Jicaro Island Ecolodge

This place is every bit as amazing as the other reviews have already shared. A perfect combination of feeling like heaven while also feeling like home. It's incredible what this lodge has been able to create out of a small little piece of land in the lake. The casitas are beautiful, peaceful and comfortable. The meals that the chef creates are absolutely delicious (and included with your stay!). There are so many little nooks of the island to hang out in depending on what you're doing - reading, playing a game, having a glass of wine... or if you want to be active, taking out the included kayaks or paddle boards into the lake. The sustainability elements of how the island operates are fascinating (the staff will take you on a tour and explain them all if you'd like!). And finally... the staff are the cherry on top. It's a small and mighty team that runs everything. The benefit of a small team is that we felt like we really got to know everyone, and they got to know us. They took such good care of us throughout our stay with not only top notch hospitality like remembering our favorite drinks, but also with sharing their culture and lives by being open to having a friendly chat to share more about their lives, their culture, and their country. Saying goodbye to our new friends was just as hard as saying goodbye to this little slice of paradise. We've already shared our wonderful experience with many friends and we can't wait to return one day for a repeat!

We’ve stayed in a few high-end eco-lodges and this was clearly the most luxurious. The facilities and rooms are beautiful. Our two-story casita was spacious and in great condition. Wi-fi wouldn’t work in the room but cell service worked well. The food was tremendous. They have a large and varied menu and you pre-order your lunch and dinner at breakfast. You pre-order dinner for your first day before you arrive. Everything was delicious. It was hard to believe that they could crank out such high-end food on this small island. Service was equally impressive. Everyone speaks English fluently and the staff-to-guest ratio must be 3-1 or higher. We dealt with Cynthia at the front desk who was friendly and helpful. Julio coordinates and leads some of the wide variety of excursions offered by the lodge. He was very helpful and knowledgeable. We did the City Tour and the Isletas tour. Both were very good. We loved our stay. Highly recommended.

We just returned from three nights at Jicaro. The experience was unbelievable. By far one of the best resorts we have ever stayed at. The service was perfect - frequently anticipating our needs before we even knew we needed them (like a pitcher of ice water showing up where I was working out in the morning!). The food was bordering on perfect. One of the best steaks I have ever eaten and surprisingly good wine - often rare in Central America. The location and views were amazing. To be honest, I'm running out of superlatives! Everything was top notch. We will definitely be returning. Did I mention the surprise private dinner they made for us on our last night? Or the experience making traditional Nicaraguan drinks with the bartender? Or the amazing massage? Or the drinks waiting for us when we got back from paddle boarding? Truly one of the best experiences we have ever had.

My wife and I just finished a 3 night stay at Jicaro during our first time trip to NIcaragua. First, let's talk about the elephant in the room: Nicaragua is safe, very safe for tourists. Jicaro is a one-of-a-kind eco-lodge in one of the Granada Islets; a group of hundreds of little islands on Lake Nicaragua, close to the colonial city of Granada. This area is a great gateway to get to know Nicaragua. Gorgeous, unspoiled, with a large number of activities and things to do nearby. Perfect location within easy driving distance from the Managua airport. Icaro is a all inclusive resort. It is expensive, for Nicaraguan standards, but really a good value for the money, considering all you get. The staff will work with you even before you arrive to take care of all the details to make sure you have an outstanding stay. They can arrange to pick you up at the Managua airport, drive you to their dock outside Granada, and form there they have a boat transfer to the lodge. It's a small island with the main hotel building, a pool, and nine casitas. the casitas are all the same size. They are all a two-story building with about 400 sq ft. More than enough room for a couple. The casitas are designed to blend with nature, and they achieve that. Service in the lodge is impeccable and flawless. Every member of the staff works hard in making sure your needs are taken care of. The food was amazing. Fresh, local ingredients with a good mix of local dishes and international dishes. Great selection. We had all our meals there during our stay and didn't feel like we were out of options. Jicaro offers a varied menu of activities and their tours are excellent and very well thought of. In general, if you are looking for a romantic stay at a sophisticated, unusual, luxurious, accommodation during your trip to Nicaragua, look no further. I believe 3-5 nights are the perfect length for a stay at Jicaro.

The property has a 4 star rating but it should be 5! This property is a hidden gem in a still developing country . Situated on a private island that is less than hour’s drive from the airport in Managua and then a 10 minute tranquil boat ride from Granada . Our flight arrived at 1045pm , we arrive at the hotel at 1215am , there was not an unnecessary check-in , we were ushered straight to our casitia, a small pasta plate was waiting for us in the first floor of the room. It was much needed after a long day of travel . The spacious casitas are two floors with nice views of the lake and tropics ! I can’t write enough about the outstanding hospitality throughout the resort . The pool side service with Jercer was fantastic. Recommend doing the sunset romantic dinner on the small floating deck . As well as taking a volcano tour with Julio . Enjoy !