NICARAGUA
Luxury Ecotourism I Granada
 Nicaragua is a democratic republic in Central America. It is the largest nation in the isthmus, but also the least densely populated with a demographic similar in size to its smaller neighbours. The country is bordered on the north by Honduras and on the south by Costa Rica. Its western coastline is on the Pacific Ocean, while the east side of the country is on the Caribbean Sea.
Nicaragua is a newer tourism destination than its neighbour Costa Rica, and despite its more turbulent past has now a democratically elected government and travel, especially in southern Nicaragua near Granada, Masaya and San Juan del Sur is considered very safe.
 The country's name is derived from Nicarao, the name of the Nahuatl-speaking tribe which inhabited the shores of Lago de Nicaragua before the Spanish conquest of the Americas, and the Spanish word Agua, meaning water, due to the presence of the large lakes Lago de Nicaragua and Lago de Managua in the region.
Central America ’s Isthmus represents only 0.5 percent of the world’s landmass, but is home to over 10 percent of the world’s biodiversity.
Nicaragua makes up for a big part of this diversity with its varied ecosystems ranging from costal mangroves and volcano slopes to lowland tropical rainforests, rivers and lakes. Nicaragua has gotten off to a late start in terms of protecting its natural resources and it was not until 1990 that protected areas have received planning and support. But in 2002, Nicaragua has 76 protected areas encompassing 18 percent of its territory.
 The Ometepe Island is one of the most impressive sights in Nicaragua . An island emerging from the lake made up of two volcanoes, the Concepcion and Maderas. Adventurers can climb the Maderas volcano topped with cloud forest, a lagoon and many birds and animals. There are beautiful rivers and waterfalls to swim in and a visit to a coffee or banana plantation is worth your time. Ometepe is somewhat isolated from the rest of Nicaragua and therefore maintains its special mystery and charm.
Nicaragua is an almost "perfect" place to travel and much better than its image, due to past civil unrests. It is safe to travel and features a modern international airport in Managua as well as a variety of business class hotels in Managua and smaller boutique hotels in Granada and small resorts on the coast. Just recently Nature Air introduced direct flights connecting San Jose and the city of Liberia in northern Costa Rica with the colonial city of Granada in southern Nicaragua.
San Juan del Sur:
San Juan del Sur is one of Nicaragua’s best known beach towns and offers great beaches for swimming, boogie-boarding, surfing, fishing, diving, snorkelling and sailing.
 Morgan's Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge
Location:
Morgan’s Rock is located near the town of San Juan del Sur, which lies just north of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, south from the colonial city of Granada and about two hours and a half from the city of Managua, (Nicaragua 's capital). Morgan’s Rock is the ideal extension to your vacation in Costa Rica since it can be easily reached by air or ground transport. The hacienda is located within driving distance from southern Nicaragua's most prominent tourist attractions: the colonial town of Granada, los Pueblos Blancos handcrafts market, the Masaya Volcano National Park, Lake Nicaragua and the unique Ometepe Island boasting two volcanoes on one island.
 The Hacienda & Eco Lodge is part of a 1,000-hectare tree farming and reforestation project as well as an 800-hectare private nature reserve which is actually one of the last, large natural sanctuaries along the Pacific Coast of Central America. Endowed with a private, white-sanded beach visited by sea turtles to lay their eggs, the hacienda also hosts its own primary tropical dry forest ecosystem.
The lodge is strategically located to the south of Nicaragua’s most important tourism destination Granada and just north of the Costa Rican boarder. You may choose to take your international flight into Nicaragua’s capital Managua, Costa Rica’s capital San Jose or the northern Costa Rican city of Liberia.
Accommodation:
Almendro, caoba, cedro, eucalipto, guapinol, laurel y nogal… beautiful sounding Spanish names that have been worked into the structure of the Morgan’s Rock’s bungalows. The latter are all tropical woods that were used to build the fifteen bungalows at Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge. All proceed from responsibly managed logging sources or tree farming projects in Nicaragua, ensuring artistic yet ecologically responsible built bungalows.
 The fifteen bungalows face west; most of them letting you revere dramatic sunsets disappear into the Pacific Ocean. The surrounding forest adds indispensable privacy and peace to each unit. Most bungalows sit on a cliff overlooking the private bay and estuary. While they have been soundly designed to offer shelter from rain, sun or wind, each bungalow breathes nature. Some even have a tree growing out through the roof and all enjoy an indoor beach garden hosting your own private outdoor shower.
All hotel bungalows feature one king size bed, a comfortable sofa bed and a private deck. The architect has carefully used mainly local materials and the wooden furniture was custom made by local artisans. Even the quaint lamps have been made out of recycled wood from a former cattle ranch at Morgan’s Rock Eco Lodge! The bungalows are connected to the main lodge by an awesome 110-metre suspension bridge crossing a forested canyon.
Facilities:
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Therapeutic massages
- Yoga
- Surfing
- Sunrise estuary kayaking (subject to conditions)
- Private beach
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Fishing
- Reforestation project
- Dry forest experience
- Hacienda & butterfly farm tour
- Rum tour
- Horseback riding
- Riverbed nature walk
- Mountain biking
- Night walk
- Mochamba Volcano tour
Dining:
- Restaurant "La Bastide" (featuring fresh & local produce)
- Their own specialty coffee
Granada:
 Granada is the oldest city in Central America and the oldest on the mainland of the Americas. It is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities. Situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua, the city was founded by Francisco Hernandex de Cordoba on December 8, 1524.
Granada is like most of the Nicaraguan Pacific primarily populated by Spanish-speaking Whites and Mestizos. Granada is known to be one of the most beautiful cities of Latin America for its rich colonial heritage, seen in its buildings, which are being restored on a consistent basis as the city's economy grows.
 The Volcan Mombacho is the highest point within Granada; the now extinct volcano blew most of its cone into the lake forming the 365 Isletas the Granada, from where the volcano provides an amazing view. It is also possible on a clear day to see the Ometepe and Zapatera Island. This last island is the second largest island in Lake Nicaragua and it too was also a volcano. It is the famous nationally for being the home of pre-colombian statues and idols which were found on the island by the Spanish conquest, these are now exhibited in the Convento San Frnacisco Museum.
Granada has many beaches from Lake Nicaragua, and are very popular around Semana Santa. The more popular beaches are to the north of the city.
Granada remains Nicaragua's third largest city, and is known for preserving some fine colonial-era architecture. A mini real estate boom is underway, with many European and Americans purchasing and renovating the area's homes for retirement or holiday homes.
Today, however there is an ever growing effervecence of tourism growing in Granada. It is now the centre for most of the tourism that exists in Nicaragua. Museums have opened and there are plenty of tour operators. Hotels and paradores are abundant in Granada and are continually opening every year, in addition restuarants have been growing in numbers and so too have many bars and nightclubs, which are very popular among the people of Granada and tourists passing through the city.
Hotel Alhambra - 3 Star
Location:
Hotel Alhambra is one of the most luxurious and largest hotels of Granada. The colonial-style hotel is located at the western side of the central park.
The imposing lobby of the hotel is decorated with art sculptures, paintings, and furniture from colonial times. There are 60 well-equipped rooms as well as several conference rooms that can host up to 100 people. A multitude of services and amenities is offered.
Accommodation:
All of the rooms come equipped with air conditioning, cable TV, phone, and private bath with hot water.
Facilities:
- Swimming pool
- Internet access
- laundry service
- Souvenir shop
Dining:
- Restaurante Alhambra (national & international cuisine)
- Bar
La Gran Francia - 3 Star
Location:
Located right off the main square of the historical colonial city of Granada, La Gran Francia is a splendid ancestral building whose existence historians argue dates back to the years immediately following the founding of Granada, in 1524. This architectural jewel was restored during the decade of the 1990’s, recovering the majesty and splendour of its heyday and today housing Granada’s finest hotel.
Accommodation:
 La Gran Francia Hotel and Restaurant offers 21 air-conditioned rooms with all modern comforts and amenities, a pool, a restaurant, two bars, and banquet hall facilities.
The hotel's Junior suites which all have big wooden colonial doors open out onto balconies with a view to the Cathedral. These top quality rooms are decorated with traditional Nicaraguan art. Each room has private bath, A/C, telephone, and cable TV.
Facilities:
- Swimming pool
- Banqueting facilities
- Laundry service
- Internet access
Dining
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