La Mariola - Finca Agroecológica

Location: El Castillo, Río San Juan de Nicaragua, Río San Juan de Nicaragua, ni

Star Rating: 9.8 Stars

Property Type: Apartments

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Non-smoking rooms
• Terrace
• Tour desk
• Shuttle service (additional charge)
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• First aid kit available
• Key access
• Japanese garden
• Fishing nearby
• Accessible shuttle
• No accessible shuttle

Rooms Available

• Queen Room with Balcony

  The spacious double room offers a private entrance, a seating area, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Mosquito net
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Key access

• One-Bedroom Apartment

  Boasting 1 bedroom, this apartment has 1 bathroom with a shower, a seating area and terrace where you can relax. The apartment's kitchen, which has kitchenware, is available for cooking and storing food. Among the room amenities are a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a dining area as well as a patio and garden views. The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Kitchenette
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Private entrance
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Mosquito net
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Key access

Guest Reviews

• Duarte Nuno (10/5): Experiência incrível…um sonho de lugar!! - Simplesmente o melhor alojamento de toda esta grande viagem! Adorei ter estado na finca agroecologica do Saul, ele teve a delicadeza de me receber, de me dar as boas vindas e de me explicar tudo em detalhe para ter uma estadia soberba! A quinta é lindíssima e a cabana um sonho ! Tem tudo para podermos desfrutar de uns dias maravilhosos a contemplar de frente o rio SAN Juan. Senti me muito inspirado e relaxado com uma envolvente natural de cortar a respiração 😀 A partir da Finca do Saul tive uma experiência por sugestão do Saul de estar uns dias na reserva Índio Maiz no acampamento Bartola a oi Artur de uma viagem de bote pelas águas deste rio lindíssimo. O Daul emprestou me um saco impermeável e lanterna e a partir daí foram duas de caminhadas e exploração da selva.em caminhadas diurnas e noturnas. a partir do acampamento bartola. Recomendo vivamente poder pernoitar no mínimo 2 ou 3 noites juntamente com a comunidade que me acolheu familiarmente e me proporcionou incríveis práticas ou s gastronómicos a partir das suas próprias produções de alunei totalmente biológicos e saudáveis.. A não perder uma estadia na finca agroecologica e no acampamento Bartola 😀 …o não ter podido ficar mais tempo !
• Nuno (10/5): Une région magnifique et un hôte attentionné - Saúl a été d’une grande aide pour organiser notre venue au Rio San Juan, notamment pour les horaires des bateaux entre San Carlos et El Castillo ainsi que pour trouver un bateau-taxi entre le débarcadère et sa finca. En arrivant, il nous a accueilli et montré mon cabane, avec vue sur le fleuve. Magnifique, très bien conçue et entretenue. Il a préparé tous nos petits déjeuners et dîners, avec beaucoup de goût et de créativité. Il s’est adapté au fait que j’étais végétarien et confectionné de très bons plats. Il nous a même fait goûter le chocolat et le miel qu’il produit lui-même. Il a également organisé pour nous une excursion à la réserve Indio Maiz, une vraie parenthèse dans la nature. Mais ce qui nous a le plus plu, c’est de passer du temps avec lui et avec ses adorables chiens. Saúl est une personne adorable, passionnante, une vraie belle âme. Même si cette région est éloignée des principaux points touristiques du Nicaragua, elle en vaut vraiment le détour et je recommande fortement de séjourner chez Saúl. Rien à écrire !
• Manuel (10/5): - Während meiner Zeit in Nicaragua war das die mit Abstand Beste und Persönlichste Unterkunft. Der Aufenthalt auf Saúls Farm war wirklich richtig, richtig gut. Der Blick aus der Unterkunft auf den Fluß, die zahlreichen Vögel direkt vor der eigenen "Haustür", das Essen von Heike (bzw Saúl), die Hunde, es war wirklich sehr schön! Wlan gibt es im Essbereich, es reichte bei mir auch bis in die Unterkunft aber nicht so stark. Das ist die einzige "Kritik".
• Nikolas (10/5): - Our time at La Mariola was nothing short of amazing. It’s such a peaceful place to reconnect with nature, yet there is so much to see and do. Saul, thank you for being such an amazing host—your cooking is incredible, and we’ll always cherish the long, thoughtful conversations we had. We hope to see you again soon! Anna & Nikolas
• Carola (9/5): Heerlijk verblijf midden in de natuur - Prachtige cabana midden in de natuur met uitzicht op de rivier. Saul is een uitstekende gastheer. Hij regelt alles wat je maar vraagt en denkt uitstekend mee bij je wensen. Er zijn leuke excursies. Het eten is heerlijk. Niets
• Beate (10/5): Die Finca ist ein Traum für Menschen die Natur, Ruhe, Einfachheit und Ursprünglichkeit suchen. - Traumlage mitten in der Natur mit Blick auf den Fluß. Die Hütte ( es gibt nur 2 auf dem großen Gelände) hatte alles was man braucht, auch Selbstversorgung wäre möglich gewesen. Wir haben uns bekochen lassen, vor allem das Frühstück war großartig, eins der besten auf unsere Reise. Bis El Castillo sind es 5 Minuten mit dem Taxiboot oder zu Fuß ca. 30 Minuten ( allerdings ist der Fußweg steil und oft schlammig, für eine Wanderung in den Ort leiht Saúl Gummistiefel). Der Besitzer Saúl ist unglaublich hilfsbereit, er hat uns auch bei unserer An- und Abreise unterstützt, sowie Tipps für die Ausflüge gegeben. Man kann über WhatsApp alles schon vor der Anreise mit ihm besprechen. Die Finca ist riesig, mit vielen Nutzpflanzen, Vögeln, auch ein Faultier war zu Gast. Das Bett hatte ein Moskitonetz, sodass auch Menschen mit Insektenphobien ( wie ich, vor Spinnen) ruhig schlafen können. Allerdings hielt es sich mit den Insekten eh in Grenzen. Die Finca ist ein Traum für Menschen die Natur, Ruhe, Einfachheit und Ursprünglichkeit suchen. Vielen lieben Dank Saúl. nichts
• chaoki (8/5): -
• nicole (10/5): - Tout : le propriétaire qui est tres disponible et a l ecoute Le cadre magnifique Le logement Les repas variés abondants et tres bons Surtout venez
• Laurence (10/5): Beautiful place, friendly host - The property was absolutely beautiful and surrounded by nature. The room was perfect as well. This was definitely one of the best places we've ever stayed. Saul was also a phenomenal host! Thank you for making our trip so memorable
• Mark (10/5): Exceptional - Best place I have stayed in nicaragua.it was a privilege to stay at sauls place.thank you for a perfect end to my trip.the cabanas were beautifully kept.sitting on the balcony listening to the birds,monkeys and watching life on the river was lovely.only a short walk 20 mins into el castillo.food can be provided by his neighbour and was excellent.plenty of things to do activity wise if you want. Nothing
• Lotta (10/5): Lovely spot- the long trip from Managua was worth it just to stay at Finca Mariola 🌱🌈🌴🦜🌿🦎 - We stayed 4 days at Finca Mariola and it was our favourite time of our three weeks in Nicaragua. Already before traveling there, Saul took the time to answer all our questions and preorganize a trip into the nature reserve with Camp Bartola. The Journey to el Castillo from Managua was a bit of an effort (first take the bus from Mercado Mayoreo and then the boat from San Carlos) but every bit worth it when we arrived. It is a rustic environment (its an ecological farm, not a hotel) but i would recommend the trip to El Castillo to anyone (who loves nature and doesnt mind a lizard or two in their cabin at night) just to stay at Finca Mariola. The Cabin is beautiful with a wonderful view of the river. I could lay in the hammock for days reading and watching the birds fly by. There was a kitchen in our cabin, so we could cook our own food. With a bit of notice, Sauls neighbour Heidi prepared delicious breakfast and lovely meals for us. Saul and Theresa have created a beautiful spot on earth, and are preserving part of the forest as part of their work. Staying at Finca Mariola doesnt only mean getting to enjoy the beautiful nature, but also being part of preserving it for the future. The town of El Castillo and the fort are well worth the 40 minute walk (the fort was beautiful at sunset, and we opted for a meal in town and a boat taxi back.) Saul went out of his way to ensure our stay was everything we wanted. I hope to come back - next time for longer. Thank you Saul! Lotta and Ari ✨
• Ann (10/5): Summing up, it’s an unforgettable place with lovely hosts and well worth a visit. - Delicious breakfasts. Everything fresh and healthy. La Mariola is beautiful and the hosts are wonderful. I will definitely stay there again when I return to Nicaragua next year. I liked and enjoyed everything and there was nothing I didn’t like. It was very peaceful and the cabin in which I stayed was completely surrounded by trees. The bed was equipped with a mosquito net but I didn’t see any insects apart from a few harmless ants, butterflies, and of course the minuscule stingless bees that the place is named after: La Mariola. Plenty of birds around and a family of monkeys too. All in all a great place to stay with no negatives at all.
• Pavel (10/5): Great place for nature lovers.La Mariola is dealing with eco sustainability in this area - Fantastic locality in the middle of tropical garden with a view of river
• Nina (9/5): Superb - If you are looking to go ‘off the beaten track’ or discover the Indio Maiz nature reserve in Nicaragua, this is a great place to stay!! You are surrounded by forest, birds and a beautiful view on the river. The host was so welcoming and he helped us with our transportation and booking activities. I highly recommend visiting this ecolodge!!
• Alan (10/5): A great experience to explore another wonderful part of Nicaragua. - Welcoming and friendly hospitality of our host, Sául. Get away from it all solitude, peacefulness. Although "rustic" a very comfortable 3 nights. Learning about Mariola bees & local tours. Nothing! It was perfect for us.
• Bartosz (10/5): Exceptional - Surrounded by nature. A great place to relax.
• Lies (10/5): The perfect place! - What a wonderfull place! We arrived with the watertaxi that Saul arranged for us and were welcomed with open armes by him and his dogs. The location is beautiful and you’re surrounded by nature. The accommodation is nice and clean and has everything you need. Don’t forget to bring some food so you have enough to eat during your stay. Saul is super nice and is passionate about his farm. He gave us a tour around the farm and showed us everything: the bees, chicken, cacao, coffee, vanilla, bananas, beans, mango en many more fruits and vegetables. We even tried different kinds of honey from different kinds of bees on his farm. If you want to go to El Castillo there is a really nice path true the jungle and they give you boots for the mud. The 30/40 minutes walk is beautiful and you can spot different kinds of animals in the jungle. It’s a wonderful man with a wonderful farm! I would definitely recommend this accommodation.
• Arjen (10/5): Blessed place - My best place to sleep during a 31-day trip through Nicaragua. Saul is a cool guy who is very passionate about his eco farm. With cacao, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and pineapple and much more. Not for people who like luxury hotels.Go there and experience it. Bring cash.
• Inge (10/5): Thank you Saul for welcoming us and giving us this great experience! - Very pleasant stay and a great experience! We stayed 3 nights at Saul's Finca. He was very kind and welcoming and helped us a lot with organizing our trip. Communication was super easy and fast. The place is well equipped for some home-cooking, has a very comfy terrace and most other necessities. However, 'it is not a hotel', as Saul says. You'll stay in the middle of the nature surrounded by tons of birds, monkeys and yes: insects. With great river views it is a really special place. You can get to El Castillo in a 25-30 minute walk, or by boat taxi. The Finca itself is great to explore, and Saul offers a tour where he gives you a lot of information and shows you around including a tasting of different varieties of his honey. Saul and his team have transformed the place into a place where they grow a lot of organic and biological crops. His vision on finding a balance between nature, agricultural development and local entrepreneurship are admirable. For us this was a great experience and we would love to get back one day. Do not expect the quality of a hotel: the accommodation is basic but it has everything you need and you are in the middle of nature!
• Deewm (10/5): Wish we stayed longer - I can say this is honestly my favourite place to stay in all of central America. From the boat trip down the river from San Carlos, to the history, food and people in el Castillo. The area is so unique and beautiful. The host, Saul arranged a boat taxi to pick us up directly from el Castillo, which was waiting for us when we arrived. The property - Finca La Mariola - is amazing. Saul has put a lot of love into it. You can eat fresh fruits from the trees, kayak down the river, walk into town through the jungle, and watch birds on the balcony. Saul offers to arrange tours for you, but doesn't apply any pressure if it's out if your budget or you'd rather just relax. The accommodation is very so well thought out. It gets a little warm in the day, but has excellent airflow so is cool and comfortable at night. You have a huge balcony with a hammock, rocking chairs and a breakfast bar. There's an excellent kitchen with high quality knives, cookware and plates/bowls/cups. There is no fridge, but Saul offers to provide ice if you need it. The shower works well and towels are provided. Saul had thought of everything. All of the lights were charged up, he provides a large battery pack with AC/DC power to charge laptops etc. the pillows are really good too - the best we've had in months. He also has two lovely dogs who are very welcoming and playful. I would 100% return, but would like to spend much longer next time.
• Lucy (10/5): If you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy being surrounded by nature, this is the one for you! - We had the best 2 night stay at La Mariola. The property itself is beautiful, there is loads of space, and the view from the terrace is incredible. We spent all our time sat out watching the birds and listening to the sounds of nature, the binoculars provided were a thoughtful addition. The kitchen is really well stocked, we really appreciated the complimentary coffee, oil and seasoning. We slept great, the bed is comfy, the pillows are good, and the mosquito net worked a treat. There is no electricity in the property however Saul provides a charging device for your electronics, and re-chargeable lights. Saul was great, he provided us with information on bus/boat times and contact details of local guides even before we had booked to stay here, and during our stay he kindly showed us around the farm and how to walk to El Castillo (only 20 minutes away). You can tell he feels passionately about the environment, and this really comes through in how he runs the farm. To top it all off, he has 2 very cute and friendly dogs that made us feel very welcome!!
• Marcel (9/5): Overall lovely stay!!! - Loved the tranquility the location offered. The cabana was cleaner and more modern than I expected :) Very nice owner who helped me book tours in the area and arranged breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner if I wished so. Maybe the owner could give a little bit more space for the guests to do their own thing. People wish to spent time in the nature in their own preffered way.
• Thomas (10/5): Exceptional - This isn't a lodge, this is a paradise of tranquility facing the river and sunsets. Amazing view and location just outside the city, you will feel like living in the forest with all you need of confort. The hosts Saúl & Teresa along with their friendly dog Koldo will watch you over from near by in case you need anything and will be happy to share with you their experience in creating an ecolodge you can also visit. Monkey neighbours may take responsability to set up the alarm clock to let you enjoy the jungle waking up. They have also been very helpfull for gathering necessary information on transfers to and from el castillo
• Zena (10/5): A magical experience. If you love nature, monkeys, birds, quiet and a beautiful view then this is for you. A great walk - The best view ever, peaceful apart from the gorgeous birds and monkeys that are a privilege to see and hear. Fabulous attentive host. Super clean, comfy and well equipped accommodation. Any trips can be be arranged from here to pick you up. Nothing to not like.
• Lennart (10/5): Exceptional - The cabin is super beautiful, the view over the river is amazing. You can listen to and observe a lot of birds, including colibris, and enjoy the peaceful nature. Saul is a super attentive host. He provided us with a lot of helpful information on options for tours in the area and how to get to the place from San Carlos and even organized our transport to the cabin from the port of El Castillo. So our tour of Indio-Maiz was all organized before our arrival and turned out great. The adjacent farm is super cool as well, he gave us a little tour for free explaining how he keeps the bees and showed us the cacao plants and more. The project of building an organic agroforest in this area is super interesting. Not really a negative things, but just be aware that this place is very close to nature, meaning that you might encounter bats, frogs or insects in the cabin. There is no electric grid, but Saul provides lights for the cabin and a charger for your phone, both charged with a solar panel he has installed on the farm. So this is not your 5 star hotel, but perfect for natur lovers!
• Nick (9/5): Exploring birds, nature and farmlife from a wonderfull cabin with terrace. - The location of the cabin and the view on the nature and river. The cabin is clean, has a good size with a nice terrace to watch birds and wildlife from the hammock. Saul is a very helpfull person and will always try to help you also with booking tours, etc. He gave me a very nice tour in his finca (farm). Saul provides books to check which birds you saw with the binoculars. Nothing. Just be aware that this is an eco-cabin with no hot water and sometimes some little animals (frog e.g.) are entering the place. But this is definetly part of the nature experience! Bed is great but might be small for 2.

Photos