Rancho Esperanza
In front of the idyllic beach of Jiquilillo, Jiquilillo Nicaragua
Full view
View all photos(131)131
Room & Suite (20)
Dining (5)
View prices for your travel dates
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View allDid you already book this hotel?
Tell us so we can help you plan.
About
4.5
#1 of 2 hostels in JiquililloLocation
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Our idyllic backpacker get away combines low-impact, natural living with projects that actively benefit the village. Whether you are looking to escape, contemplate and create, or just unwind for a few days Rancho Esperanza lets you appreciate authentic Nicaraguan life at a beautiful beach setting while you are confident that your presence is doing good not harm. We offer eight bamboo cabanas, two dormitories, and camping. Surf rentals, community excursions, Spanish classes, kayak and boat tours, hiking trips to Volcano Cosiguina, and volunteer opportunities available.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Restaurant
Beach
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Breakfast available
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Family
Location
In front of the idyllic beach of Jiquilillo, Jiquilillo Nicaragua
Getting there
Augusto C Sandino Airport
153.5 km•
See all flights
Car Hire
281Reviews0Q+A38Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 229
- 31
- 14
- 3
- 4
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
I always wondered what Throeau meant when he said, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." (Walden). Why would anyone voluntarily leave society and hunker down In a wood hut for an extended period of time. I returned to Rancho for the fifth year last month, and coming away from my time spent, I'm a little closer to understanding Thoreau's motivations.
I live and work in New York and can't escape the bombardment of 'free wifi', the cliche rat race, and overall rapid pace of everything. At Rancho you don't have to worry about any of that, and frankly--these guys bill themselves as a hostel but it's more like if Peter Pan and the Lost Boys built a small beach resort...yes it's that awesome. Picture bamboo thatch huts, an extensive library, beach front, and surf boards galore, this place is the ultimate club house/hideaway. Granted, The Lost Boys/Rancho aren't offering the Ritz, but who needs marble floors and candies on their pillow. I'll take barefoot and socially/Eco minded beach hostel over an overpriced lux Airbnb any day.
It's easy to get cozy in a hammock by the beach and read your brains out...but do yourself a favor and: 1. Go to the estuary 2. Help those fisherman move their boats! They welcome the help 3. Go surfing, which leads me to my next topic.
At risk of blowing up the spot I'll say this because I'm in a good mood: The surf out front is good. No crowds, good vibes, and sweet shifting peaks right out front. Take a break from San Juan and come and enjoy truly empty line ups, remember those? Me neither. If you get antsy, book a boat tour or hitch a ride to the famous, 'Boom' wave which is just a few miles away. I booked a boat tour and caught some of the biggest waves with Nato that I've ever ridden in my life. Inquire about La Bocana, an advanced/intermediate river mouth wave.
Go to Rancho to unplug. Inquire about their work within the community and how profits from Rancho and their NGO directly send local students to school. Get that coconut and sit on the rocks as you watch the orange sun melt into the purple soup of a sky. Go to the woods--go check out Rancho Esperanza and all its charm.
I live and work in New York and can't escape the bombardment of 'free wifi', the cliche rat race, and overall rapid pace of everything. At Rancho you don't have to worry about any of that, and frankly--these guys bill themselves as a hostel but it's more like if Peter Pan and the Lost Boys built a small beach resort...yes it's that awesome. Picture bamboo thatch huts, an extensive library, beach front, and surf boards galore, this place is the ultimate club house/hideaway. Granted, The Lost Boys/Rancho aren't offering the Ritz, but who needs marble floors and candies on their pillow. I'll take barefoot and socially/Eco minded beach hostel over an overpriced lux Airbnb any day.
It's easy to get cozy in a hammock by the beach and read your brains out...but do yourself a favor and: 1. Go to the estuary 2. Help those fisherman move their boats! They welcome the help 3. Go surfing, which leads me to my next topic.
At risk of blowing up the spot I'll say this because I'm in a good mood: The surf out front is good. No crowds, good vibes, and sweet shifting peaks right out front. Take a break from San Juan and come and enjoy truly empty line ups, remember those? Me neither. If you get antsy, book a boat tour or hitch a ride to the famous, 'Boom' wave which is just a few miles away. I booked a boat tour and caught some of the biggest waves with Nato that I've ever ridden in my life. Inquire about La Bocana, an advanced/intermediate river mouth wave.
Go to Rancho to unplug. Inquire about their work within the community and how profits from Rancho and their NGO directly send local students to school. Get that coconut and sit on the rocks as you watch the orange sun melt into the purple soup of a sky. Go to the woods--go check out Rancho Esperanza and all its charm.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2017Trip type: Travelled solo
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Quiet dorm
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a great place to stay!! Especially if you are looking to dig in and get a real Nica experience, raw and uncensored. This fishing village and its people are most definitely not some diluted down culture, polishing its image for your approval. Here, the waves of tourism meet the sands of reality. You know those places people are always saying,"you should've been there 10yrs ago", well Jiquilillo is it, right now. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, it'll be an even better place to be for years to come. By staying with Nate, Shana, and the amazing Rancho Esperanza crew you can help empower them and the community to embrace a positive and sustainable future while maintaining its roots and identity. The potential for a true symbiotic relationship between tourism and local community exists, so dig in, get real, and be part of it!!
The introduction of tourism to any community is a double edge sword. Heed Nate's advice and trust that he takes his job of ensuring his guests' and Nica family's safety very seriously. Be an alert, respectful, conscious traveler and follow his and his staff's recommendations and you will have a great experience. Should some misfortune befall you while you are there, I can attest, from firsthand experience, that Nate and his crew will do everything in their power to set things right. In my opinion and experience, there is nothing more you can ask for.
As for the rancho itself…we stayed in a private cabana with its own toilet/shower. Great, authentic construction with beautiful thatching. This is not some hermetically sealed box, so there is a potential for critters. Just remember this is life in the tropics and none of these critters are out to get you(well, except for mosquitos).The beds all have their own mosquito net to help prevent unwanted encounters. The composting toilet system they use is highly effective and clean, if you are unfamiliar ask some questions. This is the future, flushing toilets are extremely wasteful. The shower is great, but do be mindful and conserve water(electricity as well). This is a good practice to take home with you.
The rancho has plenty of inviting communal space loaded with hammocks, games, and the most extensive, impressive library of anywhere I've ever stayed. Respect the books and guests by being mindful of your conversations while people are napping or reading in the hammocks. We had majority of our meals here and were very pleased with the portions and quality. Do remember this is Nica and they do their best with whats available and strive to meet your dietary needs. There are vegetarian options for every meal. The quiver of rental surfboards is decent and there seems to be a size/shape for everyone. If you are serious about surfing, you'll probably want to bring your own. You can always donate it to the surf club at the end of your stay and stoke some of the local kids out! There are plenty of breaks out back, so you can surf alone or paddle out in the lineup with the local kids. From my experience they were all respectful, fun, and great to practice my spanish with. Remember respect gets respect, so give a hoot and I'm sure you'll get em back. While we were there, we rallied a group of guests and did the Consiguina hike. The hike itself was nothing special, although our guide Guillermo did his best to make the most of it. Its the end that justifies the means on this excursion. The views from the top of the crater are totally worthwhile, not to mention the challenge of trying to throw a rock from the top into the lake. Lunch is included and is at a local Potosi hostel/restaurant and was really good. Great value for the price and I would certainly recommend doing it.
As for the pricing of all things rancho, I would say it is fair. Sure there are cheaper places to stay and to eat. But when you consider the work Rancho Esperanza is doing in the community(i.e.-student sponsorship programs, kid's club, surf club, etc) and the fact that they employ locals and give them a fair wage and health care, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a better place to spend your money. With that said, I would still encourage you to check out some of the local eateries and spread your cordobas around the community. A little goes a long way here, so spread it on. In fact, there is a family in the village of Padre Ramos that makes tortillas and hammocks that is definitely worth checking out on your way back from the estuary.
*My apologies for my long-winded review or if I come off preachy at all, just want to ensure the best experience for everyone.
Travel well and tread lightly
The introduction of tourism to any community is a double edge sword. Heed Nate's advice and trust that he takes his job of ensuring his guests' and Nica family's safety very seriously. Be an alert, respectful, conscious traveler and follow his and his staff's recommendations and you will have a great experience. Should some misfortune befall you while you are there, I can attest, from firsthand experience, that Nate and his crew will do everything in their power to set things right. In my opinion and experience, there is nothing more you can ask for.
As for the rancho itself…we stayed in a private cabana with its own toilet/shower. Great, authentic construction with beautiful thatching. This is not some hermetically sealed box, so there is a potential for critters. Just remember this is life in the tropics and none of these critters are out to get you(well, except for mosquitos).The beds all have their own mosquito net to help prevent unwanted encounters. The composting toilet system they use is highly effective and clean, if you are unfamiliar ask some questions. This is the future, flushing toilets are extremely wasteful. The shower is great, but do be mindful and conserve water(electricity as well). This is a good practice to take home with you.
The rancho has plenty of inviting communal space loaded with hammocks, games, and the most extensive, impressive library of anywhere I've ever stayed. Respect the books and guests by being mindful of your conversations while people are napping or reading in the hammocks. We had majority of our meals here and were very pleased with the portions and quality. Do remember this is Nica and they do their best with whats available and strive to meet your dietary needs. There are vegetarian options for every meal. The quiver of rental surfboards is decent and there seems to be a size/shape for everyone. If you are serious about surfing, you'll probably want to bring your own. You can always donate it to the surf club at the end of your stay and stoke some of the local kids out! There are plenty of breaks out back, so you can surf alone or paddle out in the lineup with the local kids. From my experience they were all respectful, fun, and great to practice my spanish with. Remember respect gets respect, so give a hoot and I'm sure you'll get em back. While we were there, we rallied a group of guests and did the Consiguina hike. The hike itself was nothing special, although our guide Guillermo did his best to make the most of it. Its the end that justifies the means on this excursion. The views from the top of the crater are totally worthwhile, not to mention the challenge of trying to throw a rock from the top into the lake. Lunch is included and is at a local Potosi hostel/restaurant and was really good. Great value for the price and I would certainly recommend doing it.
As for the pricing of all things rancho, I would say it is fair. Sure there are cheaper places to stay and to eat. But when you consider the work Rancho Esperanza is doing in the community(i.e.-student sponsorship programs, kid's club, surf club, etc) and the fact that they employ locals and give them a fair wage and health care, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a better place to spend your money. With that said, I would still encourage you to check out some of the local eateries and spread your cordobas around the community. A little goes a long way here, so spread it on. In fact, there is a family in the village of Padre Ramos that makes tortillas and hammocks that is definitely worth checking out on your way back from the estuary.
*My apologies for my long-winded review or if I come off preachy at all, just want to ensure the best experience for everyone.
Travel well and tread lightly
Read more
Date of stay: February 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I wish I'd known about this place before I began traveling to Nicaragua - it was by far the best place I visited. First about the location: I was hoping to find an uncrowded beach with good surfing to stay for a few weeks and this was definititly the place. I went to Playa Madras and it was great but somewhat crowded. Then I tried Los Penitas where the only decent surfing area was filled with rip-currents and rocks, definitely not ideal. I was therefore very pleasantly surprised to see that Jiquilillo had endless sandy beach with plenty of beginner / intermediate surfing spots. If you are already thinking about Jiquilillo, don't waste your time and money with Monty's, it's way more expensive and the rooms aren't any better. On top of that Rancho Esperanza has a way better selection of surfboards. The owner Nate appears to take his hosting as seriously as his community work, which is saying a lot – I've met very few people as selfless as this guy. As for my stay, he was very attentive to any requests, remarkable really considering he oversees the whole operation. The surfboards were all in excellent shape as Nate has his own repair facility. And the food was some of the healthiest and tastiest I had in Nicaragua – super healthy with lots of fruits and vegetables which was nice for a change.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
They do some classes with kids etc, outreach into the community and so on.
But the whole idea is very pretentious and the guy in charge is very controlling.
For example the book exchange is only if you have 2 great books and they will give you one terrible condition for it.
You will be brought through a list of rules that lasts 20 mins+ when you first arrive.
It just feels like "volunteering" instead of what it is, me paying for a place to stay and experience the culture. I am not an aggressive anti-hippy or anything but it feels very forced and contrived.
The prices are too high for the service provided, the food is very poor quality for the cost.
I had to pay extra for wireless internet, even though it was there anyways. Seems like I was nicked-and-dimed for everything.
The place is very tightly regulated, for example no walking in certain areas at certain times, showers are maximum two minutes, and you will be warned if they don´t hear the water get turned off while you shampoo or soap up. Its nice to know that they are concious of the environment, but this is a bit ridiculous. The boss seems to have a thing about "control".
Beautiful sunsets and lovely walks in a fairly remote part of the country though lovely local people.
There is not really anywhere else to stay in town, but if you really want to help out some people ask around, stay in a local families house for a couple of nights and give them your cash. They will feed you and it will not cost you an arm and a leg and you would be directly helping out some people rather than pretentious givers-of-hope.
Not very clean and full of insects and (admittedly cute) lizards.
Esperanza means "hope" in Spanish, and really this is not a place of much hope. They could start by paying their staff at least minimum salary which they do not.
But the whole idea is very pretentious and the guy in charge is very controlling.
For example the book exchange is only if you have 2 great books and they will give you one terrible condition for it.
You will be brought through a list of rules that lasts 20 mins+ when you first arrive.
It just feels like "volunteering" instead of what it is, me paying for a place to stay and experience the culture. I am not an aggressive anti-hippy or anything but it feels very forced and contrived.
The prices are too high for the service provided, the food is very poor quality for the cost.
I had to pay extra for wireless internet, even though it was there anyways. Seems like I was nicked-and-dimed for everything.
The place is very tightly regulated, for example no walking in certain areas at certain times, showers are maximum two minutes, and you will be warned if they don´t hear the water get turned off while you shampoo or soap up. Its nice to know that they are concious of the environment, but this is a bit ridiculous. The boss seems to have a thing about "control".
Beautiful sunsets and lovely walks in a fairly remote part of the country though lovely local people.
There is not really anywhere else to stay in town, but if you really want to help out some people ask around, stay in a local families house for a couple of nights and give them your cash. They will feed you and it will not cost you an arm and a leg and you would be directly helping out some people rather than pretentious givers-of-hope.
Not very clean and full of insects and (admittedly cute) lizards.
Esperanza means "hope" in Spanish, and really this is not a place of much hope. They could start by paying their staff at least minimum salary which they do not.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2010Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ranchoesperanza, Owner at Rancho Esperanza
Responded 31 Jan 2011
John Walsher, I apologize to hear that your stay was not enjoyable for you. I appreciate the feedback that you have written. I noticed that your visit was in May 2010 back when we did have wifi internet access. The reason we charged guests for the use of wi-fi is because it cost us $350 a month for satelite hight speed internet, to provide it for guests and the community members to use (free for college students within the community). The internet service was a test run, and in the end, it never paid off. We no longer have internet service for the hostel anymore due to the satelite providers high monthly rates. I am shocked to hear that we "regulated" showers to two minutes, because in my seven years running the business, I have never suggested to have a time limit on the showers. Perhaps it was me or another staff member, I apologize. As for the library, as you know, books are hard to come by here in Nicaragua. I rarely travel to the states and books are precious to me. Unfortunately books have been stolen from my hostel, traded without permission, so I protect them and am picky with what guests can trade books for. As for paying fair wages for my staff. This is a serious comment that you written down on your review and I wonder if you are aware of the minimal salaries and benefits a business must provide for their staff. As far as I am aware of, I am one of the few businesses that provide health insurance for their staff, provide scholarships (providing uniforms and school materials) for my staff's children, and pay above the minimal wage of 72 cordobas a day. I wanted to send you a message privately, however was not able to. I hope that you reconsider the claims you have made against us. Rancho Esperanza does mean, the rancho of Hope, because I hope to provide a positive impact on the community, I hope to provide education for Jiquilillo's youth, and prepare the community for the inevitable growth of tourism. As we all know, tourism can either help or destroy a community. It is our mission to provide a hospitable environment for travelers but not at the cost of the local community. We try to minimize our footprint on our environment by recycling grey water and composting all organic "waste" from the kitchen and toilets be conscious of where our food comes from and buy locally when we can. I apologize that your stay was not welcoming. Again, I am shocked by this review, but will take your comments seriously and consider how we can provide a better service for future volunteers and visitors. Thank you, Nate Yue Rancho Esperanza Jiquilillo, Nicaragua
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The staff here at Rancho Esperanza are amazing and definitely going the extra mile to make your stay worth it. Unfortunately the owners are very unfriendly people who seem to not like travellers and not wanting to help them at all.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
this place, 2 steps from the pacific ocean could be a real paradise but the spirit is just not there.
We stayed in a private hut cabin for 25 dollars, as we didnt have towels we asked for it, they charge us 1 dollar for 2 towels, its the first time in 6 weeks travelling in central america that we get asked money for towels, its the fact not the price, everything there is too business orientated and we didnt feel welcome in this fake and cold atmosphere well maintained by the american owner.
We needed information to go hiking the volcanoe but really felt like bothering him when we asked.
This place is for sell and it might be the time for a new management where we can really have something to hope for - esperanza!
We stayed in a private hut cabin for 25 dollars, as we didnt have towels we asked for it, they charge us 1 dollar for 2 towels, its the first time in 6 weeks travelling in central america that we get asked money for towels, its the fact not the price, everything there is too business orientated and we didnt feel welcome in this fake and cold atmosphere well maintained by the american owner.
We needed information to go hiking the volcanoe but really felt like bothering him when we asked.
This place is for sell and it might be the time for a new management where we can really have something to hope for - esperanza!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ranchoesperanza, Owner at Rancho Esperanza
Responded 13 Feb 2013
I am sorry to hear that your stay with us was not pleasant and you felt that the atmosphere was cold and fake. Our goal is to provide travelers with the exact opposite: a warm and friendly environment. We always welcome new guests with a brief orientation so that they are familiar with our facilities. We serve communal meals so that travelers can gather together and share a meal and travel stories. Regarding needing information about the Volcano hike, we provide a detailed guest information book that provides information on all our tours. Staff and management is always around to answer additional questions and schedule tours. I am sad to see that your time was not pleasant and you felt like it was too business oriented. We charge fifty cents for a towel rental to have it washed by hand as we do not have a washing machine. In the past nine years towels have gone missing because they are often left on the beach where they are forgotten or lost and never returned to us. Sadly towels are not for sale in Jiquilillo and in order to accommodate our guests we need to purchase them Chinandega, located 35km away, an hour drive. I have taken your complaint into consideration and will now change my policy to provide this service to my guests for free. As for your comment towards me I personally apologize if I made you feel unwelcome in any way. As I said above, my goal is to provide a warm environment for everyone; guests, staff, community members, and friends alike who enter Rancho Esperanza. Certainly everyone has their bad days and I apologize if you visited on one of mine. Your comment has been noted and I keep note of how I treat my guests. Please do not apply your perception of my character to the work we do in the community. Our projects have been running consistently for nine years with funds from the business put directly back into the community. Our goal is to provide 'esperanza' and hopefully you had a chance to personally witness the positive work we have done in the community. Thank you for your review. We always enjoy hearing from our guests so we can continue to improve your experiences.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
You make the most of your experience at Rancho Esperanza.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself!
I slept in a bed with a mosquito net upstairs in the rancho (the largest hut), which is also where guests eat meals and visit with each other. For $8 a night, plus $1.25 a day for unlimited drinking water, the stay was totally worth the price. For any other purchases, you give them your name, they record the expenses, and you receive your total bill at the end of your stay with every item listed on a spreadsheet.
For meals, you order your food directly from the kitchen staff, who do not necessarily speak English, but are most accommodating to your needs and preferences. I really enjoyed interacting with the kitchen staff as I practiced my Spanish with them. I spent anywhere from $3 to $5 for each meal I ate in the rancho, and I eat a lot. The oatmeal with fruit was my favorite, and their frappe liquado (cold milk drinks) was delicious!
They provide surf boards to rent for $11 all day. They also offer an excellent beginner surfing class (I don't remember the cost, but it was worth it!). I caught my first wave, and I was hooked on surfing! Honestly, I spent most of my time either out on the water or in the rancho with my new international surfing friends.
The only negative element to my experience (besides the fact that I couldn't stay forever) was the vicious mosquitoes, so be sure to bring plenty of effective bug spray to which you are not allergic. Also, pack plenty of sunscreen if you plan to spend a lot of time on the beach. They have these items for sale at the rancho, but it'd be best to come prepared.
There is no wifi, but you can purchase a short term plan with local service providers before you visit. They have a laptop with internet for $2 per hour, but personally I loved the disconnection from internet. I was better able to immerse myself into the community and enjoy surfing out on the water, as opposed to fighting mosquitoes while on my phone.
Overall, I love the place, the people, and the experience of Nicaragua. Please give this venue an opportunity to serve you and cater to your inner minimalist! They have a beautiful heart for community and are working to develop their surrounding neighborhoods by offering classes and opportunities to local children and their families.
May God bless Rancho Esperanza, and may God bless your traveling experience!
I thoroughly enjoyed myself!
I slept in a bed with a mosquito net upstairs in the rancho (the largest hut), which is also where guests eat meals and visit with each other. For $8 a night, plus $1.25 a day for unlimited drinking water, the stay was totally worth the price. For any other purchases, you give them your name, they record the expenses, and you receive your total bill at the end of your stay with every item listed on a spreadsheet.
For meals, you order your food directly from the kitchen staff, who do not necessarily speak English, but are most accommodating to your needs and preferences. I really enjoyed interacting with the kitchen staff as I practiced my Spanish with them. I spent anywhere from $3 to $5 for each meal I ate in the rancho, and I eat a lot. The oatmeal with fruit was my favorite, and their frappe liquado (cold milk drinks) was delicious!
They provide surf boards to rent for $11 all day. They also offer an excellent beginner surfing class (I don't remember the cost, but it was worth it!). I caught my first wave, and I was hooked on surfing! Honestly, I spent most of my time either out on the water or in the rancho with my new international surfing friends.
The only negative element to my experience (besides the fact that I couldn't stay forever) was the vicious mosquitoes, so be sure to bring plenty of effective bug spray to which you are not allergic. Also, pack plenty of sunscreen if you plan to spend a lot of time on the beach. They have these items for sale at the rancho, but it'd be best to come prepared.
There is no wifi, but you can purchase a short term plan with local service providers before you visit. They have a laptop with internet for $2 per hour, but personally I loved the disconnection from internet. I was better able to immerse myself into the community and enjoy surfing out on the water, as opposed to fighting mosquitoes while on my phone.
Overall, I love the place, the people, and the experience of Nicaragua. Please give this venue an opportunity to serve you and cater to your inner minimalist! They have a beautiful heart for community and are working to develop their surrounding neighborhoods by offering classes and opportunities to local children and their families.
May God bless Rancho Esperanza, and may God bless your traveling experience!
Read more
Date of stay: June 2017Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First off - we had a good stay here. A very chilled vibe, our cabana was pretty decent, food was ok and friendly staff.
However, whilst during our stay another cabana on the property was robbed whilst everyone was eating dinner in the rancho less than 30 meters away despite the guard being on duty. Not the first time this has happened according a local we spoke to. The place is pretty poorly lit at night which didn't bother us initially.
To their credit, the community is involved with the rancho so there are lots of people and kids coming and going, which is fine but it makes it hard to know who is supposed to be there.
Be aware this is a remote place, there are minimal places to eat apart from the rancho and only a small store with limited supplies.
If you're looking for a place to really get away from everything and get some serious hammock time in, this is the place for you.
However, whilst during our stay another cabana on the property was robbed whilst everyone was eating dinner in the rancho less than 30 meters away despite the guard being on duty. Not the first time this has happened according a local we spoke to. The place is pretty poorly lit at night which didn't bother us initially.
To their credit, the community is involved with the rancho so there are lots of people and kids coming and going, which is fine but it makes it hard to know who is supposed to be there.
Be aware this is a remote place, there are minimal places to eat apart from the rancho and only a small store with limited supplies.
If you're looking for a place to really get away from everything and get some serious hammock time in, this is the place for you.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ViajeparaLibertad, Owner at Rancho Esperanza
Responded 4 Aug 2015
Thanks for the review, Bobby. I am happy to hear you enjoyed your stay in our remote part of Nicaragua - where hammocking is at it's best! It is unfortunate that you were witness to the robbery of the three women's cabaña. It is important to note that the guests were not sure whether they locked the back door to their cabaña, which opens to the open air shower. Furthermore, despite what the one local advised you, robberies are NOT common at Rancho Esperanza. Robberies in Jiquilillo have occurred, but we haven't had a robbery at our establishment for over two years. As you know as a traveler, robberies can happen anywhere. We take all the precautions we can to prevent such episodes and are proud to say that this is not a common occurrence. Since the robbery, we have hired an additional security guard, meaning we have two guards on the property each night from 8 p.m. until dawn. We have also added additional security lighting in the darker parts of our large property. We like to think that the work we do in the community has created positive relationships, making incidents such as this one infrequent. There are opportunists everywhere, however, and in a poor country such as Nicaragua, unfortunately these things are sometimes unavoidable. Again, we have taken all the steps necessary to address the issue and ensure our guests' safety. Thank you again for your review, Bobby. We hope that Rancho Esperanza and Jiquilillo left a positive, lasting impression on you.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Me and my boyfriend just spent three nights camping on the property. A truly beautiful and memorable time. We had our own tent and payed 5$ per person which is defiantly a little higher than I usual pay; but the safe environment, beach front property, access to a huge library and games, body boards, huge showers, clean bathrooms and hammocks galore, I was more than happy to pay it.
This is probably one of the most organized hostals I have ever been to. Everything is down to a science!
For breakfast there are 5-6 choices ranging from 3.75-4.50 and are available all day in case your a picky eater, as well a 1$ snack menu. Lunch and dinner are written on a white board in the early morning and it is left up to you if you want to sign up. Every meal i had at esperanza was phenomenal!!! Pineapple coconut curry, veggie or none veggie burgers, local cheese crusted squash, peanut stir fry but the best of the best our the choco bananas. Don't miss out on these, they out shine any I've had from here yo Mexico.
I would a hundred percent recommend this place to couples looking for a romanic get away, friends looking to catch some waves, family's looking for a safe an unique holiday and any one else looking to enjoy a slice of paradise.
P.s we forgot out black mens sandals if you see this in time could you put them with the sleeping pad we left for our friend. Everyone else disregard this part. Thanks again!
This is probably one of the most organized hostals I have ever been to. Everything is down to a science!
For breakfast there are 5-6 choices ranging from 3.75-4.50 and are available all day in case your a picky eater, as well a 1$ snack menu. Lunch and dinner are written on a white board in the early morning and it is left up to you if you want to sign up. Every meal i had at esperanza was phenomenal!!! Pineapple coconut curry, veggie or none veggie burgers, local cheese crusted squash, peanut stir fry but the best of the best our the choco bananas. Don't miss out on these, they out shine any I've had from here yo Mexico.
I would a hundred percent recommend this place to couples looking for a romanic get away, friends looking to catch some waves, family's looking for a safe an unique holiday and any one else looking to enjoy a slice of paradise.
P.s we forgot out black mens sandals if you see this in time could you put them with the sleeping pad we left for our friend. Everyone else disregard this part. Thanks again!
Read more
Date of stay: January 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are budget travellers who are a step above the dorm style hippie hang out but below the hotel experience. This place is best for solo travellers who are ok roughing it a little bit more than average. We stayed in the private cabina ($28/nite) with a composting toilet, which would have been fine but there was 1) no sink to wash your hands and 2) it was not the best designed toilet. I've used a lot of composting toilets and camped a lot but this one was not sanitary. Bed itself was ok. All in all it was expensive for what you got when in the rest of Nica you could get a rm with a sink and normal toilet for about the same price.
Location was great though bring ear plugs as the roosters are quite active in the am. Staff were friendly.
Food was expensive and not good. For a place that does community development (which is why we chose to stay here) the food was anything but local. Frozen eggo waffles (for $4.50!), American style frozen bagels, wonder bread. This was a let down. I thought for sure a place like this would serve more regional fare (i.e. tortillas made from the lady next door).
The other downside is that we came here so we could do a cool volcano hike. The place advertised that they offer tours. When we tried to book a tour though we were told that we needed 4 pp to have a good rate. We decided to go just the 2 of us and pay more but when we went to book it, the management we unable to get us a taxi/guide, even though we gave them more than the notice they required of us. This was a big bummer. I say if you can't offer something take it off your website as it sets an expectation they were unable to meet.
So if you're a laid back hippie who likes to meet other solo travellers, ok with potential unclean post-washroom hands and cool to just lounge around, read, and sway in a hammock, this place could be good for you.
Location was great though bring ear plugs as the roosters are quite active in the am. Staff were friendly.
Food was expensive and not good. For a place that does community development (which is why we chose to stay here) the food was anything but local. Frozen eggo waffles (for $4.50!), American style frozen bagels, wonder bread. This was a let down. I thought for sure a place like this would serve more regional fare (i.e. tortillas made from the lady next door).
The other downside is that we came here so we could do a cool volcano hike. The place advertised that they offer tours. When we tried to book a tour though we were told that we needed 4 pp to have a good rate. We decided to go just the 2 of us and pay more but when we went to book it, the management we unable to get us a taxi/guide, even though we gave them more than the notice they required of us. This was a big bummer. I say if you can't offer something take it off your website as it sets an expectation they were unable to meet.
So if you're a laid back hippie who likes to meet other solo travellers, ok with potential unclean post-washroom hands and cool to just lounge around, read, and sway in a hammock, this place could be good for you.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Bring hand sani and ear plugs
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ranchoesperanza, Owner at Rancho Esperanza
Responded 14 Feb 2013
Thank you for your honest review. I am sorry to hear that your stay with us was just average and overly priced for what you received. One of our goals is to minimize our ecological foot print by recycling grey water and all organic waste and use composting toilets. Unfortunately flush toilet systems use a lot of water and are wasteful. Septic systems are difficult to maintain due to the lack of services in this part of the country and there is no guarantee of safe disposal once the septic waste has been pumped from a flush toilet system. The composting system we do have is clean and hygienic and we have never had sanitary problems in our nine years running. I understand that the sawdust composting system can be shocking for new users, but normally our guests are happy because they don't smell and are clean. Cleanliness is my pet-peeve and first priority - I know these composting toilets are new and different for many and try to make this new experience as pleasant as possible. I apologize that we did not provide a sink with your private cabin as we do with the shared toilets. We had plans to upgrade our private cabins with sinks and showers, however the busy season has not allowed us time to do so. In the meantime, we purchased hand sanitizer and will be placing them in the private cabanas today and plan to upgrade in slow season. I want to correct the price that is quoted in this message. Waffles cost $3.75, not $4.50. We offer a large selection on our breakfast menu and surprisingly many travelers crave items from 'home' such as waffles and bagels, so we offer them to our guests because some want a break from rice and beans. We do offer fresh and local fare on our breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus and try to buy all of our kitchen ingredients locally when we can, including tortillas (made either by hand here in our kitchen or purchased from the lady next door) when the recipe calls for them, fresh local cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables, and milk for coffee from the farm across the road, among other items. Unfortunately, we are 35km away (an hour in car) from the nearest city and this is where we are required to buy the majority of our ingredients. Unfortunately we are limited to what we can buy there and what is labeled as "whole grain", is just "bimbo brown bread". We try to work best with what we are offered here in rural Nicaragua. We are a hostel that provides job opportunities. We are not tour operators who offer our own tours. The prices and tours that are offered are not managed by Rancho Esperanza, but are run by local community members. If we cannot arrange a tour, it is because the local guides are not available. Normally a group of four is needed to do an affordable hike to the volcano, otherwise a group of two is more expensive. I am sorry that you could not find other guests to hike with you and the guide was not available. Some things are out of our control. We at Rancho Esperanza do our best to provide a pleasant stay for all of our guests, but never at the expense of the local community. We try to be conscious of how we operate. We buy local, employ local and pay living wages, minimize our ecological footprint by reducing waste, and try to be of service for the local community by providing social projects for Jiquilillo's youth. I am not a fan of stereotypes and hope that this review does not mislead readers to believe that we are a "Hippy Establishment". Our goal is to provide a clean and relaxing establishment for travelers but also provide positive and sustainable community development.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No results found. • Try changing or clearing your search to read questions and answers.
"We had a cabana with private bathroom nice with 3 women but they have plenty of private bathrooms and showers to use."Read full review
"All cabanas are ~200 feet from the ocean. You fall asleep to the sound of the surf."Read full review
…
LOCATION
NicaraguaChinandega DepartmentJiquilillo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingRANCHO ESPERANZA (Jiquilillo) - Hostel Reviews & Photos - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Rancho Esperanza
What are some of the property amenities at Rancho Esperanza?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, free parking, and kids activities.
What food & drink options are available at Rancho Esperanza?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and breakfast during their stay.
Is Rancho Esperanza located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.6 km away from the centre of Jiquilillo.
Are any cleaning services offered at Rancho Esperanza?
Yes, laundry service and self serve laundry are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at Rancho Esperanza?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.