We’ve been having weddings at Rancho Santana for many years.
We offer three venues for a “boda” (as they call it in Spanish).
One begins with a traditional ceremony in our beautiful, interdenominational chapel, followed by a formal dinner in a private room that can accommodate up to 150 people.
Another takes place at what we old-timers call the “Casa Club,” featuring an informal menu of scrumptious salads, tasty tapas, and oven-baked pizza, overlooking a tree-lined cove and a picture-postcard view of the sun setting on the horizon.
A third option takes advantage of the prime location of our small hotel and principal restaurant, with an elevated platform of grass and stone that stretches out into the ocean like the nose of a ship, giving amazing views of the beach and rugged coastline running north.
You can check out the details for all of them here.
I meant to ask Luke, the CEO, how many weddings his events team is booking these days. I’m guessing it’s about two dozen a year at the current rate. But word is spreading fast. I have little doubt that – barring some pan-Nicaragua tourism blunder – we’ll be booking at least one wedding a week before the end of this year.
Last week, Rancho Santana was the venue for a very special wedding for me. It was the first one I ever attended.
How I Got Invited
How I know MA, the groom, is, to the best of my memory, a happy coincidence.
About a year ago, Paulo, one of my trainers, introduced me to him as one of his clients that was somehow in the sports fitness and therapy business. I think the meeting was about stem-cell therapy for my shoulder. Either that or it was about setting up a program for getting monthly IV supplementation of various vitamins and other nutrients. Maybe it was for both.
Never mind.
MA is a young guy. I think he’s 38. He’s smart. Successful. And likeable. We became fast friends because of the many things we have in common: We had both started businesses and were still very much interested in the art and science of growing a profitable business. We were both practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And we had a dozen mutual friends – either through mixed martial arts or through business.
Since that first meet-up, we trained a few times and spent a few evenings with friends, smoking cigars and talking about just about everything. One evening, we got on the subject of doing business overseas. I mentioned Nicaragua. He told me that he’d been there and was planning to have his wedding there.
Where? I asked.
“A place called Rancho Santana,” he said. “Have you ever heard of it?”
“Yeah,” I said.
And that’s how I got invited.
Here’s What Happened When I Got There
I expected to feel a bit uncomfortable at the wedding since the only person I knew that would be there was MA. I’ve never been a big fan of weddings anyway, so I figured I’d show my face out of courtesy to him and then do an Irish exit as soon as it was possible.
But at the welcome party (which took place at La Taqueria, our tapas restaurant), I met his fiancé, who was sweet and beautiful, her family, who were warm and welcoming, and his friends, who were, without exception, smart, interesting, and friendly.
So I stayed.
The guests were very complimentary of the resort, its restaurants and other amenities, and the friendliness of the staff. And, of course, they were blown away by the natural beauty of our seaside paradise. (I don’t know how many times I heard people say, “I can’t believe this place exists!”)
Our latest attempt to get people here to see what we have to offer was to invite a bunch of wedding planners down to give them an idea of what the experience would be like for their clients – and it went very well.
Here is a report from one of them.
This is beginning to sound like an advertisement for Rancho Santana. And I suppose it is. But it’s authentic and in no way hyperbolic.
If you or someone you know is looking for a unique and uniquely beautiful venue for a destination wedding, you should come down and check it out!
Just the Facts:
Central American Countries Rated for Safety
From the Worldpackers website: “For some reason, Nicaragua seems to get an especially bad reputation in terms of safety, but it’s actually one of the safest Central American countries. And where else in the world can you go volcano boarding?”
Take a look…
* Guatemala: Experiences significant crime, with some cities ranking high on safety indices for danger, though tourist areas are generally safer. I have been to Guatemala several times in recent years and had no trouble, nor did I feel unsafe in the capital city.
* El Salvador: El Salvador has been considered the most dangerous of the Central American countries. But since the recent government crackdowns, including record-high incarcerations of gang members, the rates of homicides, other violent crimes, and burglaries have plummeted. When I was last in El Salvador, about a dozen years ago, my business partner and I had to hire an armed guard to accompany us to meetings and restaurants. Today, a colleague tells me the capital feels like Paris 100 years ago.
* Honduras: Historically high homicide rates, particularly driven by gangs (MS-13 and Barrio 18). Of all the Central American countries, Honduras was the one where I felt the least safe.
* Panama: Generally safe for visitors, with caution needed in some city areas. The Darién Gap is a dangerous exception.
* Costa Rica: Often cited as the safest, with strong tourist infrastructure, though petty crime and some violent crime increase caution levels.
* Nicaragua: I’ve been to Costa Rica several times, and although I would agree that it is generally very safe for tourists, I feel safer in Nicaragua. Recorded crime rates are actually lower than in Costa Rica.
If You Go to Nicaragua
This is what you’ll see…
Colonial Cities & Culture
* Granada: A beautifully preserved colonial city on Lake Nicaragua, known for its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, cathedrals, and vibrant atmosphere.
* León: Rich in history and revolutionary spirit, famous for its stunning León Cathedral (Central America’s largest), lively student scene, and proximity to volcano activities.
Volcanoes & Nature
* Ometepe Island: A unique island in Lake Nicaragua formed by two volcanoes (Concepción and Maderas), offering hiking, kayaking, and rich biodiversity.
* Masaya Volcano National Park: See an active volcano crater with glowing lava at night.
* Laguna de Apoyo: A stunning, deep-blue volcanic crater lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, and relaxing.
Beaches & Surfing
* San Juan del Sur: A popular, bustling surf town with beautiful surrounding beaches and a lively party scene.
* Popoyo & Tola Area: Known for excellent, less-crowded surf breaks for all levels, quieter vibes, and stunning sunsets. This is where Rancho Santana is located.
* Las Peñitas: A nearby beach. Great for sunsets and turtle releases.
* Corn Islands: Remote, laid-back islands with turquoise waters, excellent diving/snorkeling, and a distinct Caribbean culture.
