Scouting Trip at Rancho Santana, Nicaragua

This nearly untouched part of the Pacific coast takes some travelling to get to, but it's worth the effort. You can fly into Managua, Nicaragua which requires two-plus hour transfer. Or, you can fly into Liberia, Costa Rica, which also requires a two-plus hour transfer and a land border crossing. I chose to do it through Costa rica so I could experience the border crossing, which was very straightforward. I had a driver with me throughout the entire journey. I was traveling solo, and I felt completely comfortable the entire time. Rancho Santana even sends a video prior to your travel to prepare you for what to expect. Bring U.S. dollars for a border tax of $1, and an entry visa fee of $15. There is also an exit tax of $3 when you return.

Image 1: Inside the lobby of Rancho Santana Inn, featuring tiled floors, stone walls, and a grand hanging lighting fixture. Image 2: A view of the coastline of Rancho Santana Playa Rosada, with turquoise-colored water, mountains and fauna.

Image 1: An outdoor dining area with a wooden table, set with plates, glasses and cutlery, overlooking the landscape and sea at sunset. Image 2: An outdoor lounge area composed of wooden chairs, soft cushions and a wooden table, in front of the beach.

Rancho Santana offers a variety of lodging. The Inn, as expected, has hotel room lodging in a very convenient location at the heart of the resort. There are also casitas, residences and homes available for rent through the resort. All are connected via a shuttle system, or you can have a rental car at your disposal. Personally I don't feel you need a rental car - it would honestly just sit there.

All of the dining is al fresco, with two casual restaurants, one more "formal" restaurant and a breakfast café that is walk-up order or to go orders. I ate at all of them and had incredible food at every single place. The food is fresh, and from on-site. This is a working ranch in every sense of the word.

Activities! Rancho Santana has something for everyone. - yoga, surfing, sandboarding, mountain biking, horseback riding, pickleball, lounging at the pools, day trips away from the ranch, spa, farm tours, cooking demos and more. Trust me, they will make you leave before you have a chance to do everything you want to do. I'm trying to get them to bring back their stargazing nights - the stars are insane! The views are jaw-dropping. The sunsets are epic. There is a fabulous kids clubs as well. I saw families with kids of all ages enjoying Rancho.

For the effort it takes to travel to Rancho Santana, I would suggest a minimum of five nights so you can mix your activity level and downtime for the perfect balance. For anyone who loves Costa Rica, I believe Rancho Santana elevates the experience and is off the beaten path to make it a bit more exciting. This place legitimately feels like you have discovered a secret gem that very few people know about.

I had dinner with the events manager, who is an absolute delight. If you are a large group or want to plan a gathering, Rancho Santana is executing with experience and flexibility. They genuinely want to accommodate and make the stay one-of-a-kind. With my connection, I can help with this to make it as seamless as possible.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Nicaragua. In need of further inspiration? Check out Marilyn Fay’s guide, Nicaragua: The Ultimate Relaxation Destination.