The Matagalpa's Biological Station

Located in the municipality of Matagalpa in Nicaragua, the Aguali biological station occcupies about 9 hectares to the northeast of the
Cerro Apante natural reserve.

About Us

Aguali is a space created with a lot of love and an integral vision of sustainability, conservation, and knowledge rescue. We develop environmental and integral education creating curiosity for the knowledge of nature. We protect and study our ecosystems and promote sustainable development in our communities.

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We are located in the natural reserve Cerro Apante. The ecosystem of the reserve is characterized by its biological
richness, highlighting biomes such as dry tropical forest and tropical cloud forest, combined with productive agricultural and livestock systems.

Map

Location name

Aguali Biological Station

del Hotel Bermudez y 100, Reserva Natural Cerr, 900 metros al este, metros al sur, Matagalpa 61000

Agualí is a social enterprise that contributes to the quality of life through human development alternatives for children, youth and their families.

Our programs are dedicated to promote environmental education and the protection of ecosystems and wild species through the sustainable development of the area.

Our aim is to be a model station for research, conservation and integral environmental education in northern Nicaragua.

We implement environmental education as a tool for social transformation to promote participation and commitment to environmental protection.

The environmental education and sustainability program developed by AGUALI contributes to the fulfillment of the objectives and priorities for the protection of the environment, enhancing the participation of people for the Innovation and Quality of Sustainable Learning, projects and programs linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Our Values

Integrity

Empathy

Innovation

Respect and healthy coexistence

Trust

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Our History

During the period 2004 – 2007, Matagalpa Tours established itself as a tour operator in the northern Nicaragua, offering, in addition to tours, services for learning Spanish as a foreign language. As a result of this experience, the Spanish School Colibrí, previously called Spanish school Matagalpa, was born.

In 2011, both companies manage the environmental education project, supported with funds from the Dutch embassy in Nicaragua. When this project closed, Matagalpa Tours decided to adopt the Environmental Education project under the name of Agualí in order to continue the process of environmental education in schools in Matagalpa.

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From the year 2018 – 2019, the idea of creating a Biological Station, under the legality of the company Matagalpa Tours arises. Campaigns such as “healthy forest – healthy people” were raised and made possible the organization of free excursions for young people, children and families of Matagalpa in order to connect with the forest, learn about birds and experience the world of sustainability.

For the past several years, Agualí has offered free or low-cost training to youth, focusing on environmental management, English, and outdoor leadership.
Since then it has had a space of approximately 9 hectares, most of which is dedicated to conservation.

Recently, we have dedicated most of our efforts to opening a comfortable and affordable eco-lodge on our property. Here, guests can get a glimpse of our worldview and experience the tranquility of Mother Earth.

Our Team

Aguali is made up of a passionate, committed and expert team in sustainable tourism,
conservation and sustainable development.

Gema Valdivia

Currently in charge of the management of the station, Gema is passionate and committed to what she does. She is an expert in agroecology, climate change, environmental education and tourism. 

Ernesto Ocampo

Passionate about showing the most authentic places in Nicaragua, he is a travel guide expert in Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica. He also is an itinerary-designer in these countries. Ernesto has been part of Agualí since its beginning.

Mirna Palma

Accountant by profession, she loves volleyball and seeing new places. She collaborates with Aguali since its beginning, in charge of the transparent and responsible management of the Station’s finances.

Arjen Roersma

Arjen is the co-founder of Matagalpa Tours and Agualí. Arjen is a world explorer who loves Nicaragua. Many of his exploratory trips helped to develop many of today’s tourism products.

Francisco and his family

Living in the station since 2020, Francisco is in charge of producing the farm, giving maintenance, and making the spaces of the station the most comfortable.  

Wifi

Wifi is the name of our station’s dog. He loves to socialize, he is friendly, he will always follow you to the kitchen because overall he loves to eat.

Julio

Graduated of the first group of bilingual environmental leaders, now tour guide in Matagalpa Tours, Julio is an expert in beekeeping, birds and insects. He is in charge of the management and production of honey from Africanized and native bees at the station.

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