Jicaro Island Lodge Member of the Cayuga Collection

We spent the most wonderful week at Jicaro in May 2025. A few highlights: The service- Wow!. The staff is incredible. They are so attentive, kind, and great at their job. They greeted us with a drink as soon as we arrived. When we would lay at the pool, they would keep our water fresh and full. Every morning they would deliver a tray of coffee and breads to our casita exactly at the time requested. They gave us turn down service each night, which was also lovely The food - it's going to be hard to go home after eating so well all week. The food is EXCELLENT. I'm amazed by the consistency and incredible care put into each meal. Their restaurant would be an incredibly successful one in our home city. Each meal has some sort of appetizer given, then the pre ordered starter and main. My favorites were the ceviche, arroz marinero, and spicy coconut shrimp, but all was really excellent. The island - who doesn't want a private island getaway? That's what this was. Really beautiful island, gorgeous view, great accommodations. Just a heads up to bring bug spray and clothes for the heat... It is a tropical island. The excursions- we did 2 excursions, and I did a massage. All three were great and worth every penny. Julio gave us a great tour of Granada where we were able to learn a lot about the history of Nicaragua. We also did the Mombacho hike and Zipline... Which was one of my favorite experiences we've ever had. Our guide, Augustine, took us through the Puma trail and we got to experience Mombacho from the very top, put our hands into vents, and see the dead forest. Truly unforgettable. Food and zipline also was included. Jicaro even sent us with a cooler for drinks. My massage was lovely. On safety- in December for our trip, the US changed Nicaragua to a level 3 advisory. This made me nervous, so we went with caution. I'll tell you that I did not feel unsafe or threatened at any point in our trip. We only meet incredibly kind, hospitable people, and even the police and military we passed a few times did not pay us any heed. To be safe, we booked the Jicaro airport transport-- highly recommend that-- it was great. The driver was waiting for us when we got off and drove us safely in the nicely air conditioned Land Cruiser to the marina where a Jicaro employee took us to the island (a short boat ride). Same for the way home. We also only booked our excursions through the Lodge for safety and it was great. Since it is on an island, I do suggest you plan excursions if you're looking to be active, but also encourage you to enjoy the restful time at the island as well!

This place is every bit as amazing as the other reviews have already shared. A perfect combination of feeling like heaven while also feeling like home. It's incredible what this lodge has been able to create out of a small little piece of land in the lake. The casitas are beautiful, peaceful and comfortable. The meals that the chef creates are absolutely delicious (and included with your stay!). There are so many little nooks of the island to hang out in depending on what you're doing - reading, playing a game, having a glass of wine... or if you want to be active, taking out the included kayaks or paddle boards into the lake. The sustainability elements of how the island operates are fascinating (the staff will take you on a tour and explain them all if you'd like!). And finally... the staff are the cherry on top. It's a small and mighty team that runs everything. The benefit of a small team is that we felt like we really got to know everyone, and they got to know us. They took such good care of us throughout our stay with not only top notch hospitality like remembering our favorite drinks, but also with sharing their culture and lives by being open to having a friendly chat to share more about their lives, their culture, and their country. Saying goodbye to our new friends was just as hard as saying goodbye to this little slice of paradise. We've already shared our wonderful experience with many friends and we can't wait to return one day for a repeat!

My wife and I just finished a 3 night stay at Jicaro during our first time trip to NIcaragua. First, let's talk about the elephant in the room: Nicaragua is safe, very safe for tourists. Jicaro is a one-of-a-kind eco-lodge in one of the Granada Islets; a group of hundreds of little islands on Lake Nicaragua, close to the colonial city of Granada. This area is a great gateway to get to know Nicaragua. Gorgeous, unspoiled, with a large number of activities and things to do nearby. Perfect location within easy driving distance from the Managua airport. Icaro is a all inclusive resort. It is expensive, for Nicaraguan standards, but really a good value for the money, considering all you get. The staff will work with you even before you arrive to take care of all the details to make sure you have an outstanding stay. They can arrange to pick you up at the Managua airport, drive you to their dock outside Granada, and form there they have a boat transfer to the lodge. It's a small island with the main hotel building, a pool, and nine casitas. the casitas are all the same size. They are all a two-story building with about 400 sq ft. More than enough room for a couple. The casitas are designed to blend with nature, and they achieve that. Service in the lodge is impeccable and flawless. Every member of the staff works hard in making sure your needs are taken care of. The food was amazing. Fresh, local ingredients with a good mix of local dishes and international dishes. Great selection. We had all our meals there during our stay and didn't feel like we were out of options. Jicaro offers a varied menu of activities and their tours are excellent and very well thought of. In general, if you are looking for a romantic stay at a sophisticated, unusual, luxurious, accommodation during your trip to Nicaragua, look no further. I believe 3-5 nights are the perfect length for a stay at Jicaro.

The property has a 4 star rating but it should be 5! This property is a hidden gem in a still developing country . Situated on a private island that is less than hour’s drive from the airport in Managua and then a 10 minute tranquil boat ride from Granada . Our flight arrived at 1045pm , we arrive at the hotel at 1215am , there was not an unnecessary check-in , we were ushered straight to our casitia, a small pasta plate was waiting for us in the first floor of the room. It was much needed after a long day of travel . The spacious casitas are two floors with nice views of the lake and tropics ! I can’t write enough about the outstanding hospitality throughout the resort . The pool side service with Jercer was fantastic. Recommend doing the sunset romantic dinner on the small floating deck . As well as taking a volcano tour with Julio . Enjoy !