Hacienda Mérida

Overview

Description

Formed by two volcanoes rising from the middle of Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe Island is a true tropical paradise that offers visitors a unique and fantastic experience. Hotel Hacienda Mérida (formerly one of the most important farms of the Somoza family) welcomes you with spectacular sunsets, beautiful views of the Maderas and Concepcion Volcanoes, a fishing dock, high speed internet, and direct access to Lake Nicaragua. Our hotel is the perfect place for an unforgettable vacation.

Guests at Hacienda Mérida can participate in the following fun activities:

• Visit the San Ramon Waterfall (180 meter drop) within the Madera National Park. Biking to the San Ramon Waterfall trail head takes about 20 minutes.
• Hike, bike, or horseback ride to the Petroglyphs at El Porvenir. Biking to the Petroglyphs takes about 35 minutes.
• Visit the Water Eye (freshwater springs) via bus, hiking, or biking.
• Kayak to the Istian River (swamps) and to the Monkey Islands.
• Swim, dive, and fish in the calm waters at our pier.
• Take a trip in our 26-foot sailboat to the Charco Verde Reserve.
• Go tubing in Lake Nicaragua (up to 4 persons at the same time).
• Mountain bike to any of the following places:
  • Santo Domingo beaches (30 to 45 minutes)
  • Colonial city of Altagracia (1.5 hours)
  • Fresh water springs (60 minutes)
  • 38 km circling the Madera National Park (3 to 5 hours)
• Hike to the crater lake in Maderas National Park (1,394 meters) with a local guide.
• Volunteer to teach English to local children. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of two weeks. Ability to speak Spanish is not a requirement. See our website for more details.

Rooms

We offer 11 spacious, private rooms with views of the lake, hammocks, fans, private bathrooms and very comfortable beds. We also have quad rooms with private bathrooms, four dorms with shared bathrooms, and space for camping.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 26

Percentage of local employees: 100%

At Hacienda Mérida, we consider the education of Nicaragua's population of utmost importance. We have set up programs to improve education in the rural community where we are located, and as we expand, we will be able to offer the same programs to children in nearby communities, giving them the possibility of a better future.

Education is a crucial force for change. In Nicaragua, education needs to be radically revised. Only 2% of our children finish high school and 62% do not even reach fifth grade; as a result, 30% of the population is illiterate. Below is a list of initiatives we are undertaking:

• Free bilingual education for local children.
• 3D high-relief fiberglass signs that have short slogans and simple pictures that discourage poaching, capturing animals for the pet trade, and harassing wild animals.
• Free veterinary care to the local community.
• Migratory bird educational project with local children.
• Plastic recycling project.
• Free internet access for local students.

A full description can be found on our Education webpage - see the "Additional Websites" section below.

Rates

$25 or less

A 15% local tax is non-negotiable. Prices are the same year-round.

For information about rates, please visit:

• www.hmerida.com/english/rooms (available in English).
• www.hmerida.com/espanol/rooms (available in Spanish).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Liberia (LIR)

Nearest local/national airport: Managua (MGA)

Travel time to nearest airport: 4 hours

A 4x4 vehicle is required for the last 3 miles (5 km).

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

On October 28, 2009, Hacienda Mérida was awarded with the Jaime Incer Barquero National Prize for Innovation and Human Development, which attracted community development leaders from across Nicaragua.

The contest, run by the Nicaraguan Science and Technology Council (Conicyt) and supported by the United Nations, rewarded the creation and implementation of sustainable social and environmental projects that have the potential to be replicated by others. Other entrants in the competition included the University of Commercial Science (UCC) and the National University from Managua and León, but these institutions left without prizes, highlighting the fact that it doesn’t take a big budget and a Ph.D to make a lasting and important difference. Read more.

Additional Web sites

• vianica.com/hotels/269/hotel-hacienda-merida (available in English and Spanish). Our profile on the Viancia website.
• www.hmerida.com/english/projects/education (available in English). More information about Hacienda Mérida’s education projects on the hotel’s website. This page is also available in Spanish.

Files

• Hacienda Mérida Wins First Prize for Contributions to Innovation & Human Development
• Environmental and technical education in rural zones of Ometepe Island - Descriptions of Hacienda Mérida's sustainable projects (with photos).
• Brochure for Hacienda Mérida
• Map of Ometepe Island

Date This Information Was Provided

July 2011.

Photos courtesy of Hacienda Mérida, Nicaragua, for SustainableTrip.org.