Rancho Santana

Five beaches, a 17-room Inn and a forest spa in Tola

About Rancho Santana

Rancho Santana is a beachfront resort and residential community on 2,700 acres of Nicaragua's Emerald Coast, in Tola. Its hotel, The Inn, has 17 rooms and suites with ocean-view terraces. Five beaches, three surf breaks and a forest spa share the property. The drive from Managua airport takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Rancho Santana, nicknamed The Ranch, spreads across 2,700 acres of the Emerald Coast near Tola. It is a residential community and a resort at once, so the lodging runs from The Inn to residential suites, ocean-view homes, Pacific Condos and garden-view casitas. This page is about The Inn, the ranch's hotel: 17 rooms and suites in a two-story building on the beach, each with a private terrace and furniture built in the ranch's own woodshop.

The water is the main event. Five beaches belong to the property, and three of them have surf. Playa Los Perros has the gentler waves, plus the Surf Shop for lessons and rentals, with La Taquería next to it. Playa Santana breaks harder and suits experienced surfers. Playa Rosada is known for a left point break. Out of the water, the ranch has tennis and pickleball courts, horseback rides, monkey spotting and a Kids Club for ages 5 to 12.

You can eat well without leaving the property. La Finca y El Mar, in the Clubhouse, serves seafood, grilled meat and salads, and it is a walk from the Inn's rooms. La Boquita does small plates, including paella and sushi, on a terrace above Playa Rosada. The Spa in El Bosque sits among the trees, with heated and cool plunge pools. Managua airport is 2 to 2.5 hours away by car, and stays of four nights or more at The Inn include the transfer.

At a glance

Size: 17 rooms at The Inn
Check-in: 3 pm
Check-out: 11 am
Airport (MGA): about 2 to 2.5 hours by car

Perfect for

Families
Surfing
Couples and honeymoons

Hotel Facts

Type

Beach and surf resort

Facilities

Pool
Spa
Restaurant
Bar / Lounge
Children's Club
Airport Transfer
Internet access / Wi Fi

Room Types

Pacific Suite

King bed, extra seating area and a soaking tub in the bathroom.

Private terrace with wraparound ocean views

Pied-a-terre Suite

The Inn's largest room: king bed plus a living area with a pull-out sofa bed.

Private terrace with wraparound ocean views

Family Suite

Two connected rooms sharing an entry: two king beds, a sofa bed and two bathrooms.

Two private terraces with wraparound ocean views

Dining

La Finca y El Mar: Clubhouse restaurant: seafood, grilled meat and salads, with views of Playa Santana.
La Boquita: Small plates, paella and sushi on an open-air terrace above Playa Rosada.
La Taquería: Beachside tacos and ceviche at Playa Los Perros, next to the Surf Shop.
The Pool Bar and Cabanas: Poolside bar with cabanas.

Spa and wellness

The Spa in El Bosque: Forest spa with massages and heated and cool plunge pools.
Treetop Yoga Palapa: Open-air thatched pavilion used for yoga classes.

On the property

Las Cinco Playas: Five beaches on the property, three of them with surf breaks.
Surf Shop and lessons: At Playa Los Perros: lessons and board rentals for newer surfers.
Kids Club: For ages 5 to 12; complimentary for Inn guests.
Tennis and pickleball courts: Courts available to guests at no extra charge.

Good to know

Rooms are ready from 3 pm and must be vacated by 11 am; an earlier arrival or later departure can be requested and depends on space.
Stays of four nights or more at The Inn include the airport transfer, though some special offers and group bookings are excluded.
Besides The Inn, the ranch has residential suites, ocean-view homes, Pacific Condos and garden-view casitas; the Pacific Condos are individually owned and decorated.

Questions travellers ask

Which airport should I fly into for Rancho Santana?

Managua (MGA) is the closest main airport, about 2 to 2.5 hours away by car. Liberia (LIR) in Costa Rica is an option for travelers combining both countries, at 4 hours or more by road.

Which beach is best for learning to surf?

Playa Los Perros, where the Surf Shop offers lessons and rentals. Playa Santana is the tougher break, and Playa Rosada is known for a left point break.