Jicaro Island Ecolodge

Based on a quick description of the place — a small and stylish lodge on a private tropical island, accessible only by boat — it would be easy to get the wrong idea about Jicaro Island Ecolodge. Because the hotel isn’t located on the kind of island you’re picturing. It’s not on the ocean, for starters, but on the freshwater Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America. The island is one of 365 small islets formed by a long-ago eruption of the nearby Mombacho volcano. It’s tropical, yes, but forget about clear blue water and white sand: this landscape, thick with lush vegetation and home to a wide range of exotic birds and monkeys, feels more like a river delta or bayou.

Jicaro consists of just nine casitas, free-standing bungalows, tucked into the forested island like quiet treehouses. Each has two stories: on the ground level is an airy living room, and up the floating staircase, a bedroom with a king-sized bed. As you’d expect of an ecolodge, the look is chic and minimal, all natural wood, earth hues, and romantic yet practical mosquito nets. And as you’d expect of an ecolodge, there’s no air-conditioning; thanks to smart architectural design and the surrounding trees’ deep shade, you’re unlikely to miss it. Each casita has a private terrace overlooking the lake.

Rates include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a particular treat in a corner of Central America that’s renowned for its spectacular produce and seafood. Menus change seasonally, but highlights include fresh ceviche, coconut shrimp, watermelon salad with feta, and cocktails like the rum-based “Caipinica,” the Nicaraguan twist on a Brazilian caipirinha. No one would blame you if you just want to hang around the island, sipping fresh juices, partaking of Jicaro’s complimentary yoga classes, or swinging in a hammock all afternoon. We hear they're quite generous with the kayaks and paddleboards, as well. Topping it all off, there's a lakefront spa with open-air treatment rooms.

But that’s another thing you wouldn’t expect of a private tropical island: it’s pretty easy to get to. An island on Lake Nicaragua sounds remote, but that depends on your definition — should you wish to venture to the mainland, its a short boat ride (arranged by Jicaro) back to the pretty colonial city of Granada, Nicaragua, and the volcanoes, artisan markets, and crater lakes that surround it. (Not to mention, an hour’s drive later, Managua’s international airport.)

How to get there: Jicaro Island Ecolodge may only be accessed via a 15-minute boat ride from Asese Port outside Granada, which is just over an hour's drive from Managua International Airport.