Rancho Santana

Straddled across two miles of pristine Pacific coastline comprising of five distinctly different beaches, Rancho Santana is situated on one of Nicaragua’s most prestigious resort and residential communities: the Emerald Coast. The entire property is 2,700 acres of rolling hills, pastureland set back from the rocky coastline that separates the five different beaches.

A longstanding residential resort, Rancho Santana has always been know for it’s high quality luxurious vacation rental homes and a rustic-luxe boutique, 17-room hotel (The Inn), but recently they added The Residences, a series of rentals for those looking for a more pampered, service oriented style of vacation.

Each Residence has its unique personality, but all come with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, comfortably sleeping six adults. Emulating an upscale, rustic elegance, complete with high-end wood and iron finishes and accents, each unit also features an open concept kitchen, dining and living area, and a spacious private terrace with ocean views.

The Residences at Rancho Santana sit just steps away from Playa Santana, which also happens to be a world class surfing beach, alongside Playa Rosada with it’s left-point break. For those more comfortable without a surfboard under them, Playas Escondida, Dunas and Los Perros offer snorkeling, swimming and privacy all within the boundaries of the resort. Several separate beachfront clubhouses are available for guests to use, from where you can arrange surf lessons or a guide to take you out and show you the breaks. Each clubhouse also offers a beautiful pool, great food and drinks to help you while away, watching the outstanding daily sunsets. And for something new, the Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) tours offer a fun and truly unique way to experience the beauty of the 5 beaches while getting a great workout.

Away from the beach, the huge property is crossed by 12 miles of scenic hiking trails, and has its own stables offering riding lessons for newbies. Guests can also head to Playa Duna to go sandboarding on its steep, sandy hill. There is also wellness emphasis at Rancho Santana, with a wonderful spa and daily yoga classes on Playa Rosada.

Rancho Santana is also home to one of Nicaragua’s best, most renowned restaurants, La Finca y El Mar, serving great farm-to-table fare based on the Rancho’s own farm, providing fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry, alongside its own cheeses and bread and also the bounty of the sea, the Pacific Ocean, providing freshly caught seafood from the local waters. You can also enjoy homemade ice cream, smoothies, freshly brewed Nicaraguan coffee, or baked-daily croissants, pastries or sandwiches at el Café; a baja-style tacos, quesadillas or ceviche at the open-air La Taqueria; or an ever-changing line-up of eclectic small plates and tapas-inspired favorites, accompanied by a selection of locally-brewed craft beers, wines, and cocktails.

Overall, a stay at Rancho Santana will leave you in a relaxed, tranquil state of mind after your time on one of the most pristine stretches of unspoiled, tropical coastline in Nicaragua.