If the name Oliver North means anything to you, there’s a good
chance that Nicaragua doesn’t jump to your mind when you think of a
relaxing, high-end, spa-filled vacation. For the past 30 years, the
country has been fighting its image as a land of guerrilla warfare and
covert arms deals. At first, only travel writers took note; over the
past several years, various publications have declared the country the
next great destination. However, if the booming eco-lodge business is
any indication, Nicaragua’s moment might finally have arrived.
In and
around the coastal towns of San Juan del Sur and Maderas, new lodges
like the Aqua Wellness Resort, the high-end (and soon-to-open) Mukul Resort and Jicaro Island Eco-Lodge are cropping up near old-time eco-lodges, like Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Eco-Lodge.
The food scene is getting a high-end makeover as well, with top chefs
opening restaurants. The most exciting ones — El Segundo, La Casserole,
Ciudad Lounge and La Finca y El Mar — are proof that Nicaragua is
becoming an impressive food destination in its own right.
