LUNA Backpackers Hostel

INFO MAS INFO  is  a free TOURIST INFORMATION SERVICE

Here in our Esteli office, at INFO MAS INFO, we have the answers to all your questions  

TOURS FROM HERE:

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR MIRAFLOR

**CIGAR FACTORY MON-FRI**

**"CITY OF MURALS" TOUR} Walking tours. Please ask.**

• BEST INFO & BOOKINGS FOR the Miraflor Reserve, how to get there, what to do, where to stay (5 communities), updated costs and making the best of your trip.
• NOW WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE HOME-OWNERS IN MIRAFLOR, NEW INITIATIVES, NEW ADMINISTRATION, IMPROVED SERVICE 8AM-8PM DAILY.
• We offer cigar factory tours most days (except Sundays & holidays) and you can buy cigars there.
• TISEY Reserve & a trip to the Salto Estanzuela, the best & nearest waterfall and swimming hole in Esteli 
• La Garnacha  and the Swiss style cheese they produce - goats cheese and cows cheese, easy to reach and stay overnight, in their cabins with hot water, as well. VIsit their gardens Plus EcoPosada, hikes & highlight Don Alberto and his amazing carved reliefs.
• *NOW a day TOUR with INFO MAS INFO*

• We are constantly reviewing places and receiving updated information from our other guests and visitors

Top 20 +

Things To Do in Estelí when you’re here…

1. SWIM AT ESTELIMAR or LA PICARDILLA
2. DANCE/AEROBICS CLASS ABOVE THE FIRE STATION / BOMBEROS; MON – THURS 6PM  OR 7PM ADVANCED
3. VISIT THE LEATHER WORKSHOPS. BUY BOOTS OR BELTS OR A SADDLE
4. VISIT THE SOUTH MAIN MARKET. SEE THE CACAO,  BARLEY, SEMILLAS DE JICARO &  PINOLILLO & GUESS THE REST
5. VOLUNTEER A DAY AT THE MUJERES AMBIENTALISTAS
6. VISIT THE  REVOLUTION MUSEUM OF HEROES Y MARTYRS
7. EAT NACATAMALES
8. VISIT THE TUSA WORKSHOP FOR FREE UPSTAIRS AT THE CASA DE CULTURA
9. SEE A BASEBALL GAME AT THE WEEKEND
10. BORROW A BIKE AND CHILL AT LA CASITA, AN OASIS.
11. VISIT A WORLD-CLASS CIGAR FACTORY
12. DO A COOL, RECOMMENDED DAY TRIP
13. SEE A SOCCER GAME AT THE WEEKEND – ESTELÍ ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
14. TAKE A HIKE AND SWIM IN THE GREAT SALTO ESTANZUELA WATERFALL
15. SEE THE FRIDAY MORNING ORGANIC MARKET – IN THE PARK
16. TAKE A REAL SAUNA AND EXERCISE AT CECALLI’S FACILITY
17. EAT MONTUCA ON A STREET CORNER AND CHAT
18. DETOX WITH SOME NATURAL PRODUCTS; TOP STOP AT THE ISNAYA LABORATORY SHOP AND NEXTDOOR THE NATURAL MEDICINE SHOP (ON THE ROAD FAR SIDE OF THE NEXSA, 2 BLOCKS SOUTH OF THE BANK CORNER)
19. VISIT THE CENTRAL HEALTH CENTRE “ LEONEL RUGAMA” FOR THE BEST, AND RENOVATED, MURALS.
20. TOUR THE TOWN ON OUR BIKES, WITH OUR MAP, TO SEE SOME OF THE INTERNATIONALLY FAMOUS MURALS
21. ENJOY AN ESTELIANO FESTIVAL, MOST IN DECEMBER
22. BOOK YOUR TRIP TO MIRAFLOR
23. EAT SNAKE OR  IGUANA SOUP
24. SPEND A WEEKEND NIGHT AT LOS SEMAFOROS OR RINCON LEGAL
25. GO TO KARAOKE AT CASINO LAS VEGAS OR 'BE' 
26. DO YOGA
27. SEE THE MARIACHIS, PROBABLY AT DON POLLO 2, NEXTDOOR
28. SPEND A SUNDAY NIGHT AT CAFÉ LUZ, WITH THE LOCALS & THEIR GUITARS

Esteli's SPANISH SCHOOLS:

You decide! It can all depend on the teacher and they all have different social/non-social ‘motives’, up to you to ask!

Prices vary. Homestays vary. Hospedaje Luna can offer a special discount for 7 day stays (volunteers preferred)

Escuela de Heroes y Martires (the cheapest , I think)

Set at the museum of the same name by the Casa de Cultura.

www.galeriadeheroesymatires.blogspot.com

e: jguc09@yahoo.com

T: (505) 8419 3619 / 89153061    Dona Mina.

Texoxel Spanish School

e: spanishschooltexoxel@yahoo.es

(505) 8487 4106         2714 0376       Ivania

Hijos de Maiz – El Lagartillo, nr Achuapa

www.hijosdelmaiz.net

e: mazorca@hijosdelmaiz.net      Tel: 8917 2468

Rural community homestay experience, with well-organized village that receives 20% contribution from the Spanish school. Great immersion.

Escuela Sacuanjoche

Details soon to follow

Los Pipitos – Sacuanjoche (Centro Juvenil)

www.lospipitosesteli.org.ni

e: idiomasl@lospipitosesteli.org.ni      

Tel:(505) 2713 5511

Educating & rehabilitating handicapped children/youth.

www.ibw.com.ni/u/horizont    

T:(505) 2713 4117

El Paso Spanish School, San Pedro, Esteli.

A new enterprise just 3km out of Esteli in rural farm, developing it own botanical garden. Speak English, and trying to provide employment for 3 women. Experienced teachers used. Accommodation possible. % to be given to San Pedro primary school.

Practice your Spanish with a week’s visit to the Miraflor  Reserve afterwards in the hills of Estelí and help sustained community development.

All information provided by INFO MAS INFO/CAFE LUZ CENTRE/JDB

• BUS TIMES?

• HOW TO GET TO THE BORDERS?

• 1 DAY TRIPS AROUND & ABOUT?

• ESTELI SPANISH SCHOOL(See below on thispage)                    
• MIRAFLOR & TISEY? (see below for Miraflor)             

• SOMOTO CANYON?

• RENEWING YOUR VISA?

• MATAGALPA Y JINOTEGA?

• RIO COCO & BEYOND?

• WHICH TRANSPORT? Latest International bus information

• MAPS? ALL TYPES

• FINDING ACCOMMODATION?

• BEST SUPERMARKET?

• POSTING THINGS HOME?

• TOP 20+ THINGS TO DO

• TOP 10 PLACES TO EAT

• TOP 10 PLACES TO DRINK

• NEW! LOCAL TOURS :TO GET TO KNOW THE REAL ESTELI

• VISIT INFO MAS INFO AT Cafe LUZ Cel:8-441 8466

• INFO@CAFELUZYLUNA.COM  

MIRAFLOR RESERVE

Book now at

"INFO MAS INFO"

tourism office

 A few words:

Miraflor is one of the main highlights for visiting Nicaragua.

In just a few hours you can gain an insight into the extraordinary lives of these humble, fun, strong, impoverished people, all living within the most beautiful, mountainous landscape.

Tourism:

A community program

now co-ordinated through

"INFO MAS INFO" tourism office, at Cafe luz y Luna, working for the home-owners, invites you to visit.

You can stay the night in family homestays, or in beautiful rustic cabins in any one of the 3 climatic zones. Conditions are basic, compared to modern "western" standards but the experience is more than rewarding. Local guides are necessary to hike or ride, due to all the trails crossing private land.

Groups are also welcomed, and private transport can be arranged but local buses are very good.

Miraflor is best suited to the all the fit and healthy (ages 0-80+), and it's brilliant for children! These are the most welcoming people in the free-est of places in this hemisphere

How to get there?

Please, please visit "INFO MAS INFO" tourism office first, in Esteli. Part of Hospedaje Luna, between Luna/Cafe Luz and Hotel El Meson, in front of UNIVAL university. This is essential to learn about all the accommodations across the 5 participating communities (There are 54 in Miraflor)  learn about your options and what to expect.

• Here, at Info mas Info, we give you free information in English or Spanish, a map, bus times, names and contacts  and an objective assessment of what to expect, the conditions, clothes to take and a reality check outside of what the guidebooks ever tell you. 

Miraflor is only a few kms (10-35km) outside of Esteli.

Local buses are used. Cars can reach most areas with advice necessary.

Bring suitable clothing; good shoes and jackets/fleeces for the evenings, it can get windy and very cold, depending on the weather.

Do I need to book?

Miraflor works as a drop-in system but the reality is you will get lost if you 'just' arrive there.  There are 3 different routes and many homes.

Also we must emphasise the need for self-sustainability here, and the % commission that the UCA needs to receive.

The new tours coordinator is

"INFO MAS INFO" tourism office 

(part of Cafe Luz y Luna), run in coordination with the Miraflor homeowners, taking over from the UCA, with new exciting initiatives, greater transparency and   its program as a way to support its social projects with families, the environment, the youth groups, and much more, by incorporating a commission into the costs. 

Costs?

• Homestays cost only $15 p.p. for 3 meals and a night, incl commission.
• Cabins cost $20 for 3 meals and a night.
• Private enterprises start at $25.
• Guides cost $15 per group.
• Horses are only $7 p.p. plus cost of the guide's horse & guide.

C$5 cords can be charged for some hiking routes across private land. (C$20.70=$1usd)

What to see and do?

Amazing views, brilliant hiking, excellent riding, waterfalls to swim and marvel at, unique birdwatching, climb trees, take photos, it's the capital of organic coffee, learn about fair-trade cooperatives, women's movements, talk to the families & learn about the history, the revolution, the war, the hurricanes, the struggles, climate change, the future, the education, the cooperatives, the cooperation.

Be part of their better future.