North of the turn-off for Mompiche and inland is El Salto, a crossroads with a few comedores and the place to wait for a bus connection to Muisne. A road west from El Salto leads to El Relleno, from where motorized canoes cross the river to Muisne. There are a few basic hotels in El Relleno (in case you arrive too late to cross) and boat service to other villages in the area.
Muisne is on an island across a narrow stretch of water called the Río Muisne. The town is a bit run-down and tourism here has seen better days, but it’s a friendly relaxed place. About 15 minutes’ walk away (or a tricycle ride for US$0.50), is a long expanse of clean beach, which makes for a pleasant stroll at low tide but practically disappears at high tide. The two main streets in town run about 500 m between the Río Muisne and the beach. After dark, Muisne is like a ghost town, everything is closed and it is not safe to walk from the beach to town.
Between 1987 and 2000, over 97% of the 20,000 ha of mangrove forest in the area was destroyed and replaced by shrimp ponds. There are now reforestation efforts underway by the Fundación de Defensa Ecológica, which works with local communities; this is a slow and difficult process. Boat trips can be made to see the mangrove reforestation, also trips to the Reserva Ecológica Mache-Chindul ; enquire at Hostal Calade, at the end of the beach going left.
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