After Renting a Nicaraguan Private Island for $650 a Day: Insights We Wished We Had Known

My buddy was hitting forty and insisted on celebrating the milestone In a grand and exceptional manner, she planned to rent a private island in Nicaragua for $650 per night.

At first, I had trouble grasping the idea of leasing an entire island due to various factors. Primarily, the price point was concerning; it appeared almost too good to be accurate. Attempting to rent one left me perplexed. private island On Amalfi Island in Italy, rentals can easily exceed $250,000 per week. Some other islands are so exclusive (and presumably very pricey) that their listings discreetly state " inquire with team for pricing."

Transportation posed another issue. While the concept of leasing our own private island feels like an ideal scenario, neither my colleagues nor I possess a yacht or even a boat. This raised concerns regarding access to the island, made me anxious due to potential isolation, and had me pondering the time required should anything from the mainland be urgently necessary.

Next up is safety. I found myself pondering just how secure it might be to lease a private island. However, those worries vanished once we reached our luxurious retreat. It seems that numerous proprietors and managers of these exclusive getaways handle both logistics and security efficiently. Additionally, leasing a private island can actually turn out to be quite budget-friendly.

Can You Actually Rent an Island?

Nicaragua is famously called the "land of lakes and volcanoes." This nation embodies both water and fire, with over 50 volcanic cone structures and being home to the biggest freshwater lake. Central America According to Britannica, Lake Nicaragua contains over 400 islands, with approximately 300 situated within five miles of Granada City along its northwestern shoreline.

A lot of these islands have private ownership, with proprietors developing essential facilities. Numerous private island owners lease their properties to tourists, offering over a dozen options for guests to pick from.

Where to Reserve and What to Anticipate

Platforms like Airbnb, Expedia, and VRBO serve as excellent resources for renting private islands in Nicaragua. These options vary widely in price; you can choose something more affordable or opt for luxury accommodations. Certain private islands come equipped with fully functional kitchens where guests may prepare their meals, similar to staying at a resort. However, some islands provide an additional perk: access to a personal chef for around $70 daily (for the entire party), not including grocery expenses throughout your visit. This was precisely what we experienced during our stay on one particular island.

Private island owners provide round-trip transportation to and from the property. It’s typically combined in total costs. Extra boat rides for your party to and from the mainland cost an average of $7 one-way.

Properties located on private islands come with staff dedicated to ensuring safety. During our visit, we were provided with security personnel, a house manager, as well as a captain—all of whom remained present during our entire stay.

Important Considerations Before You Book

Many of these residences are nestled within natural surroundings, which means you might have some up-close experiences with local fauna. Fortunately, we didn’t run into any creepy critters like snakes, but we did spot monkeys, colorful birds, and lizards instead.

Carry additional insect repellent. This point cannot be emphasized too much. Make certain you inquire with your host regarding pest prevention measures, particularly when your group is asleep during the nighttime hours. An excellent host should ensure that there are mosquito nets available for both the beds and outdoor seating areas. Unfortunately, our party did not have such luck.

Review the facilities available on each private island. A highlight of our visit was having access to kayaks, guided boat tours led by friendly island personnel, and our party enjoyed individual 90-minute massages at an additional cost of $40 per day, per person.

Would We Lease a Private Island Once More?

The rental property looked stunning from the exterior, yet we faced some issues with our host, who seemed somewhat ill-prepared for our visit. Upon arriving, we noticed that one room lacked a mosquito net, and one bed still had its protective plastic wrapping intact. However, the household staff were excellent and promptly addressed the situation by installing a new mosquito net above the bed.

Although our Airbnb host raised some concerns, these issues do not overshadow the incredible times I shared with my buddies. After much planning, we managed to turn our group chat discussions into an actual journey. A single disappointing hosting experience should not negate the numerous alternatives available for us to pick from.

As previously mentioned, we all concurred that we would handle things differently next time. Make certain to go through every single review for the properties thoroughly, regardless of whether they have been honored with a "best of award." It’s advisable to communicate directly with the hosts prior to making a booking. Should anything seem unclear or make you uneasy, address these concerns before finalizing your reservation.

The post After Leasing a Private Nicaraguan Island for $650 Per Day, These Are the Things We Wished We Had Known first appeared on Travel Noire.