La Esquina Del Lago
Bocana Rio Frio National park Los Guatuzos, San Carlos Pobox4 Nicaragua
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About
#2 of 6 B&Bs / Inns in San Carlos
Location
4.7
Cleanliness
3.4
Service
4.3
Value
4.1
La Esquina del Lago Jungle River Lodge is located only at five minutes from the town of San Carlos, on the other side of the river and on the corner of the lake (hence the name). The place is set in the peace and tranquillity of the Los Guatuzos National Park. La Esquina del Lago offers a wide variety of activities and services. There is a FREE BOAT SHUTLE from San Carlos available at any time, and kayaks can be used in and around the property free of charge as well. Equipment can also be provided to practice fishing around the hotel. The hotel has GUIDED TOURS in motor boats (there are 6 boats of various sizes, all fully registered).
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Property amenities
Wifi
Restaurant
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Non-smoking hotel
Location
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Bocana Rio Frio National park Los Guatuzos, San Carlos Pobox4 Nicaragua
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This quaint fishing lodge is located in a beautiful setting right on the river. The fishing was incredible. We fished 3 days and caught 5 snook and 1 monster tarpon! Our room was basic but had everything we needed. There is no air con but they are fans in the rooms. The service at the lodge was fantastic. Our room was cleaned daily. Fresh towels and laundry service were provided as well. We were amazed at the fantastic food we were served in such a remote location. Our days catch was expertly prepared nightly served with fresh salad and a variety of vegetables. We can’t wait to go back.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I write this review as someone who went to fish Tarpon and I love the Central American rain forest.. My friend and I went in October, 2017.We thought it was beyond expectations and a trip of a lifetime. Our guide, Jumper, and the boatman were great fisherman and led us to the fish. We caught 9 tarpon and brought 6 to the boat! These fish leap out of the water 6 feet and weigh 100 pounds! The equipment was good as were the boats and motors. If your going for world class Tarpon fishing this is the place. (It's fishing, though, so not everyone so lucky. Depends on the weather, season and -- the fish), Is catch and release to protect the fishery and the guides were very careful to release the fish healthy and didn't bring them into the boat but one was hooked in the gills and died so we did take pictures and took the fish to a local family on the river to eat. We worked hard. 90 degree heat, got up at 6AM and fished til 6PM, six days. Too tired to care about the fan or bathroom mats. The food was great. Visited other lodges to find the fish so saw a lot of the Lake Nicaragua and the Rio San Juan. Also loved all the animals. You are in a boat on the river going through the jungle so the animals aren't hiding from you. Saw howler, and white faced monkeys, caiman, birds,snakes, tarantulas, iguanas... Beautiful place. Stayed in Granada one night, Fun and a nice view of colonial Nicaragua.Guides took us to a festival in San Carlos. Sometimes the transportation is not well organized so take your own initiative to get there if you have to or call Phillipe to remind him. Just get to hotel Colonial in Granada and Phillipe will get a taxi for you to San Carlos.Have his cell number in hand, Sure, the place is a little threat bare but the people were great, the food good and the fishing spectacular, What do you need the internet for anyway? If you are looking for a getaway, you found it.…
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Date of stay: October 2017Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
This place is a quint lodge located in a beautiful section of the rio frío very close to San Carlos by boat. Unfortunately the location does not make up for the many corners cut. A severe lack of amenities such as internet (of any kind), regular cleaning, security, and consistent electricity, which faltered every hour or so. I did a package which included all my meals everyday. For breakfast one day I cooked for myself in their dirty, bug infested kitchen (and was still charged for the meal). I missed my tour boat due to this and waited 2.5 hours for the next one. I wanted to do a tour to Indio Maíz and the owner refused because it was too expensive even when its advertised on their website. The owner failed to inform me of this until after I was there despite emailing him ahead of time about this. Many things are dirty, not once was the room cleaned during my 5 nights stay, no bags in the trash can so the trash falls to the floor, and sheets/towels have stains on them. There are no keys offered to guests so you're at the mercy of the staff. The owners son I found smoking in the room I was staying in which was rather unpleasant. Food is good and cooked by a benevolent local woman. The guides for the tours are fantastic as well and were what really made the trip. Philippe, who is the owner did make sure I got to my next destination okay by giving me phone numbers along the way if there was any issues. This was appreciated and very kind of him to offer. I enjoyed my stay here, but recommend that you prepare yourself for a lack of the amenities advertised. As I understand after staying here: this is one of the better places to stay in San Carlos, but not one of the better places to stay on the river. Happy traveling! …
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Date of stay: July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Philippeandre, Owner at La Esquina Del Lago
Responded Sep 13, 2017
SOMETHING WRONG HERE... YOUR ORIGINALLY ASK FOR A 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS PACKAGE... YOU RECEIVED A DISASTER HOSTING BUT YOU STAYED 6 DAYS 5 NIGHTS..????. I agree to host you on base of the 3 days 2 night package (normaly available for 2 person minimum..). but i maintain the price as if two coming .$150 for everything ( food, lodging, tours..Free ksyaks, soft drinks etc...) even if alone and you received the same usual service... To be 100% fair As you decided to stay much more days at my lodge I decided to charge $50 per day then add the tours you made I DID IT STRICTLY AT OPERATING COST You came from costa rica where aparently you live... On arrival I sent someone especialy to pick you up at bus station .. He met you but from there dificulties IN COMUNICATION started ... You did not wanted to talk with him etc ...took 6 phone call to solve that When we met I explain you than you were welcome to stay but will acomodate you first in my son room.. ( he moved and slept in mine) After a few days 3? We Gave you another room more comfortable did that as soon as we could... Notes * security?? * We gave you Wifi...when needed Alan or me... * yes no key on Alan room told staff to not go in your room and to ask you for cleaning.. autorisation... when you change toom new one had key and was clean * Electricity has been on as usual 75 % of time ( we are off grid in a national park work with generador and solar pannel ) * Sorry I ate confusion and being under suspicion of not being honest... it is clearly explain and writen on my web than no tour to Indio Mais is include in the basic package ..( In package are 3 tours Cayman at night, Rio frio, Canos de los Guatuzos ...) INDIO MAIS IS OPTION Reason is obvious DISTANCE AND COST ... From San Carlos minimum cost round trip is $275.. gor boat operation... to avoid high cost What we do is than we help guests to go there.. Using public boat. ( one goes at 6am other at 8 am ) i think we did that? You miss the first boat WENT AT 6 AM at bost station took the folowing boat later...going at 8 am.. guide tell me he was waiting for you...from 5.30 am... No big breakfast so early butv i think staff made cafe , hot bread , butter and marmelade...as we do gor all guest even so early Kitchen yes once you made a breakfast because you said you wanted to cook... OK but employe was there... Correct kitchen after 12 years of use needed to be redone we did it ( new floor furnitures etc ) this was plan since long we did it a few weeks after you came You told me than you are student and will become a chef than you spent a year in LE CORDON BLEUE SCHOOL IN PARIS Glad that you enjoy our COOKING as you aknowledge in your comment Yes we cook i know a bit upon cuisine ALSO Tania and Petrona had special atentions for you Glad you apreciate my help and asistance in some ocasion
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I've been coming here for years to go Tarpon fishing and to just enjoy the beautiful area with my Wife and oldest daughter. The food is always great. And overtime I've gone I've caught a Tarpon. Even my Nine year old daughter reeled one in this year. In my opinion this is the best place to stay in San Carlos.
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Date of stay: February 2017Trip type: Traveled with family
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: If you're not fishing you should stay toward the back,
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
MY fault for booking this without too much homework.it is definitely a fishing lodge out on the lake and unless you really want laid back, be careful. Food was outstanding, the girls did some laundry for us and Phillippe and Alex arranged our journey to Ometepe which was excellent. Thanks to Samuel for his help looking after 2 old sods who didn't really fit in with the rest of the guests.
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Date of stay: February 2017Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: All the same !
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
La Esquina del Lago Was promised an airport pickup but there was none. I figured out how to get to the street, hail a cab, get to the dock and thought it was a bad start. Philippe the owner is a bit vague and not clear about some things, but everything worked out. Nothing seems organized at first, is extremely laid back, but everything happened as planned and always on time. The hotel sits in the forest, on piers with a lot of space for dining, watching the river or watching the sunsets. Rooms are basic. Shower, light, toilet, fan, towel, nail to hang. The evenings are cool and breezy. Rooms have fans and electricity runs all night. I never had a problem with the heat. The location is beautiful and you are truly disconnected from the rest of the world. Stunning sunsets with fireflies on the property and the mountains of Costa Rica in the distance. You can also see Ometepe once you're out on the lake a bit. There are lots of birds, many many species and the water (Río Frio) is beautiful. All the fishing equipment is in good shape as are the boats. The captain (Andres) was very capable and amiable. We never ran into problems on the water except for hooks snagged on nets in the river. The food is terrific, had some very good meals here with basics I didn't expect like decent bread, butter. The best cook is Champin (Christian) who was also my guide to Solentiname. Being that he is from Solentiname, his knowledge of the waters surrounding the islands is extensive and we caught enough fish to eat for several meals: lagunero, guapote, and majarra. Back to the food though, all of it was prepared well and better than anything you can get in San Carlos. There is no wifi, but you can get it in town left of the docks for 20 C an hour or you can try to pick up some of the free wifi in the parks. No credit cards, all cash though Philippe is flexible on payment options. There is also an ATM in a kiosko to the left of the docks that dispenses dollars. Overall, this is a special place of repose, observation, reflection and plenty of fishing.…
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Date of stay: September 2016Trip type: Traveled solo
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
First off: this is proper old style fishing lodge, not really a hotel. Most negative reviews are from folks expecting a hotel and this it is not. But, if you want to fish and enjoy a rustic lodge then this is the place for you! Phillips is a great host and extremely knowledgeable fisherman. He has a large assortment of gear and great guides. We had 4 great days of fishing for Tarpon, Snooker, and Bass.
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Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
My boyfriend and I arrived a few days before Christmas and we were invited to share an early Christmas dinner with Philippe and the staff- a truly special moment during our travels in Nicaragua. The individuals working at the lodge, those who cook, guide tours, maintain equipment, etc. are alone worth the trip to San Carlos. On a daily basis I find myself yearning for the fried plantains, perfectly poached eggs, and best gallo pinto (Phillippe doesn't prefer gallo pinto but ask for it because it's amazing) in the entire country, prepared each day by the incredibly talented Petrona. Talking to Phillippe and Champa about the history of Nicaragua was also an unexpected treat- something that my boyfriend and I are particularly interested in. If you want to see wildlife in Nicaragua, travel to Phillippe's and ask David to take you on a tour- he is knowledgeable of the local flora and fauna and a delight to spend the day (or night on a caiman tour!) with. We arrived a few days after the protests began in El Tule and getting home was a bit more involved than we were planning on. Phillipe spent hours ensuring that our passage would be safe by calling the chief of police and checking with local authorities before sending us on our way with a small brigade of body guards- special thanks to Fatima, David, and Minor. For our time at the lodge, we are incredibly grateful. Thanks to all!…
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Date of stay: December 2014Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I spent three nights at this nice place with my girlfriend. It is definitely the best place to stay in San Carlos. The good thing is that you have a perfect service, staying on a remote Island makes the stay exclusive, but San Carlos is close since the guys drop you there by boat if needed. The tours offered to Solintiname by Philippes crew are also very good. In case you miss good French inspired Nicaraguan food and amazing stories of an experienced man on your trip, than stop in Philippes home. I am a bit sad that I can just give 5 stars, I would give more!
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Date of stay: September 2014Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Philippe is such a gracious host, that guests should not notice the minor amenities the lodge may lack in creature comforts. Great location, very accessible, close to San Carlos, but in a pure natural setting. Great kayaking, birdwatching, fishing, or just enjoying the views. Great price/ value relationship.
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
ALSO KNOWN AS
la esquina del lago hotel san carlos
LOCATION
NicaraguaRio San Juan DepartmentSan Carlos
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about La Esquina Del Lago
What food & drink options are available at La Esquina Del Lago?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to La Esquina Del Lago?
Conveniently located restaurants include Restaurant Kaoma, Tree Kafe, and El Rancho.
Are pets allowed at La Esquina Del Lago?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Is La Esquina Del Lago accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.