Sustainable Honeymoon in Nicaragua

Posted on March 6, 2014 by admin

First comes love, then comes marriage then comes a baby in a … oh wait… we missed the honeymoon! A honeymoon is the opportunity for two people to relax and enjoy time together, without worrying or being preoccupied with the rest of the world. A time to really relish and savour their love and their time together. But, is there a way to enjoy the highest level of luxury, service and adventure, in an eco-friendly way? Well, it’s nice to meet you, we’re Jicaro Island Ecolodge, and believe you can.

Jicaro Island at Sunset

Here, you can enjoy gorgeous hikes volcanic mountains, tranquil yoga sessions, fresh water fishing, spa treatments, exquisite culinary experiences and impeccable service all in an eco-friendly and sustainable way. The world opens up a little more each day with travel becoming easier and more routine, and we believe that this only has negative repercussions when travel is done with no regard for the environment or culture one is visiting. Here is a way to break away from that routine and to travel sustainably; ensuring that you leave where you went a better place than it was before.

Exercise lakeside in the warm afternoon!

Newlyweds who come to us must be: adventuresome, engaged, eco-friendly and open-minded, while also having high standards with respect to service and all-around experience! On your honeymoon, in our opinion, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice having a high-end, comfortable, luxury experience in the name of being an eco-friendly traveler, when you can stay with us, and achieve both. From our water being heated via solar panels and our use of 100% organic and biodegradable soaps, detergents and spa products, to our chlorine free pool filtration system and our buying, producing and hiring locally, we are dedicated to not only being neutral in our impact, but being positive in our impact, and you can be a part of that.

Paddle Boarding on Lake Nicaragua

We have commenced a search for a eco-conscious couple who will win a free stay with us at Jicaro, to enjoy the most luxurious, green honeymoon the world has ever seen! Learn more here: http://www.cayugaonline.com/eco_honeymoon_quest/

Connecting and supporting education in Nicaragua

Posted on February 12, 2014 by admin

This morning our guests took a trip to Padre Nello school where Jicaro Island Ecolodge is working on a community development project. Linda and Jerry are visiting Jicaro for their second time, and they brought 16 of their friends with them!

After enjoying a delicious breakfast they got onto the boat to head to the mainland while enjoying the natural beauty of the islands. On the way we met a boy fishing with his net and his rowboat, who showed us some fish he had trapped and later would be prepared to feed his family. He was very happy to hear that guests were going to visit the school where he is attending classes.

Setting up the new swing

Once they arrived at the school they walked round classrooms and then placed a swing to welcome the children to their new school year. School begins in the second week of February. They also brought school supplies for the children. On the way Back to Jicaro Island some of our guests visited a family to connect more with local culture. There, were other children who also attend the school at Padre Nello.

We are so happy our guest can support the community of the little island!

Tenth annual International Festival of Poetry in Granada, Nicaragua.

Posted on February 5, 2014 by admin

The colonial city of Granada is celebrating it’s tenth annual poetry festival from Feb 16 – 22, 2014. This year’s festival will be paying special tribute to one of Nicaragua’s greatest poets, Rubén Darío “Prince of Castilian Letters”, father of modernism in Spanish poetry.

Participants will be joining us from over 50 countries. Events will be held in the main streets of Granada, in churches, and other local areas of interest. In addition to world class poetry there will be other artisans presenting making this a festival of Nicaraguan culture.

Guests watching the cultural performance at Jicaro near Granada, Nicaragua.

We’re looking forward to hosting you while you’re here!

How to have an active Latin American vacation

Posted on January 24, 2014 by admin

Vacations are great but not everyone wants to spend their holiday time staying still. Here’s some ideas to make your next trip to Jicaro one filled with activities.

Relaxing during a yoga session

Active is a word that deserves a relative definition. You don’t have to run a marathon to be active. For many people, a relaxing, active session of yoga helps to exercise the muscles and joints that might be a bit stiff after a flight to Nicaragua.

Exploring nearby isletas by kayak

Jicaro Island Ecolodge is surrounded by a number of small isletas, similar to the one that the lodge is built on. Take one our kayaks and head out to explore the surrounding landscape with a guide. This will help keep your upper body and core engaged, and provides amazing water-level views of this spectacular environment.

Touring historic villages, towns and cities

Jicaro Island Ecolodge is located only a 15-minute water taxi ride from XX, a historic town that was first settled in XX. The history of Nicaragua includes influences from the Mayans and the Spanish, providing a rich and beautiful history for visitors.

Embracing the local culture

Trying new dishes, shaking your hips to a smooth Latin beat, and trying out some new Spanish phrases will enrich your visit at Jicaro Island Ecolodge. That, combined with getting to know the local residents and their stories, will create memories that last a lifetime.

Don’t forget to ensure you have some ‘me’ time as well!

Nicaraguan Art at Jicaro Island Ecolodge

Posted on January 20, 2014 by admin

One of the main objectives at Jícaro Island Ecolodge is supporting the Nicaraguan people. In our souvenir shop we have included some products made by local artisans.

The most important thing is that their art uses recycled materials such as “sacs Macen” which are generally used to pack various foods. From this item artists have created different products such as bags, backpacks, wallets, belts, etc. Thus they recycled product for creating these “green” souvenirs. We also have products made from jicaro fruit as belts, earings, sugar and pepper bowls created by local artisans.

Do not forget to take a souvenir of Nicaragua to your friends and help us to support artisans to continue working on the preservation of our planet for future generations.

What traveling with purpose looks like

Posted on January 9, 2014 by admin

Traveling can be relaxing and rewarding at Jicaro. We have a alliance with Earth Equilibrium, a not-for-profit organization that helps us and our guests give back to the community around us. Recently some of our guests took this great video of their experience at Padre Nello School, one of the benefactors of our community development work. The work that has been done with Padre Nello School enhances the lives of the people who live in this community and gives travelers to Nicaragua a sense of purpose when they see their resources being used in the local community.

10 Simple Spanish Phrases

Posted on January 3, 2014 by admin

While the majority of our staff speak fluent English, knowing a few simple words and phrases will go a long way to improving your authentic Nicaraguan experience.

The basics, including thank you (gracias) and please (por favor) will help when arriving at our resort.

Gracias!

Other phrases will help during tours, activities and meals.

10 simple Spanish phrases to learn, include:

Good day/evening/night

Spanish tends to be a bit more formal than English, so the time of day will affect the greeting to use.

Good day – Buenos dias

Good– Buenas noches

Hello! Goodbye!

One of the most common practices in Nicaragua is to say hello and goodbye to guests and friends alike.

Hello is hola!

Goodbye is adios!

How are you?

Want to know how the employees at our resort are doing? Ask them, “Cómo estás?” and we know they’ll respond with a smile!

I would like…

When ordering a meal, you’ll likely have a menu, so start with a simple order by saying, “I would like” or in Spanish, “Quiero…” For example: Quiero dos cervezas is I would like two beers.

Numbers 1 through 10

There are even songs about numbers in Spanish, so try to learn the following numbers. This will help when you order drinks poolside…

One – uno

Two – dos

Three – tres

Four – Quattro

Five – Cinqo

Six – Seis

Seven – siete

Eight – ocho

Nine – nueve

Ten – diez

Where is the bathroom?

Because we all need to know! In Spanish, this phrase should point you in the right direction: dónde está el baño

Does anyone speak English?

Just in case your newly perfect Spanish isn’t coming across, try, saying, “alguien habla Inglés.”

What time is it?

We’re hoping that you’re not keeping track of the time too closely, but in case you decide to fly home (we know you likely won’t want to) you can ask: Qué hora es.

How much is it?

Feel like buying a hand-made, Nicaraguan keepsake, or a pound of delicious Nicaraguan coffee? You might want to ask, cuánto cuesta, before dropping down your córdobas(the currency of Nicaragua).

I love Nicaragua

We hope you love Nicaragua as much as we do. If it’s true, don’t forget to tell everyone, “Me encanta Nicaragua!”

Migratory birds

Posted on December 25, 2013 by admin

Birds go on vacation too!

The dry season in Nicaragua has begun. It starts in November and goes through April. This is one of the best seasons on the pacific side of the country for the observation of birds. We have not only the residents species, also migratory birds from North America looking for better weather and food in tropical countries.

This wonderful experience of bird watching can be had in the surroundings area of Jicaro Island Eco-lodge and in some other parts of Nicaragua. You can take a walking tour or a boat/kayaking tour in the vicinity of the hotel and find different species of resident and migratory birds which have found a paradise in the area of the islets of Granada.

A limpkin perched on a rock

A Green Heron rests on a branch

Among the species that can be observed in the vicinity of Jicaro we have for example: Great blue herons, green heron, trogons, jacanas, limpkin, among others that you can hear every morning or in the afternoon singing happily on the little island.

A Great Blue Heron

A small Trogon hidden in the canopy

Active Nicaraguan Vacations

Posted on December 20, 2013 by admin

When people go on vacation they often think of rest, eat, sleep and fun. But for some it’s exercise and activity. At Jicaro we have an option to make your stay more active.

Stand up paddle boarding on Lake Nicaragua

We have incorporated the SUP (Stand Up Paddle) board, a type of activity and sport that in recent years has become very popular in many countries. This fun and challenging activity allows you to enjoy the water of the lakes, lagoons and rivers. Practicing SUP around the waters around the islands is generally very quiet and you can enjoy a great ride and also view the wonderful nature that surrounds Jicaro Island Ecolodge. The best time to enjoy this ride can be in the morning or afternoon when the heat and the sun feel less intense.

Two guests stand up paddle boarding at Jicaro Island Ecolodge.

Nicaraguan dance

Posted on December 15, 2013 by admin

Nicaragua is a culturally rich country. Its three Pacific, Central and Caribbean regions have their own cultural events to the delight of visitors who come from around the world.

Guests watching the cultural performance at Jicaro near Granada, Nicaragua.

At Jicaro we are very happy to share our culture with guests who visit that have the opportunity to attend artistic performances of Nicaraguan dances. These performances are done by children from Padre Nello School, which is located on the peninsula on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. During the school year, children are invited to share their dance skills with our guests, who after seeing their performances, are curious to learn more about the local culture.

children performing traditional nicaraguan dance.

Children from the local school performing a traditional Nicaraguan Dance.

After the performance guests are invited to dine on typical Nicaraguan dishes. The most famous Nicaraguan dish is Caballo Ballo.

Guests sampling some Nicaraguan delicacies.