Casa Cantamar is one of the few truly beach front homes with swimming pool available for vacation rental in this area. It is situated on perhaps Nicaragua's most beautiful stretch of sand, and is conveniently located right between two premiere surf breaks. The space Property Type: Beachfront house Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 3/3 Occupancy: up to 6 Distance to Beach: Right there Surf Breaks: Colorado/Panga Drops/Los Perros *Rates are based on group sizes of up to a max of 6 people. Description: Casa Cantamar is one of the few truly beachfront homes in the area that offers a private swimming pool and Rancho. It is situated on perhaps Nicaragua's most beautiful stretch of sand, and is conveniently located right between two premiere surf breaks. Casa Cantamar is a traditionally built colonial style home using lots of local tile and quality hardwood finishes. It has three generously sized bedrooms, each with big views of the sea. The two upstairs bedrooms have mahogany floors and private bathrooms. All three bedrooms have a queen and a twin bed. Each bedroom has its own full bathroom. There are sliding wood doors that open to the decks, varanda, and ocean beyond. The downstairs bedroom has terra cotta floors, ocean view, and enjoys its own private access to the outside. The house is also equipped with AC in the bedrooms, wifi, back up battery system (in the event of a power outage), a safe for your valuables, housekeeping and we offer an optional meal plan! Please note that the housekeeping staff will do any laundry you may have as they are the only ones with access to the washer and dryer in the house. This service is included with your stay. Activities: This home is located within the Hacienda Iguana development, which is known for its world-class surf breaks. There are 4 surf breaks within walking distance- Playa Colorado, Panga Drops and Los Perros are in the neighborhood and Playa Amarillo is to the south of Playa Colorado (walkable at low tide). We also have a beautiful 9-hole golf course. The course is well designed, beautifully maintained and very affordable to guests. We would be pleased to arrange airport transfers or a variety of other tours, activities and excursions for you before or during your stay: - Private and group yoga classes - Surf lessons and guided surf trips - Boat and fishing charters - Massage and spa treatments - Hot springs - Horseback riding - Local community tours Food supplies: The best place to get groceries is La Colonia in Rivas, 100m south of the turn off for Tola on the right (west) side of the street. (While in Rivas, you should also top off your fuel because these are the closest gas stations to where you are staying). We HIGHLY recommend stocking up on all or as many of the groceries you will need for your entire stay OR if you don’t want to deal with planning, shopping, and preparing meals ask us about booking the meal plan, our full service catering option. Eating out: There are several great food options within the Hacienda Iguana development. The most visited and only beachfront option is Pili's Kitchen, located at the Beach Club in front of the Colorado Break. It offers a variety of fresh foods, juices, smoothies and full bar. In La Joya next to the Eco Casitas is The Salty Koala, serving up amazing Asian cuisine and craft cocktails. In the commercial zone of the development (where NSR is located) you will find the rest of the culinary options. Above our office is the legendary Casa Ananas, which offers authentic Italian cuisine, pizza and daily international special nights. Next to our office/surf shop you'll find Downtown Iguana, which offers seafood and authentic Nicaraguan cuisine at a fair price. Across the street you'll find Scoops and Spokes, which serves up some amazing homemade ice cream, good coffee, baked goods, paninis and fresh juices. A few doors down is the Iguana Brewery, offering sports bar fare and local craft beer. Other spots and restaurants in the general area (but outside the Hacienda Iguana development) that are worth checking out are: Gigante (El Pozo, Juntos and Giant’s Foot Surf Camp for Burger Night every Monday), Rancho Santana (The Club House, La Boquita tapas restaurant and La Taquería -ask us how to get to la Taquería walking from Iguana) Limón 1 (Avila’s taquería), Limón 2 (La Calabria brick oven pizza), Jiquelite-Playa Santana (Malibu Popoyo, Buena Onda, Costa Oeste, Aloha Bungalows) Popoyo (Mag Rock, Café con Leche), Las Salinas (Todo con Amor restaurant) Guasacate (Finca Wayuu, Dutchy's Deli, Viento Este) and many more! Shopping: We have a well merchandised store (NSR Surf Shop) located inside the Hacienda Iguana development, which offers souvenirs, surf accessories, clothing, beach towels, flip flops, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuits, wet suit vests and tops, rash guards and more! We also rent scooters, dirt bikes, surfboards, boogie boards and SUPs out of this location as well. Other businesses in the Hacienda Iguana community include Pure Spa, 2 small convenience stores with a variety of grocery items, and an ATM is located on the property. Other activities in the development include yoga, horseback riding and in-home massage. The Riviera commercial plaza is located within a half mile of the Hacienda Iguana entrance. Businesses in this shopping center include BAC bank with ATM machine, a small grocery store (with the basics) and Bagels and Bakes, a cafe with daily home-baked goods and coffee. Getting Around: This property is located a 2-2.5 hours drive from the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua, and approximately 4 hours from the Liberia airport in Costa Rica. Most of the major vehicle rental agencies have locations at the Managua airport (we recommend you make a reservation in advance). If renting a vehicle, we feel its only necessary to have a 4wd if planning to travel to some of the beaches further south (in the San Juan del Sur area). If one prefers not to rent a vehicle, we can arrange airport transportation and daily sightseeing/surf trips. We have motorcycle and scooter rentals available and we can also arrange vehicle and boat transport to other surf breaks in the area. There is also the option of renting a vehicle from Alamo and National, which has an office next to Hacienda Iguana.

## The Space

Casa Cantamar is one of the rare beachfront homes in the area that features a private swimming pool and a Rancho. Located on what is arguably Nicaragua's most beautiful stretch of sand, it sits conveniently between two premier surf breaks.

This traditionally built colonial-style house incorporates local tile and high-quality hardwood finishes throughout. It offers three spacious bedrooms, each providing expansive ocean views. The two bedrooms upstairs feature mahogany floors and private bathrooms. Every bedroom includes a queen bed and a twin bed, along with its own full bathroom.

Sliding wooden doors open to decks, a veranda, and the ocean beyond. The downstairs bedroom has terra cotta floors, an ocean view, and private outdoor access.

Additional amenities include air conditioning in the bedrooms, Wi-Fi, a backup battery system for power outages, a safe for valuables, housekeeping services, and an optional meal plan. Housekeeping staff handle laundry as they are the only ones with access to the washer and dryer; this service is included with your stay.

### Property Details

- Property type: Beachfront house  
- Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 3 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms  
- Maximum occupancy: 6 people  
- Distance to beach: Direct beachfront  
- Nearby surf breaks: Colorado, Panga Drops, Los Perros  

## Location and Activities

Casa Cantamar is situated within the Hacienda Iguana development, renowned for its world-class surf breaks. Four surf spots are within walking distance: Playa Colorado, Panga Drops, Los Perros, and Playa Amarillo (walkable at low tide, south of Playa Colorado).

The development also features a beautiful 9-hole golf course that is well-maintained, thoughtfully designed, and affordable for guests.

We can assist with arranging airport transfers and a variety of tours and activities, including:

- Private and group yoga classes  
- Surf lessons and guided surf trips  
- Boat and fishing charters  
- Massage and spa treatments  
- Visits to hot springs  
- Horseback riding  
- Local community tours  

## Food Supplies and Dining

The best grocery shopping option is La Colonia in Rivas, located 100 meters south of the turnoff for Tola on the west side of the street. It is advisable to fill up on fuel in Rivas as these are the closest gas stations to the property.

We highly recommend stocking up on groceries for your entire stay. Alternatively, you can opt for our full-service meal plan to avoid the hassle of shopping and cooking.

### Dining Options within Hacienda Iguana

- Pili's Kitchen at the Beach Club (beachfront at Colorado Break) offers fresh food, juices, smoothies, and a full bar.  
- The Salty Koala in La Joya (next to Eco Casitas) serves Asian cuisine and craft cocktails.  
- Casa Ananas, located above our office, provides authentic Italian dishes, pizza, and international specials.  
- Downtown Iguana, near our office and surf shop, offers seafood and traditional Nicaraguan meals at reasonable prices.  
- Scoops and Spokes serves homemade ice cream, coffee, baked goods, paninis, and fresh juices.  
- Iguana Brewery offers sports bar fare and local craft beers.  

### Nearby Restaurants Outside Hacienda Iguana

- Gigante area: El Pozo, Juntos, Giant’s Foot Surf Camp (Burger Night on Mondays)  
- Rancho Santana: The Club House, La Boquita tapas, La Taquería (walking directions available)  
- Limón 1: Avila’s Taquería  
- Limón 2: La Calabria brick oven pizza  
- Jiquelite-Playa Santana: Malibu Popoyo, Buena Onda, Costa Oeste, Aloha Bungalows  
- Popoyo: Mag Rock, Café con Leche  
- Las Salinas: Todo con Amor restaurant  
- Guasacate: Finca Wayuu, Dutchy's Deli, Viento Este  

## Shopping and Services

Inside Hacienda Iguana, NSR Surf Shop offers a variety of items including souvenirs, surf accessories, clothing, beach towels, flip flops, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuits, wetsuit vests and tops, rash guards, and more. The shop also rents scooters, dirt bikes, surfboards, boogie boards, and stand-up paddleboards.

Additional businesses in the community include:

- Pure Spa  
- Two small convenience stores with grocery basics  
- An on-site ATM  

Other activities available within the development are yoga, horseback riding, and in-home massage.

The Riviera commercial plaza, about half a mile from Hacienda Iguana’s entrance, features:

- BAC bank with ATM  
- A small grocery store with essentials  
- Bagels and Bakes café offering daily fresh baked goods and coffee  

## Getting Around

Casa Cantamar is approximately a 2 to 2.5-hour drive from Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua and about 4 hours from Liberia Airport in Costa Rica.

Most major car rental agencies operate at Managua airport; advance reservations are recommended. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is only necessary if you plan to visit beaches further south near San Juan del Sur.

If you prefer not to rent a car, we can arrange airport transfers and daily sightseeing or surf trips. Motorcycle and scooter rentals are also available. Additionally, we can organize vehicle and boat transportation to other surf breaks in the area.

There are rental offices for Alamo and National car agencies located near Hacienda Iguana.

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Maximum Occupancy

3BR villa in Hacienda Iguana

Casa Cantamar: Inviting outdoor space on the sand - Houses for Rent in Tola, Rivas, Nicaragua

The stay in Cantamar was good! It has many things to improve: outdoor fans, better blackout curtains for the light, and a place to put the surfboards (essential). The food service is not so good. The portions are very small, and things are missing. The only thing that happened to us was that there was a scorpion on my son's bed while he was sleeping, and he was very scared. They came to fumigate later, but it was the first night and that room was not used anymore. It has little light and many bugs (especially crabs). The oven in the kitchen wasn't working, a small detail. Everything on the top floor was impeccable. The exterior urgently needs ceiling fans!! Lots of flies. We had a nice week and will definitely come back to Nicaragua! Thanks.

La estadía en Cantamar fue buena! Tiene muchas cosas para mejorar: ventiladores en el exterior, mejores cortinas blackout para la luz, lugar para poner las tablas de surf (fundamental). El servicio de comida no es tan bueno, porciones muy escasas y faltan cosas. Lo único que nos pasó es que en la cama de mi hijo había un alacrán cuando dormía y se ha asustado mucho. Vinieron a fumigar después pero fue la primera noche y ese cuarto no se utilizó más, tiene poca luz y muchos bichos (especialmente cangrejos). La cocina no funcionaba el horno, pequeño detalle. La planta alta todo impecable. Exterior le faltan ventiladores de techo urgente!! Muchas moscas. Pasamos una linda semana y volveremos a Nicaragua seguro! Gracias.

Excellent house. Excellent support from Nsr. I just hope I can return every year

Casa excelente. Apoio dsa Nsr excelente. Só espero poder retornar todo ano

Place was as described. Great location all around. Town was easy to navigate. Staff was very attentive to yard and helped with cleaning and laundry. NSR was very responsive.

second time back and cant wait until the third! always a perfect time and loved staying at this house - perfectly situated bt panga and colorados. Jose + Alejandra were super helpful , NSR makes everything super easy!

This is our second time staying in Casa Cantamar and we had another lovely stay! The location is PERFECT. Completely beach front - no packing a cooler and all your things for a day at the beach needed - just walk right out the back door. Sitting on the portico is like living in a Corona commercial. Just stunning and quiet. We had an issue with one of the A/C’s but someone was there within minutes of us letting them know. The whole staff goes above and beyond - Jose is a true concierge and the meals made by Alejandra were so fresh and delicious and very clearly made with love. The house needs a few updates but we appreciate the charm and simplicity of this perfectly located home.

Make sure to connect with Jose at NSR. He is the best!!!

We loved our stay in Nicaragua!! The place was an amazing location right on the beach! I enjoyed hanging out in the pool while being able to watch my boyfriend surf right out front! Our concierge was FANTASTIC and took great care of us! One thing to note is that the windows and doors are old and don’t close completely so we did experience bugs and small crabs coming into the house. We used bug spray every day and neither of us got any bug bites and my boyfriend was able to capture and relocate the crabs. I would definitely come back and recommend it to friends!

We love Haciendas Iguana and have stayed a few places there, this was by far my favorite place. The location was perfection and the house was fantastic!

Just wow. Stop looking. Book this. Amazing. Everything amazing. The house. The pool. The beach. Clean comfortable and peaceful. They have a team to help and answer questions. The absolute best staff for anything you might need. Thank you Jose !

It was right at the beach with swimming pool. Everything matched the pictures and in house cooking service was so convenient and the food was delicious. Kids spent great time swimming and surfing all day.  Definitely will come back.

Great spot close to the waves. Meal package was good and host was responsive!

AMAZING STAY. Great location, very clean and GREAT LOCATION. Very friendly and accomodating to requests.

Amazing villa right on the beach, photos are accurate, everything you need to relax!

Great location - just steps from Panga Drops! A little tricky to find. You might try using Waze instead of [other] map apps. But READ the instructions, and pay attention, don't just blindly follow your phone! (Perhaps, good life advice as well.)

Our second stay at this spot and still couldn’t be happier with the location. Surf right outside the back door, a 3 min walk to  Colorados, a pristine pool and strong AC in the bedrooms. Kitchen is well stocked for cooking in though also fun to explore the few restaurant in the village. Def pack bug spray!

I stayed at this house for 5 nights and there was a lot to review. I’ll start with the PROS: Great location steps from the beach, secluded beach, security, loads of amenities. Golf, restaurants with good food, clinic, markets, rental shops. Large pool, spacious for 6 adults. Good communication with hosts. CONS: Bug situation is serious! Lots of rain made in intolerable to step outside after the rain. There was a snake in the pool and it was scary. Over 30 crabs crawling in and out of the house. Really loud frogs at night. Main house has no AC and it was smoldering hot inside. Pack n play cost extra and was broken. Beach is too rough for small kids or inexperienced swimmers. AC in the rooms was acting up and during they day doesn’t cool very well. For the price point I wouldn’t consider returning to this particular property.

Hello Diane, thank you for your review. We are glad you mostly enjoyed your stay and would like to address your items of concern. It is the beginning of rainy season and as Nicaragua is a tropical country. Bugs and other critters come quite alive during this time of the year! We periodically fumigate all of our properties for inside bugs, but unfortunately not all are in our control. As for the A/C, this house does not include air conditioning in the living areas. The bedrooms all have A/C and during your stay, there were some issues due to electrical fluctuations in the public grid. These were corrected as quickly as possible. The pack and play is in good condition. If you required assistance setting it up, we would have been happy to send a staff a member to help! The ocean this time of year does have quite big waves, which is why you probably saw a lot of surfers in the water. We recommend swimming at low tide to avoid the heavier swell. Hopefully you can visit again at another time of the year when the waves are smaller and the ocean is much more kid-friendly. We hope that despite these issues you still had a good stay in Hacienda Iguana and we look forward to welcoming you again at another time. Thank you, NSR

Unbelievable location with beach and pool out the backdoor!  Attentive staff and lots to do. Watch out for the crabs that come in each night.

La casa muy linda y limpia.  Muy atentos todos

My experience with the house, NSR, Jose, and the whole team what excellent. The house, while not very modern and new is lovely, comfortable, and AN INCREDIBLE LOCATION.  The house is literally steps from the waves.  The outdoor seating areas, pool, hammocks on multiple floors was wonderful.  We enjoyed our stay so much and appreciated Jose's constant contact and check-ins to ensure we had what we needed.  Every question I had was answered promptly and plans were made for us quickly and with little effort.  Jose even bought fresh seafood for us and delivered it to our house as I didn't have a car rental.  Wonderful experience.

Amazing place to stay. Outdoor area is 10/10. Panga drops surf break is a n view of the balcony.

Magnifique maison au bord de l'océan, très bien équipée, très propre et spacieuse. Très belle piscine, vue incroyable ! Réactivité de l'équipe, très bon entretien journalier. L'environnement est idéal, enceinte privée et sécurisée, nature omniprésente, plusieurs bars et restaurants, supérette à proximité. Un super séjour d'un mois en famille, 2 adultes avec 2 enfants en bas âge. Merci, nous reviendrons, c'était parfait !

Perfect spot for a family trip! Short walk from panga drops surf break and similar walk to the break at playa Colorado. The house itself is cozy, wifi and AC work great, pool is fantastic and lots of shaded outdoor space. Great value, highly recommend

Incredible house and location! Waves and sunshine for days. Good AC, nice beds, solid kitchen. Pool was perfect for my non-surfer. Beach towels were plus. Beware going out to watch the sunset - got eaten alive by bugs but 100% worth the itch. No smart TV but we made movie night work on a laptop. Chris at NSR was available to answer any questions and help set up excursions. Breakfast or ice cream at Scoops & Spokes is a must! If you plan on cooking most meals, definitely shop in Rivas on your way in. Delightful community and great vibe in the water. We'll be back!

The house is located inside Hacienda La Iguana community, and they are having issues with uninvited guests, a copy of your passport or driver license will be requested to allow you entrance to the community/resort.  We encountered some issues with the A/C units, but we got fast response from the host. The house is very well equipped, nice and spacious, location and views are great.   Great cleaning and gardening services.

NSR is an amazing team for renting , they are very committed. They always help you with anything!

Beautiful house right on the beach amazing old school Nicaraguan architecture. Best house near Panga

The NSR team and NSR's onsite guy, Chris, are on top of it. Excellent communication prior to arriving and Chris is like a genie that makes things happen quickly. We wanted to rent a truck for a few days so I dropped Chris a line. He not only passed along a local contact but also collected two official direct quotes for us from another agency and sent them over. Just above and beyond....and with genuine caring and just a good person. Casa Cantamar is beautiful with more of an original HI flavor with more color, traditional tiles and warm tones. Very cozy. This more authentic feel seems to be becoming less common with more Miami Vice type homes popping up around HI. We hope that Cantamar does not change it's style too much so we may keep returning to its flavor.

Catamar house is Amazing! Nothing better than a beach front house in a beautiful beach.

We loved this spot. I’ve stayed in more than 5 different locations in Hacienda Iguana and there’s nothing like being right on the water. You can check the surf at panga drops right from the front lawn and Colorados and the beach club are just a short walk. The house was great and equipped to house large and small groups. We were just 2 people and the home didn’t feel way too big and I’m sure it would have been just fine with 4 more. My favorite parts were the front yard, pool, shade and Nicaraguan charm and art throughout. Kitchen well equipped and communication was on point. Highly recommend this home and if the owner ever puts it on the market and I hit some small lottery, I’d buy it in a heartbeat! Deacachimba! 🤙

Great communication, easy to check-in and out, house was spotless! Overall, my fam and I enjoy our weekend there… we definitely recommend it, and we’ll be going back..

Amazing sunsets, just by the beach, pool and exteriors are awesome! As you can read above, we had a great time at Cantamar. The house was very clean at arrival. The place looks as the pictures. The beach is long and clean and just there! The house has enough plates, cutlery and appliances. The pool has good depth. I travelled with my 82 years old father. The pool has easy steps for my father to get in. The bedroom downstairs is perfect while traveling with senior citizens. Sunsets are breathtaking. The communication was good with the administrators. One feels very secured in this property. I would love to return one day!

Great staff and communication! Hose is our favorite on the whole stretch of beach! Love everything about our stay here and will always recommend and return to beautiful hacienda iguana!

The home is amazing and NSR was more than helpful. Home is right on the water with a great outside patio and pool. We had surf right outside the house. One room is located on the lower level and two master suites on the second floor. Chris and Corey were overly helpful with booking and while we were there. We will 100% stay there for our next stay!

Place is amazing. The restaurants in the community have great food, Chris is super responsive and set everything up perfectly and house has the perfect set up. Best place I have stayed in Nicaragua or Costa Rica.

What an incredible trip! Casa Cantamar was situated perfectly - only about a 7min walk south to the main Playa Colorados break. The house was very clean and tidy, the pool was the perfect temp, and nothing beats hanging outside under the cabana watching the ocean. Having AC in the bedrooms was also a huge win. Highly recommend staying at this perfect little beach house!

Nice resort! Friendly, helpful staff that communicated well. Beautiful beach. We walked everyday, and surfed with the borrowed surfboards available to guests. Lunch by the pool and beach at the bar and grill was delicious. Try the shrimp tacos and the smoothies! The house was very nice. The house itself had many rooms to retreat for some quiet time, and the backyard was open and spacious for socializing. Beautiful surroundings to enjoy the sunset, and the stars at night. We would definitely stay here again!

La casita Cantamar tiene la ubicación ideal sobre el mar y cuenta con mucho espacio al aire libre con sombra, lo que permite el disfrute todo el día sin que el sol haga daño. Esto destacable pues no todas las casas lo tienen. Tiene el tamaño justo para 6 personas cómodas y cuenta con todo lo necesario. Muy linda!

Amazing house. Right on the beach. With a pool. Within Hacienda Iguana so you have access to all the development has to offer. Beautiful sunsets.

Great house and a fantastic location for walking access to two incredible surf breaks. I would rent again.

excellent !, the location is incredible. the house is beautiful.

3BR Villa