Vistamar: a reasonable all-inclusive resort in Nicaragua

Looking for an affordable all-inclusive hotel on a great beach? Look no further. Vistamar Hotel in Nicaragua is on Pochomil

Beach near the fishing town of Masachapa.  It is less than two hours from Managua on well-tended roads. Transport can be arranged for a fee.

The complex is comprised of 43 two-story sunny yellow bungalows in Key West Style. Almost all accommodations have a balcony or a patio. Rooms are large with air conditioning, satellite TV, and all the necessary

amenities for a comfortable stay.  The balcony and patios have Adirondack-style chairs and hammocks. Some bungalows have fully equipped kitchens. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with many of the trees labeled.  There is one large free-form pool and two smaller pools. Massages are

available in their Spa Texoxe. Meals are served in the enclosed, air-conditioned restaurant but guests are invited to dine around the pool or on the porch or balcony of their accommodation. 

Besides swimming in the pools and taking a dip in the Pacific Ocean, guests can enjoy a variety of other activities such as horseback riding on the beach or exploring the long beach by ATV.  Don’t expect a Sandals-style resort but, then again, you won’t find Sandals-style prices.  Vistamar Hotel is a lovely, laid-back resort on an amazing beach where the Pacific sunsets are always stunning. Contact www.vistamarhotel.com for more information. 

Xalli Hotel on Ometepe is a great choice

Xalli Hotel is on Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua. It is a small boutique hotel on a low bluff above the beach basically on the isthmus between the two volcanoes.  The location is in close

proximity to all the major tourist attractions. The friendly helpful staff will arrange any tours plus they have bikes to rent so people can explore on their own. The beach is great and virtually deserted.  You are likely to see more horses than people. At one end of the beach is a kite boarding school.

The rooms at Xalli are large and modern with A/C.  They have room and laundry service. The restaurant and Lounge bar offer both indoor and outdoor seating.  The food, when every possible, is organic and locally produce.  You can see the local people delivering eggs, meat, and other produce so you know it is fresh. After a day of exploring take a refreshing dip in the lake (it is very shallow) or relax in one of their hammocks before dinner.

The hotel strives to be eco-friendly and sustainable. They serve and

sell Single Estate Organic Coffee grown on Ometepe and made from 100% Arabica beans following the principle of Fair Trade. They work closely with the local people knowing that success for one is success for all.  They not only accept major credit cards but also Bit Coins.For more information check  www.ometepebeachhotel.com,

Las Mercedes in Managua is a good airport hotel

Location! Location! Location! The Best Western Las Mercedes Hotel is located directly in front of Managua’s international airport. Really, it is walk able. The hotel is the perfect place to stay when arriving late or leaving early or transferring to another location.  Actually, it is not that far into the city center either so it is perfect for any stay… and the accommodation with breakfast is reasonable. Guests can also enjoy their spa and play racquet ball, tennis and volleyball.

The hotel has an interesting set up with rows of yellow wooden, one-story buildings which are united by a clear domed roof to keep the rain out.  There are 174 rooms offering a variety of configurations. All rooms feature air conditioning, telephones, cable TV other amenities including a large buffet breakfast. The hotel offers a free business center, secure parking and free transportation to/from the airport. Las Mercedes is a smoke-free hotel but pets are allowed.

The grounds are well landscaped with one tree worth noting – a huge Guanacaste tree near one of the two pools. Adjacent to the largest pool is Tanhinos Bar serving drinks and light fare and with a daily happy hour. The La Pergola Restaurant has an international and national buffet a well as ala carte items. The eco-friendly hotel offers the Best Western 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.  It is worthwhile to sign up for Best Western’s customer loyalty program where points can be accumulated for future free stays or credit to an airline.

La Café de la Casa in Copan is a great place to stay

Copan, Honduras is a quaint, colonial village near the famed Mayan ruins of Copan. The village with a traditional main square and cobblestone streets harkens back to the early days of Honduras.

A couple blocks from main square is the rose-colored, bougainvillea-festooned La Café de la  Casa. While it is listed as a B&B it is really more like a small inn with a family ambiance. The owners, Harold and Angela Rosenzweig, are there every day to make sure everything runs smoothly and available to help with any travel needs their guests may have. 

Rooms, while basic, have everything necessary are a comfortable

stay. Add to that the great service, the wonderful view of the mountains, the home-cooked breakfast, excellent internet, and lush tropical landscaping and La Café de La Casa is the perfect place to stay. It is especially great if traveling with the family. Some rooms can accommodate three or more. 

The gratis breakfast is made to order offering a variety of pancakes, eggs and traditional Honduran breakfast with fruit and locally produced coffee.  Meals can be enjoyed on the terrace or in the secluded garden.  There is a family-style dining table in the main house where there is a TV (who needs a TV when traveling??) and a variety of travel books.  

After a day exploring Copan’s archeological site return to La Café

de la Casa for a relaxing massage by Fatima.  The dedicated massage room is tucked in a secluded corner of the property with a view of the mountains and refreshing breezes. There is no better way to end the day. Fatima’s soothing Swedish massage will erase any aches and cares.

La Ensenada Beach Resort near Tela, Honduras is a great getaway

La Ensenada Beach Resort is located about 90 minutes from San Pedro Sula’s international airport.  The all-inclusive resort opened in 2007 on a long sandy beach with 150 rooms plus two- and three-bedroom villas. And, it is only the beginning as plans call for additional rooms, villas and facilities. It is one of the few all-inclusive beach resorts on the mainland of Honduras.  The north shore of Honduras is becoming the new ‘gotta’ visit area of Honduras.

The grounds are beautifully landscaped with tropical trees and

flowers. Along with the crystal waters of the Caribbean, there is a sandy beach a half mile long and two pools. The largest pool has a child-friendly area among its many levels. The well-appointed comfortable accommodations offer a choice of bed size,

cable TV, air conditions, mini-fridge, coffee pot and all the amenities one expects from a four-star resort. The all-inclusive resort has excellent meals with an expansive varied buffet, afternoon snacks, and a wide variety of libations including adult beverages and featured cocktails. In the evening there is a live family-friendly variety show and a disco for those looking for late night fun.

Besides enjoying the two pools and great beach guest can use the

kayaks, play volleyball, take part in aerobic exercises, enjoy a boat trip around the bay, be thrilled on a banana ride, plus there is a soccer and basketball court, and the staff will help to organize a variety of off-site tours including ones to eco-adventures to the variety of national parks in Tela and La Ceiba. There are also tours to Cayos Cochinos, Los Micos Lagoon, and Copan, the archeological site that is the pride of Honduras. Lancetilla Botanical Gardens is a short drive down the road where there are a multitude of tropical trees and tours. The staff is friendly and helpful. For more information check www.laensenadaresort.com.

Las Cascadas Lodge in Honduras is an amazing eco-resort

Located just outside of La Ceiba, Las Cascadas Lodge is a serene, tranquil first-class resort nestled in the tropical rainforest near the meandering banks of the Congrejal River. The beautifully designed lodge made of local materials with a thatched roof is in

harmony with nature affording guests with a drop-dead view of the waterfalls. There are several levels of waterfalls each with a plunge pool at the bottom. Stone steps and a wooden bridge lead to the second-level waterfalls with a groomed trail to the other ones. There is also a swimming pool and grounds that are dotted with towering mahogany, cocoa and other tropical trees and plants.

All meals are included in the nightly rate and are personally prepared by a private chef who specializes in great steaks, local seafood, curries, and Honduran influenced cuisine. Enjoy a typical Honduras breakfast of Huevos Rancheros (fried eggs ranch

style) with refried beans, cheese, Honduran spicy sausages called “chorizo” and tortillas. The lodge features amazing desserts and a variety of fresh, natural juices along with adult beverages. Las Cascadas Lodge uses only the highest quality and the freshest local products available. The staff takes great pride in their service and attention to detail.

Accommodations are luxurious with a lounge sofa and sitting area, plush beds, desk, and a large walk-in shower made of river stone. The view from all rooms is mesmerizing. There is hiking in Pico Bonito National Park, white water rafting on the

Congrejal River, zip-lining though the forest and repelling down the waterfalls. The tropical rainforest is alive with toucans and other birds. There are monkeys and other wildlife. Las Cascadas Lodge is perfect for honeymooners and those who love the great outdoors or people who just want to get away from it all. Staff will provide transportation to/for the La Ceiba airport. For more information check www.lascascadaslodge.com.