Totoco Eco-Project

What an amazing place to stay! If you want peace tranquillity and to feel at one with nature, definitely stay here...if you want parties or be close to shops/restaurants then don't! Everything is lovely and well looked after, the views are the best around and the staff are really friendly and welcoming. Really good value for the price, we loved our stay here. The walk up is a bit of a trek but its definitely managable if you have a decent level of fitness. However, when we got here we realised we would be happy to just stay here and enjoy the peace, atmosphere and picturesque views from the pool, so didn't bother going down much, other than a planned trip when we got scooters. It is more of a challenge and cost to get to, because of the location but again, this was exactly what we wanted, to escape and feel at peace, sipping cocktails watching lovely sunsets. As much as people have said its dated, yes it isn't brand new, but I think for an eco lodge it's actually quite luxurious. Compost loo in the rooms, but running water in basin and a gorgeous open air shower where you can see Concepcion whilst in the shower, along with the moon and stars all in one if you shower at the right time!

My friend and I did a girls trip to Nicaragua and booked this hotel, because of the views and what we had read online. It definitely met our expectations. This hotel is perfect if you are looking to be away from things. The stars at night are abundant and you have a perfect view from the pool deck. Sunrise and sunsets are equally as beautiful. The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. The food at the restaurant was good. In the evening we enjoyed nightcaps at the bar and chatted with other guests and staff. The beds are comfortably firm, and our room was very clean. I would like to add you are in the middle of a jungle, and may have a few friends (bugs) share your bungalow with you. Sitting on our deck we saw at least three different types of birds, one of them a hummingbird! The hotel is not shiny and new as it appears in some photos online, but it did not affect my opinion of the place or my stay. I hope to be back one day soon. Thanks you so much Miguel and staff!!!

So let’s start with the one good thing about Totoco; the setting and views are sensational. Concepcion towers magnificently and is an ever-present and stunning backdrop. The lodge however is a disaster. Poorly maintained (our bathroom door handle fell off on arrival), it has clearly been left to rot by its new European owners. We were advised in Granada by another hotelier that it was not what it once was but this little prepared us for a pool that is falling to bits, broken tiles throughout including in the bathrooms, leaking thatched roofs long overdue replacement, barely edible food, torn mosquito nets and so on. How they justify up to $100 a night for this dump is baffling. We stayed four nights and were the only guests for three which was not a surprise. The staff were pleasant - it is not their fault after all - but with so few guests these were kept to a minimum so sometimes they couldn’t provide simple services like making cocktails or finding ice. It’s such a shame as Totoco could be paradise if the necessary investments in new plumbing, new beds, redecorating, new roofs etc could be made. Currently, the owners are taking the money and running. One separate point to note for information is the walk to/from charming Balgue. It’s exactly one mile and a walk we enjoyed day and night. However, it’s not for the faint hearted. The track is steep and also very uneven in parts, suitable only for four wheel drives and ATVs. At night some quite scary dogs can also come for you! Be prepared. We have been travelling in Central America for six weeks and this has been our poorest stay by far which is sad as Ometepe is beautiful and should feature on everyone’s Nica list.

We stayed 3 nights at Totoco and wished we could have stayed longer. What made it so memorable is first and foremost the location high on the slopes of Volcan Maderas, overlooking Concepcion. The view is stunning and can be enjoyed from the beautiful pool and garden and the terrace with a sundowner. The rooms are separate lodges set apart in the grounds, these are high ceilinged which keep them cool (no aircon required) and have outside bathrooms so you can even shower in the moonlight, which was lovely! We woke early each morning to the sound of Howler Monkeys and came across a tarantula one evening walking back to our lodge, so you are definitely amongst nature. One thing to be aware of: Totoco is reached via a 1km unmade/partially paved bumpy track, we were prepared and hired an SUV, I would not want to try to drive it in a regular car. Also, this means that although we explored during the day, we did not venture out in the evening, so dinner was taken at Totoco (the food was great, freshly prepared, albeit from a limited menu). Other plus points: friendly and helpful staff, before we arrived, Miguel made reservations on the Ometepe ferry for us. We are glad we made the journey to Ometepe and very glad that we stayed at Totoco.

Very happy here! Views were stunning. Staff was incredible and transportation charges they organized were fair. The compost toilet took a little getting used to and the smell wasn't unbearable but if it's the kind of thing that bothers you ask for a flush toilet.

We came to this hotel to check out their pool and restaurant area. The property is high up on Volcan Maderas and has spectacular views of Volcan Concepcion. It is a strenuous walk to get up here but the views are well worth it. Restaurant patrons can use the pool for no extra cost. The pool is really nice and has some of the best views in the area. We had a cacao smoothie while we were there and that was delicious. This place is a great place to come for sunset views. Highly recommended.