Rancho Santana

Stayed in a villa at Rancho Santana with a group of friends to celebrate a milestone birthday. Everything was awesome; the food was delicious, the staff was friendly and helpful, the surroundings were beautiful. This is definitely a hidden gem.

The horseback riding was perfect! Our guides were very professional. The horses are beautiful! The stable is spotless. The guide spoke great English. Very helpful for us because we do not speak Spanish. Will be going again!

We spent five unforgettable nights at Rancho Santana, and it truly is paradise. We stayed at the Inn in a beachfront room, and waking up each morning to the sound of the waves and sweeping ocean views felt almost unreal. Everything about this place is special from the breathtaking, untouched setting to the thoughtfully curated experiences. We loved the wide range of activities, especially the yoga and spa offerings, which were both restorative and beautifully integrated into the natural surroundings. The sunset horseback ride along the coast was one of the most magical experiences we’ve ever had. The farm-to-table food was outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and clearly prepared with care. Every meal felt nourishing and intentional. Most of all, the staff truly set Rancho Santana apart. Every single person we encountered was genuinely kind, warm, and attentive, making us feel not just welcomed, but deeply cared for. Rancho Santana is the rare place that feels both luxurious and soulful. We left feeling relaxed, inspired, and already dreaming of our return.

Some places feel so special you want to tell everyone… and also no one (because you don’t want the magic messed with). Villa Ohana at Rancho Santana is exactly that kind of place. Rancho Santana sits in Tola, Nicaragua just up the coast from Tamarindo, Costa Rica but somehow flies under the radar, which feels criminal once you’ve been here. Same wild beauty, same surf and sunshine—just quieter, calmer, and refreshingly unbothered. Villa Ohana is perched right above the ocean with an infinity pool that makes you forget what day it is. You can walk straight from the property down to the rocky shoreline and watch the tide roll in and out. Every night we caught the sunset from a different spot—pool, lawn, beach, bench, bar—and it was always glorious! We watched friends surf from the property, rang in the New Year with fireworks basically exploding directly overhead, and wondered how this was real life. The villa itself is ideal for a big family or group of friends—beautiful, comfortable, and perfect for long days that melt into longer nights. A huge shoutout to Gloria, the house manager/cook, who made delicious authentic meals. And David, who keeps the grounds looking lush, maintained, and wild in the best way. Rancho Santana as a whole is the kind of place that gently resets your nervous system (at least it did mine). The staff is genuinely kind and attentive without being overbearing. We ate well, drank well, watched college football playoffs at the bar (our only TV for 9 days, which felt like the correct amount), played bocce ball, went horseback riding along the beach, visited all 5 beaches, and ended most nights playing games back at Villa Ohana. Throw in monkeys casually crossing the road, tacos and tie-dye at Playa Los Perros, sunset dinners at La Boquita, seashell hunting, sea turtle hatching, and that rare feeling of fully unplugging from the world… and you start to get why people come here. On a personal note: I’d been a little scared of the ocean for years, but something about these beaches—the warmth, the clarity, the steady rhythm of the tide—gave me my sea legs back. I swam everywhere and felt more relaxed than I have in a long time. 10/10 would absolutely return. Next trip though… I’m going streaking. I mean, surfing!!

We had an incredible stay at Rancho Santana and cannot wait to return! From the atmosphere to the incredible food, we were happy with every part of our stay. Wish the airport was a little closer, but the drivers made the trip to and from the airport easy.