Relax and swing in the hammock enjoying the bird symphony, or get out and hike, bike, climb, swim, dive & paddle at the Laguna de Apoyo Natural Reserve! This spacious, modern, villa provides a unique and tranquil getaway. Enjoy amazing sunrises and incredible starry nights amidst birds, monkeys, and species of fishes that exist nowhere else on earth. Swim in the lagoon that is a volcanic lake. Hike to the volcanic rim town of Catarina, or mountain bike to Granada. If you want privacy and serenity in the jungle canopy with easy access to the lagoon; if you have a group and want to spend at least a couple of days at the lagoon; if you want to do some of your own cooking, and are able to climb steps and the access road, then this is the place for you! Two floor private villa at Laguna de Apoyo. The villa is .67km from the waterfront and about 80 meters rise above the access road. It was built in 2004 with stunning mahogany ceilings and has been recently remodeled with new appliances and renovated bathrooms. Rooms are lovingly equipped with handcrafted furniture, crafts, pottery, and paintings from local artisans. We provide guests with locally produced organic fair trade coffee from Fundacion Entre Mujeres, which promotes the empowerment of rural women through a variety of projects, and we provide locally produced soaps and honey from Frutesol, a company formed by Nicaraguan women entrepreneurs. We provide a small library with books about the history of Nicaragua and wildlife. We partner with a local guide whom guests can hire to lead birding and hiking excursions around the Laguna. The villa is an a community of villas at Apoyo Resort which has 24 hour security. Note the hotel business at Apoyo Resort is closed. All villas are privately owned. No parking at the villa but short term parking can be arranged at .4km up or at the base. Guests have access to the entire villa, access to the badminton court and Yoga Shala next door, and access to the swimming pool, which is about 50 yards down the hill from the villa. The lagoon is accessible through the La Vista restaurant at all hours, even when the restaurant is closed. Badminton equipment and two adult mountain bikes are available for half day or full day use upon request. Owner is available in the villa next door. Recently (as of March 2024) we have seen howler monkeys, toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, magpie-jays, warblers, doves, hawks, guatuzas, owls, and iguanas all from the balcony of the villa. We have seen a variety of fish in the lagoon. Apoyo Resort is a a community of about 40 privately owned villas built in the early 2000s before the 2010 law that restricted development in the Lagoon. The hotel and conference center closed during the pandemic. Most owners are foreigners and villas are unoccupied most of the time, which means less people, less human generated noise and traffic, and often you will be the only one using the pool. The pool and public roads are maintained by a small staff. The neighborhood includes several lagoon-front restaurants within a 1km walk along the road, and some have kayaks available for rent, or are included with the purchase of a day pass, which is usually around $5. There are two well-traveled hiking trails that ascend the crater to the towns of Diria' and Catarina. Please note, these trails are rather rigorous at points, and require 2-3 hours to the rim. However, there are restaurants and bars at both towns with beautiful views to recover your energy, and it is relatively easy to get a taxi back to Apoyo Resort if you don't want to hike back down. For the more adventurous there are trails that include climbing walls. A local guide is available for hire to lead the way, and provide wildlife guidance. If you are into mountain biking then this is the place for you. We have two bikes available to guests (male and female adult). There are trails for all abilities. Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve (Spanish: Reserva Natural Laguna de Apoyo) is a nature reserve located between the departments of Masaya and Granada in Nicaragua. Lake Apoyo was declared a nature reserve in 1991 and is managed by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) and comprises one of 78 protected areas of Nicaragua. Activities within the Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve are regulated by its management plan, approved in 2010, which prohibits the construction of housing within the reserve and use of motorized vehicles on the lake. Geological data suggests that Lake Apoyo originated about 23,000 years ago. The glistening deep-blue crater lake with its slightly salty water is an invitation to swim, dive, sail or paddle. Here you have one of the cleanest lakes in Nicaragua – perhaps even in all of Central America. For swimmers, there are no dangers lurking under the surface and the water temperature between 25 and 28 degrees is just right for a refreshing dip anytime and is especially inviting on cooler days. Measuring around six kilometers across and with a surface area of approximately 2,100 hectares there is plenty of room for water sports without disturbing the habitat of the many varieties of fish. The Laguna de Apoyo was created by the collapse of a gigantic volcano 23,000 years ago. It soon filled with rain water supplemented by a network of underground streams. The crater bottom lies 200 meters below the surface and is about 100 meters below sea level. This is the deepest point in all of Central America. In time, a tropical dry forest took over the steep slopes that soar up to 500 meters above the lake. The lagoon is thus nestled in an imposing emerald-green setting abundant with flora and fauna diversity. By slipping into hiking boots you yourself can soon become a part of this magical world: More than 200 species of birds and butterflies can be observed; over 500 plant varieties have been recorded; and howling monkeys, iguanas and many other animals await your discovery trails . Because of the beauty and biodiversity of the Laguna de Apoyo, it was declared a Nature Reserve in 1991 by the government of Nicaragua. The reserve houses a tropical dry forest ecosystem, within the reserve the flora consists of over 500 species of plants and tropical dry trees, such as pochote, black rosewood, mahogany, hogplum and guacuco, as well as a large variety and amount of orchids. The fauna consists of mammals such as variegated squirrels, opossums, anteaters, pacas, jaguarundis, howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys. As well as a variety of reptiles such as green iguanas and common boas. Over 230 species of birds have been documented in the reserve, oropendolas, falcons, hummingbirds, and 65 species of migratory birds are present. Two-hundred twenty species of butterflies have been documented in the reserve, including 25 first records for Nicaragua and dozens of mollusks. Lake Apoyo also contains a variety of fish species, including six endemic species of cichlids in the genus Amphilophus. From Masaya: Take the main highway Masaya-Granada (Carretera Masaya) towards Granada. At the 37.5 kilometer mark (GPS coordinates N 11° 58’ 21.1” – W 086° 01’ 32.0”), turn right in the direction of Laguna de Apoyo (see road sign). You are now on a road that is paved the whole way and runs steeply uphill for about 10 minutes. You will arrive at a T-intersection where there are a few small shops. Turn right here. After approximately 100 meters, turn left. Then, 200 meters further on you will come to the entrance of the Laguna where you will find an information board and a gate supervised by a park guardian. The road now goes steeply downhill until, after 5 kilometers, you reach another T-intersection where you will see signs for Apoyo Resort. Turn right. Another 1 kilometer brings you to Apoyo Resort. From Granada: Take the main highway Granada Masaya (Carretera Masaya) in the direction of Masaya. After 37.5 kilometers (GPS coordinates N 11° 58’ 21.1” – W 086° 01’ 32.0”) (see marker on the side of the road), turn left towards Laguna de Apoyo. From here follow the directions given above. From Managua: Take the main highway Masaya/Granada (Carretera Masaya) heading south towards Masaya. Continue on the highway right through Masaya and then follow the directions given above under “from Masaya” heading towards Granada. From Managua Airport: Upon leaving the airport, turn right on the northward-bound highway (Carretera Norte). Stay on the highway until you reach the turnoff for Tipitapa (roughly 8 to 10 minutes driving time from the airport). At this junction, turn right in the direction of Masaya. Continue for about 20 minutes until the road meets the main highway (Carretera Masaya). Turn left here. In approximately 5 to 10 minutes you will approach the 37.5 kilometer marker (GPS coordinates N 11° 58’ 21.1” – W 086° 01’ 32.0”). Here you turn right and follow the route description given above under “from Masaya”. By Bus: From Granada: There are no direct buses from Granada to Laguna de Apoyo. It is therefore recommended that you take a bus to either Masaya or Managua. These normally run every half hour during the day. Notify the bus chauffeur that you want to get off at the entrance to the Laguna (La entrada de la Laguna). He will then let you out at the 37.5 kilometer point on the main highway (Carretera Masaya). From there, it is no problem to find a taxi that will bring you to the Laguna de Apoyo. The taxi should not cost more than USD 5.00-10.00. From Masaya to the Crater Rim: There are many buses that drive daily from Masaya to the rim of the Apoyo Crater. They are marked simply with “Valle” or “Laguna”. During the day the buses normally run every 40 minutes. From the rim of the crater you need approximately one hour on foot to Apoyo Resort. Follow the road until you are at the bottom of the crater. Turn right. Another 1 kilometer brings you right to security booth. From Masaya to the Laguna de Apoyo: There are two busses daily that drive down into the Laguna de Apoyo. Departure Masaya at 10.30 Arrival Laguna approx.11.30 Days Monday to Sunday Departure Masaya at 16.30 Arrival Laguna approx.17.30 Days Monday to Saturday Departure Masaya at 14.30 Arrival Laguna approx.15.30 Days Sunday Departure Laguna at 11.35 Arrival Masaya approx. 12.35 Days Monday to Sunday Departure Laguna at 17.35 Arrival Masaya approx. 18.35 Days Monday to Saturday Departure Laguna at 15.35 Arrival Masaya approx. 16.35 Days Sunday Price: 12 Cordobas (approx. USD 0.50) Please leave the bus as soon as you reach the bottom of the Laguna (T-intersection). From here, take the road to the right. A 20 minute walk brings you to Apoyo Resort. Taxi: Of course, you may also take a taxi to reach us. For this, please do not pay more than USD 15-20 from Granada or Masaya or 40 from Managua. Unfortunately, this villa is not easily accessible for people who are not able-bodied. There are steps to enter, and both bedrooms are on the second floor. As noted there is no vehicle parking at the villa, although guests could drop off and pick up people at the villa if necessary. If you are a responsible traveler who cares about sustainable tourism you will be comfortable here. We have a zero waste policy to encourage environmental sustainability. Composting of limited food waste is available on site, as is recycling containers for metal, plastic, paper, and glass. All other waste must be removed by the guests.