Rancho Santana Vacation Rentals

Beachfront villas on Playa Rosada, ocean-view homes with pools and easy condos near Playa Santana, all inside Rancho Santana’s gated 2,700-acre community on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast. It’s one of the easiest places in the country to holiday with kids, and you book directly with our local team in Tola.

Not sure which home fits? Tell us your dates and who’s coming. Want to explore the area first? Read our Popoyo and Tola travel guide.

Homes on or near the beach

Villa Lupita

Beachfront · sleeps 8

Right on the water at Playa Rosada, with gardens, a big central patio and a private path down to the sand. Minimum 3 to 5 nights.

Casa Buena Vida

3 bedrooms · 3 bathrooms + guest cottage · sleeps 8

A pool, hammocks, air conditioning throughout and a short walk to Playa Rosada for sunset.

Casa Tortuga

Ocean views · sleeps 6

Just behind the Playa Rosada clubhouse and steps from the sand, with a generous primary suite opening onto a patio.

Casa Carolina (Rancho Santana)

Ocean views · sleeps 6

A renovated villa about 150 metres from Playa Santana and a 4-minute walk to the clubhouse.

Casa Flying Pigs

3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 6

About 300 metres from Playa Santana and a 2-minute walk to the clubhouse, restaurant and pool.

Homes with pools and ocean views

Casa Pacifica

Private pool · sleeps 10

Open-plan living looking over the pool to the ocean, a big second-floor terrace and a large dining table for groups.

Casa Alegre

3 bedrooms · 3 bathrooms · sleeps 6

A hillside villa with a private pool and ocean-view terraces, a 3-minute walk from the clubhouse.

Vistas al Mar

3 en-suite bedrooms · sleeps 6

One of the first homes built in Rancho Santana, with Nicaraguan hardwoods, a pool and a palm-roofed family area.

Condo 4B

3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 6

A ground-floor condo with air conditioning, a shared pool, a backup generator and views of Playa Santana. Minimum 3 to 5 nights.

Casita V17

2 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms

A charming casita with a sea-view terrace, a short walk from the clubhouse and Playa Santana.

Rates change by season, and Rancho Santana adds a resort fee per guest per night on top of the rental (about $17.50 at the time of writing). Open a home to check prices and availability for your dates.

What it’s like to stay in Rancho Santana

Five beaches: Playa Santana, Playa Rosada, Playa Escondida, Playa Duna and Playa Los Perros. Los Perros is the family beach, with a beach club and surf lessons.
Things to do inside the gates: restaurants, a kids’ club for ages 5 to 12, surf lessons for kids from age 3, horseback riding, sandboarding on Playa Duna, hiking and mountain biking. Turtle hatchling releases usually run from August to October.
Getting around: some homes are a short walk from a clubhouse, but the community is big, so you’ll want a car to get between the beaches.
Medical care nearby: the 24-hour Roberto Clemente Health Clinic is on the main road just outside the gate.
Surf: Playa Rosada has a left reef for intermediate and advanced surfers, and Popoyo and Beginners Bay are just up the coast. See the surf guide, or book a few days of coaching with our sister company Nicaragua Surf Camp on Beginners Bay.
Getting here: about 2 to 2.5 hours from Managua airport by car. See how to get here.

Own or want to own in Rancho Santana?

If you own a home here, we can manage it for you: guest bookings, cleaning, maintenance and care while you’re away. See property management with Emerald Investment. Thinking of buying? Our sister company Emerald Real Estate has Rancho Santana homes for sale and a guide to buying property in Nicaragua.

Rancho Santana rentals FAQ

Which Rancho Santana rental is best for a big family?

Casa Pacifica sleeps up to 10. Villa Lupita and Casa Buena Vida each sleep 8.

Which homes are closest to the beach?

Villa Lupita is right on Playa Rosada, Casa Tortuga and Casa Buena Vida are steps from it, and Casa Carolina is about 150 metres from Playa Santana.

Are there extra fees in Rancho Santana?

Yes. Rancho Santana charges a resort fee per guest per night on top of the rental rate. Some homes also have a security deposit or a charge for extra guests. We’ll confirm the full price before you book.

Is Rancho Santana good for young kids?

It’s one of the best bases on the coast for families: gated, spread out, with a family beach, a kids’ club and restaurants close by. As everywhere in Nicaragua, there are no lifeguards, so watch the water.