D'Santos Natural Reserve & Diriamba City Cultural Highlights

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

What you will visit:
D'Santos Hacienda a Private Natural Reserve
Nestled on the lush slopes of Carazo province, the D'Santos Hacienda has been lovingly tended to since 1870 by the Rapaccioli family. It began as a coffee plantation, making them pioneers in the industry, and today they have been awarded for their organic, shade-grown coffee with a prestigious Dutch certification for sustainable coffee production. A private nature reserve, over 100 species of birds, including the national bird of Nicaragua, the turquoise-browed motmot, have been recorded on the property. A walk through the grounds reveals a canopy of centuries-old trees, dazzling butterflies, blooming flowers and a hive of mini honey bees.
Diriamba
Named after the Nicaraguan chieftain Diriangen and the second largest city in Carazo, Diriamba is an attractive city laid out in a grid fashion with a beautiful central park. Notable attractions include the many churches, a landmark clock tower and the site of the former El Aguacate hydroelectric dam, which today is a waterfall. Surrounded by lush scenery, rolling hills, verdant forests and a sun-swept coastline, Diriamba draws vacationers to its lively shores. But the city really heats up during festival time, as it is the center for Nicaraguan folklore and celebrations. Traditional dances, music, costumes and fireworks add a pop of color and excitement to Diriamba, and the renowned comedy dance El Güegüense, a cultural expression in honor of San Sebastian, was declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2000.

The Basilica of Saint Sebastian
Forty-eight years in the making, the Basilica of Saint Sebastian was begun in 1891 and completed in 1949, a period considered the renaissance of Diriamba. Dedicated to the city's patron saint, it is one of the prettiest churches in Nicaragua with its white façade and gold trim detail. It was designed by an Italian architect named Mario Favilli and is a standout on the outskirts of the city's central park.
What you will see along the way:
As you walk through the private natural reserve at D'Santos Hacienda, take in the beauty of the natural surroundings, the elegant canopy of giant trees, fragrant blossoms, wonderful wildlife including iguanas, small mammals and dazzling butterflies, and a large variety of birds, including the motmot, woodpeckers and manakins. You will also see and learn about the traditional ways of cultivating shaded coffee.
Lunch:
A delicious traditional lunch will be served at a beautiful palapa. A palapa (a Spanish word of Mayan origin meaning "pulpous leaf") is an open-sided dwelling with a thatched roof made of dried palm leaves. During you meal, you will enjoy a Nicaraguan folkloric presentation with the traditional bow marimba and dancers.

Special Notes:

The Nature Tour has easy trails, it is not a strenuous hike, it is a walk through the forest.
Even though this is a coffee plantation, it's is not a coffee tour, it's a nature walk through a private reserve which includes some aspects of coffee production.