Las Peñitas Archives ⋆ The Passenger

March 10, 2023April 16, 2023

Chickenbus experience

What happens to old US school busses? They get sold and receive a second life in Latin America. There they are repainted and receive a religious statement as an inscription in the front. From now on they tour through countries like Nicaragua on fixed routes, but without determined stops and vaguely known schedules. Every now and then people enter to sell food and drinks, beauty products or even livestock – maybe that is the reason for the local name: chicken bus.

March 9, 2023April 23, 2023

Cocodrilos

Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado, Las Peñitas

The Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado is a nature protection zone close to Las Peñitas, Nicaragua. Rivers running in parallel to the beach create a long-stretched island that is used by an endless number of turtles to lay their eggs. Along the rivers you’ll find a vast mangrove forest that gives a home to many different species; lots of birds, iguanas, crabs, fishes jumping out of the water to hunt insects and crocodiles.

March 8, 2023April 23, 2023

Fishermen‘s village

Where do the inhabitants of León, Nicaragua, go to if they need some time off at the beach? It is most probably Las Peñitas – a fishermen’s village located just twenty kilometers (or one hour in a chicken bus) from León. It is named after the rocks spread in some parts of the beautiful sand beach which is used for surfing. Along the beach you’ll find lots of relaxed bars and hotels; the sundown there is simply awesome.

March 8, 2023April 23, 2023

La Barca de Oro

The Hotel Barca de Oro is a classic backpacker hotel in Las Peñitas, Nicaragua. The village surrounding it is a classic fishermen’s village and when you’re up early enough you can watch them going out in their boats and returning with the catch of the day in front of the hotel. Next to it the natural reserve San Juan Venado begins and you can observe the water of the Pacific ocean rise and sink during the day.