Jicaro Island Lodge Granada
Granada, Isletas de Granada 43000 Nicaragua
Full view
View all photos (687)687
Dining (92)
Room & Suite (86)
View prices for your travel dates
About
#2 of 8 hotels in Isletas de Granada
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.9
Service
4.9
Value
4.6
GreenLeaders Platinum level
Jicaro Island Lodge is Nicaragua's best luxury nature resort, located on a private island in the Granada Isletas of Lake Nicaragua. A member of the exclusive National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, our five star hotel is located just a short boat ride from the colonial town of Granada with spectacular views of the Mombacho Volcano across the lake. Nine luxury casitas provide the perfect setting for romantic escapes, honeymoons, tours, and activities as well as wellness and yoga retreats. Immerse yourself in a magical island resort experience filled with peace and tranquility. Jicaro Island Lodge is a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World and a member of the award-winning Cayuga Collection.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Paid private parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Yoga classes
Free breakfast
Horseback riding
Fishing
Airport transportation
Secured parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Infinity pool
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Saltwater pool
Yoga room
Restaurant
Swimup bar
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Poolside bar
Board games / puzzles
Spa
Couples massage
Full body massage
Massage
Adults only
Baggage storage
Concierge
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun loungers / beach chairs
First aid kit
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Show more
Room features
Bathrobes
Desk
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Seating area
Bath / shower
Hair dryer
Sofa
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Show more
Room types
Mountain view
Landmark view
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Lake View
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Granada, Isletas de Granada 43000 Nicaragua
Jicaro Island Lodge Granada
Getting there
Augusto C Sandino Airport
25.2 mi•
See all flights
Emerald Coast Airport
32.6 mi•
See all flights
Rental Cars
94 Restaurants
within 5 miles
395Reviews11Q+A100Room tips
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 364
- 22
- 4
- 2
- 3
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
More
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Most Recent
+1
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. …
Read more
Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
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 !…
Read more
Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
My partner and I LOVED Jicaro Island Lodge. We loved the room. We loved the food. We loved the kayaking. We loved the tours. And most of all, we loved the people who worked there. Well, maybe not, maybe most of all, we loved the fact that they would bring us coffee and munchies every morning!! Only kidding. Everyone was great! Had we known that the pandemic was going to turn life upside down, we would have stayed an extra week. I have traveled the world. And, unless you are looking for big city and lots of nightlife, you can't beat Jicaro. To all of you who were there last year, I hope you are safe and we will see you again after the nightmare ends! Thank you for all you did to make our trip special.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: I believe we were in #6. Very happy with it. Not too close to restaurant / bar area.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
Jicaro Island Lodge is a well managed small resort on a little island in Lake Nicaragua that offers very good food and great cocktails (especially rum-based ones.) They offer wide variety of activities; we did cloud forest hikes, artisanal fishing, bird watching, island hopping, kayaking, paddle boarding, ziplining, Granada street food tour and the must-do volcano lava experience at night. We were quite active in our time there, but it's also a decent place to chill out. I say "decent" and not "great" for 2 main reasons. First of all, rooms are decent but not on par with Mukul or some of the finer small resorts in Mexico - it's a tight squeeze despite having two floors; also, it is quite dark inside. It's just not the type of room that allows you to laze away in the afternoon. The second drawback has to do with the size of the island itself - it's barely adequate for the property - as a result, the grounds are not as expansive as one would like it to be. Nothing to really explore or do on premises, outside of spa treatments or yoga sessions. And no nooks and crannies where you can get away from it all. You really need to get off the island after a while, lest you enjoy feeling claustrophobic. What's on the island itself, however, is really nice. Makes for a good combo trip with Granada if you want a nice city/island combo.…
Read more
Date of stay: December 2019
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
So, I would never have chosen to stay at a lodge, on an island, in the middle of a lake, but when expert travel friends suggested it, I decided to listen, because these friends know all the best spots. What an amazing experience. If you want peace, quiet, kind and friendly staff, amazing food, great beds, a fantastic pool, practice yoga daily, get a massage -- essentially, if you want to get away from it all, and relax, I highly recommend you spend 4 days here. We were 3 couples, so kept each other company, but there was plenty to do in terms of swimming, exploring the nearby islands, taking a trip into town (which is exquisite) etc. The food was excellent. They can cater to any dietary restrictions. The rooms are very nicely designed small self-contained bedrooms, with living rooms. There is a small kitchenette for making a cocktail too, and a nice deck for watching the sun come up or go down. The best part of the experience was the staff who were just so kind, and thoughtful. They just made our stay that much more relaxing and enjoyable. They were considerate, and thought of our every need. I would highly recommend this spot. You will not be sorry you spent so much money on yourself!…
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
It’s missing; the background noise of people late at the bar; people slamming their hotel room door; a fight for plastic sunbeds; hawkers wanting to sell you genuine imitation D&G sunglasses (even though already wearing some). There is no wanting for anything. And all that means this place oozes quality. It is bliss, fantastic craftsmanship with each Casita sturdy, spacious and well laid out with a bed to die for. Quality amenities, cuisine, customer service. This is a top quality, reasonably priced getaway from the rat race we endure in our everyday lives. This is definitely on our ‘must revisit’ list. One little downside is the mozzies so be prepared but they do supply commercial and anti-mozzie lotion made from natural products.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
I’ve read a lot about Jicaro and I was excited to visit it. Besides so much info about it, Jicaro could surprised me. Beautiful place, nature in its genesis. I really need a place to get away from all stress we have at day work and on those 2 nights, I do really set me free. I’ve also done a great massage that help to relax even more. The food a la carry on was top notch, delicious and always with a perfect presentation. The staff was always present ( refilling our water and taking some snacks during the day) and they were so nice and genuine. You can swim on the lake although you can’t se the bottom, the water is clean and fresh. You can also do kayaking around the other islands. I’ve also introduced by a yoga session early in the morning. Those 2 nights was so pure and relaxing. …
Read more
Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
We spent a week at Jicaro for our honeymoon and it was the absolute best week. The staff were so friendly and even surprised us with some lovely romantic touches. Food was VERY plentiful and delicious. We did a couple tours to hot springs, Masaya and Granada, and our tour guides were all fantastic, very knowledgeable. The lake is incredibly warm and great to swim in, and there is a ton of exploring you can do on the kayaks and paddleboards, and tons of amazing birds to look for in the area. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful, peaceful place to spend our honeymoon! Plus everything they do is sustainable, from power to water to local food sources, and they give back to their surrounding community. What an incredible place.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
+1
First a little back story - I had booked 8 days at yoga wellness spa only to find out none of those words should have been used to describe the experience. I was 2.5 hours for anywhere and couldn’t fathom staying another night. Besides no yoga and wellness there was also no electricity or water. I had tried to change my flight plans to no avail and realized I better find somewhere else to go. After scouring the internet I found jicaro island resort. At first glance I thought “yes! I am going there!” I packed my bag and left. The ride there was at best harrowing and on the way there I found out wouldn’t be able to get to the island till the next day. I sat in the car with the driver yelling at me thinking “oh my god- what have I gotten myself into.” In stepped Howard the GM at jicaro. He found me a room in Granada, met me at the door of the hotel and handled the surly drive. First impression was “wow”! I felt like visiting royalty. After a wonderful night at the plaza colon, Howard himself met me in the morning and escorted me to the skiff then on to jicaro. Again wow! The boat ride there across Lake Nicaragua is amazing. Words can’t describe it, pictures wont do it justice. The island itself is breathtaking, a true tropical paradise. It is serene and beautifully laid-out. Arriving at the island I was greeted by some of the staff with a drink in hand. As my bags were whisked off to my room I was give a tour of the small island. The casita are beautifully designed to be open and airy yet private. The room is stocked (first day is gratis) with light and dark rum (it’s a generous amount probably between 4-6 shots) as well as mixers, local beer and soft drinks. They also leave you little snacks everyday. If that wasn’t enough to make you feel welcome you also get coconut oil, coffee scrub and lip balm. You can do your own rum soaked spa treatment in your room. The food is amazing, every meal was perfect. Everything is pretty much made to order and they accommodate most food preferences (I’m a vegetarian and Latin America can be challenging but not a jicaro, I was stuffed, stuffed! every night). My first day I had a massage and it was wonderful. The spa is located in an isolated part of the island with an amazing view of the lake. I laid there listening to the birds and the lapping of the water and forgot the last 3 days. The staff is unbelievable, kind, responsive and amazingly professional. They strike the perfect balance of being present without being invasive. Everyone was kind, considerate and truly made me feel welcome. The level of professionalism of the staff is truly top notch. A model of what hospitality means. Jicaro is located about 20 minutes or so to Granada by boat so it is a wonderful place to relax and still be near a lot of the attractions. A note on Nicaragua - I was a women traveling alone and besides the surly driver I never felt in danger or uncomfortable, most everyone I met was kind and considerate. I was probably hassled less in Granada then in many cities I have visited. There were 2 protest while I was there - supposedly. It really had zero affect on my vacation. I only know this because I signed up for the state department updates. I walked alone at night in Granada to get dinner without a worry. I probably shouldn’t admit this but I actually forgot to lock my casita door on jicaro a few nights, it literally feels that safe. …
Read more
Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
+1
I’ve never stayed at a Four Seasons but I feel that at Jicaro Island Lodge I got the closest I’ll probably ever get to that level of exceptional attention, comforts and food. My husband and I give my heartfelt thanks to Julio, Maria, Arge, Diamanda, Mario, Lester, Segundo, Javier, Claudia and everyone else on the Jicaro staff along with the founder, Karen Emanuel’s vision for giving us a lifelong memory of relaxation, connection and learning about the country of Nicaragua. We celebrated our anniversary and my husband’s birthday during our visit and the staff made both very special. We loved Julio, Segundo, Arge and Lester singing happy birthday with maracas. And, our floating dock anniversary dinner was a beautiful and most wonderful experience. Completely magical and unforgettable. One of best things about Jicaro, along with the staff, is that it’s on a small island and to get there of course you have to get on a boat. I’m estimating it takes approximately 15 minutes on the boat to get there. For anyone who’s nervous on a boat, it’s a wide-bottomed boat with about eight seats and a shade cover. Super comfortable and the sights are so calming. It was very warm most days but being on the water kayaking or hanging out by the beautiful pool kept us cool. The cars used for the mainland excursions had air conditioning. Fans in the room worked well and I brought a rechargeable hand-held fan that helped me out occasionally. I bailed on make up and hair dos most of the time. We brought lots of bug juice and only got a couple of bites. The bed netting worked well and is lovely to wake up to. The number of bird species on Lake Nicaragua is amazing. We highly recommend the bird watching tour on the boat. It would have been way too hard to kayak and look through binoculars. Julio was so good at spotting birds and communicating where they were in a sea of green leaves. We saw so many different kinds of birds, some turtles and even sighted some howler monkeys. Love Nicaragua’s national bird – Guardabarronco. What a beautiful bird! We also enjoyed watching cutter ants on the island. Those guys slay me every time with the size of objects they can carry. Great Jicaro entertainment! We love the idea that much of the small island has been left as was found. The rocks that were left create hidden walkways. Continuing the eco mindset and sustainability - Bamboo straws, real dishes and glassware (reusable plastic by the pool) local crafts on display – all part of sustainable environment and community. Sustainability is serious and we did not take the efforts at Jicaro for granted. We appreciated all that was shared with us. The sights on the excursions are unique and special – swimming in Lagoon de Appayo which is a crater lake – peering down into Masaya Volcano at sunset – Alex and Gustavo as guides and Maximillan as our driver. They are so knowledgeable and grounded. We did the tour of the White Towns with Alex – one is known for its plant nurseries with thousands of flowering and green foliage plants, another town has an incredible view of a crater lake and is a place that people gather to look at the view and connect with one another. It overlooks Lagoon de Appoyo which we later swam in and hung out on a floating dock. The water is a deep, clean and a refreshing blue. We also visited a family-owned and operated pottery studio where they use kick wheels (manual) and use colored pigments rather than glazes for their colorful wares. We enjoyed a demo, discussion and tour. We visited Masaya where we walked through El Mercado with a large center stage for entertainment and many vendors selling local wares. We then stopped at a local restaurant and sampled some sweet treats that are a traditional Nicaraguan dish. Another day we went out with Gustavo for a tour of the nearby historic Colonial town of Granada. He is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. A very good tour guide who asks a lot of questions as well as has the ability to explain the intricate history of Granada. We toured the cemetery which is very ornate, climbed to the top of a church bell tower for spectacular views overlooking Granada and learned about the history of the railroad. During our stay we felt very safe and saw no reason to be afraid as the government/military has receded, allowing the people, environment, culture and architecture to be enjoyed by visitors without fear or intimidation. The food! We so enjoyed all of the food that chefs, Mario and Segundo prepared. We really loved the Creole salad which I think we had every day for lunch during our 8-day stay. The fresh fruit (banana, papaya, mango, pineapple, and two other native fruits that I don’t remember the names) and freshly made bread at breakfast was fantastic. The fabulous, strong Nicaraguan coffee, the banana vinegar and the Diablito are amazing! We also appreciated some of the unexpected delicious snacks that appeared occasionally while we sat by the pool. It’s so hard to imagine how good the food could be out on this tiny island, but Chefs Mario and Segundo have got it down! How I miss their food! A big thank you to Diamanda for sending me some of the recipes we enjoyed at Jicaro. The kayaking is fantastic. You could go as far or as close from Jicaro as you’re comfortable with. It’s such a peaceful activity and around Jicaro are water lilies, beautiful trees, fantastic and interesting birds, wonderful smalls islands with private family homes, and there’s even a cemetery across the way from Jicaro. Some of the native trees are huge and hang over the water. One of my favorite pictures is of Nicaragua’s national tree which was flowering during our stay, and Mombacho Volcano towering in the distance. (I’ve added the pic below under "Bird Watching".) We also had several spa treatments that were good and the spa facility is a lovely indoor/outdoor environment. There were a few other people staying there while we were there and they mostly kept to themselves. One couple shared some excursion tips which we appreciated and we did the same. I was under the assumption that during our excursions other guests would be joining us, but that wasn’t the case which was great with us. We also appreciated that no one played loud radios or made a lot of noise. It’s a very peaceful and serene place. Around sunset time and cocktail hour we sat at the table just outside the bar drinking and snacking, watching the most beautiful sunsets. Our last night at Jicaro was made special with a beautiful table setting on a lower deck area with a fantastic sunset view. A terrific way to end a very special trip. Thank you Julio and Arge. I look forward to visiting Nicaragua again and sitting and reconnecting with the people we met at Jicaro.…
Read more
Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: We stayed in Room 5 and felt we had good privacy.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Isletas de Granada area.
PRICE RANGE
$326 - $890 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
jicaro island ecolodge hotel granada
LOCATION
NicaraguaGranada DepartmentGranadaIsletas de Granada
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingJICARO ISLAND LODGE GRANADA - Updated 2023 Prices & Hotel Reviews (Isletas de Granada, Nicaragua)
Frequently Asked Questions about Jicaro Island Lodge Granada
Which popular attractions are close to Jicaro Island Lodge Granada?
Nearby attractions include Iglesia de La Merced (4.9 miles), Favilli Mansion (5.0 miles), and Islets of Granada (2.6 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Jicaro Island Lodge Granada?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, free wifi, and free breakfast.
Which room amenities are available at Jicaro Island Lodge Granada?
Top room amenities include a desk, a view of a nearby landmark, and a mosquito net.
What food & drink options are available at Jicaro Island Lodge Granada?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Jicaro Island Lodge Granada?
Yes, paid private parking nearby and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Jicaro Island Lodge Granada?
Conveniently located restaurants include Tostometro Granada Nicaragua, Restaurante El Garaje, and La Frontera.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Jicaro Island Lodge Granada?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and yoga classes during their stay.
Does Jicaro Island Lodge Granada have airport transportation?
Yes, Jicaro Island Lodge Granada offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is Jicaro Island Lodge Granada located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.5 miles away from the center of Isletas de Granada.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Jicaro Island Lodge Granada?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to Jicaro Island Lodge Granada?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Old Railway Station (4.6 miles) and Fortaleza La Polvora (4.9 miles).