Category: Central America

Hush Maderas, Playa Maderas | Nicaragua

Hush Maderas

It’s not easy to get to, but it’s definitely worth it. Perched high above the beautiful surf oasis Playa Maderas, sits a hip boutique hotel designed to bring you and your inner surfer as close to flow state as possible. With 360 degree unobstructed views, there are few places that boast such beautiful views. Look to the East, and you’re looking right at Costa Rica, to the left the rugged rocky outcrop that symbolize the wild nature of this part of the world.

The lounge and common areas are a great place to get to know other fellow adventurers passing through, as well as the ideal place to catch a few surf tips from the local residents that pop over for happy hour. Now about that happy hour, Hush Maderas’ drink specials are affordable on any budget, but it’s hardly the only reason to make your way uphill in the late afternoon. Playa Maderas is hands down the most spectacular place to watch the sunset. Bright purples, pinks, yellows and virtually every other colour imaginable stream across the sky in a dance for the ages. There is no better place to take it all in than at Hush Maderas, where a beach chair or infinity pool offer the perfect viewpoint for the show.

Love surfing? This is your place. Playa Maderas is a few miles from San Juan del Sur, with a fraction of the competition to catch waves. The breaks are consistent and depending on your experience, there’s a time and tide for every level.

Services & Amenities

• Playa Maderas beach 10 minute walk
• Large outdoor swimming pool
• On site restaurant serving local specialities
• On site bar
• Games room
• Laundry service available
• Airport and local shuttle available
• Free breakfast
• Free WiFi
• Rooftop terrace
• Yoga classes available

Casa Capuchinas | Antigua, Guatemala

a cobbled street with colourful buildings, with a large volcano at the end, in Antigua, Guatemala

mins walk to santa catalina arch

mins walk to convento santa clara

mins walk to iglesia de la merced

mins walk to parque central

mins walk to Mercado de Artesanias El Carmen

Casa Capuchinas

Known for it’s impressive volcanic views and quaint cobbled streets, Antigua is a must visit place for anyone visiting Guatemala. Lined with pastel coloured houses, cute public squares and and historical landmarks, Antigua is steeped in rich history and traditions that are still widely held today. The city offers endless exploration of fantastic architectural structures, traditional handicrafts made by local women, and views that set your soul on fire.

Antigua Essence

To really get the most of your Antigua experience be sure to choose a bed and breakfast that reflects the gentle nature of the city. Casa Capuchinas does precisely that, offering a comfortable and memorable stay loaded with character and charm. But it’s the hospitality that keeps guests returning time and time again. “It is where I always stay” said one guest, who loves the tranquility of Casa Capuchinas.

Casa Capuchinas is the perfect home away from home. This quaint bed and breakfast in the heart of Antigua surrounds you with local textiles, crafts, and antique furniture to create a truly memorable interior that’s perfect for putting your feet up after a long day of exploring. An open fire place inside your room invites you to cosy up with a good book and bask in the warm light of the flickering fire. If you’re there during rainy season, the pitter patter on the roof only adds to the experience. Shuttered windows open out onto the garden or offer a beautiful mountain view, allowing you to bring the fresh air and scents of the outside into your room.

Friendly Team

As a small bed and breakfast with only a handful of rooms, the friendly team at Casa Capuchinas welcome you each morning with a tasty breakfast served on the garden patio. Choose from local or western style meals that are served with tea or coffee, and a bowl of seasonal fruits.

The garden at Casa Capuchinas is well tended, with bright flowers or all colours blooming all around you, creating a place of tranquility in the heart of the city. Loungers and benches offer a place to unwind and soak up the sun whilst taking in the sounds of the birds and butterflies that hum about the garden throughout the day. Hear the bells chime from the Iglesia de la Merced as the hours roll by with ease.

Top Location

The location of Casa Capuchinas is among the best in Antigua. Only 300 metres from the famous Arco de Santa Catalina and directly across the street from the stunning Convento Capuchinas, it’s difficult to think of a better location. Fantastic restaurants and bars can be found across the city, with some of the best less than a few minutes walk away.

If you’re looking for a place filled with charm, and close to all of ANtigua’s top attarctions, then look no further than Casa Capuchinas, the quintessential Guatemalan experience in the heart of Antigua.

Haramara Retreat | Sayulita, México

Woman floats in the infinity pool at Haramara Retreat

unique individual casitas

private acres

minute drive to airport

days of sunshine year

species of birds

Haramara Retreat

Take off your shoes, you won’t be needing them for a while. Turn off your phone – it’s time to disconnect. Stop, close your eyes, and just listen. Hear the birds singing all around you. Feel the sea breeze against your skin. Breath in the fresh air, and relax.

Open your heart and mind, and let the energy flow. Follow the jungle trails once roamed by jaguars. Wind through the trees down the side of the cliff, hearing the waves crashing louder as you approach the shore. Feel the energy that surrounds and engulfs you as you let go of all your worries and enter a zen like state of mind.

You’re at Haramara Retreat now. Prepare to experience the soul of this sacred area in the form of “mother sea”, the translation of Haramara in the native Huichol language. You’re about to take your body and spirit on a journey, enriching both through a blend of yoga, meditation and connection with the ocean. Enjoy nourishing organic food, and a deep connection with nature and the people around you.

Wake up at Haramara

Welcome to Haramara Retreat. Rise with the sun, and awaken with the jungle. Welcome the day with a gentle yoga class, overlooking the treetops and feeling the rising warmth of the sun on your skin. Refuel with a nourishing breakfast of fruits, eggs, and homemade treats. You’ll find yourself feeling thankful for the little things in life, embracing the spiritual awakening, and cleansing yourself of any negative thoughts.

Treat yourself to a revitalizing massage down by the beachfront. Look out onto the waves as they gently lap against the shore. The sound of it is sure to relax your mind, as the hands of an experienced therapist work on your muscles. Don’t be surprised if you end up booking massage after massage. The therapists specialize in different treatments, so each experience is different from the last.

Maybe it’s time for a swim? Now to decide between the infinity pool and the revitalizing ocean below. Perhaps you’ll go between the two. Enter a meditative state at Haramara Retreat as your senses soak up the surroundings. Breathe in the fresh air, turn your focus inwards, and breathe out any thoughts of the outside world.

An afternoon of yoga takes you into the sunset, as you watch the ombré sky fuse from saffron hues to mystical violet. Catch the last of the days light as you gather for dinner. A delicious culinary experience of three courses, combined with a chance to engage in meaningful conversations with like-minded people.

Before long you’ll be ready to call it a day, surprised at how tired you feel after so much relaxing. The moonlight gently lights the path. As you wander barefoot back to your cabana, feel the earth beneath your feet. Imagine the big cats and jungle animals taking the same route, winding instinctively through the trees and down the cliff edge.

The elegant hillside cabanas are carefully designed to offer a unique and memorable experience. An open front room allows you to stay in touch with nature, so you can listen to the sounds of the ocean and jungle as you doze off in a luxurious king sized bed.

Treat your mind, body and spirit. Feel at one with nature, and with yourself. Get used to this new feeling of tranquility, because you’ll feel it not only for the duration of your retreat, but will carry it with you when you leave.

Services & Amenities

• Ocean view cabanas
• On site restaurant
• Spa & wellness centre
• Private beach access
• Yoga classes
• Personal retreats
• Group retreats
• On site restaurant
• Infinity pool
• Pool side bar
• Beachfront cocktail bar

Hotel Hacienda Mérida | México

building constructed

spacious rooms & suites

minute walk to town centre

km to paseo montejo

km to merida cathederal

Hotel Hacienda Mérida

Mérida certainly has a lot to offer when it comes to places to stay. From budget hostels to 5 star hotels, Mérida really delivers with something to suit everyone. One place that stands out among the rest is Hotel Hacienda. Found nestled among trendy shops and eateries, Hotel Hacienda is just a few minutes walk from the main square and popular nightlife mainstays such as La Negrita.

As you enter through rustic wooden doors, the luxurious and impeccably restored hacienda reveals it’s beauty. The entrance foyer leads through to a beautiful courtyard, where a large garden and swimming pool invite you to relax. Traditional hacienda-style archways border the courtyard, painted in bright yellow and terracotta colours that instantly lift your mood.

Step Inside Hacienda Merida

Inside the spacious bedroom suites, high ceilings and traditional décor give a sense of prestige. Shuttered windows look out to the courtyard and flood the room with light, whilst the stone walls and ceiling fan maintain a comfortably cool temperature which comes as a relief from the summer heat.

Head back through the foyer to the hotel’s cosy bar. It’s the perfect setting for a glass of vino or classic cocktail before heading out to explore the city by night.

Morning in Mérida

Mornings at the hacienda begin with a delicious poolside breakfast with a selection of traditional cuisine and Western foods. Mexican eggs dishes to yogurt and granola, there’s something for everyone’s taste. Enjoy a mouth watering spread of fresh fruit and hot baked bread, served with locally sourced jam and honey. Shortly after, your dish of choice will arrive. French press coffee and freshly squeezed juice are the perfect compliment.

Services & Amenities

• Free WiFi
• Outdoor swimming pool
• Spa & Wellness centre
• Free parking
• Air conditioning
• Garden
• Bar

Buena Vista Surf Club | Nicaragua

double cabañas

triple cabañas

minute walk to Playa Maderas

minutes to San Juan del Sur village

km from Intl. Airport

Buena Vista Surf Club

High in the hills overlooking Playa Maderas is the incredibly beautiful Buena Vista Surf Club. This spectacular jungle paradise is the perfect place to get away from it all. Disconnect from the constant pings of notifications and emails. You’ll leave the office and work life behind as internet here is sparse and typically limited. This is life the way it used to be. Simple, communal, natural and relaxed.

The day at Buena Vista Surf Club begins with a yoga class on the terrace as the sun rises to the east. A full and replenishing breakfast follows, with local fruits and perfectly prepared main dishes. After breakfast, it’s your call. Read a little, write a little, or make your way to the beach. Surfing is life in these parts and whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s a time and tide for everyone.

The Rhythm of Nature

The Buena Vista Surf Club cabanas are designed with nature at the core. The trees sway gently overhead as the trade winds and howler monkeys make their way through the tree tops. Stay a few nights and you’re sure to make a friendly acquaintance. Life flows here as it always has, and you can’t help but get swept into it. Like the waves that swallow you whole as you’re brought into shore, it’s best to just go with it.

The sunsets at Playa Maderas are special. Wait patiently as the pastel tones splash across the horizon, leaving only traces of light and gratitude in it’s wake. The light is just enough to light the path back uphill.

Buena Vista Surf Club

Services & Amenities

• Complimentary breakfast
• ‘Family style’ meals with nourishing home-cooked food
• Self-service bar
• Incredible views over the jungle to the sea
• Surfboard rentals
• Yoga classes
• Surf lessons
• Private cabanas surrounded by trees
• Ceiling fans
• Mosquito nets

Ibagari Boutique Hotel | Honduras

Ibagari Boutique Hotel

Exceptionally designed, elegant, comfortable and meticulously curated. Ibagari Boutique Hotel caters to those seeking an escape from the mundane. Placed on an idyllic strip of coastline in Roatán’s West End, Ibagari Boutique Hotel is the crown jewel of elegance in Caribbean Honduras.

Taking its name from the Garifuna word meaning life, Ibagari Boutique Hotel blends traditional art work, culture, contemporary design and balanced eclecticism to create an experience that beckons its guests back time and again. It’s an otherworldly utopia.

Immersed in Nature

With wild life abound from the lush jungle to the tranquil seaside, life pulsates all around you. You can take in the sights and sounds from the comfort of your private balcony and through wall to wall windows.

In this breathtaking paradise, the days simply melt away. Between soaking up the sun with a cocktail in hand and rotating between the pool, sea and jacuzzi, there are more than enough ways to unwind at Ibagari Boutique Hotel.

Easy, Island Vibes

With only twenty-four hours in a day, you’ll need to choose where to spend them wisely. That said, the rooms at Ibagari Boutique Hotel are difficult to leave, which isn’t a bad thing at all. Each room is carefully designed with attention paid to the smallest of details. The fabrics, lighting, views and décor create a space in which to relax, gain inspiration, or to simply soak up this beautiful experience known as being alive.

Evenings in Paradise

As the sun slowly lowers towards the horizon, it signals the perfect opportunity to grab a glass of champagne and be thankful for another day in paradise.

Separating the rooms from the restaurant and pool is a grand foyer adorned with elegant art pieces drawing inspiration from Roatán’s past, present, and future. Take in the art on the way to the popular restaurant where cocktails flow freely, while laughter and music fill the air. The rich aromas of perfectly seasoned dishes drift across the dining room as guests feast on local favourites and international dishes. An extensive cocktail menu and lively ambiance make Ibagari Boutique Hotel restaurant the perfect hangout both day and night.

Services & Amenities

• Beachfront with direct beach access
• Free WiFi
• Complimentary breakfast
• Restaurant & bar
• Food & drinks served to wherever you are – in your room, by the pool, or on the beach
• Outdoor swimming pool
• Outdoor jacuzzi
• Loungers & umbrellas by the pool and on the beach
• Complimentary sunset bubbles to celebrate the end of the day and the start of the night
• Scuba dive shop onsite
• Spacious bedroom suites with sea view
• Natural bathing products
• Turndown service
• Airport shuttle

Laguna Lodge | Guatemala

Deck seating at Laguna Lodge dock in Lake Atitlan

unique suites

solar panels

amazing restaurant

dramatic volcanoes

memorable

Laguna Lodge

Inspired by nature and built from volcanic stone, adobe and palm, Laguna Lodge is a fitting part of the landscape along the shore of Lake Atitlan. We arrived under the cover of darkness and the veil of heavy rain, and even in these conditions the lodge looked simply spectacular. Guests are welcomed with warm Mayan hospitality, a friendly face, and a glass of freshly squeezed papaya juice. Stepping into the building, the Mayan art and décor, natural materials and circulating fresh air immediately excite the senses.

Spacious Suites and Volcanic Views

Exploring the grand suite, it’s clear that the bedroom is a dream. It’s a peaceful place to disconnect from the outside world. The bathroom is a further extension of this tranquil theme. Spacious, airy and relaxing, the entire space masterfully created. It’s a miracle guests manage to do anything aside from sleep and soak in the bathtub throughout their entire stay at Laguna Lodge.

When you do extend your gaze outside, wall to wall windows reveal the magnificent dual volcanoes across the mystical lake. To the left stands the vague silhouette of Volcan Toliman, and directly across the water lies the formidable shadow of Volcan San Pedro. Each suite invites you to take in the views, and to soak up the energy of Lake Atitlan.

Reconnect with Nature

Wake up with the sun and sip freshly brewed coffee on the terrace, as you invite the natural masterpiece of the lake to be unveiled before your eyes. Watch as the low morning clouds part and the towns that dot the lake start to come alive. One by one, the early morning fishermen are replaced by water taxis shuttling visitors and locals from one point to the next.

Make your way to the restaurant for a delicious breakfast of locally sourced vegetarian food that is rich in flavours and nourishment. Flow from breakfast to the front deck with a fresh fruit juice in hand, as you think about how you might want to spend your day. The pool and lake await you for a refreshing swim, whilst kayaks and canoes are readily available for those who wish to explore further. The land around Laguna Lodge is also rich in hiking trails, an asset we strongly advise you make use of.

The lake has a way of drawing you deeper into nature. At Laguna Lodge, the days seem a little longer, and the rest feels a little more rejuvenating. Allow your circadian rhythm to reset. Wake up with the sun, and wind down with the sunset, with a siesta in between. This is the much needed break you’ve been craving.

Services & Amenities

• Spacious lakeside suites
• Comfortable hand hewn king beds
• Fine linens and intricate woven textiles
• Indigenous antiques
• Award winning fine dining restaurant Zotz
• Lava bar and lakeside pavilion
• Kayaking, canoeing and swimming, hiking mountain trails
• Hot river rock spa pool
• Relaxing massages at the Hummingbird Spa
• Manicure and pedicure
• Mini gym
• Yoga & Pilates
• Meditation

Planning a trip? Check out the best things to do in Lake Atitlan

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