Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Best resort in Nicaragua

I just got back from my second visit to the Barcelo Montelimar, an all-inclusive resort near Pochomil (90 minute drive from Managua) on the Pacific Coast. This is probably the most luxurious beach resort you will find in Nicaragua, but accordng to U.S. standards, it is probably a 3 or 3.5 star resort.

The property is well-guarded and security is not a problem here.

The property is huge (it used to be Somoza's beach retreat) with a hotel, bungalows, restaurant, snack bar, several bars, casino, fitness area, minigolf, 2 pools (one of which is huge) and a wide beach on which you can walk for miles. The beach belonging to Montelimar is "only" a mile long, but the beach extends much further beyond and you are free to walk as far as you like. There are no other resorts along the beach, so it's pretty empty. My spouse and I had no qualms at all walking alone along this stretch of beach. Also, there are absolutely no vendors on the Montelimar beach, so you won't be hassled to buy things.

There is a grove of tropical trees which abut the beach and there are hammocks and lounge chairs where you can relax in the shade while enjoying the sound of the waves. If you prefer to sit beachside, you can use the lounge chairs there, but there are no palapas or beach umbrellas to protect you from the sun. The beach is NEVER crowded and on both visits, we have wondered where all the people are! (We figured out they were at the big pool which is nice, but too noisy and active for our tastes.)

The food is pretty good at the buffet restaurant and snack bar. We particularly enjoy the breakfast offerings. For lunch, we prefer to eat hamburgers or hotdogs from the snack bar (which are tasty) because the restaurant seems particularly crowded at lunch time. (However, we do stop by the restaurant later for some ice cream or a piece of cake for dessert.) There is a fairly good choice on the buffet for dinner and the wine, served by the waitstaff, is free-flowing. Also, with several bars near the beach and pools, you are never far from a soda, beer or mixed drink (all included, of course, in your fee.)

We stayed in bungalows on each visit and I would recommend them over the hotel rooms. The rooms are clean and simple--a bed (or two), closet, table, minifridge, TV and bathroom with shower (no tub). Outside the bungalows is a patio with two rocking chairs and a hammock if you want to relax at your room. The TV broadcasts a few channels with movies in English. This is good as the only other evening entertainment is a musical show outside the casino.

We see this resort as mainly a place to relax. While there are some activities available--minigolf, boogie boards, ping pong, darts, billards, horseback riding (fee) and ATV rentals (fee), a couple of days here should suffice.