hollow lines and almond-shaped barrels at the many points, reefs and beach breaks which bless Nicaragua ’s Pacific coastline.

Catch and Release Sport fishing

The waters off the Nicaraguan coast are famous for great fishing. Depending on the tide and weather conditions, the sport fishing excursion leave right from the beach at Morgan’s Rock.

The inshore Pacific waters off the Nicaraguan coast are teeming with a wide variety of fish such as rooster fish, sierra mackerel, jack crevalle, bonito, hound fish, snapper, grouper, snook, and blue trevally. The rooster fish average 40 lbs with the occasional monster. If you choose not to run offshore you can try for sailfish at La Piedra de Brito, a small hump, located ten miles from San Juan del Sur. Occasionally you will run into dorado, yellowfin, tuna and wahoo there, although not nearly as abundant as offshore.

Offshore you will encounter blue, black, striped marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dorado. The prime months out of San Juan del Sur are from May through November. Our fast boats will quickly get you offshore and back. Offshore fishing consists of running 30 plus miles to get to the humps and the drop. We are billfish and game fish friendly, so we practice catch and release with all billfish.  

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Diving Information

Our diving operations are currently handled by a diving company based in San Juan del Sur called Scuba Shack www.scubashack-nicaragua.com, located just 20 minutes south of the lodge. If you plan to dive at Morgan’s Rock for a day, depending on the weather conditions, we can either arrange a beach pickup right in front of the hotel or take you by taxi to San Juan del Sur.

The diving conditions on the southern coast of Nicaragua are similar to the ones in Costa Rica ’s Guanacaste province. You may see lots of dolphins, manta rays and other rays, groupers, bull sharks and the occasional whale shark. Depending on the season, you may be fortunate enough to see one or more of the various species of whales which frequent these waters. Because the are is previously unexplored by divers, lobsters and other small sea life, such as shrimp, octopi and seahorses are also abundant.

In addition, a nature preserve, where Leatherback and Green Olive Ridley turtles come to lay their eggs by the thousands, is located only 22 kilometers south of San Juan del Sur, so the likelihood of seeing these creatures is high, especially during the egg laying season from October to December. Water temperature is generally between 75 and 82 degrees F, and visibility ranges from 40 to 80 feet or more. The best visibility is generally in the dry winter season from November through May.

Rates for Diving and Snorkeling

Boat Dives (including all equipment):  1-tank dive for $39, 2-tanks dive for $70 (per person with 2 person minimum and 8 person maximum).

Prices do not include I.V.A. (15%)

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What else is there to see in Nicaragua? 

Colonial town of Granada :

Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge is located about an hour and a half south of Granada and daily excursions can be organized by the hotel. Granada was founded in 1524 and is the oldest colonial city in the Americas . It is situated on Lake Nicaragua next to the impressive Mombacho Volcano and close to the famous isletas. In Granada , colonial charms still abounds: Renaissance and Baroque style churches and colonial buildings painted in mustard, peach and salmon huddle around a Spanish-style Central Plaza where shoeshine boys and horse drawn carriages rest in the shade. Granada ’s little cafés and shops were once the center for Nicaragua ’s Vanguardia poets sucha s Joaquin Pasos and Pablo Antonio Cuadra. To this day, Granada has maintained its reputation as literary city.

Granada is located one hour south east of the capital city of Managua and Nicaragua ’s most important tourism center. It has a relaxed atmosphere and its many museums, shops, churches and colonial buildings make it a favorite stop for any Central American traveler. The story is filled with history. At one point in time, Granada was attacked by the famous Caribbean pirate Captain Morgan and suffered under the infamous filibuster William Walker. Some of the city’s most important sights are: Parque Central, La Gran Francia, Casa de los tres mundos, Convento y Iglesia de San Francisco and many more.

The lake front area is a park frequented by locals and offers cool breezes and views. Just off Granada in the lake are more than 370 isletas (little islands) that were created when the Mombacho Volcano erupted thousands of years ago. You can visit the isletas by boat or take a tour up on the Mombacho volcano. Don’t miss this mystical cloud forest on top of the volcano where you can find a biological station and other activities such as horseback riding, bird watching and Canopy Tours.

Nicaragua’s Artisans

Excursions out of Granada can take you to the Laguna de Apoyo, which is a volcano crater that can be seen from the Mirador de Catarina. In and around the small picturesque town of Catarina , you will find some of the country’s finest handicrafts. Especially San Juan del Oriente offers you great insight in the workshops and allows for pleasant strolls. Nicaraguans are famous for their handicraft abilities in working wood, clay and other natural materials. There is also a big handicraft market in the colonial town of Masaya that offers a great variety of souvenirs and are renowned for their hammocks.

Volcanoes

Nicaragua is called the country of Lakes and Volcanoes. It features nine active and various dormant volcanoes. The most important volcanoes from a tourism perspective are: Cosiguina, San Cristobal , Telica, Cerro Negro, Momotombo, Masaya, Apoyo, Mombacho, Concepcion and Maderas.

Many of those volcanoes have the perfect cone shape and can be climbed by the more adventurous traveler. The Masaya crater located between Managua and Granada is part of a National Park and can be accessed by car (about two hours drive from Morgan’s Rock). The view into the crater is stunning. The Mombacho Volcano near Granada is a volcanic reserve and features hiking, canopy tours and a biological research station (about one hour from Morgan’s Rock).

Protected Areas

Central America ’s Isthmus represents only 0.5 percent of the world’s landmass, but is home to over 10 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Nicaragua makes up for a big part of this diversity with its varied ecosystems ranging from costal mangroves and volcano slopes to lowland tropical rainforests, rivers and lakes.

Nicaragua has gotten off to a late start in terms of protecting its natural resources and it was not until 1990 that protected areas have received planning and support. But in 2002, Nicaragua has 76 protected areas encompassing 18 percent of its territory. The most popular protected areas for visiting while staying at Morgan’s Rock are: Mombacho Natural Reserve, Masaya National Park , Maderas Volcano Nature Reserve and La Flor Wildlife Refuge.

Omotepe Island in Lake Nicaragua

The Ometepe Island is one of the most impressive sights in Nicaragua . An island emerging from the lake made up of two volcanoes, the Concepcion and Maderas. Adventurers can climb the Maderas volcano topped with cloud forest, a lagoon and many birds and animals. There are beautiful rivers and waterfalls to swim in and a visit to a coffee or banana plantation is worth your time. Ometepe is somewhat isolated from the rest of Nicaragua and therefore maintains its special mystery and charm.

Ometepe and its volcanoes can be observed from the highest point of the hacienda with the Pacific Ocean views to the west and Lake Nicaragua and Ometepe to the east. Truly spectacular.

Managua

Morgan’s Rock is located about two hours and a half south of Managua and excursions can be organized by the hotel. Originally an Indian fishing settlement in the time of the Spanish Conquest, in 1857 Managua was declared a compromise capital, mid-way between the battling Liberals in Leon and Conservatives in Granada .

Today more than a quarter of Nicaragua ’s population is concentrated in and around Managua . Sadly, most of the old buildings were destroyed by earthquakes in 1931 and 1972 and after the second earthquake, the city center was relocated to the safer city outskirts. For many visitors, Managua serves as the gateway to Nicaragua .

Nicaragua has one of Latin America ’s most modern airports and offers an array of hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment choices. The most important sites include the National Palace of Culture, the new Cathedral, the birth house of Ruben Dario and National Museum of Nicaragua.

• Bird List Morgan’s Rock, Nicaragua
• Animal List (Mammals and Reptiles) at Morgan's Rock, Nicaragua
• Plants at Morgan's Rock, Nicaragua
• Guest bird list April 2005