Guacimo Lodge

Had the most superb experience at Guacimo Lodge It has an outstanding location and is situated at the shores of San Juan River - in the near vicinity of the amazing Indio Maiz Biosphere park. It’s an incredible adventure to reach the Lodge, and that is for sure a part of this incredible experience. The Cabanas are extremely beautiful and give one the full experience to be in the middle of nature, and give splendid views. We stayed for 3 nights, but could have used weeks there..the staff is super friendly, the food is good, you can book amazing trips to Indio Maiz, or go kayaking on the rivers..our local guide Orlando is the best ever local guide we have had, he knows everything about the nature and is really good at spotting wildlife..had the most incredible encounter with Sloths, Howler monkeys, Spider Monkeys, Bats, beautiful birds etc. Guacimo Lodge is a must for everybody that seeks the untouched nature, the quietness, the immense beauty and want to escape the bustling world for some time. Don’t deny yourself an amazing, over the top nature experience- and do visit Guacimo Lodge - it’s like a rare jewel - and you won’t regret it. Can highly recommended- and Manuel the owner, is extremely friendly and welcoming. Book your next stay at Guacimo Lodge - we will for sure return⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We stayed for three nights at this amazing place at the start of our Nicaraguan holiday. The location is amazing right on the edge of the Indio Miaz reserve and the rooms have no windows, just mesh, so the sounds of the jungle can be heard so you really are immersed in the jungle. The rooms are very spacious and many have an outside balcony which is great for relaxing and spotting the abundant wildlife that surrounds the place. All of the staff are so helpful and Marjorie made sure that nothing was too much; from wellies to raincoats, bespoke breakfast, lunch or dinner and she is always SO happy. A real delight and a wonderful welcome to this fantastic gem of a country. This is the best place to stay to start any of the wide variety of activities that you can do in the surrounding area.

A hidden paradise on the San Juan River! The Guacimo Lodge offers breathtaking nature, a peaceful atmosphere, and warm hospitality. The beautifully designed open-air bungalows let you fully immerse in nature, waking up to birdsong. Manuel and his team ensure a perfect stay with great service and passion. The journey is easy and absolutely worth it. A must-visit for nature lovers!

We spent three nights at Guacimo Lodge and had an incredible experience. The cabañas provide a truly unique stay, giving the feeling of being immersed in the heart of the jungle. With mosquito screens on all windows and additional netting around the beds, comfort and protection are guaranteed. Each cabaña also offers breathtaking views of the Rio San Juan—a view you won’t forget! The service was absolutely outstanding, from the warm hospitality to the assistance in organizing our transfer from Managua. Although the journey was long, the lodge management ensured everything was seamless and well-organized, making it much easier for us. Everything at the lodge was clean and thoughtfully arranged. The food was always freshly prepared and delicious. We joined several activities, including a night tour, a cacao/fortress tour in El Castillo, and a canoe/ jungle walk with the excellent guide Orlando Díaz. Orlando speak is incredibly knowledgeable, and made the tours both informative and fun. I strongly encourage travelers to visit the San Juan region or even Guacimo Lodge itself. It’s a hidden gem that offers a rare opportunity to truly connect with nature in an unspoiled, magical setting. It’s a destination worth every moment!

My wife and I stayed 4 nights at Guacimo Lodge and had a very good experience. One must remember that the lodge is in a very isolated region with the river being the only way to get around. Consequently, it is a full day of travel to arrive here from Granada or Managua. But this is the reason you come here - for peace and isolation in the jungle. The lodge has a beautiful setting. It is a hike up to your room, but the exercise is worth the spectacular view. The rooms are not luxurious, but very comfortable( we stayed in the more expensive one). There is a comfortable bed(with netting), a flush toilet and chairs on a deck. Some may question the price tag for this basic type of accommodation. When you realize that the lodge was built in such an isolated area and everything had to be brought in by boat over long distances, you can appreciate the value of your room. As for activities, the lodge has several tours to keep you interested. Our favorite day was a morning going up the San Juan River and a tributary. We watched the birds and animals before stopping in a park for a 1.5 hour hike in the jungle. In the afternoon, we went down river to El Castillo and had a very interesting walk around this cute town and its fortress. Our guide for the 3 days was a local man named Orlando. He was very knowledgeable and had a keen set of eyes to spot wildlife, which was dominated by birds. The driver of the boat, Elgin, was very professional and safe. The other staff member to mention was the cook who prepared a variety of delicious meals. The food is not fancy, but it is very tasty. Finally, I would like to talk about the owner, Manuel. Manuel had just hired a new manager who was to arrive on the day we left. So Manuel was the person who looked after us. He was extremely attentive, always checking on us to see if we needed anything. He also sought out our opinion on any improvements that could be made to the lodge. Manuel genuinely cared about his guests and after talking to him over 4 days, it was also evident that he genuinely cared about the Nicaraguan jungle and was doing everything he could to protect it. I recommend staying at the Gaucimo Lodge.