LAGUNA DE APOYO

Nicaragua’s cleanest, bluest, and deepest swimming hole is this 48-square-kilometer body of water trapped inside the crater of the Apoyo Volcano. The deepest measured point (200 meters) is the lowest point in all of Central America. Its shores are easily accessible, and a remarkably small number of tourist facilities (and luxurious private homes) have been constructed at the water’s edge. The volcano still has some underwater thermal vents and experiences the occasional seismic tremor, but for the most part, it’s considered dormant and its walls are thickly vegetated with green forest and a chaotic network of trails, most of which exists as a protected nature reserve.

  The earthquake in 2000 originated under the town of Catarina (which sits atop the western lip of the crater) and actually caused the water of the lake to slosh from side to side, starting a rumor that it was boiling. There are several fish species endemic to the lake—products of the forces of evolution in an isolated habitat. Scientists at the Proyecto Ecologico are at work describing some of the remaining “undiscovered” species here and offer scuba tours to view their subjects.

  Hiking in the forests of the crater walls, you may observe species of toucans, hummingbirds, blue jays, howler and white-face monkeys, and rare butterflies. As you explore, be sure to wave a friendly greeting when passing the Lugareños (as residents of the local small communities are known). To fit in, pronounce your “Adios” as a long, drawn out, “Adiooooh.” No need to be as cordial to the monkeys, who may fling their feces at you if you get too close.