Jicaro Island Ecolodge
Sustainable eco-luxury — chic, minimal, natural wood and earth tones. Feels like a grown-up treehouse crossed with a boutique inn. Intimate (max 21 guests on the whole island), unhurried, and genuinely committed to sustainability rather than just greenwashing.
Request morning coffee and afternoon sundowner delivery directly to your casita deck — it's included and the staff are generous with it.
Why It Matters
National Geographic Unique Lodge designation. Entire property constructed from Hurricane Felix reclaimed timber with zero large trees or boulders disturbed during construction. Rates are all-inclusive (three gourmet meals, roundtrip boat transfer, kayaks, paddleboards, yoga mats, complimentary guided fishing and Granada city tours). Can also be booked as a full private-island buyout for up to 21 guests.
Nine treehouse-style casitas on a private volcanic island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua — one of 365 small islets formed by a long-ago eruption of Mombacho Volcano. You get here by a 15-minute boat ride from Granada's Asese Port, and that short crossing does more to shift your headspace than most multi-hour flights. The whole lodge was built from timber reclaimed from trees blown down by Hurricane Felix, and every piece of furniture carries FSC/Rainforest Alliance certification. No air-conditioning, no ocean, no white sand — just dense tropical vegetation, howler monkeys, exotic birds, a swim-up pool bar, and volcanic views from your private deck hammock.
Where You'll Stay
1 room type available
Lake-View Casita
From USD993 / nightAll nine casitas follow the same two-story treehouse format. Ground floor is an airy open living area that flows directly onto a private waterfront deck — oversized handcrafted hammock included. Head up the floating staircase and you reach the bedroom: king-size bed with canopy mosquito netting, ceiling fans, and forest canopy overhead. A queen sofa bed on the first floor means families can squeeze in two adults and two children per unit. No air-conditioning anywhere on the island, which sounds worse than it is — the cross-ventilation design and deep tree shade keep things genuinely comfortable. Every casita has lake views. Furniture is all tropical hardwood, FSC/Rainforest Alliance certified, built by Nicaraguan craftspeople.
King (+ queen sofa bed on first floor)The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Join local fishermen in wooden boats using traditional lines and nets on the lake. Your guide explains life on the isletas. Catch tilapia, snook, or rainbow bass and the kitchen will cook it for you.
Get face-to-face with the bubbling Santiago crater at Masaya Volcano National Park, then browse Nicaragua's most popular open-air handicraft market in Masaya, and finish with a swim in Apoyo Lagoon.
Behind-the-scenes look at Jicaro's sustainability practices — water filtration, biogas, FSC timber sourcing, community school support, and more.
Guided birdwatching around the isletas. The lake ecosystem supports a wide variety of shore birds including purple gallinules. Guides will point out species en route on any kayak or boat tour.
Full ascent to the peak of Mombacho with a coffee farm visit and single-origin tasting en route. Trail options include Tigrillo, Puma, or Crater Trail through orchid- and bromeliad-draped forest.
Sandboard down the black volcanic slopes of Cerro Negro before visiting León, Nicaragua's former capital and Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Beachfront lunch included.
Short boat ride to Padre Nello School on the mainland and a nearby farm where pigs are fed organic matter from Jicaro to produce biogas — a good pick for families traveling with older kids.
On-site cooking lessons and Spanish language classes regularly offered for guests.
Guided tour of Granada, one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas. Arranged by the lodge and included in the rate.
Visit to the famous Flor de Caña distillery.
2.5-hour hike from Hacienda La Calera through plantain, cacao, and citrus fields, then a soak in lakeside hot springs. Picnic lunch included.
Unlimited use of kayaks and SUP boards to explore the neighboring isletas. Guided sunrise or sunset kayaking tours also available — your guide explains the ecosystem, points out water lilies, narrow canals between islets, shore birds, and lake turtles.
2.5-hour hike through Mombacho Natural Reserve to the 'La Roca' lookout for panoramic views of the isletas and surrounding volcanoes, followed by a zip-line adventure flying 30m above the treetops. Picnic lunch included.
Daily complimentary yoga on the dedicated yoga deck overlooking Lake Nicaragua and Mombacho Volcano. Mats, blocks, and straps provided. Available Monday through Saturday.
One-on-one yoga sessions with an external instructor on the floating deck. Must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Rates on request from concierge.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Biodegradable soaps, shampoos, and spa products throughout — no single-use plastic toiletries.
Each casita has a mini-bar stocked with locally brewed beer and Flor de Caña rum.
Pool designed in harmony with the island's volcanic lava rock landscape. Features a swim-up bar, lounge area, plush towels, and sunbeds. No chlorine — chlorine-free water system used.
Lookout tower on the island with views of Mombacho Volcano.
Lakeside floating dock with views of Mombacho Volcano. Primary mooring point for the guest boat and kayaks; also used for yoga and relaxation.
Team includes general manager, concierge, private chef, bartenders and waitstaff, 24/7 security, maintenance, housekeeping, and a resident expert nature guide.
Property uses solar power and a chlorine-free pool water system. Filtered drinking water on tap throughout (no plastic bottles).
Self-service parking available at Asese Port on the mainland (charges apply). No cars reach the island itself.
One complimentary roundtrip boat transfer between Asese Port and the island is included in the room rate. The 15-minute crossing is the only way on or off the island.
Dedicated floating yoga and meditation deck overlooking Lake Nicaragua toward Mombacho Volcano. Mats, blocks, and straps provided at no charge.
BUILD YOUR JICARO ISLAND ECOLODGE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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