Nicaragua Moving Up As Contender For A-List Getaways

The recent opening of the country’s first five-star hotel, the Mukul, makes Nicaragua an A-list getaway contender and attracting recent visitors like Michael Douglas and Morgan Freeman, says the Hollywood Reporter.

Though there is no direct flight from Los Angeles, Nicaragua is accessible by way of Costa Rica, Panama and El Salvador, less than an hour by air.

Carlos Pellas, a Nicaraguan business mogul who hails from one of the wealthiest families in Nicaragua, spent US$250 million dollars building the luxurious Mukul hotel along the country’s Emerald Coast. Pristine jungles, untouched beaches and great surfing make this 37-room boutique resort a real gem.

[su_box title=”The Pellas Story” style=”soft” box_color=”#f4f5ec” title_color=”#f41717″ radius=”1″]

For the love of family. In 1875, 25-year old Francisco Alfredo Pellas Canessa came to Nicaragua to take over the family business, Caribbean Pacific Transit Co., founded by his father Carlos Napoleon. More than 135 years later and through five generations, the family business has grown into 16 companies in more than a dozen countries – from transportation and computers to sugar, ethanol, Flor de Caña Rum and the world-class Vivian Pellas Hospital.

Now led by Don Carlos Pellas, named by America Economia as one of the 50 most influential persons in Latin America, has committed himself to creating one of the most exclusive boutique resorts in the world. With it, Pellas is establishing his family legacy – a pristine natural sanctuary where you make authentic connections to the land, culture and people of Nicaragua. And in return, the surrounding community will benefit from the resulting improved quality of life.[/su_box]

Rooms start at $550 a night, but for those wanting a little more space, there’s the 20,000-square-foot oceanfront compound called the Casona Don Carlos, which comes complete with six suites, 80-foot-high palapa ceilings and a large private swimming pool. But prepare to pay $8,600 a night for the privilege.

Just an hour away from the hotel is a fishing village called San Juan Del Sur, which gained international attention when Survivor took its show to the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. The quaint village with the killer waves is also a hot spot for brave Hollywood surfers such as Matthew McConaughey and Josh Brolin.

Morgan’s Rock is the place to stay in San Juan Del Sur, with guests being able to experience both local wildlife and the Pacific Ocean. There are 15 cottages with easy access to 4,000-acres of Nicaraguan jungle, nearly half is a government-protected reserve. Prices for bungalows at the eco-chic lodge start at $235.