Jicaro is a private island among the isletas of Lake Nicaragua, reached by a boat ride of about 15 minutes from Asese Port, just outside the colonial town of Granada. It has nine free-standing casitas of two storeys, each with a living room on the ground floor, a bedroom upstairs with a king-size bed and a private terrace over the lake. There is no air conditioning: the architecture and the shade of the trees keep the casitas comfortable. Rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner. The spa stands at the water's edge, with open-air treatment rooms, yoga is offered at no charge, and kayaks and paddleboards are there for the channels between the islets. The MICHELIN Guide includes Jicaro in its hotel selection, and children aged 12 and over are welcome. Granada's colonial town is close enough across the water for a morning ashore and an evening back on the island. The drive from Managua International Airport to Asese Port takes just over an hour.
- Nearest airport
- Managua International Airport, just over an hour by road to Asese Port, then about 15 minutes by boat
- Rooms
- Nine casitas
Insider tip Take out a kayak or paddleboard to explore the channels between the isletas, and book a treatment in the open-air spa by the water.
Why I choose it Nine casitas on a private island in Lake Nicaragua, with all meals included and the lake all around.