Popoyo, Nicaragua
Rancho Santana
Coastal surf ranch
Coastal surf ranch
Life revolves around the Pacific swell, with unpaved roads linking rugged surf breaks to an organic working farm.
What it’s good at
Notable
Open-air canopy treatment suites and heated plunge pools built into the forest hillside.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Stretching across 2,700 acres of Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, Rancho Santana is as wild as it is refined.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Along the Emerald Coast on Playa Santana, fronting 2,700 coastal acres and five private beaches.
The rooms
Rooms at The Inn look onto Playa Santana, with cool stone floors and shaded terraces that catch the Pacific breeze.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
Sun loungers line the poolside bar at Playa Santana, and villa infinity pools look straight across secluded Pacific coves.
The spa
A winding stone staircase leads to timber pavilions in the forest, where treatments use local sea salt and cedarwood oil.
The yoga palapa
An open-air wooden platform rises into the forest canopy, hosting morning yoga and breathwork classes among the trees.
Restaurant
La Finca y El Mar
The beachfront dining terrace looks over Playa Santana, serving Pacific seafood and produce harvested from the estate's organic farm.
At the table
El Café serves fresh Nicaraguan coffee on garden terraces, and La Taquería makes tacos right beside Playa Los Perros.
How it began
Six founders from Baltimore bought the remote coastal ranch in 1997, developing a residential community years before opening The Inn.
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.