After sticking close to home these past few months, my family and I were ready for another getaway here in Nicaragua.

Now that we are all seasoned explorers, we decided to try something on the more adventurous side. A boat trip into the heart of the Rio San Juan.

Pirate legends and the famed biodiversity of this area provided us with the inspiration (and courage) to tackle the 10-hour door-to-door travel time. And when we reached the Guacimo Lodge on the banks of the river, we knew immediately that we had made the right decision.

The entire family was enamored. From riverboat rides, kayak trips, and wildlife, to the famed fort and adorable town of El Castillo. There was literally, something for everyone and we are already planning our return.

This is a truly special place. You’ll see from this video just how much we enjoyed this experience.