Spanish school, Research Station, Sustainable tourism, Ecotourism, Fish studies, Bird and other nature studies, Reforestation and Conservation Activities and Hostel in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, Nicaragua. Birdwatching, SCUBA diving, swimming, hiking, nature and wildlife watching. Hostel, great meals, great friends. Saving the planet and enjoying every minute of it!
www.gaianicaragua.org.
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Durante aproximadamente un siglo, las ideas de Charles Darwin sobre la selección de pareja como un motor hacia el desarrollo de especies nuevas, fueron efectivamente desvaloradas dentro del Reino Animalia. Es difícil encontrar un caso donde es probable que dos especies se formaron dentro de una, en una sola población, con sus miembros en permanente contacto. Mientras siempre ha existido la idea que la selección de pareja puede ser un factor importante en el desarrollo de una especie nueva, en la gran mayoría de los casos, es poco probable que no hubiera otro factor, como una barrera geográfica, en la historia del desarrollo de las especies, en particular con animales vertebrados.
El tipo de formación de dos especies de una población de una sola especie, a través de la selección de pareja, es llamado especiación simpátrica. Sin embargo, el caso de la especiación entre un grupo de peces en las aguas de Lago Cocibolca (Lago Nicaragua) y las lagunas cratéricas alrededor, ha sido fundamental en el regreso de este concepto. El grupo de peces lleva el nombre "mojarra" en Nicaragua, y son varias especies, algunas descritas y otras no, del genero Amphilophus.
El tiempo de existencia de las lagunas cratéricas de Nicaragua varía entre unos diez mil y cien mil años, relativamente poco para los procesos de evolución típicos que forman especies nuevas. A pesar de su relativamente reducido tiempo de existencia en esas lagunas, se ha comprobado que procesos rápidos de evolución han sucedido en varias lagunas, a través de estudios morphológicos en Xiloá y Apoyo, y estudios genéticos en varias lagunas. Las aguas de cada laguna son aisladas de otros cuerpos de agua.
Las mojarras se hacen pareja y se anidan dentro de la planta que se llama Chara, en la Laguna de Apoyo. Foto Topi Lehtonen.
Un reportaje sobre los estudios ejecutados por GAIA en las lagunas fue publicado esta semana en El Nuevo Diario, en el cual se mencionan las especies endémicas de este grupo ya identificadas y descritas, de las lagunas de Apoyo, Xiloá y Asososca Managua, y también se menciona un estudio en curso en la Laguna de Masaya, sitio reconocido en desahucio por su nivel de contaminación por basura y aguas residuales que entran en la laguna desde las ciudades aledañas.
Del reportaje en El Nuevo Diario, 30 Agosto, 2017.
Para los científicos, además de que sean especies nuevas que en si tienen importancia, estas mojarras demuestran evidencia de haber sufrido procesos de especiación simpátrica durante el relativamente corto tiempo que habitan las lagunas cratéricas, por lo que sean de gran importancia como sujetos de estudio. Es una lástima que Charles Darwin nunca vino a Nicaragua, para que vea las mojarras que adornan a los lagos y las lagunas de Nicaragua. Si estuviera vivo hoy Charles Darwin, estaría en la Laguna de Apoyo, buceando con nosotros!
De Geiger, McCrary, y Schliewen, 2010.
Estudios de campo en la Laguna de Apoyo. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
Los peces en la Laguna de Apoyo abundan entre estructuras rocosas.
New friends are made easily, because we are small and we share with people who visit. People come and go, from Nicaragua and beyond. Some to learn, others to give. Everyone ends up doing a little of both.
Bella, our faithful canine, hangs with the gang in front of Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
Estacion Biologica is not at all pretentious or upscale. We have a simple place, and we are doing simple things: planting trees, studying the environment, birdwatching, sharing our knowledge of the language and culture, and collaborating with the neighbors and the government of Nicaragua to make Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve a great place for nature, for decades to come. Our visitors are welcome to pitch in. Our prices are very low, but we are comfortable, and we eat very well! Special food options can always be arranged: gluten- or dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan.
This is how Spanish homework ends some evenings. Photo Andras Dorgai.
We are perhaps best known in some circles for the Spanish courses we offer, at Apoyo Spanish School. Each year, we impart at least one hundred fifty course units of a week each, custom-designed to fit the abilities and needs of each person. Our students are often travels who want to engage with locals better. Many, however, are learning Spanish for professional reasons, using their language skills in Nicaragua or other nearby countries in their jobs.
Early morning in Lake Apoyo, while clouds cover Pacaya, above the rim of the crater. Photo Andras Dorgai.
Undoubtedly, the best part of spending time at Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo is the lake. Mornings, the lake can be calm and smooth as glass, without a soul to be seen near the water. As the day progresses, however, locals and tourists may come for a dip. There is no water body anywhere that is as comfortable and naturally clean as Laguna de Apoyo, for a great swim. Visibility underwater during a scuba dive may be as much as 10 meters on a calm day.
All ages get involved when monkeys are to be seen. Everyone becomes a kid again! Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
Our property at Estacion Biologica is humble, but blessed with great trees and often with lovely wild animals. Golden-mantled howler monkeys, known locally as mono congo, are over our heads these days, perhaps two hundred days each year. We thank effective conservation policies enacted as part of the management plan that our director, Jeffrey McCrary, coordinated for the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources. Several years ago, there were fewer monkeys and they were found in more limited locations than currently.
Apoyo Spanish School students gather for some extra tutoring from Bela. Photo Andras Dorgai.
Volunteers come to Estacion Biologica to participate in specific projects, or in whatever is most needed. One example is the Murrieta family, who recently spent a couple of weeks engaged in all kinds of environmental conservation activities, including the planting of 56 new trees in a reforestation plot in the hillside behind Estacion Biologica. The evenings were filled with discussions ranging from poetry and literature, to politics and saving the environment, to our favorite places in the many cities each of us had lived or visited.
Visits to Estacion Biologica are often a family affair. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
Each day at Estacion Biologica brings a new, unexpected blessing. The people in these photos are just a sampling of the blessings that have come our way in the most recent months. We are grateful for every hand lent and each voice raised. Please come by or write us!
El ser humano es igualmente capaz de hechos heroicos como de cobardías. Así fue algún hechor que dejó un animal silvestre indefenso, dado por muerto, en el bosque de la Reserva Natural Laguna de Apoyo.
El cuyuso, de nombre científico Potos flavus, es un animal que no ataca ni al ser humano, ni a animales pequeños. Es nocturno y se alimenta principalmente de frutas, sin tener que bajarse a la tierra de los árboles. Por sus hábitos, es poco visto y mucha gente que vive en el campo no reconoce que la existencia del animal en el bosque cercano.
Yuyu disfruta de un banano mientras sea admirada. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
Yuyu es una cuyusa, una hembra adulta, que vivía en los bosques de la Reserva Natural Laguna de Apoyo. Una mañana, ella fue encontrada por trabajadores en un hotel en la zona, en estado de salud grave. Fue víctima de una garroteada. Porque no hubo testigos, no sabemos quién fue el culpable, y solo podemos suponer sus motivos. Solo sabemos que el pobre animal agonizaba, incapaz de caminar. Los guardaparques del MARENA nos encomendó el animal.
En su primer día después de ser encontrada herida, Yuyu es triste y en agonía. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
La cuyusa llegó con varias heridas. La más serias fue de una pata desgarrada en la articulación de la rodilla. Los huesos de la pata se encontraron expuestos en una herida abierta, y la pata quedó inútil. Su ojo derecho se encontraba totalmente cerrado por el hinchazón alrededor. La mejilla debajo del ojo derecho sufrió una cortadura profunda y de más de dos centímetros de largo. El ojo derecho también se encontró golpeado.
Aunque se encuentra gravemente herida, Yuyu goza de un mango bien maduro. Se nota el ojo derecho en mal estado, la mejilla derecha con una laceración y el ojo izquierdo opacado. Foto Andras Dorgai.
Pensábamos que Yuyu iba a morir pronto. Se encontraba muy mal, muy triste. Pero cuando le ofrecimos comida, ella la devoraba con enormes ganas. Estuvo en agonía, con dolores fuertes, y sujeto a condiciones que nunca hubiera aceptado si pudiera escapar. Nosotros estábamos tristes por ella, y vimos que ella manifestaba grandes deseos de vivir.
En evidente agonía y con una pata desgarrada, la cuyusa demostraba sentirse dolores fuertes. Foto Andras Dorgai.
Convencimos a algunos veterinarios que valía la pena darle una oportunidad, aunque fuera evidente que ella iba a enfrentar a otro mundo, si bien pudiera curarse en salud después de las cirugías necesarias para salvarle la vida. Nosotros en GAIA asumimos el compromiso de cuidarla y asegurar una vida que valga la pena para ella, aunque todavía no sabíamos qué implicaba. Los veterinarios generosamente regalaron a Yuyu tres cirugías necesarias para salvarle la vida, quitándole un ojo, limpiando y cerrando la herida abierta de su mejía, y amputándole su pata desgarrada. Es mucho que hacer a cualquier animal, y más aún a un animal silvestre.
Después de tres cirugías regaladas por los ángeles de World Vets en Granada, Yuyu parecía otro animal. Qué felicidad! Foto Andras Dorgai.
Yuyu regresó de World Vets adormecida, y pronto estuvo despierta y hasta con hambre. Pronto se estuvo moviendo. Su comportamiento reflejaba una diferencia de inmediato, de mayor nivel de identificación con los seres humanos a quiénes ella tuvo que permitir estar cerca a ella. Y, más importante,
ella manifestaba evidente gozo, alegría, y curiosidad. Se dormía de día, despertándose solo para comer cuando se le traía fruta, pero de noche, comenzaba conocer a toda su jaula espaciosa. Resultó, tristemente, que su solo ojo remanente tampoco funcionaba; el color opaco no se quitó, evidentemente por daños severos, dejándola totalmente ciega. Pero si, encontraba chispas de alegrí en su vida, tan lejos de la que dejó atrás unas semanas antes.
Yuyu es y seguirá siendo un animal silvestre. Por las cosas de la vida, es obligada a depender a los seres humanos, ya que es totalmente ciega. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
La calamidad que cayó a Yuyu le quitó todo de lo que era su vida de antes. No puede caminar por los árboles nunca más. No puede buscar una pareja, ni procrear en la forma que su especie suele hacerlo. No puede vivir y morir en el bosque como era su derecho y deber, siendo un animal silvestre. Ese día en marzo del 2017, cuando fue atacada por una persona con malas intenciones, ella dejó su vida en el bosque. Ahora, tiene otra. Es embajadora para su especie y para el bosque, contra el maltrato y el tráfico en animales silvestres.
Yuyu la cuyusa disfruta de su encierre de madera, donado por un voluntario. Ella siempre está a la orden para visitas, especialmente si el visitante trae regalías de fruta. Todos están invitados a visitarle y traerle bananos, sandía, melón, u otra fruta.
Todos están invitados a visitar a la Estación Biológica Laguna de Apoyo, y conocer a Yuyu.
Ella es enamorada de las frutas nativas del bosque-nancite, jobo, jocote, aceituna-y también come de frutas introducidas, como el melón, sandía, banano, y mango. Yuyu siempre quiere recibir visitantes, y también quiere el contacto de algunos voluntarios que ayuden a limpiar su jaula, velar por ella, y darle a comer. Quieres ser voluntario eco-guerrero? Contáctanos para saber cómo puedes ayudar.
Each year, the city of Granada participates in the shameful, degrading practice of running of the bulls. Ostensibly, this event ritualizes the movement of bulls from one place to another, presumably from farm to beef processor. Regardless of its origin, it is now simply an opportunity to abuse animals with impunity. On a main road in northern Granada, bulls were supposedly guided with multiple ropes pulled by mounted cowboys. One bull, of magnificent stature, was stalled in the middle of the street, surrounded by thousands of frenzied spectators. The bull was obviously exhausted and in an altered state from the abuse leading up to the moment. The animal received not just jeering, but lashes and punches from daring young men who felt the need to prove something about their bravery by goading the animal.
A bull, stalled in the middle of the street, is goaded as a horse with rider approach. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
The bull, of course, has no opportunity to escape. The ropes prevent him from running far in any direction. Each rope, at least 20 meters in length, was pulled by a rider from different directions, all attached to his rack. The bull was hyperventilating, and incapable of going further. He was provoked from behind by dozens of men baiting him. Then, a rider approached him to provoke him to advance, and the horse was guided directly to the side of the bull, leaving the flanks of the innocent horse exposed. The bull responded by planting a horn into the horse and lifting the horse, with rider still mounted, up until the hind feet were suspended in the air. He held the horse in this position, still, for at least fifteen seconds.
This abusive rider placed his horse in evident danger, causing the horse to be impaled by a bull. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
The rider, dismounted, once the bull released them and was pulled further away, but it was too late for his horse. The abdomen suffered a complete tear through to the mesentery, about eight inches in diameter, and the intestines of the horse were exposed and falling out through the hole.
The wound suffered by this horse, gored by a bull while being ridden, was surely fatal. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
This horse presumably lost his life due to the reckless and inhumane behavior of the rider. But his life was not lost in vain, if the delight of hundreds of drunken men is given any consideration. This event was an opportunity for all to participate and observe at close range the suffering of animals on a scale that is not so easy to find any more, in an urban setting. The blood sport which makes up this event, in its entirety, has no cultural value, and only serves to degrade and bring suffering to animals, as well as to put people at risk unnecessarily. Shortly after this occurrence, an ambulance was required to ferry a wounded person to seek emergency medical care. As would be expected, a dense crowd pressed on the victim, where hundreds of men competed for the best view of the misery of the poor man who had been trampled. The society of Nicaragua needs to rethink why this event occurs at all. Its only apparent objectives appear to be to allow large hordes of men, many of whom were drunk, to abuse animals or to watch and enjoy the abuse performed by others. This event provides no function for the beef industry, and the suffering of the bull and the horse both were in blatant violation of the Law 747 which protects the welfare of all animals. There can not be any justification for this event on behalf of the beef industry, either, because the bulls that are subjected to this torture surely lose weight and suffer injuries, which reduce their value as slaughtered animals. This is nothing more than blood sport, in which people are encouraged to harm animals and to consider the torture of animals as entertainment. The activities surrounding the running of the bulls is not only shameful because the animals are subjected to unnecessary suffering. The event encourages risky behavior among men and boys that invariably leads to serious injuries for a few unlucky, daring abusers. But a greater impact is the message, in the form of a call, to which thousands respond in each running of the bulls. That message is that making animals suffer needlessly is appropriate, and even to be enjoyed by humans. There is no argument that can be given to justify the suffering imposed on the bulls, other than as entertainment.
Durante varios años, hemos estado ayudando a rescatar animales silvestres cuando sea necesario. Nuestra contribución de GAIA a la vida silvestre en Nicaragua, a través del rescate, rehabilitación, y liberación de animales, siempre ha sido pequeña, sin embargo, ha crecido notablemente recientemente. La diferencia mas notable que ha marcado los últimos años es que la conciencia de las personas que tienen animales silvestres como mascotas se ha ido levantando. Cada día hay mas gente en Nicaragua que reconoce que un animal silvestre debe vivir y morir en su hábitat natural, no en una jaula.
El hecho de que lleguen animales, o de que llamen o escriban personas preocupadas que quieren reportar a un animal, o que quieren entregar un animal, que quieren apuntarse como voluntarios en el trabajo de cuidar a los animales o donar para que hayan condiciones y alimento para ellos, es en si, una manifestación de la conscientización que se esta dando entre la gente por encontrarse con la posibilidad de que los animales silvestres tengan su segunda oportunidad de vivir libres, una vez capturados.
A esta ardilla le encanta el banano! Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
Recientemente, una joven nos escribió, porque había comprado una ardilla centroamericana (Sciurus variegatoides), la cuidó como suya, la trató muy bien, hasta dormía con ella. Pero con el tiempo, la joven reconoció que la ardilla no es un animal domesticado. Una ardilla debe vivir y morir entre los árboles, haciendo lo que hacen las ardillas y no obligada a vivir como el ser humano dicta.
La ardilla centroamericana (Sciurus variegatoides) es común en la región del Pacífico en Nicaragua. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
Igual como en otras ocasiones, la ardilla presentaba una gran aficion al ser humano. Se dejaba tocar, llevar, y hasta dormia encima de las personas. Cuando la trajimos a la Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo, ella fue cargada por dos adolescentes voluntarios. Comia traquilamente cuando estaba en casa, pero al ver a los arboles y el gran verdor del bosque, se ponia inquieta.
La ardillita come mientras es observada. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
Ya sabia la ardilla que los arboles se encuentran en su ADN. No se satisfacía con la atención de las personas. Se quiso ir, y pronto, se fue!
La ardilla socializaba fácilmente con los jóvenes voluntarios en la Estación Biológica Laguna de Apoyo. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
Esta ardilla, igual como muchas otras, se fue. Tres dias despues, fue vista, jugando con una ardilla grande, señalando que ya esta bien, fue aceptada entre las muchas ardillas que viven arriba de la Estación Biológica. Esperamos que tenga larga vida, y lo mas importante, que viva segun su naturaleza, que sea corta o larga. Hasta siempre, amiga.
Durante el 2017, muchas ardillas han sido traídas a la Estación Biológica, para su rehabilitación y regreso al bosque para que viva y muera libre. En el vídeo abajo, hay algunas mas ardillas que vinieron para ser liberadas.
Si deseas ayudar a cuidar a la naturaleza, escríbenos y dinos como puedes participar. Estamos siempre a la orden para cualquier comentario. Échanos una mano y trabajemos juntos para cuidar la vida silvestre en Nicaragua.
Nicaragua does not have an officially designated national bird. Nonetheless, the Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) is widely regarded as the national bird. Its imagery permeates the symbology of the country, even appearing on the recently issued 200-cordoba note. All Nicaraguans love this bird, to be sure. Its name in Nicaraguan Spanish is Guardabarranco, or Bank Keeper.
A Turquoise-browed Motmot brings a caterpillar to the chicks in a nest on the patio of Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
This year marked a first. On our, not exactly expansive, patio, a pair of Turquoise-browed Motmots decided to nest. The nest conditions they require has spawned their Nicaraguan name: They choose a horizontal hole in a dirt bank, usually previously made by small reptiles, then expand and lengthen it. The nest is protected from some kinds of potential predators by its location that can be reached only with difficulty by small, clawed animals that can scale the wall, or by flying; by the length of the nest and usually a crook in the access tunnel, which makes any trip into the tunnel treacherous; and by extreme stealth on entering and leaving the nest.
The 200-cordoba note, made of plastic, features none other than the Guardabarranco.
The nest site was a drainage hole, placed in a stone retaining wall. It is shielded from easy view by a mahogany tree, but is less than two meters from every person entering and leaving Estacion Biologica. There was just enough cover from the mahogany tree to permit the birds to enter and leave without being easily noticed.
A juicy caterpillar is on its way to chicks in the Turquoise-browed Motmot nest. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
Once the eggs have hatched, the real work begins. Hungry chicks demand a lot of food, with particular nutrition profiles, particularly lots of protein. Both parents hurriedly made forays into the garden below and the jungle behind in search of fruits and especially small animals.
The Turquoise-browed Motmot, caterillar in tow, is waiting for its mate to emerge from the nest, to ferry more food to them. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
We were too busy to monitor the nest constantly. Furthermore, the parents noted whether someone was observing before entering or leaving the nest. We chose to act casually, let them do their thing, and hope for the best. This species is abundant in the Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, some nests are found only 40 meters from our gate, but this first use of our own property made us proud.
The Turquoise-browed Motmot is uncharacteristically abundant in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
We never saw the chicks depart, and the large numbers of nearby birds of this species makes it impossible to state which bird came from where. Whether they survived and fledged, we can only speculate. Hopefully, because we try to make our grounds more natural and friendly to wildlife, the nesting pair was able to use a new site successfully, and perhaps we will get another visit in the future.
One does not have to be an expert to enjoy birdwatching. If you would like to see this gorgeous bird and lots of other forest birds, ask us to provide a field guide for a short excursion. Birdwatching is an inclusive, learning and enjoying activity, in which beginners can participate. Contact us if you would like to make a birdwatching excursion.
Anyone up for some morning yoga? Andras is conducting yoga classes at Estacion Biologica, and you are invited to join it. It's a great way to start the day, by reminding your body of its center, and awakening the relationships between the mind and the body. Starting 6 am, each Monday and Thursday.
Yoga is a great way to start the day, anywhere, but it's best in the jungle. Photo Andras Dorgai.
A hurried day can easily combine with distractions to keep a person from relaxing, feeling oneself, and reducing the effects of all the noise from without and within. Yoga also can get the blood flowing to parts of the body that might not be getting enough attention, without impacts and strains of many sports.
Visitors to Estacion Biologica and students of Apoyo Spanish School can start their mornings with a yoga class. Photo Andras Dorgai.
The yoga class began on the first morning with sun, following several with impending rain or storms. There was no wind, so the trees were silent, except for the grunts of monkeys raiding the fruits of a couple of Cecropia trees in the yard. They occasionally howled, and a neighboring dog barked. Bella, our own dog at Estacion Biologica, insisted on mixing with the yoga class, too, but she eventually accepted to stay on the margin. Scrubbing of clothes on a wash stand down the way could be heard, as well.
Andras and yoga students on the deck at Estacion Biologica. Laguna de Apoyo makes a great place to practice yoga. Photo Andras Dorgai.
Practicing yoga is good everywhere, although some places call out. If you are visiting Laguna de Apoyo, you are welcome to visit Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo, and practice yoga on our deck. Yoga teachers, experienced people, beginners, and curious are all welcome. You won't need anything special, just come as you are. Our wooden floor is soft enough for most poses, and some cushion can be improvised if you do not have a yoga mat.
Yoga class ends with a moment of relaxation. Photo Pablo Somarriba.
Time for breakfast, then on to Apoyo Spanish School! Or to whatever plan each person has for the day. Some people are Spanish students, others are overnight guests, and others come from nearby hostels just for yoga, or also a great, vegetarian breakfast afterward.
The Apoyo Volcano exploded in what may have been the most powerful of all the volcanic blasts of the quaternary epoch in Central America, around 23,000 years ago. No humans were around to see it, however, as the first direct or indirect evidence of humans in the area seems to be less than 15,000 years old. We can imagine the awe of the first people to look down into the lake seated at the bottom of the crater. Although the name "Apoyo" matches a Spanish-language word, it actually is a precolombian toponym referring to clear water.
We know nothing of the message or messengers who inscribed on the rocks in Laguna de Apoyo. Photo Pablo Somarriba.
The precolombian people of the region around Apoyo, particularly on the sides of the Pueblos Blancos to the west, and Masaya to the north, did not die out or migrate away. Precolombian roots are seen in the faces and the traditions of the area. Furthermore, in Masaya and a few other areas, some people maintain official indigenous representation, according to registrations with the government from more than a century ago. The precolombian culture was largely erradicated by the Spanish conquest, but these relics give silent testimony to a society that still lives.
Indigenous people of the area left etchinngs in several rocks in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Photo Pablo Somarriba.
Students at Apoyo Spanish School can visit the petroglyphs found in different locations near us. The messages have not been deciphered, so each person can imagine and hypothesize about the meanings behind each etching. Some are small, others are a few meters wide. The centuries have passed since these designs and messages were left behind, but thankfully, we are still able to enjoy them.
Possibly an Insect? Turtle? Photo Pablo Somarriba.
The hundreds of years of separation from their prior society has left the native Nicaraguans of this area disconnected from the reasons, language, and messages behind these treasures. Someday, hopefully, there could be a rescue of these petroglyphs for the benefit of the people who continue to live in the area. It is no surprise that many petroglyphs are found here, because of the abundance of rock and the marvelous place that is the interior of the Apoyo crater.
Students of Apoyo Spanish School sit above a large petroglyph in the Apoyo crater. Photo Andras Dorgai
There are a few nice walks on public-access trails in the crater that pass by petroglyphs. These walks can combine great views of landscapes, birds, monkeys, the incredible diversity of plants, and these relics from another era. Some of the trails lead to communities along the edge of the crater, so a walk could terminate with a nice beverage while looking across the lake.
This petroglyph has been carved on the top of a flat bedrock. Photo Andras Dorgai.
If you would like to make a hike to see petroglyphs, please contact us. We would love to take you for a hike that can combine birds, monkeys, useful plants, petroglyphs, and majestic views.
A petroglyph in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Photo Andras Dorgai.
Chilling imagery left behind by the precolombian ancestors in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Photo Andras Dorgai.
A spooky petroglyph with ann oddity behind. Photo Andras Dorgai.
