If you’re looking for a base camp for heading out on lake expeditions, there’s no better place than San Carlos. San Carlos is the capital of the Rio San Juan region in Nicaragua, it has a bad reputation and for good reason. There isn’t much to do in San Carlos and you’ll spend a great deal of your time on land searching for refuge from the hot and humid atmosphere and praying that you won’t get malaria from all of the mosquito bites you’re getting despite all of the bug repellent you’re wearing.

Getting there
San Carlos is 100 kilometres from Juigalpa and you can ride the bus, take a plane or arrive by boat, although the first option will obviously be the cheapest—and the most uncomfortable if you get motion sickness.