Nicaragua Unveiled: A Visit to Rancho Santana

Getting There

There are two options—fly into Managua International Airport (MGA) in Nicaragua or Liberia International Airport (LIR) in Costa Rica. Airport transfers can be easily arranged through Rancho Santana’s concierge. I flew into Costa Rica due to an airfare deal I just couldn’t pass up, and although it adds about an hour to the overall transfer time, the land border crossing and transfer to the resort was seamless.

Check-in

Upon arrival, you are greeted with a cold towel and a refreshing welcome drink. Guests are provided with a WhatsApp number to use to communicate with the front desk during their stay. A hotel staff member provides a tour of the public areas and restaurants before escorting guests to their accommodations.

Rancho Santana offers a few types of accommodations:

The Inn
I opted to stay at the Inn because of the proximity to restaurants and the front desk. The Inn has 17 guest rooms and suites on two levels (no elevators) and all have private ocean view terraces.

Casitas
The two-bedroom casitas are a short walk from the Inn. Each casita has a separate living area and full kitchen and feels like having your own little home in the garden. There are no ocean views for this type of accommodation.

The Residences
These three-bedroom/three-bathroom condo units are set apart from the Inn, but connected by a foot bridge. These units have full kitchens, separate living areas and outdoor terraces. There is a second pool located in the area of the Residences.

Private Homes
The last type of accommodations I viewed was a private residence. If you’re looking for more space and privacy, this is the way to go. These homes are beautiful inside and out. Spacious enough to accommodate at least 12 people and all with ocean views. The home I toured, Villa Cielo, had five bedrooms, with the entire second floor dedicated to the master suite and outdoor terrace. Stunning! If you choose to stay in a private home, you will need a vehicle.

Beaches

Rancho Santana is the home to five beaches, each with something unique to offer:

• Playa Santana: This beach is closest to the main building and is popular with intermediate-level surfers

• Playa Rosada: Perfect for sunset dinners at La Boquita restaurant. Beach is rocky.

• Playa Escondido is pretty secluded and we had the entire beach to ourselves. It is a bit of a hike to get to (after the short drive), but not a strenuous one. This is also where sea turtles come to lay their eggs.

• Playa Duna: This was the prettiest of the beaches, in my opinion, when you look at it from the high view point. This is where the sand boarding activity takes place.

• Playa Los Perros: This was my favorite beach to just hang out for a couple of hours because the water seemed to be a bit calmer. La Taqueria restaurant and the surf club are located here, so you’ll see surfers at this beach.

Restaurants

There are four restaurants for guests to dine in. El Café is the only breakfast restaurant and offers a limited, but good, menu. La Finca y El Mar and La Boquita are ideal for seaside dinners and watching the sunset. Don’t miss La Taqueria for their delicious fish tacos and ceviche!

Explore Nicaragua

Rancho Santana offers several off-property excursions, but the most comprehensive is the Volcanos and Colonial Cities experience. We were able to see and do so much in this day-long tour. Here’s an example of what you can expect on this excursion:

• Hike Mombacho volcano for spectacular views of Nicaragua (we chose to skip the zip lining option, but it looked fun!).

• Visit the colorful streets of the colonial city of Grenada and learn the history of the city’s resiliency.

• Discover local culture by visiting nearby towns. We visited a ceramics shop and learned how the beautiful pottery is made.

• See Lake Nicaragua up close on a boat tour of its islets. Visit Monkey Island where monkeys are happy to take fruit from your extended hand!

• Visit Masaya volcano at night to see bubbling lava as you look down into the crater. This truly is one of those “once-in-a-lifetime” moments!

The resort also offers a variety of on-property activities, including a full-service spa, surfing lessons, yoga classes, horseback riding and guided nature walks.

Tips for a First-Timer to Nicaragua:

• Learn some basic Spanish phrases to enhance your communication with the locals.

• Pack light, breathable clothing and don’t forget your sunscreen and hat for protection from the sun.

• Respect the local customs and traditions to ensure a positive interaction with the community.

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.