Located in the southeast of Nicaragua, Indio Maiz Natural Reserve, is the second largest of the 76 protected areas of the country. It comprises an area of 2,700 square kilometers with a vast tropical rainforest. This Biosphere Reserve begins by the Bartola River, 4 miles west of the historic town of El Castillo and it reaches all the way down to the Caribbean.

The name Indio-Maiz comes from the presence of two significant rivers with these names within the Reserve. The flora and fauna biodiversity is great and scientific studies carried out in 2003 by FUNDAR (San Juan River’s Friends Foundation), helped to set up a plan to protect Indio-Maiz Reserve.

All different kind of colorful birds, small frogs with vibrant colors, monkeys, caiman, crocodiles, turtles, iguanas and the incredible jaguar are part of its rich wild life. Also one of the main characteristics of this type of tropical forest is the immensity of the trees like the Ceiba (Kapok tree), Matapalo (Strangling tree), Cedro (royal Cedar), Caoba (Mahogany tree) and many others. Access in the Reserve is limited by MARENA (the Ministry of Natural Resources) and travelers must sign their names to walk through the trails to admire these natural wonders.