Totoco Eco Resort

The staff made us feel like we were actually on holiday, not just lodging somewhere. Everyone was welcoming and kind, and we were sad to leave. We’d happily come back. We loved the clean, relaxing pool and the incredible view. Despite being so close to nature, we didn’t have any insect trouble. Our room was cozy, beautiful, and spotless. The outdoor shower was a lovely detail, and bathing under the stars each evening felt special. The food was fresh and healthy, with good breakfast choices. Yoga classes were available for a small extra fee, and the new, clean shala had a peaceful view of the water and volcano. It was a lovely place to start or finish the day.

The views are hard to beat, and we watched the sunset every night. Kevin also makes a mean maracuya dacquiri. The pool is refreshing and a fairly rare bonus on the island, and the yoga shala is lovely. I took three yoga classes, though the instructors varied quite a bit in quality, and most were "hatha flow." I think it’s a nice place to visit for a sundowner, but I wouldn’t stay again in its current condition. The value may be better elsewhere. If you have transport, the location works well, with lots of good restaurants in Balgue. Without wheels, I wouldn’t recommend it: the hike up to Totoco is long and steep. The road seemed standard for Nica to us, not nearly as bad as other reviews suggested. There were a lot of insects in the eco resort. We found a large centipede, a scorpion, grasshoppers, flying bugs, frogs, and worms in the bathroom, and insects also got into our bedroom because the rooms aren’t sealed. Surprisingly, mosquitoes weren’t an issue during our April visit. The rooms and walls looked weather-worn and stained, and the place felt as if it had seen better days. More upkeep, including regular painting, would help. We also needed more towels and better ones: the body towels were thin and small, there were no face or hand towels, and we had to ask for pool towels. Our mosquito net had large holes and looked worn out. Replacing it would be a small expense and make guests feel more secure at night. The included breakfast was continental, while Nica breakfast cost $10 extra. We’re in Nicaragua and wanted Nica food, which is amazing, rather than being limited to what we eat at home. The pool needed more frequent cleaning. By 4 PM, its busiest time, wind had blown debris into the water, and we spent a lot of time picking out leaves and insects. The pool is small, so a group of four outside children made it crowded when they came to splash around. Its walls were collapsing and need a complete repair. The room ads mention "coffee on your private deck," but there was no coffee equipment in the room. Coffee was only available from the kitchen after 7 AM, when the sun was already up, and any cup beyond the first morning one cost 120 cordobas ($4US). For the island’s most expensive stay, a coffee station from 6 AM would let guests have a hot drink at sunrise as advertised. A 10% "voluntary" tip was added to the whole bill, including the room, which worked out to another $15-25 a night based on what we spent. We tipped along the way, so this felt excessive, and advance notice would have spared us the trouble of keeping small bills for daily tips. It’s good that the staff share the benefit equally, but applying it to accommodation too seemed steep.

The views alone make the stay worthwhile, they’re breathtaking. I was there last week with my friend Annie, and I’d recommend it to anyone. We also tried Dinner in the Sky, which was an amazing meal and a really unique experience. Morning yoga was wonderful too, the most peaceful and relaxed I’ve felt in years.

The location was amazing, and the peaceful atmosphere and views made up for a lot. The views are astounding, the food was very good, and the staff were nice. Our two bedroom house had poorly equipped basics, and the pool wasn’t great, but the beds were very comfortable. Daily housekeeping just made the beds, even though we badly needed towels, a bath mat, and kitchen basics. I would return.