Experience,
Reset Your Body and Mind During Yoga Vacations in Nicaragua
Are you planning a much-needed holistic wellness vacation? Embark on a wellness travel experience to the heart of Central America, Nicaragua.
Two beautiful locations with stunning beaches, clear waters, warm weather, and unforgettable adventures. When you...
Two beautiful locations with stunning beaches, clear waters, warm weather, and unforgettable adventures. When you think of luxurious tropical vacations, Maldives resorts may be the first to come to mind. Nicaragua, however, is a hidden gem waiting to transport you to the vacation of a lifetime.
The Maldives are known for their white-sand beaches and are widely considered a tropical vacation hot spot. Nestled in the Indian Ocean just below Sri Lanka and India, the Maldives are an archipelago comprising 26 atolls and over a thousand coral islands. Featuring turquoise waters adorned with beautiful coral reefs, it’s a popular vacation destination for a reason.
Often described as the land of lakes and volcanoes, Nicaragua offers a diverse ecosystem and the perfect blend of rainforests, beautiful tropical beaches, world-class surfing, and a stunning mountain range peppered with volcanoes. It is the largest country in Central America, bordered by Honduras, Costa Rica, the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. Each side of the country offers different possibilities for a diverse and exciting adventure.
Choosing a resort in Nicaragua can satisfy your desire for a tropical beach vacation while offering an even richer, unforgettable experience.
Nestled on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast and sprawled across 2,700 acres, the Rancho Santana resort immerses you in the country’s diverse charm.
The best adventure is one where you can fully experience the country’s culture along the way. Unlike resorts in other countries, choosing a resort in Nicaragua offers an immersive cultural experience where you don’t feel detached from the country you’re visiting. With a blend of indigenous and colonial Spanish influences and local art and architecture, Nicaraguan resorts transport you to a new world waiting to embrace you in its rich cultural tapestry.
From traditional music and dance performances, visits to local artisans and markets, Nicaraguan cooking classes, or visiting local nonprofit organizations making a difference, a trip to Nicaragua is a chance to connect with heritage and traditions in a way no other resort offers.
Staying at a resort in Nicaragua means being surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery wherever you go. Rancho Santana’s expansive property offers something for everyone’s preferred adventure, from five pristine beaches perfect for relaxation or epic surfing to jungles, tropical forests, dramatic vistas, and lush greenery.
For those looking to immerse themselves in nature even further, Rancho Santana’s Nicaraguan resort offers many guided tours and activities outside of the resort. Hike one of the country’s beautiful mountains, set sail on a luxury catamaran excursion, zipline at a volcano, sit at the crater of an active volcano, explore colonial cities steeped in history, and even enjoy monkey scouting!
Adventure-seekers will find that staying in a Nicaragua resort is their own personal paradise. Thanks to the country’s diverse terrain, ranging from mountains and volcanoes, lakes and beaches, to tropical rainforests, there’s an adventure to satisfy every thrill. Nicaragua offers some of the best waves in Central America, perfect for pros and amateurs alike. For water lovers looking for a more relaxed day, kayaking and paddleboarding on Lake Nicaragua and the Isletas de Granada make for unforgettable memories surrounded by the country’s natural scenery. Take a horseback adventure at Rancho Santana and experience the awe-inspiring Emerald Coast, visit turtle sanctuaries and charming seaside villages, and watch the sunset across a mesmerizing landscape.
Rest and relaxation are paramount on any vacation. When you stay at Rancho Santana, your experience will be steeped in wellness as much as it will be in adventure and culture. Our 6,000-square-foot spa, tucked in a beautiful forest, offers healing suites for those needing massages, scrubs, facials, and holistic services. Stretch out your muscles after an adventure at our treetop yoga palapa. Take a yoga workshop, meditate, enjoy full moon ceremonies and sound healing workshops, and get centered surrounded by nature.
Rancho Santana’s Conectando Corazones Tour gives you a fulfilling experience immersed in the local community. On our exclusive tour, you’ll learn about local organizations vital to the well-being of surrounding communities, each playing their part in providing healthcare, education, and development.
For many travelers, especially those based in North America, traveling to resorts in Nicaragua is faster and easier than in the Maldives. For instance, flights from New York to Nicaragua are about 6 hours long, compared to flights to the Maldives, which are well over 18 hours. Aside from flight time and cost, staying at a resort in Nicaragua provides a much better overall value to each traveler than resorts in the Maldives.
Resorts in Nicaragua offer a range of options for travelers, from budget-friendly to luxury. The wide variety of resort options makes it a more affordable trip than a lot of the more popular tourist destinations. Those looking for mid-range and luxury resort options will be delighted with the pricing of Nicaragua’s more upscale resorts. These higher-end stays, when compared to the global standard, are still more affordable. Despite a better price value, Nicaragua’s mid-range and luxury resorts offer high-value experiences that are on par with or exceed other destinations, including luxurious rooms and amenities, authentic gourmet dining, wellness activities and packages, personalized tours and excursions, and more!
The Maldives, known for its overwater bungalows and private island stays, has a luxury reputation for a reason. Most resorts offer private villas, personalized services, world-class dining, and exclusive beach access. These luxury resorts are priced significantly higher, alienating travelers who may need a larger travel budget.
Deciding on a travel budget often involves determining the type of vacation you seek. When choosing between a resort in the Maldives or Nicaragua, it’s important to understand what each location offers and what is included in the price.
Nicaragua: The value of choosing a resort in Nicaragua lies in the rich experiences offered at a more accessible price. Suppose you’re looking for a more authentic cultural experience, adventurous activities steeped in nature, beautiful scenery, a blend of beach and rainforest, and eco-friendly practices. In that case, Nicaragua should be your top choice!
The Maldives: If unparalleled luxury, privacy, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience of overwater villas and private islands and beaches is what you seek, then the Maldives is perfect for any honeymooner or luxury traveler. The significantly higher cost isn’t for everyone, but it is balanced by the ultra-luxury experience of staying in a Maldivian resort.
More and more travelers opt to stay in places that implement eco-friendly and sustainable tourism practices. From nature and community sustainability to conservation initiatives, Nicaraguan resorts have increased their focus on working in harmony with their surroundings and ensuring their beautiful country continues to thrive sustainably.
Nicaragua has abundant natural beauty, diverse ecosystems, and a rich cultural heritage. The country has implemented eco-friendly practices across its resorts and taken measures to ensure its vital tourism benefits local communities and has minimal environmental impact.
Resorts like Rancho Santana offer community-based tourism that takes travelers on tours through local communities. In countries where resorts are prevalent, travelers and the local community often need more connection. This prevalence tends to limit how the benefits of tourism get distributed. By practicing community-based tourism, travelers can have an authentic cultural experience and help local communities economically benefit from tourism.
With Nicaragua’s ample natural habitat and diverse range of flora and fauna, conservation is critical. Preserving natural habitats and protecting endangered species are essential practices within Nicaragua’s tourism industry. Rancho Santana’s commitment to sustainability and conservation can be experienced through its turtle sanctuary. We have transformed much of our Playa Escondida into a turtle sanctuary to protect the 6,000 turtles — four species in total — that lay their eggs in the sand of one of our beaches. Travelers can experience the hatching and journey of our little visitors.
Nicaragua’s adventures and excursions work with nature, not against it. Resorts offer experiences like bird and monkey watching, rainforest hiking, mangrove forest kayaking, coral reef snorkeling, and beachfront horseback riding.
A significant difference between staying in a resort in Nicaragua over one in the Maldives is the opportunity to immerse oneself in authentic cultural experiences.
Granada and León: exploring cities like Granada and León transports you back in time with their Spanish colonial architecture, colorful homes and buildings, centuries-old cathedrals, and cobblestone streets. Tour these cities and their historic sites like the Convento y Museo San Francisco in Granada or the Basílica Catedral de la Asunción in León for a rich cultural experience.
Nicaraguan resorts offer tours to indigenous craft markets and workshops, bringing visitors an authentic and culturally significant experience. From Masaya’s market to pottery workshops in San Juan de Oriente, travelers can learn traditional pottery and weaving techniques and support Nicaragua’s indigenous population.
Given Nicaragua’s diverse and expansive rural landscapes, agro-tourism and agricultural traditions are important to the country’s experience. Travelers can partake in cattle ranching, chocolate making, and tours of Nicaragua’s many fruit farms.
The ultra-luxurious experience of staying at a resort in the Maldives is enticing and comes with its own experiences. However, staying at a Nicaragua resort offers much more than a fancy beach vacation. A tropical climate and stunning beaches along both coasts give travelers their dream beach reprieve while providing the absolute adventure of a lifetime!
Volcano Activities
Imagine going home after your Nicaraguan vacation and telling your friends and family you went volcano boarding on Cerro Negro, hiked up the active volcano Masaya and saw lava lakes, or visited the volcanic island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua.
Water Sports
People from all over the world trek to Nicaragua to surf. Year-long warm waters and consistent offshore winds from the southern hemisphere make Nicaraguan beaches a world-class surfing destination. Rancho Santana offers surf lessons, International Surfing Association Certifications, and a host of other exclusive surfing events for every level of experience.
Jungle Expeditions
Nicaragua’s many rainforests offer visitors an adventure of a lifetime. Enjoy hiking in the jungle, bird and monkey watching tours, and visiting the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve.
Lake and River Activities
Kayak and canoe on Lake Nicaragua and the Rio San Juan for a tranquil day soaking in Nicaragua’s natural offerings and exciting wildlife.
A trip to Nicaragua will be filled with adventure and endless options. While luxurious and beautiful, staying in a resort in the Maldives is more limited in its activities.
Water Sports
The Maldives is known for its beautiful reefs and marine life. Resorts typically offer snorkeling, water skiing, and scuba diving.
Underwater Adventures
If you’re looking for more thrill, Maldivian resorts offer underwater scooters, submarine tours, and diving with sharks.
Luxury Cruises
Amp up your luxury trip and explore different islands and atolls on yacht and dhoni cruises.
Overwater Activities
Staying in an overwater bungalow or Maldives villa allows direct access to swimming and snorkeling right outside your door.
Book your next adventure with Rancho Santana and explore the endless opportunities for an unforgettable adventure. If you want the luxurious beach vibe of the Maldives at a more accessible price, with an even more culturally rich and nature-filled experience, a Nicaraguan resort is for you.
Our 2,700-acre resort houses five beaches, spa and wellness facilities surrounded by nature, activities and excursions for everyone, and a deeply fulfilling experience. Book your coastal escape now and create your favorite new memories on Nicaragua’s pristine Emerald Coast.
Are you planning a much-needed holistic wellness vacation? Embark on a wellness travel experience to the heart of Central America, Nicaragua.
There’s nothing quite as sweet as a romantic retreat. Jetting off to a resort with your significant other is a...
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