Lake & river · No. 7 in Nicaragua

Boutique hotels in Laguna de Apoyo

A swimmable volcanic crater lake with a few lodges on its rim, half an hour from Granada.

See the 3 hotels

Photo: Phayne · CC BY-SA 4.0

Handpicked boutique hotels

Where to stay in Laguna de Apoyo

Apoyo Lodge

Laguna de Apoyo

A wellness-focused boutique hotel and retreat space on the lake shore that bills itself as the country's first vegan hotel.

Discover

Pacaya Lodge & Spa

Laguna de Apoyo · 26 rooms

A 26-room lodge with rooms overlooking the crater lake and jungle canopy, often cited as the area's most luxurious.

Discover

San Simian Lodge

Laguna de Apoyo

A lakefront boutique lodge with six cabins, praised for its restaurant and views.

Discover

Laguna de Apoyo fills the crater of an extinct volcano between Granada and Masaya. The water is warm, clear and good for swimming and kayaking, and the forested walls of the crater are a nature reserve with howler monkeys and birds.

Where to stay

The few hotels are scattered along the shore and rim. Lakeside lodges offer decks and kayaks, while rim-top lodges have views down into the crater. Most are small, with simple rooms and restaurants, and several focus on wellness or retreat stays. It is a place to stay still, not a base for sightseeing.

Good to know

Granada is about 30 minutes away by taxi, so many travelers combine a night or two here with a longer stay in the city. Bring insect repellent and cash. The lake is usually calm and swimmable year-round. Weekends can bring day visitors; midweek is quietest.

Good to know