Spread over 2700 acres, this thriving resort village has it all, almost – clubhouses, ocean view homes, pools, horses, tennis courts, a helipad and Las Cinco Playas (The Five Beaches), to name a few. The plushest is Inn at Rancho Santana, complete with its own art gallery, cafe and gorgeous guest suites. Depending on accommodation type, a minimum stay is required.
Rancho Santana
Southwestern Nicaragua
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Reserva Natural Volcán Mombacho
27.87 MILES
It’s been a few decades since this 1345m volcano, the defining feature of the Granada skyline, has acted up, but it is still most certainly active and…
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28.12 MILES
The excellent Museo Numismástico (Money Museum) documents the troubled history of the Nicaraguan economy through its coins and banknotes. Across the road,…
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Refugio de Vida Silvestre Río Escalante-Chacocente
10.06 MILES
The main event at this remote wildlife refuge is the mass arrival of female turtles (at intervals between July and December), who crawl up onto the sandy…
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Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Flor
28.5 MILES
One of the principal laying grounds for endangered olive ridley and leatherback turtles, this wildlife refuge (locally called by its shorter name, 'La…
18.55 MILES
This 25m statue of Jesus – one of the tallest in the world – overlooks the town from its perch 2km to the north. Take the one-hour hike up from the north…
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Museo de Antropología e Historia
17.16 MILES
If you have some time to kill in town, this 200-year-old house is the place to go. Inside you'll find some moth-eaten taxidermy, a wall of myths and…
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Aguas Agrias – La Nanda Community
24.61 MILES
This rural community, just south of Mombacho volcano, is an off-the-beaten-path destination where local guides lead hikes through a traditional plantation…
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26.94 MILES
This small rural community at the base of Volcán Mombacho is part of the UCA community-tourism project. It offers guided trips through organic coffee…
Nearby Southwestern Nicaragua attractions
1. Refugio de Vida Silvestre Río Escalante-Chacocente
10.06 MILES
The main event at this remote wildlife refuge is the mass arrival of female turtles (at intervals between July and December), who crawl up onto the sandy…
2. Iglesia San Francisco de Asis
17.15 MILES
Four blocks west of the Parque Central, this beautiful wooden church (1778) is notable for several well-carved saints and an underground tunnel running to…
3. Museo de Antropología e Historia
17.16 MILES
If you have some time to kill in town, this 200-year-old house is the place to go. Inside you'll find some moth-eaten taxidermy, a wall of myths and…
4. Iglesia Parroquial de San Pedro
17.46 MILES
This 1863 church on the eastern side of Parque Central is worth a look for its attractive classical facade, and a lovely fresco in the cupola showing a…
5. Monumento Emannuel Mongalo y Rubio
17.61 MILES
This monument honors the local schoolteacher who was instrumental in the capture of William Walker during the Battle of Rivas in 1856.
18.37 MILES
Ask your taxi driver to point out this monument, suspended from a gleaming half-arch above the traffic, which marks the spot where conquistador Gil…
18.55 MILES
This 25m statue of Jesus – one of the tallest in the world – overlooks the town from its perch 2km to the north. Take the one-hour hike up from the north…
19.38 MILES
The most striking church in town has been repainted a brilliant purple with a mix that uses huevos de amor (fertilized chicken eggs) donated by…