Costa Esmeralda Airport Begins Construction | Live & Invest Overseas News

Nicaragua's Costa Esmeralda Airport Begins Construction

Nicaragua's international Costa Esmeralda Airport recently became one step closer to becoming reality.
Located near the luxury Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa resort on Guacalito de la Isla, one-and-a-half hours south of Granada and forty-five minutes north of San Juan del Sur, the airport will feature a 1,500-meter long runway, an international terminal, a control tower, and custom and immigration offices.
Corporacion del Sur SA is building the US$12 million project, benefited by tax exemptions from the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism.
According to El Nuevo Diario, the director of promotions and marketing for the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism, Ana Carolina Garcia states, "'These flights, whether they be domestic or international, will increase over time, and a lot more people with high purchasing power will come to these sites, which will help investment in our country." In 2014, Nicaragua anticipates collecting US$440 million in tourism revenue. The director of marketing and public relations for the resort, Claudia Silva, claims the airport's construction will directly provide 100 construction jobs and 28 permanent jobs once it is open and operational. Furthermore, other jobs will spin off as a result of increased tourist traffic to the area, according to Silva.
The airport is expected to be complete in one year.

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Posted by Editorial Team on 7:31 p.m. in Guacalito de la Isla, Hotels/Hoteles, Mukul Resort, Rivas, Tourism/Turismo

La Omaja

La Omaja hotel and restaurant is a great example of what tourism in Nicaragua is all about these days.  Its excellent construction and quality details make it a really enjoyable jumping off point in your stay in the Mérida, Ometepe area.  From here, you can hike up to the lagoon on the Madera crater, go to the San Ramón waterfall and other island activities.  A full tour menu is available.  In addition to the quality lodging, with A/C and satellite television, a full service restaurant is also available on the premises.  Rooms start at $35 a night.  The meal, tilapia with garlic sauce, costs C$150 ($6.50).  This place is the best in the Mérida area, that I can guarantee.  Oh, and the views are marvelous!!!

El hotel y restaurante La Omaja es un muy buen ejemplo de lo que ha llegado a ser el turismo en Nicaragua.  Tiene una excelente calidad de construcción y atención a detalles – un lugar ideal para comenzar tus aventuras en la Mérida, Ometepe zona.  Desde aquí, podés escalar el volcán Madera a su laguna en la cima, ir a la cascada de San Ramón y otras actividades isleñas.  Una selección muy completa de turismo y tours está disponible.  Además de la calidad de hospedaje, completo con aire acondicionado y televisión por satélite, hay un restaurante completo en situ.  El precio del hospedaje comienza a $35 por noche.  La comida que probé, tilapia con salsa de ajo, cuesta C$150 ($6.50).  Este lugar es lo mejor en Mérida, esto te lo aseguro.  Oh, también las vistas son tremendas....

Posted by Editorial Team on 3:23 p.m. in Hotels/Hoteles, Ometepe

Holiday Inn in Managua

 

It had been a while since we had stayed at the Holiday Inn Select in Managua, Nicaragua.  In fact, almost 12 years, I think.  The hotel has been around for a little more than that...

It's a decent place to stay in Managua.  It is a little bit dated, not because of the decor but rather the wear and tear on this Managua hotel.  I recently saw an ad saying that Holiday Inn is 'refreshing' hotels worldwide.  This one is a good candidate.  However, if you look past the details (which really don't affect comfort - except one that I will mention later) it is a good place to spend a few days.

The rooms are small.

 Bathrooms are spacious, however.

Toiletries include Bath and Body Works selections.  Hot water is nice. What was hard to get was cold tap water to drink.  At best it was tepid. That's what ice is for, I guess.  And most of you probably won't be drinking the tap water anyway.  Minibar has reasonable prices, as well does room service.  In fact, I had a hard time deciding between ordering room service or going down to the restaurant.

The bed is comfy but the pillows...the pillows have to go (says my achy neck this morning).  That's a pretty big oversight.  Really unusual for a good chain like Holiday Inn.

 The restaurant is nice.  Not top notch but good.  

Dinner was decent but some details (like not so fresh bread) and OK service won't win any awards.  I did get a great churrasco here (Nica style) but the BBQ ribs weren't outstanding.  The breakfast buffet is tasty but doesn't have an exciting variety of hot food.

I still stand by statement that the best breakfast buffet in Managua can be found, not at Holiday Inn but rather, HERE (CLICK LINK TO SEE).  The breakfast table settings have paper napkins.

Pool area is nice, especially at night when you get a really nice breeze most of the year.  The pool and gym are small but well designed and enjoyable.

I did have a nice welcome cocktail.

All said, Holiday Inn would be a constant choice for me because it does represent a good value, especially among the other hotels in Managua.  Soon, it will have in-house competition as a new Holiday Inn Express is being built on Jean Paul Genie highway.  We'll see how that stacks up later....

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Holiday Inn Express in Managua a 7.

Address:  Pista Juan Pablo II (25 minutes from the airport)

Click here to check up to the minute prices.

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Posted by Editorial Team on 4:36 p.m. in Hotels/Hoteles, Managua, Nicaragua

Camino Real in Managua, Nicaragua

A friend recently asked me to book a room for his father who was going to be in Managua, Nicaragua for 3 days. One of the options that kept popping up was the Camino Real, just about 1.3 miles from the César Augusto Sandino airport in Managua. It had been several years since I had stayed there...about 10 to be exact so I thought I'd give it a try and update my experiences at this hotel.

The Camino Real is old by Managua, Nicaragua hotel standards. It was built in 1971 and was the choice of excellence for many years in Managua. However, time has taken its toll. That isn't to say, however, that the management hasn't made good efforts to make your stay here a pleasant one.

One thing that stands out about the Camino Real Managua hotel is the lush green vegetation that envelops the property.  It's well maintained and a welcome change to the concrete jungle that Managua has become. 

The entrance and lobby are welcoming.  There you will also find the hotel lobby bar.

  

The pool area is nice as well...not a big pool but a welcome plus for many travelers, especially those with children.



On the other hand, as I mentioned, the hotel is definitely dated.  The Nicaragua tourist pictures that decorate the halls of the rooming area were there the last time I stayed, in 2004.  The rooms are painted well but the décor is dated.  The bed is stiff - no pillow tops here - and the pillows themselves are low to medium quality.  AC works nice.  Shower stalls are modern but the faucets and showerhead are well overdue for a change.   The complementary toiletries are of good quality.   No coffee maker in the room but there is a hairdryer and your ever so useful telephone in the bathroom. 

Here comes the best part of this hotel: the breakfast buffet.  It is generally included with the price of your room.  If you have to purchase it, they want you to pay in cash.  Click here to see prices.  I will say that this is the best breakfast buffet value you will find in Managua, in any of the hotels.  Excellent service, excellent variety and quality of food.  Coffee was A+.  What more can you ask for in the morning?  The buffet is served from 6:00-10:30 a.m.

Don't forget to see the nice collection of tropical birds and a big turtle in a caged gazebo just off the lobby entrance, near the carport.

Some travel sites rate the hotel as a 3 star property.  I would give it 2 1/2 stars, mostly because of the aged condition.  However, the staff service is excellent and the restaurant is 4 star.  If you can get this room for $60-70 and you are traveling from the airport, it is a good value.  By the way they do have a complimentary shuttle with limited hours and it's just 5 minutes to the airport.  Check hotel prices here. 

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Posted by Editorial Team on 9:36 p.m. in Hotels/Hoteles, Managua

Pelican Eyes

 

If you are going to spend a few days in San Juan del Sur, save up a few bucks and go to Pelican Eyes resort.  It is awesome!  You aren't going to have a much better view of the San Juan bay than from here and one of it's three infinity pools.  This place isn't cheap but it has great food and service.  A first class project all the way!!!

In off peak season, rooms start at $180 a night.  However, there are some packages on their website that come out a bit cheaper for longer stays.  Check it out!!!

Si pensás estar en San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua por unos días, recogé unos 'riales' y andate al resort Pelican Eyes.  Es tremendo!!!!  No vas a encontrar un vistazo de la bahía de San Juan del Sur mucho mejor que este, especialmente desde una de tres piscinas 'infinity'.  No va a ser barata tu estadía aquí pero la comida y servicio son tremendos.  De primera clase!!!

En temporada baja, la habitación vale $180+.  Sin embargo, hay otros paquetes disponibles en el sitio web que son más baratos por estadías más largas.  

 

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Posted by Editorial Team on 12:19 p.m. in Beach/Playa, Destinations/Destinos, Hotels/Hoteles, San Juan del Sur