Brian Driscoll

Review of Rancho Esperanza

I stayed here for 5 nights, and easily could have ...

I stayed here for 5 nights, and easily could have stayed here for another 5, if we didn't have to move on to see more of the country. Nate has lived in Jiquilillo and run the Rancho for about 15 years. The work he has put into the hostel really shows. We stayed in both cabanas with and without a toilet/shower. As a heads up, the toilets are composting buckets that you fill with sawdust/rice hulls after using. It was nice to have a Cabana with a shower, but if you are looking to save a bit of money (about $5 a night, getting a no shower/toilet cabana and using the shared dorm facilities is fine. There are 2 dorms, the quiet dorms are separated in their own Cabana, and the primary dorms are in a loft in the main "rancho" or common area. On the weekends people tend to stay up later 11 or midnight in the rancho, so if you're a sensitive sleeper or like a little more privacy, pay the $2 extra a night for the quiet dorm.

Soda ($1) and beer ($1.25 or $2.50 a liter) are available ice cold in the common area, and you can order snacks from the kitchen (PBJ, gallo pinto, fruit or veggie plate) up until 7:30p. All meals are served community style in the rancho and you sign up for lunch ($3.75) and dinner ($5.00) in advance. I enjoyed every meal that I was served. You can order fish ($6.50) for lunch/dinner (grilled or fried) by placing your name on the food board a day in advance. It was red snapper while I was there. Nate employs many locals on the ranch and offers many tours and adventures with local guides. We took the community tour, mud crabbing, and coconut tree climbing. Surf board rental is $11/day and Nate has a large selection of boards, along with a vast knowledge of surf conditions and spots in Jiquilillo and the entire coast of Nicaragua. Their is also a large library with books in English, Spanish, Dutch, and German. With all expenses included and splitting the cost of the Cabana, I stayed at the Rancho for about $30/day, with surfing it would have been more expensive, but their was a big swell approaching and I am not the most experienced surfer :).

As I stated above, Nate and his wife (Shana, sp?) are very involved with helping the local community, and simply staying at the Rancho will help support employment and social programs (scholarships, kids club, health clinics, etc.) in Jiquilillo. On the chicken bus in to Jiquilillo, you can see that the area does not have much economic opportunity. If you want to get more involved, there are many programs and volunteer options that you can support during your visit. Or just relax, soak up the sun, go on some tours, rent a board and have an amazing stay. Either way you will be making a positive impact in this beautiful and remote paradise of the beaten path. I highly recommend checking this place out.