Potosi

The tiny town of Potosí, located between the Golfo de Fonseca and Volcán Cosigüina, has remained a largely undeveloped endpoint on Chinandega’s northern bus route, despite a number of natural attractions.

Potosí marks the start of the Sendero El Jovo trail, an easy (but scorching) five-hour climb to the volcano’s rim and back. Ask in town about local guides and horseback riding trips.

Potosí features a long stretch of black-sand beach, marked at one end by the old ferry docks, and hills that bubble with hot springs. The local favorite feeds into an outdoor swimming pool on the edge of town. Although the springs flow from the nearby volcano, their waters are actually fairly cool, making the shaded pool the perfect end to a long Cosigüina hike.

Buses from Potosí run south to Chinandega eight times a day, starting at 3 a.m. and petering out in the afternoon. The last bus departs at 3 p.m.; if you miss it, there are several local places where you can stay.

Hotel Bar y Comedor Brisas del Golfo has single rooms for C$150, double rooms with private bathrooms for C$300 and also rents hammocks or camping space for C$50. The restaurant portion has daily specials of comida corriente for between C$60 and C$140. Owner Rosalpina Cruz can also arrange for sightseeing boat tours of the rocky islands in the gulf for between $80 and $100.

Doña Rosa Digna Rivas has seven rooms available in her breezy home, located near the sendero trailhead. The rooms cost C$150 (or C$200 if you want the room with four beds) and have shared bathrooms.

Although still a work in progress in May, Amanecer Fonseca was set to become the newest Potosí hotel by the end of 2009. The beach-front location was expected to feature a pool, cable TV, air conditioning and, when a Potosí communications tower is completed, internet.

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Other places nearby Potosi: Jiquilillo, Playa Aserradores, Puerto Morazan, Padre Ramos Estuary & Nature Reserve, Playa Jiquilillo, El Viejo, Chichigalpa and Corinto.