social enterprise – TreeHuggers Tourism

How Athletic Do I Need To Be?

You should be in reasonably good shape in order to go hiking and swimming for the duration of the 4-5 hour tour.

What Should I Bring / Wear?

The water is cold, but the sun warms the canyon. It is recommended that you wear a hat for sun protection, use sun block and take some water with you. Take your bathing suit, be discreet, wear t-shirt and shorts if possible. Take a change of clothes, there is a room provided for changing before and after the tour. Tell the guide or us if you need to borrow ‘wet’ shoes, these are included for free. Hard sandals like ‘Tevas’ or trainers are suitable, but not flip-flops. Guides can provide ‘special soft wet shoes’ for those who don’t have good shoes or don’t want to wet boots/trainers, but you have to ask on booking due to limited availability. Life jackets are provided and must be worn for your own safety. Bring an extra pair of socks if possible to change into after the tour.

Note: Your belongings will be protected in a dry bag, sealed, and carried above the guide’s head. Personal belongings can also be left safely in the care of the family at their house at the trailhead.

What’s Included In My Tour?

The price of the tour includes: Entrance fee, guide, lunch (vegetarian options available upon request), all equipment, tubes, safety kit, life jacket, wet shoes, etc., price of taxi (one way only) to the canyon from Somoto terminal.

How Long Does It Take?

The entire tour takes roughy 4-5 hours, depending on the option you choose. You will typically leave Esteli on the 7:30am bus from the COTRAN NORTE, and return from Somoto by dinner time.

Can I Take Private Transport?

We can arrange a pick-up truck for groups or a 4×4 truck for private arrangements. Includes driver, gas, and truck. Ask for details and prices.

Staying In Somoto?

Homestays – There are options to stay with local families at the canyon. Please ask for details. The price is only $20 per person to stay including 3 meals. There are up to 9 family homestays.

Camping – Camp overnight at a lookout point for $2 per night.

Luz Verde

TreeHuggers is proud to be a non-profit social enterprise based on the simple principle that tourism shouldn’t just benefit the tourists. We’re committed to providing amazing tours that help give back to the communities that we work with on an everyday basis. One way we do this is through an initiative we call Luz Verde.

Luz Verde Projects are supported by the earnings of the non-profit Luna International Hostel, the Cafe Luz and the TreeHuggers Tourism Office. Luz Verde supports local employment and income generation through these three enterprises. It also operates on a non-profit basis, supporting a variety of local social projects with all profits.

Luz Verde collaborates with projects focusing on education, women, youth work, environmental and community driven initiatives. Luz Verde facilitates educational development initiatives in local communities, ecotourism, organic gardens, library access and workshops, volunteers, expedition groups, conservation and restoration support, disaster relief funding, scholarships and music and theatre programs.

The administration of the projects is supported from within Cafe Luz y Luna, sharing resources and offices.

Many generous donors and groups have supported us over the years, without their invaluable support we could not have made it this far! We Thank them enormously.