San Simian Lodge

Another quiet paradise on earth! The peaceful sweetwater Laguna di Apoyo invites for a swim, kajaks and floating aides available. The beach is pebbly and beachshoes are a good idea! The nicely decorated, typical palm-roofed cabanas with open air bathroom are clean and beds surrounded by a moscito net for the night. Only the biggest cabana (6 beds) has Aircon, all others have a fan. Very good cuisine and quite a diverse menu for all tastes. Even the wine menu, though small, offers good quality wine. Breakfast with all these wonderfully delicious different fruit are so refreshing, original in taste and only available here, fresh from the trees! The San Simian Lodge is located between the unmade road and the beach accessible by descending some 60 steps, the restaurant being at the top and there is a bar just above the beach open for lunch and drinks as well. The staff are all very friendly and Raquel and Daniel are wonderful hosts, helpful in any way, organising transport to the airport or tours around the laguna. As mentioned, if you are looking for a quiet, nice and cosy little place off the beaten tourist paths, this is it! Thanks for everything Raquel and Daniel, keep going! Best value for money in Nicaragua!

We felt spoiled here! Accommodations are wonderful..the beds were comfortable the sheets were soft, the bath towels were large. (we stayed in the two bedroom family casita with our two teenage sons). The views of Laguna de Apoyo are beautiful. It was nice to have breakfast included in the stay as well as restaurant onsite open all day for food and beverages. The resort organized a massage therapist come one afternoon which was fantastic! The grounds are full of plants and flowers and beautiful walkways, and many cute areas to relax with hammocks and lounge chairs, etc Recommendation, Do speak with the owners about any outside activities. They are extremely kind and knowledgeable. We made an evening trip to Masaya Volcano, only to find out that it was closed for several weeks due to a landslide. (would have been avoided if we had spoke to the owners first :)

Quaint and cozy with a relaxing atmosphere. The landscaping is lush, and with plenty of hammocks, you can enjoy relaxing in the shade. The spacious cabins have comfortable beds, and the open-air shower is a must-try. The free breakfast options are tasty, the coffee is excellent, and with lunch and dinner options you don't have to interrupt your day of relaxation. The bar area is welcoming and there are many drink options to enjoy. Kayaks and snorkel equipment are available to explore the lagoon and a floating platform is not far from the shore. The property is on a slope with the road at the top and paths leading down to the cabins and the lake shore. The paths are cobbled so rolling luggage is inconvenient and may be challenging for those with mobility issues. The lodge is centrally located between Granada and Masaya making it a good HQ for day trips to the surrounding areas. The owner and staff are friendly and helpful. I will definitely return to San Simian Lodge.

Laguna de Apoyo is my favorite stop in Nicaragua and San Simian is my perfect place to experience the Laguna. I discovered LdA and San Simian 10 years ago and keep coming back. The property is well-kept and inviting. The lakeside accommodations are just steps away from the crystal clear Laguna. I always get a good night’s rest. There is often a nice breeze blowing in from the Laguna, keeping the temp a little cooler than the surrounding area. Awaken to a beautiful sunrise as the sun peeks over the rim of the crater. The food is excellent, well-prepared, and reasonably priced. Owner and staff care about making your stay enjoyable. They are friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The owner can help you make plan and arrange transfers. His driver is excellent - friendly, on time, and safe. And the long promised improvements to the road were underway while I was there. San Simian is definitely off of the beaten track. Enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

We stayed two nights while traveling around Nicaragua and fully enjoyed this perfectly located and managed eco-lodge! Daniel, the owner, is very helpful as is his entire staff! The food is delicious with fresh ingredients including a wide selection of yummy smoothies!! It’s the perfect place to relax! We’ll be back one day!! Andreas

Back in the Laguna in March, I stayed again at San Simian and was able to check-out their recently constructed cabina - Limon. Limon sits up the hill near the road and restaurant. The modern design and bright color set is apart from the other cabinas. Additionally, it is a two- story structure with a balcony overlooking the Laguna. Limon actually consists of two separate bedrooms and two baths, interconnecting to a spiral stairway than ascends to an large open sitting area with dining table and chairs, a couple of bench seats and lounger chairs. There is a widescreen TV, internet, a wet bar, and ceiling fans. It is a nice comfortable spot to hangout and relax. It is open all the way around, providing good ventilation. One bedroom features a queen bed and the other bunk beds. Each bedroom has air conditioning and its own indoor bathroom. The rooms can be rented individually, as I did solo, or together - idea for a group or family. I also took note of recent renovations to Mango and Papaya, both reconfigured, and with Mango gaining an outdoor bathroom. Bathhouses down by the beach bar have been expanded and the bar has been renovated. The landscape continues to evolve with new plants being added. I stayed for several days on the front and end of my trip. The food and service were excellent as usual. Very tranquil.

Back in the Laguna in March, I stayed again at San Simian and was able to check-out their recently constructed cabina - Limon. Limon sits up the hill near the road and restaurant. The modern design and bright color set is apart from the other cabinas. Additionally, it is a two-story structure with a balcony overlooking the Laguna. Limon actually consists of two separate bedrooms and two baths, interconnecting to a common indoor spiral stairway, that ascends to a spacious, open sitting area with dining table and chairs, a couple of bench seats and lounger chairs. There is a widescreen TV, internet, a wet bar w/ mini refrigerator. It is open all the way around, and with large ceiling fans that provide good ventilation. It is a nice comfortable spot to hangout and relax. The space has good lighting for reading, playing games, meetings, or whatever. One bedroom features a queen bed and the other (2) bunk beds. There is seating in the room and dressers/racks for storage. The rooms have excellent lighting. Each bedroom has a ceiling fan, air conditioning and own indoor bathroom. The bathrooms have a spacious hot water shower, large vanity with storage and sink, and good lighting. Limon is ideal for a group or family, with space to be together, but also privacy when needed. I also took note of recent renovations to Coco and Papaya, both reconfigured, and with Coco gaining a sitting area and an outdoor bathroom. Bathhouses down by the beach bar have been expanded and the bar has been renovated. The landscape continues to evolve with new plants being added. I stayed for several days on the front and end of my trip. The food and service were excellent as usual. The staff is friendly and responsive. San Simian is a very tranquil property away from some of the properties catering to the younger crowd and day trippers. In my opinion, one of their biggest assets.

We decided to come here after a week in northern Nicaragua doing service work and this place was the amazing. Relaxing, beautiful and the hospitality is beyond anything I’ve experienced. The bungalows are clean and adorable.

This place is fantastic. Great friendly hosts, good food and a beautiful lagoon. Be sure to check out the Free diving school right down the road as well as the Water Slide Hotel. The family room was perfect for travelling with kids.