Morgan's Rock Reserve & Ecolodge

Bungalows above a turtle-nesting beach, on a protected reserve and working farm

About Morgan's Rock Reserve & Ecolodge

Morgan's Rock Reserve & Ecolodge sits on Playa Ocotal, about 25 minutes by road from San Juan del Sur town. It has 15 bungalows and 3 two-bedroom villas. Sea turtles nest on its mile-long beach, and a working farm supplies about 60% of the food. Managua is roughly 3 hours away by road.

Morgan's Rock sits on Playa Ocotal, 13 km from San Juan del Sur town. Bungalows and villas climb the hillside above a mile-long beach where sea turtles nest throughout the year. Nearly half of the property is a protected reserve, and the rest is farm and forest. That farm, with its cows, chickens, gardens and a sustainable shrimp operation, supplies roughly 60% of the food used at the lodge.

The 15 bungalows come in three versions: ocean view with a private plunge pool, forest view with a plunge pool, and ocean view without one. The ocean-view bungalows hang on a cliff and are reached across a 50-yard suspension bridge. Each terrace has a daybed slung from rope. For families and small groups, three two-bedroom villas add a private pool and sleep up to eight.

Meals are at La Bastide, an open-air restaurant above the pool with views over forest, beach and cove. The Commodore Bar is next door. Days fill with sunrise bird watching along the estuary, horseback rides, tandem kayaks through the mangroves, yoga on an open deck and treatments at Paslama Spa. Turtle-watching trips go to La Flor Nature Reserve, 30 km south.

At a glance

Size: 15 bungalows, 3 villas
Check-in: 3:00 p.m.
Check-out: 12:00 p.m.
Airport (MGA): About 3 hours by road from Managua

Perfect for

Couples and honeymoons
Families
Nature and wildlife

Hotel Facts

Type

Private-beach eco-lodge

Facilities

Pool
Spa
Restaurant
Bar / Lounge
Airport Transfer
Internet access / Wi Fi

Room Types

Two bedroom villas with private pool

Two bedrooms, each with king bed, sofa bed, twin bed and own bathroom, sharing a terrace and private pool.

Ocean views from the treetops

Ocean view bungalows with private plunge pool

On the cliff, 30 to 100 feet above the cove, past a jungle suspension bridge; rope-hung daybed.

Pacific, beach and cove

Forest view bungalows with private plunge pool

Hillside bungalow facing the forest, with its own plunge pool and a hemp-rope daybed.

Forest hillside

Dining

La Bastide: Open-air restaurant above the pool; à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner; vegetarian dishes.
Commodore Bar: Beside La Bastide: local cocktails, beer, rum and imported spirits.
Farm breakfast on the hearth: Farm visit and a country breakfast cooked over the hearth.

Spa and wellness

Paslama Spa: Massages and treatments in palapas designed after turtle shells.
Yoga deck: Open-air deck among trees; private classes must be arranged in advance.

On the property

Private beach: Mile-long sandy beach where sea turtles nest throughout the year.
Pool: Outdoor pool beside La Bastide, with forest and beach views.
Working farm: Cows, chickens, gardens and a shrimp farm; visitors can help with eggs or milking.
Kayaks and trails: Tandem kayaks through the mangroves, horseback rides and walking trails in the reserve.

Good to know

Bungalows and villas sit on a hillside and are reached by several flights of stairs, so the lodge suits guests who are comfortable with steps.
Wi-Fi is available on the property, but the connection can be patchier than in a city.
The kitchen handles vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free requests, and it helps to tell the lodge before you arrive.

Questions travellers ask

How long is the drive to Morgan's Rock?

The lodge is 13 km from San Juan del Sur town, about 25 minutes. By road it is roughly 3 hours from Managua and 1.5 hours from Granada. The lodge can arrange private transfers.

Where do visitors go to watch turtles?

Sea turtles nest on the lodge's own beach all year, though sightings are never promised. Separate trips go to La Flor Nature Reserve, 30 km south, when large numbers arrive.