Photos – Swimming Through Somoto Canyon

Carlo -

During my time in Esteli, Nicaragua I took a day trip to the town of Somoto, which is known for itâ€™s famous six-kilometer canyon. Tourists and locals alike can take trips down the canyon where you must hike and swim (with a life vest) to make it through. Here are a few shots from my trek through Somoto Canyon, and, as always, you can click the photos to enlarge them.

Many parts of the canyon only require you to wade through knee deep to waist deep water.

While other parts require you to swim long distances in very deep water.

At one point in the canyon you must either climb a steep decline or jump from this point down into the water. You can jump from two meters, four meters, eight meters, or ten. I chose ten, and as soon as I left the ground I could immediately see rocks that I hadnâ€™t been able to see before my jump. It was the longest three seconds of my life. I landed safely, but with a racing heart.

35 comments

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Danielle at

I’m so jealous, these pictures are incredible!
1. Matt at
  
  I’ll take you one day so don’t be that jealous!
Kyle Morgan at

That looks like a blast! I never made it to Esteli when I was in Nicaragua.
1. Matt at
  
  Ah, you’ll have to come back! If you have any recommendations for places to see shoot me a message!
Christy @ Technosyncratic at

Yikes! This does look like a lot of fun, though. 🙂 Was the water really cold?
1. Matt at
  
  The water was pretty cold, but you walk for 2km before you get in so you are ready for it!
Christopher at

Amazing. I would love todo this.
Kelly at

So cool! This looks gorgeous! I went canyoning when I was living in Queenstown, NZ, and had a blast! I want to do it again!
1. Matt at
  
  Yea, I definitely plan on doing it again!
monette | fliptravels at

i would have loved o do this if only i know how to swim… >_<
1. Matt at
  
  They give you a life vest! You don’t even need to know how to swim!
Amy at

Silly question but – do you have water proof camera? How did you manage to get such great pictures?
1. Matt at
  
  Nope, no waterproof camera. I just took my SLR in a “Sea to Summit” drysack, and then the guide carried it (and other stuff) in a plastic bag. It wasn’t the safest thing in the world but it worked out fine. There is a waterproof case for my camera but it is quite expensive so I didn’t buy it (yet).
Laurel at

Gorgeous photos! Looks like an incredible experience that would get the adrenalin flowing in places.
Michael Figueiredo at

Very cool post, Matt. I didn’t realize that Nicaragua was so arid–I always pictured the whole country to be a rainforest. (Esteli looks a lot like Malibu Canyon, here in Los Angeles!)
1. Matt at
  
  Yea it really caught me off guard, but a lot of areas in the country side remind me of pictures I’ve seen from Africa. Definitely not what I was expecting!
Line at

We were in Esteli, but I never got to see that!! How are you liking Nicaragua so far?
1. Matt at
  
  I’m loving it! I’m thinking about spending quite a bit of time in the Leon area, but I’m not 100% sure yet. Looking for a place to rent for a month tomorrow!
Andrea at

This looks like so much fun! I’ve done a “river walk” before but nothing like this. Wonderful photos =)
Adam at

Nice, that looks like an awesome time! I can imagine how nerve-wracking that must have been when in the air and seeing rocks underneath the water. YIKES!
Darlene Brown at

Matt that looks so much fun and it sure is beautiful. keep the photos coming and the wonderful stories. i really enjoy reading them
Cathy Sweeney at

Vicariously enjoying your adventures in Nicaragua. I can only imagine those “longest three seconds of your life”! Great stories and photos.
1. Matt at
  
  As always, thanks for reading! Glad you are enjoying the posts!
Phyllis at

Beautiful pictures! I really enjoy reading about what all you are doing…be safe.
1. Matt at
  
  Thanks a lot!
Allyson at

These are beautiful! Thanks for taking us along on this gorgeous trek!
1. Matt at
  
  My pleasure, hope you enjoyed it! Now you have to come do it for yourself!
lisa at

Gorgeous views!
Tom @ HeadingThere at

Man, that looks amazing! I’m not surprised your heart was racing after that jump. Great photos too by the way.
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[…] Photos Ð²Ð‚â€œ Swimming Through Somoto Canyon Feb 14, 2011 … During my time in Esteli, Nicaragua I took a day trip to the town of Somoto, which is known for … […]
Sailor at

Very interesting pictures!
Christina at

Looks amazing, but your jump must have been really scary!
1. Matt at
  
  Ah it wasn’t so bad 😉
william at

This canyon is unique in Central America.