The Best Bed & Breakfasts in Granada, Nicaragua

Behind an unassuming pink façade, this characterful B&B has six rooms set around two inner patios brimming with tropical palms. Balcony rooms offer evocative views over terracotta rooftops, and the shaded pool is a cool place to unwind. Hearty breakfasts come with juice and artisan bread, and you can use the kitchen to cook your own meals. The B&B lies a block from the family-run Doña Elba Cigar Factory and 15 minutes from the central plaza and Calle La Calzada – head to the latter in the evening for restaurants and nightlife.

The family-friendly Casa Cubana is a colonial-style house painted bright blue on the outside and has a central patio suffused with lush greenery. Four-poster beds in the suites complement the antique furnishings and checkerboard tiles. A small pool is the place for a refreshing dip, and hammocks offer the chance to lounge. Filling breakfasts are served Nica-style, with gallo pinto and eggs made to order. Away from the busy center, the hotel is a few blocks from Xalteva Church and a 15-minute stroll to the restaurants and bars of Calle La Calzada.

The views over Granada and the vast Lake Cocibolca (also known as Lake Nicaragua) are a highlight at this sustainably run ecolodge. Hidden away on a hill at the foot of the Mombacho volcano, you’re close to the wildlife of the surrounding forest, which includes hovering hummingbirds and howler monkeys. Run by a French restaurateur and his Hungarian partner, the breakfasts are made with fresh ingredients sourced from the organic garden. An outdoor pool makes unwinding easy, and the remote location far from city lights means the night sky is resplendent.

Named after the national folk instrument, the marimba, this funky B&B on the shore of the Laguna de Apoyo crater lake is a 30-minute drive from the center of Granada. You can plunge into the salty lake water, which is warmed by volcanic fumaroles, kayak to explore the shore or just chill in one of the palm-thatched hangout areas. Bright rooms come with mosquito nets and fans. A yoga deck is used for morning classes, and there’s a tiny thatched bar for evening cocktails. Breakfasts include fresh fruit, eggs made to order and Nica staples such as gallo pinto.

This stylish colonial bed and breakfast in Granada is an oasis of peace with tastefully decorated halls, a manicured tropical garden and a kidney-shaped pool. Rooms are elegantly furnished, and high ceilings keep things cool. The buffet breakfast includes fresh fruits, scrambled eggs, Nica favorites such as plantains and fried cheese, and the staff will happily cater to your needs if you’re vegetarian. Located on a quiet street, it’s just one block from the main restaurant and bar area and midway between the Cathedral of Grenada and Lake Cocibolca, making it a great base for exploring the city.

A short walk from the cathedral and popular attractions such as the ChocoMuseo, this affordably priced, family-friendly B&B has two large patios, colonial furnishings and simple but comfy rooms. There are hangout spaces with rocking chairs and hammocks in the corridors, and cat lovers will adore the owners’ pets. Use of the kitchen is a bonus if you’re on a budget, and there’s an honor system for beers and soft drinks in the fridge. Breakfasts are cooked to order with all the usual Nica sides available.

A backpacker favorite for many years, this affordable hostel is located a few blocks from the central plaza and close to the central market and bus terminal. The small dorms and private rooms are simple but clean. You’ll have free use of the kitchen, and the friendly staff are a mine of information when it comes to local tours, best bars and onward travel. A small pool in the central patio is the perfect place to swap tales with fellow travelers, while the all-you-can-eat pancake and banana breakfast is the blowout you need for a long day of sightseeing.

In a quiet spot several blocks from the main bar and restaurant area, this modern take on a colonial house offers comfortable rooms set around a plunge pool. They’re tastefully furnished with large beds and quirky local art and crafts, while wicker chairs and sofas offer comfort in the communal areas. Five rooms come with a kitchen. The emphasis here is on relaxation – morning yoga classes on a palm-thatched yoga deck are included. Healthy breakfasts are made with tasty tropical fruits and local, organic ingredients.