Little mini Adventure to Nicaragua, to the APOYO RESORT

This past week I had to leave to do my passport run and I made a trip to Apoyo laguna, it is a natural lake crater in Nicaragua, between Catherina and Granda. The lake is enormous and untouched, no polution nor contaminates. It is fed by natural springs and the temperature runs about 80 degrees. Most of the Laguna is un inhabited, by humans. But nature is abound, its very lush and beautiful during green season. I think green season is probably the better time of the year to visit this amazing resort.

I took the bus from Jaco to Punteranas, got off had a taxi drive me to Baranca which is about 5 minutes on the other side of Punteranas and waited an hour for the Tica bus to pick me up and drive to the border. At the border it was pretty simple got out showed the passport paid 14 dollars and then walked thru. Got back on the bus drove 300 feet and got out again and waited for immigration on the Nicaragua side to pass us threw. We drove about 50 miles and that was where I was left off, a place called Mondaime, a small community near Catherina, a village of artisans, and many plant nurseries. After passing about 25 or so we entered a winding road to the mountain top where the Crater Apoyo laguna is. This giant crater with spectacular views is really something to see and just beyond that is the lake Ometepe.

The road was paved with bricks as far as we drove winding and turning not steep at all, very beautiful with lush green trees that met the ground at places where the feeder roots or bejuco were touching the ground and growing back up. The whole ride was seriously like a video game, so thick with vegetation and with flowers, butterflies,and birds. Pretty amazing in itself.

On the way to the Resort which is on a nature reserve, we saw people carring baskets on there heads and loading up a truck with flowers to be sold at the market during the week. Groups of pickers were picking some of most vibrant flowers you have seen, In english it is a form of Celosia, its brain celosia its like a weed here I have it in my garden in front of the Cacao lounge but its a wild flower all over central America.

 

As we drove I saw it become more and more dense jungle but ever so beautiful like a fairy tale really you see all the branches that are twisted and untouched for many many if not hundreds of years and the size of the plants are enormous as well.

We entered the resort,  a thatched hut style entrance, very famous and a traditional look in Nicaragua then it leads to a number of units and villas in the resort. The reception employees were all so sweet and kind and simple type of people.  They gave me my room key to my little apartment that had a king size bed, big glass doors looking over the jungle, a dinning room table ,and a small kitchen in the back of the apartment. I quickly put my things in the room and  asked the tram driver to take me to the bar restaurant . They have a tram and takes you all over when you want to go, reason is there is 100 units in the whole resort the pathways are long and some are steep up the mountain side. They also have a conference room and now are building a very large and very luxurious garden style Restaurant with many levels, and by many levels I mean lots of different platforms in which you can sit and eat or drink coffees, eat pastries and or chocolates, maybe even wine tasting is being considered. But First up the hill to see the view before sunset of course to check out restaurant and bar the swimming pool on the top of the hill.

 I had them make me some tostones, which are not on the menu and some snacks since my travel was so long with out food and not yet dinner time, I asked for a strong shot of Flor de cana which is my favorite rum of Nicaragua. The whole experience at this resort was nothing but peaceful and quiet, a great wellness resort, a meditation resort and a healing resort. The experience with Gerado there General Manager was nothing short than beautiful and positive! he was so kind and helpful with me. We took the evening and talked with one of the owners of many of the units there and now partnering in the new grand restaurant that is about to be opening soon.

That is Ann she plans on bringing women s

wellness groups to the resort soon an these are some of the parrots that wander the property freely and yes they do talk! This tree is filled with these nests they were pretty interesting they had some down at a lower level so you can physically see them close up.

One of the many units that are rented daily, weekly or monthly. Fully equipped ready for relaxing

That evening we drove into Granada which is only about 15 minutes away by car, Granada is a colonial type pueblo in Nicaragua that is starting to be very popular with tourists now, they have patterned there street restaurants

after Italy and Spain. They block off the streets and its open to the public with dancing, music, food and many very interesting places are hid behind the facades of colonial style buildings, as you look in you can see gardens, pools fountains lounges and many interesting style shopes but the outsides are just simple Colonial style fronts. Really different

The following day I spent with Ray one of the partners in the new restaurant at the resort its going to be probably a very interesting and very good quality dinning, and events. They are planning on doing destination weddings and more. It had so many levels including a Cafe shop when you enter, a possibly wine tasting area, and many levels of seating in the restaurant and bar, they are also opening a swimming pool with a veranda above it.

These are photos of the new restaurant, many different levels when its finished its got a ways to go but I would say there are bout 10 different levels that you can dine, eat, drink and enjoy the views of Laguna Apoyo.

You should look this place up and book it, its a safe clean and most natural environment, Contrary to what proganda is out there Nicaragua is as safe as any where else. The location of this place is so isolated and so natural that you feel peace from the moment you arrive and during the whole time you are there the service and people and the management are all super! I could say I really loved it.

https://www.facebook.com/ApoyoResort