Nicaragua is a birder's paradise. Many people choose to go to the more remote areas of Nicaragua to search for the exotic birds, but only 30 minutes from Managua, there is Montibelli Reserve and its neighbor Chocoyero El-Brujo Reserve.

 

My husband, who is a wildlife biologist, and I have visited both sites many times, including one overnight stay.  In Montibelli there are 4 two-person cabins and some rooms in a small lodge. The birding from the decks...

Nicaragua is a birder's paradise. Many people choose to go to the more remote areas of Nicaragua to search for the exotic birds, but only 30 minutes from Managua, there is Montibelli Reserve and its neighbor Chocoyero El-Brujo Reserve.

 

My husband, who is a wildlife biologist, and I have visited both sites many times, including one overnight stay.  In Montibelli there are 4 two-person cabins and some rooms in a small lodge. The birding from the decks of the cabin is wonderful and you can join a guide to hike along the trails. Chocoyero is the site you need to visit at dusk to watch the Pacific Parakeets come back to their nests and roost in the waterfall in the reserve. (See the picture above.)  Each day at sunrise they leave their nests and fly to Masaya Volcano, returning each evening. Spectacular and worth the short hike to the waterfall. Bring your binoculars.

The Pacific Parakeet in their nest in Chacoyero

The Pacific Parakeet in their nest in Chacoyero