As we do at the end of every trip, Wade & I asked ourselves what our favourite parts were from the entire adventure. Admittedly, it was a bit tougher this time, with so many great choices–but for me, it came down to Jicaro Island Lodge on Lake Nicaragua.

Jicaro Island Lodge is Nicaragua’s top nature resort, located on a private island in the Granada Isletas of Lake Nicaragua. Winner of the exclusive National Geographic’s Lodges of the World award, it is located just a short boat ride from the colonial town of Granada with spectacular views of the Mombacho Volcano across the Lake. Nine private luxury casitas provide the perfect setting for romantic escapes, honeymoons, tours, and activities as well as wellness and yoga retreats. Immerse yourself in a magical island experience filled with peace and tranquility.

Not only was I wanting a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of San Juan Del Sur, but it combined so many of the other things that I love in a destination.

The Island itself felt like a lush tropical jungle, which was actually a bit of a contrast from the surrounding Isletas, as much of the flora was hand planted and artistically arranged. With all of the thick, intertwining greenery, it’s easy to get lost amongst beautiful winding pathways, as you dip into the small trails that lead to each private casita. Of course, you can’t actually get lost in such a cozy little one-acre Islet, but it manages to make it feel even more spacious than it really is.

Any winning accommodation for me involves a hammock, then throw in a Toña, and I’ll stay for life. Jicaro had both.

Along with incredible food, a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of places to lounge, lots of activities, a hint of nearby adventure, and beautiful lake views–I couldn’t help but fall in love with Jicaro Island Lodge.

 

Getting There

One of the coolest things about staying on an Island, is that you can’t just show up and check in–you have to go on a bit of an adventure to get there.

For us, we were arriving from San Juan Del Sur, so we had about an hour and a half drive to the Port, but most people arriving from Managua will have a quick drive from the airport.

Next, we hopped on the Lodge’s personal boat, for a scenic 15 minute boat ride through the Isletas of Lake Nicaragua. Honestly, this is a tour that I would have enjoyed even if I weren’t staying on the Lake. We saw so many birds, and each Island had something different to look at.

To top it all off, you’re greeted with a refreshing local grama tea in a cute little round cup.

 

The Casitas

It’s not very often any more that I walk into a hotel room and it literally takes my breath away–but, that’s what happened at Jicaro.

At Jicaro Lodge hotel you stay in your own luxury two storey house, a ‘casita’, raised up above the ground like a tree house. The nine casitas on the island all have lake views and are only a short walk from the pool, restaurant, and wellness centre. You can relax in the private space of your casita with its views of Lake Nicaragua or join other guests in the communal areas.

There is a private bedroom with a king size bed on the second floor. On the first floor, a spacious living area connects to an outside deck overlooking the lake. The casitas and the furniture are made locally from Rainforest Alliance certified wood. And to my utter delight, there is an oversized hammock to relax in.

Each casita is raised above the ground so as not to disturb the natural form of the island so the feeling is like living in a treehouse suspended amongst the foliage of the islands many trees. Cross ventilation plus ceiling fans and shade from the trees keep the casitas cool without the need for air conditioning; keeping you cool without warming the planet.

The highlight? The massive walk-through shower that is completely open from the top, where you can literally look down into from the bedroom.

 

Morning Coffee

One of my favourite parts of the stay was the mornings.

To be awoken by warm sunlight trickling through trees & the open screen windows of the casita, and the sound of the Island birds chirping their morning symphony is a treat on it’s own. But, with a quiet knock on the door, coffee and delicious homemade breads appear on a personal tray to be placed on the deck with a view of the sun rising over the lake–and suddenly it’s the perfect start to the day.

Morning heaven.

 

The Restaurant

Although secluded on an island, the restaurant at Jicaro doesn’t just provide meals–it provides a culinary experience.

These experiences are gourmet & a la carte with an open kitchen next to the open air patio, and it’s a real treat to be able to watch the Chef prepare your dinner.

And, the food? Holy Guacamole–there was not one thing that I didn’t want more of, and it was easily some of the best food I ate in all of Nicaragua.I tried to order something different each time, but I still find myself thinking about having more of those dishes now..

Jicaro prides themselves on selecting only the freshest of fish from the lake and nearby Pacific Ocean, locally produced fruit and vegetables, and locally farmed organic chicken and beef. They believe that when you use fresh, tasty ingredients, even the simplest of dishes will be extraordinary–and, I can attest to that.

 

National Geographic Unique Lodge of The World

Jicaro Island Lodge is one of the newest members of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World and currently the only lodge in Nicaragua.

National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World is more than a selection of world-class hotels, it is a collection of rare experiences, offering guests intimate encounters with parts of the world not many get to know—and the chance to slow down and truly discover them.

 

The Lookout Tower

Before arriving, I didn’t really notice that this was a feature to the Island, so you can imagine my surprise when Wade turned a corner and started to climb some random ladder.

We decided to come back a bit later, with a couple of Toñas in hand, to watch the sunset behind Mombacho Volcano and reflect across the Lake. Some other guests joined us at the top, and we all watched in awe as the sun dipped out of view, and the nighttime jungle sounds started to echo around us.

It was also pretty neat to look down over the whole Island and see everything from a bird’s eye view.

 

The Docks

A fun feature of Jicaro is their floating dock, equipped with lounge chairs, a table with towels, and a wide hammock-like net that can be used to lay down in over the water.

Wade swam out from the main dock, and flopped himself down into the net, before drying himself off with a towel and relaxing in one of the chair.

I personally enjoyed hanging out on the docks by shore, where I could dip my feet in the water, and get up close and personal with the fiery coloured waters during each night’s dramatic sunset.

 

Yoga Classes

Jicaro’s purpose built Yoga deck looks out over the Lake Nicaragua and towards the Mombacho volcano. It is a spot that inspires serenity and tranquillity. Yoga classes are available for guests on a daily basis, with an in-house Yoga teacher.

Mats, blocks and straps are also available for private practice in the casitas or on the deck at any time.

I participated in a yoga class on my first morning at Jicaro, and enjoyed every minute of it. While it was a bit slower paced than I am used it (to cater to the other, more mature, guests participating), it was actually nice to simply relax and listen to the nature around me while I slowly stretched on the deck.

For those that travel specifically for yoga retreats–this is definitely one place that you should consider adding to your list.

 

Pool & Lounge Areas

One of my best memories of Jicaro is simply relaxing by the pool, in a padded lounge chair, with a book,and enjoying the peaceful environment while reading.

While I never managed to get into the pool, it looked no less impressive, with a very natural feel of flowing rocks and overhanding gardens.

It’s definitely a highlight of the Island.

There are also many other areas for lounging, from the main common room with couches and tables, to the bar & seating area, complete with an eclectic book shelf, to the seat sets out on the Yoga Deck.

 

Things To Do

If all of these other things weren’t enough for you, there are still a plethora of things to keep you busy on and around the Island.

From a life-sized Jenga set (which we played–and I won!) in the bar lounge, to a huge selection of regular-sized gamed in the reception area, there are plenty of ways to pass the time.

You can go bird watching high in the forest canopy, kayaking & SUPing (like Wade did!) around the many islands, horseback riding through Calera Farm, or how about zip lining through the tree tops and hiking up Mombacho volcano? You can also enjoy a relaxed boat ride amongst the Isletas with their abundance of wildlife or try fishing in the traditional way using nets from a rowing boat.

Jicaro Island Lodge is the perfect base from which to explore Lake Nicaragua, Granada Isletas and other attractions of Nicaragua.

 

Video

Don’t forget to watch our Nicaragua video, which features a lot of scenes from this amazing Lodge.

It was hard to edit out shots from Jicaro, as there was just too many amazing views and experiences on that beautiful little Island. From the green over-water hammock on the porch and bird visitors each morning with coffee, to sunset views from the lookout tower and those insanely picturesque SUP shots at sunset, plus so much more.

TIP: You can book a tour of the area here, which will also provide your transportation to the Isletas, as well as a fun way to explore before or after the hotel.

 

More Photos:

 

Thanks to Jicaro Island Lodge for hosting us.
All views & opinions are my own.