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Rancho Santana
Tola, Nicaragua
Rancho Santana
Tola, Nicaragua
$360
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2023 IP Members Choice Award

A Pacific Paradise in Central America with Five Beaches and Endless Adventures

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L.V.X.
2023 IP Members Choice Award

Experience "The Good Life" when you book a stay at Rancho Santana on Nicaragua’s pristine Emerald Coast. Enjoy ultimate privacy and serenity at this resort set on 2,700 acres of forested hills, stunning cliffs, and five peaceful beaches. Guests of Rancho Santana can:

  • Indulge in luxurious treatments at the Spa in El Bosque with signature massage and holistic therapies
  • Explore miles of hiking, horseback riding, and secluded beaches spread throughout the grounds
  • Relax poolside with cocktail in hand, while nibbling on light bites from The Sand Dollar Pool Bar
  • Spend a day on the water paddle boarding, surfing, swimming, fishing, and more

With spacious rooms themed in relation to the four major elements of fire, wind, water, and earth, you will feel an immediate spiritual and physical connection to the lush landscape of this Central America Pacific Coast paradise.

 

Hotel Amenities

Eco-Friendly
Eco-Friendly
Event Space
Event Space
Family-Friendly
Family-Friendly
Accessible
Accessible
Non-Smoking Rooms
Non-Smoking
On-Site Parking
Parking
Pool
Pool
Spa
Spa
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
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Accommodations

Rancho Santana Beach Resort is home to 38 comfortable guest rooms within both its Inn and Residences, which offer guests a choice of intimate retreats or spacious ocean-view homes.

With Inn accommodations that spread across five guest room types and apartment-like suites that feature high ceilings accented with wooden beams, bathrooms designed with hand-painted tiles, and furniture and other design flourishes designed and built on site, guests immediately feel at home away from home.

The resort's Residences boast nearly 30 private ocean-view homes that offer guests the opportunity to relax in private infinity pools or dine al fresco with mesmerizing views of the Emerald Coast. From expansive terraces to private beach access, Ocean View homes are luxurious retreats large groups love.

For smaller groups, the resort offers condo-style units surrounded by a lush tropical forest and within walking distance of Playa Santana. Choose one of six casitas available for a small family Nicaraguan adventure or one of the 12 beach condos as the ideal surf shack.

Each accommodation was designed with comfort and privacy in mind. Some accommodations feature soaking tubs and generous outdoor areas. Rancho Santana is the ideal destination that any adventurer would wish for - from outdoor adventures to lazy beach days with plenty of family fun in the sun there is an adventure for everyone.

Rancho Santana Villa Rosada
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Residences

Get the very best features of a luxury hotel within the comforts of a residential setting.

Offers

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Dining

With its own onsite organic farm and garden providing produce and area fishermen providing fresh catch daily, Rancho Santana's food and dining options could not get any fresher or more natural. Diners will enjoy savoring local flavors, strong Nicaraguan coffees, and delectable beach fare.

Rancho Santana Outdoor Dining

La Finca y el Mar – Serving lunch and dinner, this restaurant offers guests farm-to-table dishes of organic vegetables and locally sourced seafood and meat.

El Café – For a quick pick-me-up, guests can head to El Café where Nicaraguan coffee is complemented by pastries, smoothies, and delicious meals.

La Boquita – Located at the pool at Playa Rosada, La Boquita features an open-air kitchen with outdoor dining and an ever-changing menu of wood-fired oven pizzas, raspas, and small plates, along with craft beer, wine, and cocktails.

La Taquería – Set on the beautiful beach at Playa los Perros, La Taqueria serves beach fare like Baja-style tacos, quesadillas, and ceviche for breakfast and lunch.

La Tienda – A small market set alongside the organic garden steps from The Inn, where you’ll find produce, and prepared items from the kitchen of La Finca y El Mar for takeaway, snacks, and beverages including a selection of beer, wine, local rum and other spirits.

The Bar at The Clubhouse – Enjoy a casual bite at the bar, on the terrace, or while playing a game of pool in The Clubhouse at Playa Santana. A small menu includes familiar pub fare as well and local snacking staples perfect for pairing with a cold beer or world-class cocktail.

The Pool Bar at Playa Santana – Popular poolside pickings including fresh ceviche and smoothies, sandwiches, and salads.

Activities at Rancho Santana

Rancho Santana Activities

With five unique beaches, an effortlessly indulgent spa, and options for both on- and off-site excursions, a stay at Rancho Santana means making choices like whether to snorkel or swim, hike or horseback ride, or simply spend the day pampering yourself.

At the Spa in El Bosque, you can treat yourself to massages, skincare, and body treatments using local indigenous and organic ingredients, take a dip in the hot and cold contrast therapy pools, or opt for an alternative therapy including acupuncture, reflexology, and reiki.

If a spa day is a little too sedate for you, head to the water for surfing, swimming, SUP, fishing and boat tours, and bodyboarding, or head to the hills for horseback riding and hiking among the lush coastal forests.  Rancho Santana has a variety of waves that are perfect for beginners and seasoned surfers.

Rancho Santana can also provide offsite tours like trips to nearby volcanos, zipline parks, and more.

Location

Set on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua near the small city of Tola, Rancho Santana holds the distinction of being perched on an isthmus with stunning views of the sea, the valley, and the forest along with access to five unique and beautiful beaches. Enveloped by pristine natural beauty and secluded from cosmopolitan areas, Rancho Santana offers a retreat where relaxation, fun, and freeing solitude come as easily as the area’s perfect surfing waves.

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Address

Comarca Limon #1, Tola, Rivas, Nicaragua

Transportation

  • Airport 
    • Costa Esmeralda Airport is 10.8 km / 6.7 mi – about 18 minutes away by car
    • Managua (MGA): August C. Sandino is 134 km / 83 mi - about 2.5 hours away by car
    • Liberia (LIR): Nearby Costa Rica 164.9 km  – about 4+ hours away by car

what3words Address

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Reviews

4.8Trip Advisor Rating

POWERED BY TRIPADVISOR

TripAdvisor Rating 5

MUST VISIT FOR DINNER!!

Sun Apr 13 2025 21:18:22 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Melanie S

The most amazing service, INSANE views and the food is perfection. We went two nights in a row! David provided excellent service. Go at sunset and make a reservation to sit in the best tables. You can’t beat the experience here! We went as a family of 6 with young kids, and a birthday. It was so much fun!

TripAdvisor Rating 5

Yoga

Fri Apr 11 2025 13:40:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by _quepretty

By far some of the best yoga classes I’ve ever taken. Instructors are all top notch. Challenging, motivating and nurturing at the same time. They all add their own uniqueness. I always feel empowered, relaxed, focused and happy after each class. All the while in the most beautiful platform, views and nature sounds… Thank you everyone for all your hard work and keeping us posted and schedule/classes.

TripAdvisor Rating 3

Far cry from luxury accommodations / disappointing Casita for am otherwise lovely property

Tue Apr 08 2025 20:06:52 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Sally J

This is a precautionary warning for those enticed by alleged "luxury accommodations" and unfortunately a misalignment with Rancho Santana's website and social media. After reading about Rancho Santana in The New York Times last December and exploring your website, I was eager to book a stay for my family. Unable to find availability at the Inn, I contacted your team and was assured that Casita #5 was comparable in quality. Regrettably, our experience did not align with this assurance. While we appreciated the resort's amenities, including the restaurants and tours, the Garden View Casita #5 was extremely disappointing, especially given the $800+ nightly rate. Upon arrival, I noticed a missing wall fixture and encountered dead insects in the shower and kitchen areas (see images attached). Having traveled extensively in Central America, I understand the presence of insects; however, finding deceased ones upon check-in suggests lapses in housekeeping standards. Additionally, the condition of the walls and floors appeared dilapidated, which was unexpected for accommodations positioned as luxurious. I promptly reported these issues to the guest experience team, who addressed the immediate concerns by removing the insects. I requested a transfer to the Inn but was informed that available rooms were awaiting air conditioner servicing. A room was offered the day before our departure, but given the timing, we declined the move. While the onsite team was responsive, they seemed to lack the authority to make decisions that could have significantly improved our stay, often awaiting managerial input. Rancho Santana's website and social media channels prominently highlight the resort's luxury offerings and exceptional service. However, our experience did not reflect these promises and fell well short. I learned upon arrival that the casitas are independently owned and clearly owners are not held to comparable standards as the Inn. This is a massive miss for Rancho Santana as they should ensure all accommodations are maintained to an appropriate standard. While the property and common areas were beautiful and the activities enjoyable, the disappointing casita was ultimately a big detractor and distraction from an otherwise great experience.

TripAdvisor Rating 5

The people are the secret ingredient

Mon Apr 07 2025 16:11:34 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by K W

The superior attentive professional staff ekevate Rancho Santana above resorts with comparable facilities, although even some of those are peerless. The yoga studio is on a mountain peek overlooking the pacific and the wellness services are delivered in private cabanas nestled in forests where the only sound is that of bamboo. After my first experience I tried to book health and wellness services everyday, Thanks to the excellent support provided by Eva, Director of Health and Wellness. I was given clear explanations of services, useful recommendations, even a personal guided tour of the fastidious clean and relaxing spaces. It was Eva's attentive support, the quality of the masseuse, and the excellence of the yoga class led by Julia that will keep me returning. That combined with the concierge and front office staff including Elvis and Cesar who gave a tour of Granada, but there are others who went above and beyond to perform miracles when the occasion required. The people are what make Rancho Santana a cut above the rest.

TripAdvisor Rating 5

A winner!

Tue Apr 01 2025 21:14:08 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by CarolinaGirl27517

Really lean into the luxury and customization that this resort offers. Once you check in, via WhatsApp you can arrange all the transportation and tours that you need. Our airport transportation and Granada day trip were both private tours and the guides went out of their way to make sure we got to do all that we wanted and get the special things on our shopping list. We stayed in a condo, which was fantastic for location. For our family it worked to be near the main restaurant as we didn’t have a car and enjoyed being able to walk to restaurants, beaches, and pools. Our favorite activity as a family was going to La Boquita at sunset where you can play in the surf and swim while you order and enjoy their delicious pizzas and passion fruit juice. The views are incredible over the crashing ocean. You can dine in resort wear or your swimsuit. We came during the dry season, so maybe think carefully if you come during peak rainy reason in Sept/October from what we hear? A special shout out to: Alejandro (sandboarding), Fernando (horses), Anareylis, Luis Adolfo, José Andrés (La Boquita), Carlos Álvarez (Granada tour), Eliezer (Managua transportation), Juliet (La Finca)