Extraordinary Outdoor Adventure at Rancho Santana, Nicaragua
- Wendy Hilberman
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Our inaugural trip to Rancho Santana in Nicaragua proved to be an exciting adventure, combined with breathtaking natural beauty. It was the perfect pairing of active, fun, and relaxation for our party of six.
Rancho Santana is a 2,700-acre resort and residential property featuring five distinct beaches and two miles of coastline. Situated between the open sea and the vast Lake Nicaragua, "the ranch" is uniquely positioned as one of the few isthmuses on the entire Pacific Ocean. This rare geographic feature generates gentle tropical breezes, which, combined with the warm ocean waters throughout the year, create some of the most sought-after surfing conditions globally.
Surfers of all ages and backgrounds step into the surf at Las Cinco Playas de Rancho Santana to experience some of the world's steepest waves. Every morning of our vacation, I rose early with my coffee mug in hand and headed to the beach so I could observe the surfers rituals as they stretched and meditated before entering the ocean. It was such a peaceful time of day.
Trip Details
Flights
San Franciso (SFO) to Managua (MGA) layover in Houston. To reach Rancho Santana, we secured a private driver who met us at the airport. The drive was a scenic two-hour drive to the Ranch.
Travel Dates
Late September 2025. The temperatures were in the high 80s. May through October are Nicaragua's rainy season, with September and October being the wettest months.
That said, our typical day during our late September vacation included warm temperatures with occasional thundershowers in the late afternoon or evening. We experienced sunshine every day of our trip.
Type of Travel
Adult vacation with family and friends, six of us total.
Lodging
Rancho Santana
Three-bedroom, 2-bath condominium, full kitchen, and ground-floor patio with rocking chairs and ocean views.
We received exceptional attention and care when we booked our Pacific Condo at Rancho Santana. The concierge was incredibly welcoming and assisted us with arranging airport transportation, planning our activities, helping with grocery delivery, and confirming our dinner reservations. We felt as if we were part of the family even before we arrived.
Our check-in was smooth, and our condo was well-appointed with spacious rooms and beautiful furnishings. The grocery delivery was unpacked, and our refrigerator (much to our delight) was stocked with all of our favorites.
The concierge service utilizes WhatsApp, which we found to be very helpful with excellent communication for the entirety of our trip.
Complimentary Guest Activities
Rancho Santana provides a varied and extensive list of complementary guest activities. We participated in as many activities as we could during our stay. Each activity had a professional and engaging tour guide. These activities were a huge success with our group of six. We had the best time learning more about Nicaragua and the history of Rancho Santana.
Bird Watching
Nature Hike
Sand boarding
Monkey Scouting
Las Cinco Playas Tour
Beach Bonfire with S'mores
Additional Activities for a Fee
Private Surf Lessons
Sunset Horeback Ride
Restaurants
Rancho Santana has four restaurants and a delightful grocery store, La Tienda. We dined at all the restaurants during our stay, and they each were unique and excellent. The restaurants serve the freshest ingredients, high-quality meats, and catch of the day, all with an inspiring Nicaraguan twist. Farm-to-table dining at its finest.
El Cafe
La Finca y El Mar
La Boquita
La Taquería
La Finca y El Mar
La Taquería
The tacos are to die for, and don't miss the tableside Guacamole.
Wendy's Wellness Score (1-5 Stars)
*****
If you want to stay fit and active during your vacation. Rancho Santana has everything you would ever desire to stay active.
Including: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Surfing, Walking, Biking, Sandboarding, Pickleball, Bocce, Swimming, Yoga, and a Gym.
Final Thoughts
Rancho Santana provides an incredible experience that combines rustic elegance with natural beauty. Set on 2,700 acres, adventure awaits on every corner of this beautiful property. The five beaches are vastly unique and equally beautiful. Each one draws you in with its natural and rugged beauty.
The attentive and friendly staff, along with outstanding amenities such as three pools, great restaurants, a spa, and fantastic guest activities, make this property one of the best we have ever experienced. We are already planning our next trip back to Rancho Santana.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this personal blog are strictly my own and do not reflect those of any organization or entity. I have not received compensation in any form for the content provided. Please see the home page for the full terms & conditions statement.
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