Lake Apanás

Apanás was created in the 1960s by damming the Tuma river to generate power, flooding a valley at around a thousand metres and leaving a long irregular lake with wooded ridges around it and pine on the higher ground. It is the largest artificial lake in Nicaragua and it has settled into being a working landscape: tilapia farming in cages, fishermen in small boats, and a growing amount of kayaking and boat hire from the shore near Jinotega. Waterbirds use the shallows and inlets, and the surrounding hills are coffee country. Sedimentation and weed have been recurring problems for the reservoir. It is a straightforward half-day from Jinotega and pleasant rather than dramatic.

What you actually see

• The reservoir - a long irregular lake among wooded highland ridges.
• Tilapia cages - the fish farming operating on the water.
• Kayaking and boats - hire from the shore near the town.
• Waterbirds - herons, kingfishers and ducks in the inlets.

When to go

December to April for dry weather and calmer water. The highlands are cool year round and mornings can be misty. The rains from May raise the level and bring weed to the margins.

Honest expectations

This is a working reservoir with fish farms and power infrastructure, not a scenic mountain lake. Weed and sediment affect parts of it. Facilities are limited to a few shoreline operators. Swimming is not really the point here.

Nearby

Jinotega lies west; San Rafael del Norte is north.