NICARAGUA
Located on the Southwest Pacific Coast of Nicaragua, a two-hour drive from the capital city of Managua, Rancho Santana is a world class resort complete with world class breaks out front.
Affectionately referred to as “the Ranch,” Rancho Santana offers a variety of luxury accommodation options located on 2,700 remarkable acres, surrounded by rolling hills and tropical dry forests.
For those looking for activity and adventure, the Ranch is renowned for its surf breaks, riding stables, hiking paths and for five unique beaches making up over two miles of shoreline along the country’s serene Pacific coast.
Rancho Santana offers the perfect balance of chilled-out luxury and ticks all the surf and adventure boxes. So if you are looking for a surf-trip as a couple, a solo traveller or for the whole family, read on to fall in love Rancho Santana…
THE ACCOMMODATION:
Along with 3 clubhouses, 4 dining venues, 3 pools, on-site market and organic garden, in-home dining facilities, airport shuttle service and on-site rental facilities, the cherry on the cake of Rancho Santana is the amazing accommodation options and varieties….
The Inn at Rancho Santana
The Inn at Rancho Santana is a two-story, 17 room “boutique” inspired oceanfront retreat featuring an art gallery, courtyard, café, and lounge. Located on Playa Santana, The Inn offers a variety of unique and intimate guestrooms and suites complete with spacious, private ocean-view terraces and forward-thinking amenities.
The Residences of the Inn
The Residences of the Inn are newly completed condo units offering the same elegance of The Inn but with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and full kitchen amenities. These units comfortably sleep six adults. The Inn & Residences are available for private event bookings and personal accommodations.
Puerta del Mar Villas
These charming two-story beachfront villas are located just steps from the sands of Playa Santana, providing easy access to one of Nicaragua’s best beaches. These villas offer incredible ocean views and are a short stroll away from all of the amenities at the Clubhouse at Playa Santana.
Garden-View Casitas
The Casitas (“Little Homes”) at Rancho Santana form a picturesque village of 21 two-bedroom villas delightfully landscaped with tropical flora. Each villa is fully furnished and has all the conveniences of home including kitchen appliances, and the community atmosphere is perfect for socialising with other travellers.
Ocean-View Homes
A collection of 20+ privately owned and stylishly decorated ocean-view homes situated in six neighbourhoods across the ranch — each offering its own unique decor, personality, stunning Pacific views and many offering pools as well.
Away from your luxury abode, there are plenty of activities on offer to keep you as active or relaxed as possible including SUPing, daily complimentary and private yoga and fitness classes, the riding stables, hiking, biking, bonfires, monkey scouting, off-site excursions and of course the surf camp Surf Rancho Santana.
THE SURF
The southwest coast of Nicaragua is renowned for some of the best uncrowded surf breaks in Central America; three of which are on the five beaches of Rancho Santana. The Ranch’s two miles of perfectly angled coastline provides world-class waves formed by consistent off-shore breezes and that surf rarely drops below two feet.
We caught up with the Rancho Santana surf team to find out more about the surf on offer….
What are the surf seasons?
The surf season typically starts in late April and early May and goes all the way up until November. The Ranch offers off shore winds almost year round though so even in the middle of the low season there are still fun waves at some of our more exposed breaks. For example Playa Los Perros works year round with chest-shoulder waves.
How big are the swells?
It’s usually a minimum 3-5 ft and offshore all day. Which for the beach breaks is well overhead. Normally 4-6 with swells sometimes into the 6-8 ft range or bigger. With the bigger swells the reef breaks and the point breaks really start to fire, over head to double over head is common.
Who can surf in the area:
Beginner – Advanced
Any big names out-and-about in the surf?
The ISA World Games have held their championships here multiple times, the most recent being at Playa Popoyo. The Rusty team visited the Ranch in 2017, Josh Kerr was getting ridiculous barrels off first peak in front of the hotel and ending with 5-10 ft airs. Plus we have spotted Tia Blanco, Ryan Sheckler, Anastasia Ashley, Rob Machado and all the boys from Hawaii come to surf the outer reef when it gets big.
Upcoming retreats
Along with a Lux Surf Package which includes 5+ nights at any of the accommodations options, transportation, equipment rentals and daily breakfast, Rancho Santa also offer a number of retreats though-out the year:
August 6th-10th: Yoga Retreat with Tawny Sterios
December 2nd-7th: Yoga Retreat with Fiji McAlpine
February 23rd-28th: LEVITYOGA Retreat with Peter Sterios
For more information and to book, head to www.ranchosantana.com
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