FAQ
Verdad Nicaragua
beach hotel & retreat
Booking Policy
There is tax rate of 17% for rooms. Credit cards can be used for payments of your deposit through our website or PayPal; we require full payment of room upon booking.
Should you encounter any difficulties making the payment on booking, please contact us.
All other expenses (board rental, bar tab, etc....) can be paid at the end of your stay. Please ensure your dollar bills are in good condition, as any notes with tears, ink stains, etc. are deemed unacceptable in Nicaragua (Note: the closest ATM is in San Juan del Sur).
Please note there is an extra fee for guests beyond double occupancy of $25 pp.
Check-in time is 3pm and check-out time is 11am. We are happy to store luggage at the front desk so our guests can relax and enjoy the common areas before checking in or after checking out.
Cancellation Policy
If a cancellation is received 120 days or more before the arrival date of the reservation then a full refund will be issued. Any cancellation inside the 120 day period will not be refunded. Changes to reservations will be made if possible and at management's discretion, any refunds resulting from changes are subject to the same cancellation policy rules.
Getting here from the airports
We can help arrange a shuttle/driver pick-up from either Liberia ( LIR) Costa Rica or Managua (MGA) Nicaragua. Verdad is about a 2.5 hour drive from both airports. There are also several rental car agencies (we recommend Dollar as they also have vehicles and an office in San Juan Del Sur, which is about 15 minutes from Verdad). Please contact us with any of your transport needs and we are happy to assist you.
Directions from Rivas
From the Virgin past Rivas on the road to San Juan Del Sur it is about 17.3km to the Pali Grocery Store. Just past Pali make a left turn heading South on the road toward Ostianal/Playa Yankee/Coco. Go 2.6 km and the road will fork, stay to your left toward Coco/Ostianal/Hermosa/Yankee. Go 4.6km on the paved road then continue on the unpaved road for another 5.7km. You will see a sign for Costa Dulce on your left and our turn is on the right. Go 1.4km and you will see the sign and entrance to Verdad at Costa Dulce.
What can we do while at Verdad?
Whether on land or sea, there are many things to do right here at Verdad, including hiking local trails, snorkeling, horseback riding, deep sea fishing, and of course, world-class surfing, boogie boarding, ocean swimming, body surfing and just relaxing on a hammock with a book. In addition, we can help arrange a variety of off-site adventures to various tourist attractions such as a nearby zip-line canopy tour, the colonial city of Granada, the tropical island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua, the Masaya Volcano and Artisan Market and the village of San Juan del Sur.
Is there surfing, fishing, snorkeling in the area?
There are surf instructors and board rentals based right on our beach, Playa Escameca. You can also venture out straight from our beach for snorkeling, or we can arrange a boat trip so you can check out various places along the neighboring shores to enjoy the underwater world. You can bring your gear from home, or rent here. Additionally, we can arrange both on and offshore fishing expeditions. We have two boats available, one flat bottom deep-sea fishing boat and one smaller panga.
How can we get around once on site?
You can of course walk to our beach and nearby beaches, but if you want to travel further than your feet can take you, we offer transportation services to most locations throughout the country. Please inquire if you have somewhere you’d like to go we haven’t mentioned above, but know there’s plenty to see and do close to us, so you won’t need to venture far!
How far away is…?
The Managua Airport is about 2.5 hours.
The Costa Rican border is an hour’s drive from us and the Liberia Airport in Costa Rica is another hour from there. If you are travelling to or from Costa Rica, you need to account for time to cross the border which can take as little as 10 minutes or well over an hour depending on the time of day, year and how many agents happen to be working.
San Juan del Sur is the closest major town with about 15,000 people (not including tourists). It’s a 20-25 minute drive from Verdad.
Granada, a colonial town on Lake Nicaragua, is about 2 hrs by car
Isla de Ometepe is at least a full day adventure, and more likely you will want to spend the night. The ferry to the island is in San Jorge which is about an hour from us, and the ferry ride is just under and hour and a half. The island is 31 km long and 5-10 km wide. It’s shaped like a peanut with a volcano on each side.
Is there a pool on site?
We have a modest pool with an honor bar, pool chairs and sun deck that is open to all guests of Verdad Nicaragua whenever they care to use it.
Do you supply shampoo and soap?
We provide both shampoo and soap in each room, but we encourage you to bring your own favorite cosmetics for your use.
Is there WiFi?
Yes, WiFi is available on site and it’s free, but given that Nicaragua is a developing country, the internet connection can be inconsistent. We hope you unplug and indulge in the serenity of our beautiful beach and natural setting.
Are there restaurants or stores nearby?
Verdad serves breakfast and dinner every day in our beautiful on site dining room. In addition there is a beach bar on Playa Escameca that serves fresh smoothies, cold beer, cocktails and lunch. There are a couple of pulperias (mini-markets) that have some cosmetics and sundries which are about a 10 minute ride from us in Playa Coco. There’s a restaurant there as well. We are 20-25 minutes from San Juan del Sur which has a variety of markets, drug stores, restaurants, and bars.
What else should I know before I come?
Verdad Nicaragua is 100% solar powered. We still have the occasional interruptions of electricity service. The outages usually last for only an hour or two, so it is unlikely you will be without power for long during your stay.
What are the safety features of your property?
We have staff on throughout the day and night including guards who roam the property from sundown ‘til sun up. You can lock your cabin front door when you leave, and your belongings will be safe, but we don’t recommend bringing valuable jewels and the like to Nicaragua.
Is the water potable?
We provide purified water at the restaurant and pool bar for drinking. Although you can safely bathe and brush your teeth with the tap water, we don’t recommend drinking a glass full.
What are your check-in and check-out times?
Our check in time is 3pm, although you are welcome to come earlier and hang out at the beach or restaurant if you arrive before and your room is not ready. Check out time is 11:00 am, but we are happy to accommodate a late checkout whenever there is availability. Also, you may safely leave your luggage at reception at checkout time, and you're welcome to spend a little extra time relaxing here at Verdad Nicaragua before taking off.
What is the tipping policy?
To allow for a more relaxing stay here at the resort we recommend that guests wishing to leave tips for the staff do so upon check out, rather than each time service is provided. Any tips left are at the total discretion of the guest and can either be given to specific persons, departments, or left with the front desk to be shared amongst all staff. It is customary and we recommend leaving a 10% tip for our staff.
Are there fans or air-conditioning in the rooms?
We want our guests to be as comfortable as possible; however we are mindful of our electricity use. All of our cabins are situated and designed to take full advantage of the near constant breezes on our hilltop. They each have a powerful ceiling fan as well which makes a great alternative to air conditioning and keeps everyone comfortably cool. The two habitation/rooms by our pool have both fans and air-conditioners.
Is the ocean water warm or cold?
The water temperature changes with the seasons and global conditions. The water is quite warm from May to December. Starting in January and through March, when the temperature on land begins to rise, the Humboldt Current passes the Nicaraguan Pacific Coast which makes the water cooler. Depending on what you are used to and the activities you do before diving in, the water can feel either very refreshing or perhaps a bit chilly during these months, but never too cold to enjoy. As a rule of thumb, once water temperatures drop, the fishing season begins to take off. So, the water might be a little cooler in the winter months, but fresh fish is more plentiful.
Is Nicaragua a safe place?
Nicaragua has come a long way in the last several decades. Since the Nicaraguan Revolution of 1978-1979, it has become the safest country in the region, outdoing both Costa Rica and Panama on this front. Although this developing nation is one of the poorest in the Western hemisphere, it is a beautifully diverse and culturally rich country that is remarkably safe, with low crime rates. Tourists should use normal, common sense when traveling around Nicaragua.
What is the best season to visit?
The weather at Verdad from mid-November through April is a temperate 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit both night and day. You may experience a few light morning showers and a handful of windy days during these months. From May to August, the temperature will rise a bit and you will have warm beach days with a couple more light showers lasting around an hour or two, but nothing that would put a damper on your vacation. Heavy rains begin in late September and carry into October, but these are great months to surf the big swells.
Do I need to bring Cordobas (the local currency)?
The USD is readily accepted in most parts of Nicaragua. Verdad and most other establishments in our area accept dollars but will give you change back in the local currency. Please note that all of Verdad’s prices are in US dollars. The closest ATM, which dispenses both cordobas and US dollars, is located in the village of San Juan del Sur which is a 20-25 minute drive.
Should I take anti-malaria meds?
Mosquitos and other insects are present within Nicaragua but are not much of an issue in our area. The entire Southern Pacific side of Nicaragua where we are located has no malaria transmission. Since we are in this no risk area, we do not provide bed-nets. For more information about recommended vaccines and medications, please visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov.
How close is the nearest hospital?
There is a small hospital located in San Juan del Sur (20-25 minutes away) and a hospital in Rivas 45 minutes away that can deal with more serious injuries or illnesses. The largest and most sophisticated hospital is in Managua, 2.5 hours away
