Rancho Santana

We travel a lot (3+ times per year, mostly Central America and Europe). This was our first time in Nicaragua. We loved that the resort was not crowded. It made it extremely peaceful. We also loved the bar and restaurant staff, who were all absolutely wonderful. The communication prior to our arrival was fantastic and informative. The food was great, and the chef in La Boquita cut an Aloe leaf for us because my son was sunburned. The surf lessons were top-notch. We have taken surf lessons in several locations, and these were by far the best. Finally, people who took us to and from the resort to the airport were also wonderful. I loved having someone knowledgeable about Nicaragua in the shuttle from the border. The Costa Rica driver moved mountains to get us to the airport in time for our flight. I hope all of these people are well compensated and valued.

I am struggling with certain safety aspects of the resort, which I think need to be addressed immediately. I am NOT talking about safety issues associated with the location. Nicaragua is not a common vacation destination in the U.S., and we worried about political stability, crime, etc., none of which were a concern. First, be very, very careful at the beaches. The current and riptides are extremely strong, and there are no lifeguards. Guests are not consistently warned about the swimming conditions (we learned about them from another guest). It's easy to go into "relaxation mode" on vacation - do not let your kids run into the water without you. My kids are pretty good swimmers, and I was not comfortable with them in the water without an adult, period. I am not a risk-averse person. Second, I question whether the vehicles are equipped for the mountainous terrain. Again, I am not risk-averse and normally do not worry too much about shuttles, etc. The vehicles seemed to struggle going up the hills, which are largely dirt roads. This is not my usual approach (but should be) - I would not ride in any vehicle without a safety belt, and I would avoid any vehicle that lacks safety belts or standard safety gear. If you run into a serious medical issue, you will have a major, major problem. Travel insurance cannot make medical facilities closer to the resort.

We loved the resort's seclusion and stayed a couple of extra days to avoid returning to our extremely busy lives. But some guests may be surprised to find there are no beach chairs/umbrellas/towels, and that you need to wade through still water to reach the main beaches. The lack of umbrellas means there is also no shade, and the weather is extremely hot around spring break. The huge upside is that there will be times when you are literally the only people on the beach, which is rare elsewhere. The resort never felt crowded, and walking the beach without wading through people is a huge, huge plus.

In my opinion, you are paying five-star prices for a four-star hotel - lots of upcharges for things that would be included or far less at other resorts (e.g., laundry, villa amenities like lotion/staple items, shuttle service off-site, etc). Overall, I think it's worth it because of the location's peacefulness and the top-notch service at the restaurants and pool. However, if you are expecting a resort similar to those in Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, etc., at a comparable price point, you may be disappointed. The hotel would likely be better suited to charge a higher nightly rate (if necessary) and include more amenities. That would take away the feeling of constantly being upcharged.

Wow. Just go. As a family of teens and adults , we felt incredibly safe the entire time. We also often felt we had the place to ourselves - very spread out. We did an ATV tour and lunch in Granada, as well as surf lessons. Highly recommend both! The sun is extra hot. Bring a sun shirt and lots of screen. Also bring a sleep mask and lotion (none in rooms). The rooms were extremely clean every day. The staff was beyond kind. There are beautiful, giant waves everywhere (it’s not white sandy calm, and swimming is intense, but oh so fun). Plan ahead with shuttles, and don’t rely on exact times. Make plans to watch every sunset. Try all the foods. This resort has a perfect natural, low light, unwind vibe for all age groups. Highly recommend.

I rode with Januar and he was awesome along with all the other staff throughout the trip. Absolutely beautiful!

Amazing experience. Didn't want to leave. Rooms were amazing. The Grenada trip was amazing and so was the fishing. We will be bak

El lugar el si el edificio es extraordinario pero las habitaciones necesitan mejor limpieza

La comida espectacular. El restaurante del hotel es excelente. También, el personal es muy amable y atento a las necesidades del huésped.

Está muy lindo, siempre limpio.
La comida es riquísima 😋

Rancho Santana is great place with great people in a wonderful country. Tons of things to do. Food is next level. Staff is awesome!

If you’re surfing at Rancho Santana and not booking time with Jared Rosa, you’re missing out. Period.

I’ve been surfing for over 20 years in destinations all over the world, and I can honestly say I’ve never worked with a surf guide as knowledgeable, dialed-in, and genuinely helpful as Jared. His intimate understanding of the breaks, tides, wind patterns, and timing in this region is on another level. What could have easily been a stressful “where do we go / is this the right call?” kind of trip turned into a seamless, relaxed, and ridiculously fun experience because of him.

He doesn’t just take you to waves — he puts you in the right spot at the right time and explains why. That kind of local mastery is rare.

Beyond the surf, Jared gives you the inside scoop on local Nicaraguan culture, food, and vibe. He’s the real deal — authentic, thoughtful, and just an all-around great guy to spend time with in and out of the water.

We’ll absolutely be back, and when we do, we’re surfing with Jared again. No question.

A million stars!! Our stay at Rancho Santana was above & beyond in every possible way — and it was even more special because we were there on our honeymoon! From the moment we arrived, the entire staff around the ranch made us feel so welcomed — everyone is genuinely warm, friendly, and attentive. The hospitality here is truly something magical.

The ranch itself is incredibly gorgeous. The views, the landscape, the beaches, the spa, the restaurants, the rooms — every corner feels so peaceful and thoughtfully designed. It truly feels like paradise and was the perfect setting to celebrate our honeymoon! Our king room at The Inn was basically a large one-bedroom suite, overlooking the ocean! Magnificent.

The concierge team was phenomenal. Mario, Luis, and Fernanda went majorly out of their way to make sure every detail of our stay was seamless. From planning activities to answering every single question with a smile, they truly made our trip effortless & relaxing.

Dining was extraordinary across the board! Every meal was so fresh and there was incredible variety at the multiple restaurants on the property. At La Finca y El Mar restaurant, Janely took amazing care of us and made every meal feel special. At La Boquita restaurant, David Garcia provided outstanding service — attentive, professional, and so personable. Every server, host & bartender we encountered went out of their way to deliver impeccable service. Just wow.

The sunset horseback riding was a major highlight! A huge thank you to Januar & Miguel for making it such a fun and memorable experience. They were knowledgeable, kind, and made us feel completely comfortable.

The spa is stunning and was just as exceptional as everything else!
We got most relaxing couple’s massage. The spa area is in a treehouse overlooking a forest and it literally feels like you’re in Bali.

And we can’t forget the amazing drivers — Eliezer, Gustavo (who took us on the monkey tour), and Manuel —were always so friendly, punctual, kind, and so accommodating. Getting around the ranch & to the airport was easy and enjoyable thanks to them. Every single staff member we met made this honeymoon truly unforgettable. We have stayed at a lot of incredible resorts around the world, and I have to say, this is the best of the best.

If you are on the fence about booking this trip, JUST DO IT. Rancho Santana is a TRUE GEM, and we cannot wait to go back!

The staff of rancho santana is truly second to none. Absolutely incredible people operating an absolutely incredible resort in one of the most beautiful places you can visit. Absolutely will be returning. I would give 100 stars if i could.

The rooms were large and open, beautiful, and comfortable. The entire property was beautiful, had great amenities, and fun adventures! Staff were friendly, kind, and welcoming. Our family had a wonderful time!

Incredible week in the most beautiful place. From the moment we arrived in Nicaragua, the entire experience was perfect. The staff at every restaurant and excursion were so friendly,
Knowledgeable, and helpful. The views, the weather, the culture, the food, everything was amazing. Special s/o to Jeremy, Guillermo, Christopher, and Hernan for the attention to detail and making our trip the best it could be. They always made sure we were taken care of, well fed, and a clean home. 10/10

We stayed in an AirBNB that is immediately adjacent to the Rancho Santana property - inside the main gate of the ranch, but not inside the security gate. For a very reasonable daily fee, we had full use of the Rancho Santana concierge and facilities, including grocery delivery.

Simply put, the staff and facilities at Rancho Santana are outstanding. The staff were always "can do," accommodating at every turn. The location is gorgeous, with postcard-worthy sunsets every night. The beaches are lovely - deep, wide, and not crowded. The ranch has lots of hiking and biking trails. We did an afternoon of in-shore fishing and a couples massage - both great experiences. It's hard to name a single highlight, but, if forced, I'd say it was probably "scouting" for monkeys - there are a pretty good number of howler monkeys on the ranch, and once you know where to look and what to listen for, they seem to be everywhere. So cool.

The list of what we didn't do is probably longer than what we did do. They have horseback riding, surfing, excursions to Granada, a volcano hike, and probably some other things I am forgetting.

The restaurants were similarly excellent. We enjoyed everything we ordered, from apps to tacos to wood-fired pizza to empanadas to steak-and-lobster. The options hit pretty much whatever you could want. The breakfasts at El Cafe were so good - highly recommend the Nica Bowl, Sandwich de Desayuno, and Burrito de Desayuno. The food at the Pool Bar and Cabanas comes from the La Finca y El Mar kitchen, and while it is "bar food," it is also amazing quality. The taqueria turns out top quality "street food." La Boquita is a nice middle-of-the-road option, with the wood-fired pizzas and small plate items. La Finca y El Mar is fine dining, but with a beach atmosphere.

For a sandwich on the go or cooking in your own space, La Tienda's quality is on par with the restaurants. It's a small shop, but they have all of the basics - fresh produce, eggs, bacon, sausage, bread, dairy, chips, desserts, and a good selection of beer, wine, spirits, and cigars. They also have sunscreen, toiletries, etc.

This brings me to a key point about Rancho Santana, which was a positive for us, but something to consider - it is somewhat remote. We rented a small SUV at the Managua airport, and with an AT&T mobile plan that covers all of North, Central, and South America, used Google Maps to make our way to the ranch. We had no trouble at all. But it is at least 90 minutes away, if you have no traffic issues.

We love being off the beaten path, and, honestly, this is another area where Rancho Santana shines. They are prepared for just about anything. They have a gas station on-property. We didn't need it, but they have a medical clinic. They have wood and metal shops where they build and repair on-site. They have their own motor pool and repair shop. They grow their own food.

Beautiful, friendly, welcoming, safe and relaxing where all our needs were met with ease and casual class. The wellness offerings and fitness opportunities are exceptional. The food is farm and sea-fresh and delicious. This was my fourth visit and I hope to return again soon. Rancho Santana is a real gem.

Rancho Santana is a unique estate. Expansive across five beautiful beaches, well preserved nature, and amazing views. My family and I had a great time during our stay at Casa Los Perros. The food and drinks were delicious, and the service was very friendly and impeccable. Rooms were spacious, comfortable and clean. Aside from walking down to the beach, or lounging by the oceanfront pools, there were so many activities to do. We took full advantage of what Rancho had to offer. We went surfing everyday and the surf instructors were very friendly and helpful. We felt safe and well looked after. In the morning we went birdwatching and saw all kinds of colorful birds, we also encountered howler monkeys, who seemed to be unbothered by our presence. We also went on a night hike, which was really cool. Our guide was very knowledgeable and taught us about all the flora and fauna that comes alive at night. We learned about medicinal properties of various plants and trees in the forest, giant termite mounds, and ultraviolet scorpions. Again, we felt completely safe in his care. The hike finished at the chapel where the night sky was breathtaking. And I can't forget to mention the catamaran boat ride. More like a luxury yacht. The crew were excellent and took us to a beautiful cove with turquoise water. We went snorkeling and paddle boarding. Everyone had a great time, including the kids- definitely a highlight or our trip.
We couldn't have done it without our butler Johnny Lopez who helped coordinate all of our activities and reservations seamlessly. Truly first class service. I only wish we could have stayed longer. We will definitely be coming back! Thank you to all of the Rancho Santana staff for making this an unforgettable experience!
Special shout out to Mario and Gabriel from Concierge, our guide Gustavo, Jared our surf instructor, and Manuel Martinez our driver who transported us safely to/from the airport.

Stayed in a villa at Rancho Santana with a group of friends to celebrate a milestone birthday. Everything was awesome; the food was delicious, the staff was friendly and helpful, the surroundings were beautiful.
This is definitely a hidden gem.

The horseback riding was perfect! Our guides were very professional. The horses are beautiful! The stable is spotless. The guide spoke great English. Very helpful for us because we do not speak Spanish. Will be going again!

We spent five unforgettable nights at Rancho Santana, and it truly is paradise. We stayed at the Inn in a beachfront room, and waking up each morning to the sound of the waves and sweeping ocean views felt almost unreal.

Everything about this place is special from the breathtaking, untouched setting to the thoughtfully curated experiences. We loved the wide range of activities, especially the yoga and spa offerings, which were both restorative and beautifully integrated into the natural surroundings. The sunset horseback ride along the coast was one of the most magical experiences we’ve ever had.

The farm-to-table food was outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and clearly prepared with care. Every meal felt nourishing and intentional. Most of all, the staff truly set Rancho Santana apart. Every single person we encountered was genuinely kind, warm, and attentive, making us feel not just welcomed, but deeply cared for.

Rancho Santana is the rare place that feels both luxurious and soulful. We left feeling relaxed, inspired, and already dreaming of our return.