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Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua
Whether it’s for a day trip, a one night stay or a few days away we are always keen to return to the clear warm waters of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve.
Gordon, Maggie and I — along with 5 friends and two more pups — recently enjoyed an overnight get away to Casa Marimba.
This 5-room pet friendly lodge sits directly on Lake Apoyo. It is located 20 minutes from Granada and 1 hour from Managua. From San Juan del Sur the drive takes a little less than 2 hours.
THE PROPERTY
Upon arrival at Casa Marimba we received a warm welcome by the staff and resident dogs Pluma and Mango.
As we made our way through the gate and past the reception area we were enveloped by lush tropical jungle. We were in awe of all the greenery.
It was cool to see some of the same plants we incorporated into our home landscaping growing in a natural setting.
Next I noticed all the interesting and electic décor; most of which was made by local artisans.
Casa Marimba has plenty of areas to hang out and chill. Colorful locally made hammocks beckon from various nooks and crannies.
THE ROOMS
With 4 of the 5 rooms booked we ended up having the entire hotel to ourselves.
Gordon and I stayed in the Catarina room which comes outfitted with a comfortable queen bed, floor fan and private bathroom with cool water shower.
I appreciated the soft sheets and extra pillows.
At $55 USD per night the Catarina room is the most economical. Air conditioning is available “on demand” (in all rooms) for $5 USD extra per night.
For those that prefer a bit more by way of amenities Casa Marimba has rooms with kings beds, private terraces and lake views.
Their largest suite has two separate rooms and accommodates 5.
FOOD & DRINKS
It’s not usually our style to eat all of our meals where we are staying. But with a chalkboard menu that changes twice per day we did exactly that at Casa Marimba.
From the mixed brochetas, to the vegetarian burger, to fish filet and pesto pasta all the dishes were excellent. We had two vegetarian friends in our group so it was nice to see a variety of appetizing non-meat options on offer.
The cocktail menu at Casa Marimba comes complete with an assortment of signature handcrafted drinks.
The Jalapeño Margarita grabbed everyone’s attention.
Jean and Roxie were the first to partake. They freely passed their glasses around the table so we could all give it a try.
We concurred that the margarita was a dangerously delicious cocktail. It had the perfect amount of heat and lime.
At $3.50 USD we were also impressed with the price.
Not mentioning any names, but someone in our group may have overindulged a little. 😂
It was fantastic to wake up to a complete and hearty breakfast, which was included with our stay.
The eggs with fresh made ranchero sauce, gallo pinto (traditional beans & rice), toast, fresh fruit and coffee was a great way to start the day.
OUR EXPERIENCE
The preferred place for our group to gather at Casa Marimba was on the beach.
Relaxing in a hammock — on the shore of a lake that’s sitting in a dormant volcano — is one of those experiences that’s hard to beat.
With a gentle breeze blowing and waves lapping on the shore the daylight hours slipped away. Had we not been so eager to check out the dinner menu we might have been upset.
After dark Casa Marimba transforms into a super cozy and romantic retreat.
Their tiny thatched roof bar has got to the most alluring (and wee) in all of Nicaragua.
Had Gordon and I been traveling as a couple — rather than with a group — we may have just spent our entire evening there.
BOTTOM LINE
This was our first visit to Casa Marimba. It was a short but very relaxing stay. We can’t wait to return to — be it alone — or again with friends.
The friendly and attentive staff, wholesome food and beautiful and tranquil surroundings are of the many reasons why.
MORE INFORMATION
Telephone: +505 2520 2837
Email: marimbahotel@gmail.com
Address: 1.5 kilometers East of the Triangle, Apoyo Nature Reserve, Nicaragua
Room Rates: $55 – $120 USD per night
Day Pass: $6 USD per person
Website: https://www.casamarimba.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casamarimba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casamarimba/
Casa Marimba is a great base from which to visit Granada, Mombacho Volcano, Masaya Volcano, the Masaya Artisan Market and Catarina & the Pueblos.
Do you have a favorite place to stay in Laguna de Apoyo? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Gordon and I did not receive compensation in exchange for this review.
Sounds wonderful, especially since I am up in the snowy north country!