The Nest Trust

Information written in 2007 for volunteers with UCA San Ramon

 Public transport:

San Ramon - Matagalpa (nearest city) Journey time: 20-30minutes:
There is more frequent transport between these two destinations. There are eight collective taxis, 2 microbuses and over five routes, between Matagalpa and other cities, that pass through San Ramon.

San Ramon - La Reyna (where some volunteers have lived) Journey time 10mins: public transport throughout the day to towns further along and collective taxis from San

Contact details

Office Address: UCA San Ramon, Next to the Police Station, San Ramon.

Tel: 772 5247      

 UCA Webpage:  www.ucasanramon.com

 Facilities and services:

Bank and ATM:  The nearest ATM machines and/or banks are in Matagalpa in the gas stations on entering Matagalpa and parallel to the main street on what is known as the bank street in the centre.

Phone calls and internet: There is now an internet service in San Ramon, a few houses along from the UCA, although the service is slow. In Matagalpa there are many cyber cafes. San Ramon and La Reyna now have cell phone reception, so you will be able to receive calls from both Movistar and Claro cell phones if you decided to purchase one for your time here.

 Shops: In La Reyna there is an ample pulperia with all the basics and in San Ramon there are various pulperias all of which stock all the necessary items to survive.

In Matagalpa, the local Supermarket is well stocked with imported goods and local products. It has everything from Soya milk, to brown rice, olive oil and good toiletries. This is on the central street.

Cafes / restaurants / bars:

 San Ramon:  There is a beautiful Spanish hotel on the top of hill which has a spectacular view of the mountainous region of San Ramon. It is a foundation whose mission is to promote local development. They serve a combination of Nica and Spanish food.

 Matagalpa:

Don Chacos: Great place for Smoothies, fruit juices and soya burgers. It also serves a typical Nica breakfast and/or lunch.

Mana de Cielo:  Popular lunch buffet with a large variety of both veggie dishes and meat dishes. Quick and cheap.

 La Vita e Bella: A hidden sanctuary with authentic Italian dishes in a patio environment. They serve large portions for affordable prices. Great selections of wines. Arrive early as service can be slow.

 Grupo Venancia: Women’s group and cultural centre promoting alternative entertainment. Open Thursday-Saturday. Fridays offers VIDEOFEM:  alternative films and Saturday nights are bustling with live music or theatre. Good meeting place for both Nicas and visitors. One of the few places that Really isn’t a cantina.

Café Artesanos next to Matagalpa Tours

Madre Tierra on one of the roads towards the bus station, opposite Hotel Siesta.

New buffet on the bank street near the tree lined square, good for quick meal.

Local free time: Free time can be spent getting to know the local cooperative and your host family, visiting our other communities in the tourism project and the co-operatives of the UCA San Ramon.   Matagalpa tours has a Spanish School. Excellent teachers in a relaxing and beautiful colonial house. They are an alternative tourism office, which sells local crafts. See  www.matagalpatours.com

Further afield: We recommend that you buy the Moon guide to Nicaragua which is an excellent source of  tourist information and the socio-economic and political situation and history of Nicaragua. It includes a lot of handy cultural tips. Also look on: www.vianica.com which is a Nicaraguan tourism web page that includes a cultural diary so you can check out theatre and concert events nationwide.