Visit El Castillo, Nicaragua

The peaceful little village of El Castillo is set on the Rio San Juan, made up of colourful wooden buildings which sit on stilts above the fast flowing river and powerful rapids.

An impressive 17th century fortress dominates the town, strategically located on a sharp curve in the river, raised above the town on a grassy hill with magnificent views over the white-water and jungle canopy downstream.

History

This colourful and diminutive little town and its welcoming inhabitants belies its key role as a stronghold for the Spanish in colonial times as it came under siege from the British in the 18th century and is reputedly the place where Nelson lost his eye. The town was also an important transit point for US steam ships in the 19th century, transporting settlers to California via the Rio San Juan to avoid hostile Indians in the US interior.

Today El Castillo is undoubtedly one of Nicaragua's most picturesque towns and is a great base from which to explore the river and Indio Maíz Biological Reserve.