Last Updated: 07/01/2018 | July 1st, 2018
Nicaragua is a place that attracts visitors with its surf, beaches, hiking, volcanoes, and delicious food. You’ll never be short of something to do. but if you’re searching for something different and personable, travel north to Esteli and search out Alberto Gutiérrez, the town’s stone-carving hermit.
He’s not easy to get to but he’s worth the trek.
I got lucky. A friend of mine connected me with a local named Rodney McDonald, who runs a great program teaching communities about fire safety and EMS. (Tragically, it’s not very common in central America.) Rodney would show me around the area, including taking me to see Alberto.
“Not numerous people get out to see him. many don’t even know about him. If you want to break up your hiking, common sightseeing, and drinking, we’ll go in the morning.” Rodney said to me.
I was intrigued.
How could I say no to that?
Alberto is something of a local character and has been carving figures and images into the rocks around his house for nearly 30 years. While he’s no hidden secret (I wish I could say I was the first to visit with this remarkable man), because he is hard to get to, not numerous people actually endeavor to visit him. (Do a quick Google search and you’ll find very little information on Alberto.)
And so, the following morning, Rodney, one of his employees (you can hear her translating in the video), and I climbed into his pickup tuck and headed out of town. We drove to its edge, into rural Nicaragua, where houses became trees and small street stalls. “This is certainly out of the way,” I thought to myself.
We all of a sudden turned onto a dirt road. There was nothing around but rolling green hills and farms. No signs pointing our way. The road seemed as random as the adventure. We passed horses and a few houses up this bumpy, windy dirt road until eventually, we stopped. On our left was a footpath through a stranger’s farm.
“We’ll head down there to Alberto’s house,” Rodney said to me.
We trekked down the hill, taking time to marvel at the beautiful scenery, before continuing down a small cow path through the woods, eventually coming upon what seemed to be the only house for miles.
A woman came out, greeted us, and led us behind the house, where a sun-kissed, scruffy man with an ear-to-ear smile came out to greet us. It was Alberto — and immediately he began to tell us stories of the local woods, plant life, and his carvings, all of which are summed up in this week’s video:
The day we spent going to Alberto, hearing his story, seeing his carvings, and wandering around this remote area in Nicaragua was one of the most unexpected and pleasurable days I had during my visit. If you find yourself in Nicaragua and want to see the most jovial and interesting man in the country, head up to Esteli and visit Alberto.
Tell him I say hello.
Directions: getting there is a bit complicated. To visit Alberto Gutiérrez, take a bus or taxi to the Tisey Estanzuela natural Reserve. Ask to be dropped off at the entrance to El Calejate or Eco Posada. If you are dropped off at Eco Posada (where you can get lunch, buy drinks, etc.), keep walking up the road and eventually you’ll come to a big clearing on your left with a well-worn road going slightly down the hill. There will be a sign that says “El Calejate.” Go down this path, admire the spectacular view, and then veer left down the footpath down the hill. keep walking and you will see a sign that says “Bienvenidos a Galeria Esculturas en Piedras.” cross the wooden gate and start calling out. Alberto will come out to greet you. Roam Nicaragua also has a trip for $30 USD if you don’t want to try to find Alberto by yourself! They also visit a market and go hiking.
Book Your trip to Nicaragua: Logistical suggestions and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Na nájdenie lacného letu použite SkyScanner alebo Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search sites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. start with Skyscanner first though because they have the most significant reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most significant inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the most affordable rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Moje obľúbené miesta na pobyt sú:
Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will safeguard you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s extensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it numerous times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
Insure My trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Hľadáte najlepšie spoločnosti, s ktorými ušetria peniaze?
Check out my resource page pre najlepšie spoločnosti, ktoré môžu používať pri cestovaní. Uvádzam všetky tie, ktoré používam na ušetrite peniaze, keď som na ceste. Ušetrite vám peniaze, keď budete cestovať.
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