Santosha Surf Sanctuary & Wellness

Santosha is a spectacularly, beautiful place, with every detail accounted for. Every morning begins with the sound of birds and the evening is crowned with sumptuous food made by talented local chefs. We especially appreciated that the food was both Nicaraguan, and authentic, but with a creative Asian flair. Amazing beaches are just a few steps away, and the sunsets are to die for. Most of all Heidi treats her guest with such care, and the staff are incredibly welcoming and kind. If you are in the San Juan del Sur area this is a must do destination!

My boyfriend and I stayed at Santosha and had an incredible stay. It is just that, a sanctuary. The hotel grounds are beautifully decorated and we loved the room. It felt cozy and clean and I feel like the photos didn't do them justice. We did not need AC or hot water and were perfectly comfortable without. The food was SO delicious, healthy and filling. Heidi and Adan were great hosts and we really enjoyed talking with them and we really appreciated how the chef, Eliseo, explained our meals to us. We spent a few hours down at Playa Escameca and there were only a few people there and we enjoyed playing corn hole there as well and in case you please Pickleball, there are courts just 10 minutes away. I highly recommend this spot. We are already planning another trip down during the next mass turtle arrival as this location is only 10 minutes from La Flor, the turtle reserve. Just book it, you will love it! =)

We recently celebrated our anniversary at Santosha and felt so at ease and taken care of from the moment we entered their beautiful sanctuary. We started off with sunset cocktails in their lovely pool and then we were escorted into the restaurant for our dinner. The food was absolutely incredible, unlike anything else we've had in Nicaragua. We knew it was going to be Thai inspired, but I don't think we expected it to be so fantastic. Thank you very much for such a perfect evening, we'd recommend it to everyone.

We had a very frustrating experience where the hotel’s "sanctuary" marketing didn't match the reality of our stay. The beautiful food and friendly staff cannot make up for the lack of privacy and "nickel-and-diming" at this hotel. The rooms are open-roofed (you hear neighbors snoring) and poorly curtained, so people at the pool can see right in. If booking ask for one of the few private bungalows, to avoid feeling like sharing a room with strangers. Also be aware of unexpected charges. We were billed for basic things offered to us without any mention of extra costs, such as vegetable milk. Most disappointingly, we were charged just to store our luggage for a few hours after checkout—again, without prior notice. The property has very strict, rigid timings for all meals, making spontaneous planning impossible. To top it off, when our transfer was delayed by traffic, we were essentially asked to leave the property immediately. For the price point, the lack of transparency and flexibility was very disappointing.

From before arrival to after departure, our experience was serine. Hedi has created a tranquil and unique paradise. My personal highlight was the dinner menu. The food itself was out of this world. We will definitely be coming back!

You won't find anything this special in all of Nicaragua. An oasis with the best chef in the country. Truly a delight to taste the most wonderful fresh, caught that day in the sea, picked in their garden, deliciously prepared creations. All while surrounded by lush jungle with waves crashing the shore a short distance away.

I spent three days in Santosha with my friends and that was definitely one of the best vacations that I’ve ever had. The location is closed to three very clean and private beaches of sand and rocks that are perfect for surfing or just relaxing. Besides that it also has a swimming pool without border where you can enjoy the beautiful sunset of the Pacific Ocean. The owner Heidi is an expert of fusion cuisine. She combined perfectly the freshness of local ingredients and various Asian flavors and presented us some incredibly delicious dishes. It’s definitely an ideal place to get away from city life and enjoy the Mother Nature for a few days.

Being here felt like stepping into a hidden Shangri-La, where the world’s noise dissolves into waves, birdsong, and the whisper of palms. Time slows as the ocean cradles you, and nights unfold beneath a vast canopy of stars.||Santosha draws you into a nirvana-like state of soulful peace — not just relaxation, but a gentle homecoming to yourself, where stillness and clarity embrace you like an old friend. A true sanctuary for the spirit.||Santosha and its wonderful team have truly captured our hearts, leaving us renewed and uplifted. We already look forward to returning.