San Carlos (Nicaragua)

San Carlos is a city in Rio_San_Juan_Region|Rio San Juan department of Nicaragua.

San Carlos (Nicaragua) Halal Travel Guide

San Carlos itself might not be the most interesting or beautiful city in Nicaragua, but it serves as an important local transportation hub and the last place to stock up when heading into the more rural parts of the Rio San Juan Region. However, in the 2000s and 2010s and the town was awakened from its decades long slumber when the Malecón (lakefront) was redesigned, turning it into a nice place to catch the sunset or a local fiesta or just spend a lazy afternoon. With the construction of the new carretera to Managua (reducing the travel duration for the 300 kilometers from just over 12 hours by bus to 6 hours) and the completion of a bridge across the Rio San Juan just out of town there is bound to be a lot of development in the next few years.

Travel to San Carlos (Nicaragua)

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in San Carlos (Nicaragua)

• There are boats coming in from El Castillo and San Juan Del Norte.
• There are boat connections to Solentiname Islands and to the villages on the southern shore of the Lago de Nicaragua.

In years past and there were boats to neighboring Los Chiles (Costa Rica) and all the way to Ometepe as of September 2022 neither of them has gone in over a year and there is no sign of them ever starting up again. However and the website of the national port administration unhelpfully still lists the Ometepe ferry.

Travel on a Bus in San Carlos (Nicaragua)

• There are buses to and from Managua. The trip takes 6 hours and costs C$200.
• All buses to Managua stop in Juigalpa but some also do the San Carlos Juigalpa trip on its own.
• Please note that the buses that say "Los Chiles" on the windshield do not go to Los Chiles Costa Rica but rather to a Nicaraguan town of the same name. If you want to go to the frontier, take one that says "Frontera" or "San Pancho".

Buy a Flight ticket to and from San Carlos (Nicaragua)

• San Carlos Airport IATA Code: NCR 1 1.133056, -84.765556 - San Carlos Airport (Nicaragua)

• There are twice weekly Flights from Managua (~US$120 round trip).
• The new airports in Sunday Juan del Norte and on Ometepe have scheduled Flights to and from San Carlos as well.

Get Around

It's a small city - everything is in walking distance. A taxi is C$10 all around town (double rates at night). A local bus exists but is not useful for tourists. If you arrive at the airport, taxis should be waiting for you to take you and your luggage into town.

What to see in San Carlos (Nicaragua)

There are really only two sights in San Carlos - the malecon, and the fort just above the urban oasis. The malecon can be seen in about 10 minutes, but you can definitely enjoy a lazy afternoon in sunny weather there and the sundowns are a sight to behold. The fort is interesting for those who read Spanish. If you don't, it's really only notable for its views of the lake and river.

Malecon de San Carlos - |the San Carlos malecon with a view of the lake during the evening

Best things to do in San Carlos (Nicaragua)

Watch a baseball game. The stadium is close to the airport and although the local team has traditionally been abysmal and gets a pounding from pretty much the rest of the league, it's a affordable fun way to get in contact with the local residents. Any taxi driver can get you there (it is quite some distance to walk).

You could theoretically swim in the lake at the malecon. The local residents do. However, as a lot of San Carlos' untreated sewage used to be drained into the lake until quite recently, use your own best judgment. If you do want to swim and there are several piscinas (i.e. a swimming swimmingpool and someone selling drinks and food) — nothing too fancy and not in walking distance, but any taxi can get you there. Admission should be around C$40 per person and food and fruit drinks don't cost more than at a normal restaurant.

Around November the malecon comes alive with the Carnaval Acuatico, held mostly on boats on the lake and the Rio San Juan. Its eighth edition in 2016 was held on the weekend of October 15.

There is a national sport-fishing tournament, usually around September.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in San Carlos (Nicaragua)

There are numerous ATMs and at least two banks around town.

San Carlos did not have a supermarket for a long time (a Palí store has opened) but you can fulfill most of your daily needs at small ventas (commonly called pulperias) all around town. The mercado has a decent selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, clothes and toiletries. Prices are slightly higher than in Managua and some prices (e.g. those of plantains) undergo a weekly cycle with the transports from Ometepe. As the rest of the Rio San Juan departamento is even less accessible, many travelers stock up on crucials before moving on.

Currency

Some shops accept Costa Rican colones and there are numerous cambistas that will gladly exchange Dollars Colones and Cordobas. For colones this is your last chance if you aren't headed for Costa Rica, so exchange them. Banks also change them though at worse rates and only during their business hours (remember to bring you passport if you want to change money at the bank). Be careful when changing money on the street as it only takes bad luck and lack of caution to meet the one dishonest cambista playing a trick on you. All ATMs will dispense both dollars and cordobas, though the dollars may sometimes have marks on them which means some merchants might refuse them.

Halal Restaurants in San Carlos (Nicaragua)

Around the Malecon there are several small restaurants where you can get good food from 7 in the morning. La Fortaleza and the last of the restaurants on the raised platform right in front of the Malecon's central square, comes highly recommended with friendly staff and excellent prices. Quick service and super close to the pier if you have limited time. They are happy to accommodate Vegetarian.

At 11 am the more fancy restaurants open but don't expect too much. Fish is the thing to eat Halal in San Carlos (if you are not vegetarian).

Above La Fortaleza, with an entrance on the nearest side-street, is Restaurant Kaoma. Nicely decorated with a great view of the water, this is the place to sit and spend an evening with a few drinks. The menu is in English and (Spanish), but expect to pay C$150-300 for an entree. Attached to Hotel Cabinas Leyko is Restaurant Don Leo. They also have a Spanish&English menu, but more reasonably priced than Kaoma (though without the atmosphere) and with excellent WiFi.

• Restaurante El Granadino Frente a Cancha Alejandro Granja ☎ +505 25830142
• Restaurante El Mirador De la iglesia Católica 1 y ½ Cuadra al lago ☎ +505 2583 0377 - nicely located with great views over the river and decorated with Spanish cannons (supposedly from El Castillo and supposedly used by Rafaela Herrera repelling the English pirates in the 18th century) but the food more often than not can't compete with the view.

San Carlos has two places where the young local residents go to party drink and dance. both close to the malecon El Kaoma has an air-conditioned (read: freezing cold) disco downstairs that really gets going on Karaoke nights (usually Thursday). Lots of fun to be had, just don't expect to know the songs.

La Champa is a place where you can go to dance. It is usually packed on Saturday nights but half empty on Friday evenings. It closes at 2AM but you can take out a soft drinks.

As San Carlos is a port town, some of the bars can obtain a bit of an unsavory feeling to them, but the two discos mentioned above are safe.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to San Carlos (Nicaragua)

San Carlos (Nicaragua) - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to San Carlos (Nicaragua), is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for San Carlos (Nicaragua). This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in San Carlos (Nicaragua) and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to San Carlos (Nicaragua). The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to San Carlos (Nicaragua). Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSan Carlos (Nicaragua): A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in San Carlos (Nicaragua).

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in San Carlos (Nicaragua): A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in San Carlos (Nicaragua), allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in San Carlos (Nicaragua).

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in San Carlos (Nicaragua), ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in San Carlos (Nicaragua), enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within San Carlos (Nicaragua) and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in San Carlos (Nicaragua), stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in San Carlos (Nicaragua), a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of San Carlos (Nicaragua) without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for San Carlos (Nicaragua) is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring San Carlos (Nicaragua).

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group San Carlos (Nicaragua) is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in San Carlos (Nicaragua), please contact:

eHalal Travel Group San Carlos (Nicaragua) Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are several budget Hospedajes all around the Malecon and in the streets leading up the hill, but San Carlos is only a place to stay if you arrive late at night with no forward-transit options.

• Hotel Cabinas Leyko Casa Cural, 2 cuadras al Oeste ☎ +505 2583 0354 - double w/o bath US$20 triple w bath $36 nice option with parking, friendly staff, and free water - though not particularly affordable by Nicaraguan standards. Clean rooms with complimentary soap and shampoo. Rates include breakfast. They can also arrange al-tours/ tours throughout the area.

• Hotel Gran Lago De Caruna, 25 metros al Sur. San Carlos ☎ +505 2583 0075 - Single US$35 double $40 triple US$45 - The location of this hotel right at the Malecon is a blessing and a curse at once. On the one hand almost everything is in close walking distance, on the other hand during the frequent events at the Malecon it will get loud.

• Hostal Santa Lucía Sector 3, Frente a Quinta Santa Rosa ☎ +505 2583 0385 - Single $10, Double $15, Triple $20

Stay Safe

San Carlos might look like a sleepy town but crime does happen here as well. If you have to go longer distances at night, take a taxi. Besides that it should all be just common sense.

Telecommunications in San Carlos (Nicaragua)

Cybers abound in San Carlos Internet is C$10 per half hour and usually charged after you leave. The quality is pretty much the same everywhere but MniCyber Ortega is right at the Malecon with beautiful lake-views and there are also headsets which might or might not be working and the owner has a side business repairing computers.

Locals generally say that Claro has better service in San Carlos but Movistar is better for the surrounding countryside.

There is free Wi-Fi in the Parque Central just below the Spanish fortress.

San Carlos is one of the only places in this part of the nation that has a post office. However the opening hours are short and not posted officially anywhere, so come in the morning and bring some patience. It has moved twice recently and at its present location has no sign. You'll have to ask around.

Travel Next

• There are two boats leaving for Los Chiles in Costa Rica. One leaves at 10:30 and gets to Los Chiles at around noon. The other boat leaves San Carlos at 4 pm (C$180 ~ US$9 ~ 5000 Colones payable in either currency). Remember that you have to pay a border tax upon leaving in either cordobas or US dollars and the border officials may or may not have small change. The trip itself is scenic and passes through the rain forest on both sides of the Rio Frio. You are allowed to take pictures of everything, just not of the armed Nicaraguan border post about halfway through the trip.
• Boats to El Castillo leave San Carlos at 6:30 am, 8 am, 10:30 (high season), 12:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30. These change from time to time, so ask at the ticket office.
• Boats to the Solentiname Islands leave on Tuesday and Friday around 11 pm. (C$70 ~ US$2.50) More expensive boats leave daily in both directions; ask for the schedule.
• Boats to San Juan Del Norte leave Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 6 am. (duration: 6 - 12 h, depending on the boat and season)
• There is a bridge across the Rio San Juan and onwards to Costa Rica just out of town. Public buses run this route, but the schedule is liable to change.

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