San Juan Del Sur
Run by a friendly Aussie couple, this is a party hostel – unashamedly so, but very wellrun and with epic hilltop views. There's a large pool, a bar, two…
Must-see hotels in Nicaragua
Isla de Ometepe
This gorgeous ecolodge features cabañas perched high above the beach on a large organic farm that runs on solar power and recycles gray water. It's not on…
Southwestern Nicaragua
Run by friendly Italian surfer Gianni, this three-room guesthouse is the perfect retreat for serious wave-riders. The doubles have king-sized beds, there…
Isla de Ometepe
Reached via an atrociously bumpy road leading to the water, this hippie-esque place wears many hats. It's an organic cacao farm, a place to learn to make…
Southwestern Nicaragua
Set on the southern end of the beach, this laid-back surf camp offers guided boat trips to 14 breaks along the coast. The camp accommodates 10 surfers at…
León & Northwestern Nicaragua
Las Peñitas' most stylish little hotel overlooks a kidney-shaped pool and its own stretch of beach. There are only nine rooms here – spacious, bright,…
Isla de Ometepe
Book ahead at this relaxed but professionally run guesthouse, a 10-minute walk from the ferry dock. Choose between a dorm, private room or cabin, all…
León
Set in a typical colonial house but decorated with a minimalist twist, petite and slightly upscale Hotel Azul has a courtyard swimming pool – beautifully…
León & Northwestern Nicaragua
Consisting of two thatched-roofed adobe towers, this four-room hotel is run by Spanish owner Catalina and her husband, who are happy to share their…
Estelí
Run by a nonprofit organization, Los Arcos remains the best value hotel in town, with a dream location, a roof deck with kick-ass mountain and city views,…
Granada
This exquisite 1840s colonial property is decorated with abstract wooden sculpture and antique pottery, and there are just four airy suites, each…
Northern Highlands
A charming old coffee hacienda with great views of the surrounding mountains, Finca San Isidro is 10km north of Dipilto and can feed and sleep up to 10…
Southwestern Nicaragua
This guesthouse is run by friendly Dutch couple Marc and Marieke and has just four quirkily decorated, snug rooms. It's a simple setup, with a private,…
León
There's a lot to love about this boutique hotel in the heart of León: the central location (yet respite from the heat and noise in the delightful,…
Granada
This lovely house has been thoughtfully restored and outfitted with authentic features such as cane-inlaid ceilings. There are actually two patios, both…
Managua
This intimate, hacienda-style hotel has an attractive arched breakfast patio centered on a babbling fountain. Dark-wood furniture, high ceilings, and…
San Juan Del Sur
If you've always wanted to learn to surf, but didn't want to share the waves with dudes, Chica Brava may be the answer. This women-only surfing retreat is…
Granada
A boutique hotel in its previous incarnation, this is the grandest hostel in Granada – all vast ceilings, graceful courtyard, spa and hammocks strung…
Granada
With a leafy, hammock-hung garden a block from the main square, this hostel is extremely well-run, with lots of thoughtful touches, such as individual…
The Río San Juan & Islas Solentiname
The Aurellano homestead functions as a homestay and is the only accommodations option on the island.
The Río San Juan & Islas Solentiname
On a hill overlooking the Río San Juan you'll find Grand River Lodge, one of the few backpacker-orientated places on the river and a great place to…
Northern Highlands
This vast coffee finca set among tracts of cloud forest has wonderful views and plenty of activities for guests run by the warm and welcoming staff…
León & Northwestern Nicaragua
Across the estuary from Padre Ramos, in the fishing village of Mechapa, this cozy little American-owned resort is shaded by coconut trees right on the…
Northern Highlands
An incredibly peaceful, community-run rural lodge set in a breathtaking position overlooking mountainside coffee plantations and farmland, La Fundadora is…
The Río San Juan & Islas Solentiname
Set at the confluence of Ríos San Juan and Bartola, opposite the ranger post, this rustic wooden lodge and private reserve is the superlative option in…
Little Corn Island
Set back from a gorgeous sheltered cove and nestled in the palms is this farm with just two accommodations options. The smaller cabin is joined to the…
Northern Highlands
As well as being an impressive nature reserve with numerous tours on offer through its gorgeous grounds, Selva Negra runs a popular ecolodge. The cheaper…
Northern Highlands
This is a terrific budget hotel with sunny upstairs rooms with cable TV, and it has a great restaurant, too (mains US$4 to US$7). The fabulous owner,…
Centro Entendimiento con la Naturaleza
Northern Highlands
On the grounds of this environmental education center you'll find one lovely wooden cabaña split into two private rooms. The upstairs room is open to the…
Little Corn Island
The island's most charming beach bungalows are found spread out over a lovely grassy promontory covered with coconut palms that feels far from the crowds…
Little Corn Island
Surrounded by forest and fruit orchards, and perched on a golden crescent of sand in a gorgeous sheltered turquoise cove lined by coconut palms, this…
León & Northwestern Nicaragua
The beachfront sister of the popular Bigfoot Hostel in León, this youth-oriented spot has a swimming pool, a beach-volleyball court, a bar-restaurant with…
Corn Islands
Set behind thick coral walls overlooking a picturesque beach is this handful of wooden bungalows and attractive rustic rooms. All come with indoor-outdoor…
Granada
Spreading goodwill one country at a time, this is one of 10 nonprofit hotels worldwide that direct earnings to the development of local educational…
The Río San Juan & Islas Solentiname
Right on the edge of the lake with views over to the Archipiélago de Solentiname, this small hotel is the best San Carlos has to offer, with a variety of…
Managua
A business favorite in central Managua, the Europeo combines instantly forgettable beige rooms with punchy contemporary art in common areas with a…
Caribbean Coast
A great local experience, this lovely white house has wooden floors and furnishings made in the attached workshop. Miss Dell makes her guests feel right…
Caribbean Coast
This beautiful wooden home is so nice the Sandinistas once used it as their east-coast base. Grab one of the more attractively furnished rooms upstairs in…
Isla de Ometepe
This Ometepe mainstay next to the Volcán Maderas trailhead is a classic backpacking spot. Rooms and dorms on this working coffee finca are set in a…
Northern Highlands
Easily your best bet in Jalapa, this welcoming hotel is set on lovely, lush grounds by a creek a short walk from town. The comfy though rather aged brick…
