Nicaragua tailor made holiday

Planet

As in depth specialists to our destinations, behaving responsibly towards our suppliers and hosts is at the very heart of what we do. Our aim is to give our clients the very best experience of the destinations they visit whilst benefiting the local community if we can, and never acting to its detriment. Our philosophy is to support local economies wherever possible and to encourage conservation wherever we can. To us, this means much more than a simple donation to a charity for each client.

We were the first tour operator in the UK to form a partnership with the Rainforest Alliance to work towards the implementation of better management practices in sustainable tourism. In real terms this means that we are working with hotels who are making a positive impact on their local community – socially, environmentally and economically.

On this trip you will visit National Parks at Juan Venado, Monibelli, Mombacho. The entrance fee goes toward the conservation of these protected areas and local guides will help you to spot the wildlife and view in a responsible way - The sand spit at the Juan Venado Nature Reserve, a Pacific coastal wetland is a vital nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles (from May to November).

Accommodation is locally-owned and sustainable practices are embraced by most - on Ometepe Island you will spend 3 nights at the Totoco Eco lodge for example. It is a small-scale eco-tourism venture committed to contributing to the sustainable development of the local community and surrounding environment. Each guest cabin at the lodge has an independent renewable energy supply and grey water recycling system. Human waste is composted and other waste is separated to allow for responsible disposal. The lodge’s six hectare property is managed organically with the help of local staff and volunteers who work specifically to implement the unique principles of permaculture.

People

Nicaragua is a very special country, blessed with wonderful scenery, a rich colonial heritage, a taste for the arts, and a strong sense of community and humanity. The impressive scenery of Nicaragua’s Pacific basin and the rich colonial architecture of its two historic cities, Granada and León, are a perfect complement to neighbouring Costa Rica. Although it has been through recent periods of political unrest and remains one of the poorest countries in the world, day-to-day life in tourist areas remains peaceful and travellers report a safe and welcoming atmosphere. The tourism infrastructure has grown steadily in recent years, with a range of new hotels, retreat centres and eco-lodges appearing.

By incorporating these locally-owned hotels, restaurants and the services of local guides and drivers into our itineraries, we ensure that the money you spend on your trip goes directly into the local economy and local communities benefit from tourism. We try to build long and constructive relationships with our local guides, guest houses and hotels, in the course of which we, and our clients, can make lasting wide-ranging contributions to the wonderful places and people we engage with.

By supporting the Totoco Eco-Lodge for example, you are contributing to the sustainable development of the local community and surrounding environment. The lodge has created the ‘Totoco Foundation’, providing financial, material and human resources to support and facilitate locally run community projects such as providing subsidised transport for local University students, installing a fully equipped medical testing laboratory at the local health clinic, developing and promoting the local community library.

Any visit to Nicaragua will have a positive impact, and by joining in you are making your contribution where it is needed most.