The Selva Negra

Just 30 minutes north of Matagalpa lies the Selva Negra. Here you will find an ecolodge,  nature reserve, coffee estate, farm, as well as event space. The entire reserve and surrounding property is owned by German couple Eddy and Mausi Kuhl, The Kuhls bought the property in 1975 from fellow German, Hans Bosche. Bosche founded the reserve and named it the Selva Negra in homage to the mountainous and picturesque region in southwest Germany, The Black Forest.

The Selva Negra

In terms of picturesque natural beauty, The Selva Negra well lives up to its name. It is situated in the cloud forest in the Matagalpa highlands and usually enjoys temperatures that are on average 5 - 10 degrees cooler than in the city. It is the perfect place to go for a day trip to get out of the city. Here you can spend the day hiking the many paths that surround the reserve, relaxing at the main lodge overlooking the lagoon and enjoying authentic GERMAN BEER - (one of the few places in Nicaragua where that is even possible), or taking one of the many tours they offer.

View of main lodge and restaurant from hostel

Hiking

The Selva Negra maintains more than 20 kilometers of hiking trails around the reserve. These trails range in difficulty level from easy to more advanced, so you can choose the best one to fit your skill level. All trails wind their way throughout the cloud forest, and any number of wild and different flora and fauna can be spotted along your way. You can pick up a map of all the trails and the grounds at the front desk.

 

Restaurant and Ecolodge

If you're in the mood for a more relaxing day, The restaurant at The Selva Negra is a great place to lose a couple of hours in a beautiful place. Decorated in full German style, it sits next to a lagoon where you can admire the swans and fish as you sit on the patio. Most of the food served here comes from their onsite farm, where they raise organic, hormone-free livestock and produce. Not to mention, this is THE place to enjoy fresh coffee straight from the source itself - for only $.50 a cup!!

Patio of restaurant during Oktoberfest

View of lagoon and German architecture around ecolodge

Double Private Room at Hostel $15/night/pp

If you have more than a day to spend, the ecolodge at the Selva Negra is an amazing getaway. They have rooms available for every budget.















Tours

Coffee Plant with red seeds just about ready for harvest

The Selva Negra hosts many impressive tours, including a farm tour where you can travel by bus and witness all the ins and outs of the organic production of food on the reserve, a chocolate tour, and by far their most well-known: the seed to cup coffee tour. Here you will be learn about the history of coffee in Nicaragua, as well as to get a chance to see first hand how the coffee is grown, harvested, processed at the wet-mill, and finally get to sample a cup of their home-grown brew for yourselves. Definitely NOT to be missed!

How to get there:

Catch the Chicken Bus from the South Bus Station in Matagalpa headed for Jinotega. The bus conveniently departs the city every 30 minutes. Tell the attendant taking your money that your destination is the Selva Negra - you should pay no more than 13 Cordobas for the ride.

Chicken Busses to Jinotega at South Bus Station in Matagalpa

The attendant will call out when you have reached the Selva Negra. From the bus stop, you need only to walk about 50 meters to the entrance of the Reserve. You can't miss it - there will be a tank on the side of the road placed there unintentionally and left over from the Nicaraguan Revolution.

Bus stop where you will get off and continue by foot

Sandinista tank marking the entrance

You will walk 1.5 km down an unpaved driveway towards the entrance, passing wild poinsettias, fields of coffee, bubbling streams, and breathtaking views of the Matagalpa Highlands. Once you reach the entrance, you will be asked to pay an entrance fee of either 50 Cordobas or 100. (Only pay 100 if you plan on eating at the restaurant. Show them your entrance ticket and you will receive a discount.)

1.5 km walk to the entrance of the Selva Negra

Once inside, walk up the hill to your left. After about 100 meters, you will arrive at the main lodge. Walk straight through here to get to the restaurant and lagoon, or stop at the front desk to pick up a map of surrounding hikes, book a nights stay, or arrange for a tour.


Check out more info about Nicaragua on our website www.vayavolunteers.com !