With the exception of Matagalpa Tours and Casa Esteli, there are no official tour operators in the region. Still, some upscale hotels can arrange tours, and independent guides can also often be procured through Nicaragua’s tourism bureau, INTUR. Tourism here is really just beginning to blossom, and as infrastructure continues to be developed in the region, more tour outfitters will surely crop up. Nonetheless, many hiking excursions in the region can be done solo, and most places of interest are not impossible to get to on your own. Though not necessarily tour guides, there are knowledgeable people involved in tourism in each city, and they can be easily contacted. (Hostel and Café owner Janie Boyd in Esteli is one, and Norlan Albuquerque, who works for INTUR in Matagalpa is another. Their contact information can be found in the sections on their respective cities.)