Travel Matters Insight

Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge

About…

Secretly positioned in a 1,100-hectare reforestation project & 900-hectare private nature reserve, access to Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge is only possible by crossing a 50-yard jungle suspension bridge…concealed, as if it were a secret!

The Lodge itself has been designed to embrace the tropical effervescence of the surrounding setting, as well as being equipped with a host of architectural luxuries that ensure total comfort. In fact, the greatest feat of Morgan’s Rock is its integration with nature. For instance, each Bungalow has been constructed with tropical woods, sourced from responsibly managed logging and reforestation projects in Nicaragua and are built upon hand-cut & tailor-made volcanic stone foundations. The key notion here is to preserve Nicaragua’s ecosystems & wildlife and enhance cultural preservation and community involvement.

The location of the Eco-lodge will have you bleary eyed! This sanctuary is just off the Pacific shoreline, so you can expect white sandy beaches and emerald waters of Playa Ocotal. Between August through October the local turtles lay eggs in these beaches – Morgan’s Rock are happy to organise discreet and professionally assisted tours of this marvel. Coming inland will unmask a host of fascinating flora & fauna, as well as the rainforest’s estuary. This runs through its core, making it an ideal home for Bukhara Deer, Howler & Spider Monkeys, Sloths and an array of tropical birds.

Depending on the size of your party, Morgan’s Rock has 18 Bungalows and Villa choices - the Ocean View Bungalows, Ocean View Bungalows with Plunge Pools, Forest View Bungalows with Plunge Pools and Ocean View Two Bedroom Villas. Each of these is furnished with a King size bed, a Queen size sofa bed and private deck/terrace with a hanging bed hammock.

During your day Morgan’s Rock concierge team are able to help organise trips and activities. Guests are always welcome to use La Bastide Restaurant, the Commodore Bar and Beach Bar. If you are in search of some R&R, look no further than the Beach Front Spa where a host of soothing treatments are on offer. Afterwards, pay a visit to the main pool, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Morgan’s Rock private beach.

Key Sustainable Features…

Morgan’s Rock Hacienda is an Ecolodge, which is defined by the International Tourism Society as embracing these core guidelines:

• Be in a nature-based location

• Benefit local people

• Offer interpretative programs

Morgan’s Rock also makes use of practising the International Tourism Society’s additional guidelines of:

• Acquire water through sustainable means and reduce consumption

• Contribute to conservation of local natural resources

• Fit seamlessly into the local physical, cultural, architectural, and landscaping contexts

• Impact natural surroundings minimally during construction

• Involve the local community in the planning stages

• Provide for careful handling and disposal of solid waste

• Use traditional building technology and materials when possible

• Utilise renewal energy sources

Portions of the Resort are located on low-impact agricultural land and sustainable tropical forestland that offer about 60% of the natural ingredients used by the restaurants at the lodge, as well as an organic shrimp farm.

A holiday at Morgan’s Rock will ensure that you & your guests are immersed in all things sustainable. The Resort continuously promotes sustainable travel practices that allow guest involvement. This is a holiday that will be filled with unforgettable experiences engrossed in nature, all whilst minimising your human footprint.

Travel Matters Highlights…

Morgan’s Rock are experts in Experience Days! Never has Travel Matters been lucky enough to work with a partner who do so much to ensure guest stays are filled with fun & educational activities. Each supplementary experience provides a platform for learning and excitement. For instance, get seated on a mountain bike and get to know Morgan ́s Rock Private Reserve on two wheels, or enjoy the Monkey & Sloth Quest and try to seek out the different species of monkeys in the forest. Choose from the list below and you won’t be disappointed -

•27’ Centre-Console Fishing •Bird Watching •Breakfast at the Farm •Catch your Shrimp •Hacienda Farm Experience •Horseback Riding •Jungle Biking •Jungle Night Walk
•Jungle Walk •Las Tinajas Hike •Life on Open Sea •Mangrove Kayaking •Monkey & Sloth Quest •Morgan’s Rock Turtles •Nicaragua Cultural •Organic Farming •Puma Hike •Snorkelling •Sport Fishing •Sunset on a Boat •Sunset on the Hill Hike •Surfing Lessons •The Magic of Reforestation •Turtle Watching •Visit San Juan by Boat •Ziplining

Map & Location…

Nicaragua is a country in Central America that is bordered by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean Sea to its East, Costa Rica to the south and the Pacific Ocean on its West coast. Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge can be found on the Western part of the country, in the coastal town of San Juan del Sur. Due to its proximity with Managua, this part of Nicaragua is blessed with rugged landscapes, mountainous regions, valleys and around 40 volcanoes…some of which are still active. The landscape of San Juan del Sur is particularly blessed with marvellous rainforests and dreamlike beaches.

Nicaragua's colonial past has left an undeniably unique fingerprint in terms of it architecture, derived from its colonialised Spanish and British history. Town centres, Cathedrals, museums, plazas and cobbled streets have maintained their Baroque, Neoclassical, Gothic, Renaissance and Mudejar influences. Venturing further afield will unmask Nicaragua's, relatively untouched, formidable outdoors. Here you can take to the sea and explore underwater caves or canoe through alligator-infested wetlands. If you want to stay dry, then remain inland and discover untouched rainforests, isolated indigenous communities and overrun pre-Columbian ruins.

Nicaragua is a destination for lovers of the outdoors, who are keen to voyage further into the unnkown!