#hulakai hotel

[marissajmullen]

It’s hard to explain a trip like this to someone who wasn’t there. Something about this place is truly magical. I felt like I was really able to connect with myself and breathe again. It could have been the excess of vitamin d that’s currently absent in the gray concrete jungle of New York, or being able to spend time with two of my closest friends in the most breathtaking landscape, or the pure spontaneity of hopping on backs of motorbikes and pick up trucks to get around, or jumping in the cold waves, doing yoga overlooking the ocean, eating the best food, drinking lots of rum, and sailing on catamarans with fresh ceviche. this post doesn’t even do this trip justice. I left Playa Maderas feeling whole again.

WHERE TO STAY 

The hardest part of this trip was getting there. We flew into Managua and had a taxi drive us 2.5 hours to San Juan Del Sur. From there, you drive 30 minutes north up a dirt road and arrive in Playa Maderas. Maderas is a little community of 4-5 boutique hostel/hotels overlooking ocean. Each hostel has their own vibe, all laid back with full bars and the most insane views. We stayed at Hulakai, where my good friend has been living and working over the past 5 months. Every morning they cook you the best breakfast (included with the room!) and offer 9am yoga on their upstairs terrace with panoramic views of the pacific. At nights, they have “family dinner” where they create a communal table and everyone from the hotel can meet each other while delving into the delicious cuisine of the night. Tuesday’s are “taco tuesday” with music, $1 tacos and $2 rum drinks. The beach is a short walk down the hill and the sunsets are unlike anything I’ve seen before. I would live here if I could. Best part is that it’s really affordable. I was hesitant about this trip due to my 24-year-old-post-college-poor-nyc-resident budget but the most expensive part was the flight. 

WHAT TO DO

Other trips I’ve been usually consist of packed itineraries and constant movement. This time, we truly lived in the present and went with the flow of the day. We had a few planned activities here and there, but for the most part we were able to CHILL. However, here’s the good stuff: 

Sunday Funday - The most notorious bar crawl in Central America. Happens every single Sunday in San Juan Del Sur. You start at a hostel in town, followed by a hostel on the beach and end the night at a hostel up on a hill for the sunset. It was very “mtv spring break” but less trashy and cheaper drinks. Definitely an experience

Taco Tuesday - At Hulakai, every Tuesday

Catamaran Tour - This was one of the more expensive things we did, but totally worth it. You sail on a catamaran to a private beach where you can swim, drink beer, play in the sand, etc. While sailing back in the sunset they provide you with fresh ceviche and guacamole & mai tais. 

Also check out Arte Sano Cafe, Cervecería, Auric Surf, Maderas Village, various taco stands & fresh coconuts in town

Definitely going back. 

[imdayanapires]

There are far, better things ahead than any we leave behind. Happy New Year with my girl at 🇳🇮 #2019 #happynewyear #nica #puravida #reset #love #life (at HulaKai Hotel and Ecological Community) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsKH4amDxJg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jtsb8xqn25y7

[victoriastevens]

#nicaragua #thankyouhulakai!!!!! (at HulaKai Hotel and Ecological Community)