matagalpa tours

First, we are 50+ years old so if you are 20 something, ignore this. We signed up for the Coffee Finca/Waterfall hike. We were told it would be a hike on an "easy road surface" and an english speaking guide. The guide, Marlan, was great. He was informative, helpful, great english, etc.However the hike was quite a bit tougher than we were led to believe by the sales person. We were told it would be "an easy hike on an unpaved road". Maybe the first 1/4 mile was on the road. After that it got onto a excessive rock-imbedded single track trail that climbed and dipped greatly. While the climbing and downhill has not too bad (we did have to stop periodically to catch our breath), it was the very rocky trail that was difficult. Several times I slightly twisted my ankles due to the rocks. Once, the wife went down to her knees as she almost totally fell due to them. Imagine grapefruit sized rocks that cover about 25%-50% of the trail and you can see why. Or better, take the typical Nica unpaved road and narrow it to 1 foot wide but with bigger rocks and you have it. You spend the vast majority of the time looking at the ground so you do not trip. Marlon did stop us and point out the monkeys and sloths and other interesting views but the trail is incredibly rocky. Please note this is a trail the locals use daily so the locals are used to it even with all the rocks. It is just us foreigners that are used to smoother trails that have difficulty.We also stopped at two waterfalls to swim. The first was truly natural and pleasant. The pool below the falls were very deep so you could jump off the cliffs into it. The second falls were at a slightly run-down commercial operation and not near as pleasant as the first but the drinks (reasonable but extra cost) were nice to get.Overall, the hike was very nice. We are just pointing out the rocky trail so you know what you are getting into as far as the rocks. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes or boots! Definitely not a beach sandal trail (at least not for non-locals). Overall, we would do it again but we now know what to expect and would go a little slower.. It just would be much better if the trail were maintained/cleared of rocks which is way too much to expect Matagalpa Tours to do as it is a public trail.If you are in semi-decent shape and can climb 4 flights of stairs NON-STOP, you should be able to do it. If not, you might re-consider doing the coffee finca only tour.

I took a friend with me to the community of El Chili--a village where women having been weaving as a cooperative for years. We also went on an excellent hike and visited a coffee farm where we shared a sweet break and a cup of coffee after. My second tour was of the city. Both excellent.

Several weeks ago, we did i hike in Pienas Blancas, Bosawas with two very friendly guids, the best that ever exist!! Marlon and Orlando Cruz :)We hiked upstairs the mountain and slept two nights and three days at 1700 mtrs altitude.It was amazing!!! Very beautiful and cause of the guides, they made meal for us, they showed us the best spots, ect...Something to never forget.Special thanks to Marlon and Orlando Cruz, we will miss you!!!!Kind RgardsJohn Drubbel from Belgium

We have never been to Nicaragua before, so needed help navigating the country. Worked with Matagalpa Tours for the planning, and ended up with an 8-day trip. Most of this was on our own, but we had a guide for a half-day coffee tour and another half-day chocolate tour. They booked our hotels and transportation for us as well. I can't express how good each place was that we stayed, how friendly our driver was, and how knowledgeable our 2 guides were. This was our best trip together yet!

I'm a student at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, and my school takes a trip to Nicaragua using Matagalpa Tours every year. This past January I went for 2 weeks and It was absolutely incredible. The tour guides really know the ins and outs about every area we were in and will take you to some incredible places. Definitely recommend Matagalpa Tours if you're seeking a trip with adventure, education, and unforgettable sights!

After reading about a weaving collective in El Chile, we built our trip to NIcaragua partially around getting there for a visit. Matagalpa Tours was recommended as the best way to get there. Our guide, Daniel was excellent. He grew up in a small coffee town outside Matagalpa and more or less taught himself English by watching TV! He knew a lot about the flora and fauna of the region. We saw 3, two-toed sloths (in 3 different places) and heard and saw a big group of howler monkeys. The landscape is breathtaking. In addition to a lovely visit with Marta, who started the weaving collective in El Chile 30 years ago, we visited a coffee plantation. Having grown up in a coffee family Daniel was an excellent guide for this part of the day. Highly recommend Matagalpa Tours and Daniel in particular.

Did 2 days of touring around the Matagalpa, Jinotega area. Marlon kept us busy and informed. Whatever you want to see or do in this area, Marlon is the expert! I chose history/culture/city sights....and that's exactly what we got. We had a short time, and Marlon gave us a great experience!!! Stayed at Hostal Don Guillermo, which was the best location, with great rooms and breakfast! Dinner nearby at El Balcon was awesome!

We were 17 people who wanted to go visit a coffee farm, and we did an agreement with the company upfront.The guide showed up a bit before time, found us at the restaurant, where we were eating, was patient when we were running late, and did a great job on the coffee farm.Fully recommendable.

Our two week study tour of Nicaragua would not have been the same without Matagalpa Tours and Freddy as our tour guide. We learned so much more than our study objectives, and educational goals. We got a personal and meaningful experience that will last a lifetime. We were challenged physically with amazing adventures, but we also shared social and emotional connections with people and made new friends that will forever be a part of BSU family. I wish Freddy and Matagalpa Tours was in every country of the world - travel was a pleasure! I can't wait to go back and visit our new Nicaraguan friends and families again. Thank you!

We did the 8 hour hike through the Matagalpa countryside. A really nice walk with some great views! Thanks Marlon and Daniel!

Matagalpa Tours made our study tour of Nicaragua completely amazing. Freddy, our fabulous tour guide, led us on a fun-filled, thoughtfully developed itinerary that introduced us to coffee production in Nicaragua as well as the Nicaraguan lifestyle. Throughout our trip, we had many opportunities to learn about Nicaragua’s rich natural resources and wildlife and better understand the history, culture and economy of Nicaragua. Matagalpa Tours also coordinated home stay experiences where we were warmly welcomed by Nicaraguan families into their homes, farms, and communities. Matagalpa Tours provided us with an outstanding experience!

I'm not sure where to even begin but let me start by saying my experience with Matagalpa Tours and our tour guide Freddie was the most amazing thing I've ever done in my life. The trip is something that I will have memories of for the rest of my life. Thirteen students and three professors traveled with Freddie and our driver Javier for two weeks throughout Nicaragua. Freddie was an incredible translator and spoke very good English. He was extremely knowledgable on everything we encountered. There was very rarely a question he could not answer. I must say this trip would have not been the same if it wasn't for Freddie, Javier, and the rest of Matagalpa Tours. They all made this trip so memorable and incredible. Freddie was so patient and accommodating with all of our requests and needs, which is very impressive given that he was with 13 college kids with different ideas of free time activities and special dietary needs. I can honestly not say enough good things about this experience. I have never had as much fun and learned as much as I did on this trip and I owe it all to Freddie and the rest of Matagalpa Tours! I only hope that one day I will be able to return to the beautiful country of Nicaragua.

I was extremely impressed by Matagalpa Tours. We were visiting Nicaragua for two weeks and could not imagine our time there without Matagalpa Tours. Our tour guide, Freddie, made our trip. He was very knowledgeable about every aspect of Nicaraguan life and spoke very clear english. He did an excellent job translating for the non-spanish speakers in our group. I would suggest this tour company to anyone visiting Nicaragua!

We did a coffee day tour with Daniel wich was so much more that we expected coming from us that hates touristy traps. It's genuine and so much more info than just how to produce coffee. We also did a three day hike to penas blancas with Jerome. Wich was so great with beautiful walks and he answered every question we asked. Loved every step of the way, great job guys!Love//ulle and Lawrence

We've been in the hospitality/guide business in Idaho and Ernesto and company did a very professional job for us. Our guide was Marlon Rivera. He not only spoke better English than me but was a font of natural and historic information. Price was right.This is not an attraction, this is a service, so the questions below are not appropriate.