Just after they realized it was a fresh water lake, they decided to name it "The fresh water sea".

This Lake has several island in it. Some of them are:

• Zapatera Island
• Venado Island
• Isletas de Granada (Group of small islands)
• Archipiélago de Solentiname (Group of tiny islands)

Solentiname is located in the south/east part of Big Lake Nicaragua at the end of the lake and close to where San Juan River is born (Natural border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica). These islands are a natural reserve. Mancarrón is tha main island with comfortable lodging for visitors.

The place invites you to to stay more than you have in mind. There are monkeys and a variety of colorful birds.

This area of Nicaragua is famous for it's "primitive paintings" at very low coast.

From Solentiname you can also make other activities like:

• Guatuso Coast : This is a wild life refugee just 45 minutes south from Mancarrón Island. Marshes with many water birds are aboundant here. The tour lenght is 5 hours.

• Archipiélago Boat Ride : This is a boat ride going thru and around the archipiélago to take a look of the many tiny island that form the "archipielago" and enjoy the fresh breeze of the lake.

• Walking Tour: The best way to share with the local people is a walking tour around the Mancarrón Island. It's your chance to close appreciate the local artist painting (Pinturas primitivistas). Normally related to beautiful landscapes of the region.