Enjoy thrilling outdoor pursuits amid breathtaking scenery when touring the region of Atlántico Sur (South Atlantic Coast). Travel rarely explored routes to villages inhabited by Creole, Rama and Garifuna people. Relax at idyllic island retreats, dine on delicious seafood and spot exotic wildlife. Atlántico Sur is an autonomous region in Eastern Nicaragua. It forms part of the Mosquito Coast, a one-time colonial settlement with preserved tribal heritage.
Start your tour in Bluefields. Established in the 1600s by a Dutch pirate, today it is a melting pot of African, European, mestizo and indigenous customs. Relax in Parque Reyes and learn about local history at the CIDCA Historical Cultural Museum. Ride a traditional panga boat to El Bluff Beach with its unusual stone mounds. Join in the flamboyant street processions during the Maypole Festival every spring.
Discover peace and tranquility at the Corn Islands, a group of two islands called Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island. Find postcard-perfect beaches, pristine coral reefs and thick mangrove forests. Dive, snorkel and swim in the enticing water. Come in August for the Crab Soup Festival, when the islands commemorate the end of slavery with parades and sporting events.
Find additional beautiful beaches at Pearl Lagoon, a predominantly Creole town set on the southern shores of a vast lagoon. Feast on plates of mouthwatering fish, lobster and shrimp caught by the town’s fishermen. Escape the crowds at nearby Awas. Spot dolphins and hawksbill turtles at the Pearl Cays archipelago.
Look for howler monkeys, toucans, jaguars and pumas while walking through the cloud forests of Kahka Creek Wildlife Refuge. Hike to tribal villages in Wawashang Hill Natural Reserve. The reserve’s colorful wildlife ranges from butterflies to deer and monkeys.
Bluefields is the major transportation hub for Atlántico Sur. Fly here from Managua. Direct flights also connect Managua with the Corn Islands. Explore farther along the Miskito Coast by visiting the Miskito Cays in Atlántico Norte. Alternatively, travel south and hike in the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve.