Casa La Serena offers style, privacy and comfort in this stunning boho style 2-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home with ocean and jungle views and a beautiful private pool for your enjoyment. Cleaning, power generation support and a local team to meet and greet, it is the perfect place for honeymooners, couples and families too! Located in Balcones de Majagual, the villa has incredible views of the Pacific. 200 mega fibre optic internet, newly redone pool The space Please note: The coastal highway near our home is currently under construction and is visible from the property. Access routes may change periodically, and construction activity may be noticeable during daytime hours, including the sound of machinery. Thank you for your understanding as the area continues to develop Casa La Serena- your own secluded piece of paradise in San Juan del Sur. One of Balcones de Majagual most loved homes. Casa La Serena is designed like a romantic hideout: private pool, stone table to dining outside while looking at the ocean, a master bedroom with plantation shutters all the way up (feels like a deluxe tree house) balconies off the primary suite and living room, a comfortable well equipped kitchen, bathrooms with picture windows, and everything built with beautiful exotic woods and good taste. The home is older and shows some age but it is a comfortable place to enjoy being surrounded by a tropical forest teeming with life. Located in the boutique seaside community of Balcones at Majagual, the house is just a fifteen-twenty-minute walk away from the ocean. At Casa La Serena, you will wake up to the sound of birds and the din of the ocean. You will also hear and sometimes see the fantastic howler monkeys. To connect with the outside world, just open your laptop and hook up to the WIFI (unlimited and included in the rate) The house has a second bedroom/study with a full convertible bed, located in the first level with its own private bathroom, picture window and a beautiful wood desk. This makes the home ideal for two couples or a family with older children! Kitchen, dining and pool graciously flow into each other and can be opened to create a unique, ample and fun space. Casa La Serena is located near three of the best surfing and swimming beaches in Nicaragua: Playa Maderas and Playa Majagual. Kayaking, hiking, fishing, or canopy tours can be arranged in the nearby town of San Juan del Sur where you can also enjoy a variety of restaurants and bars. This self-catering home offers a fully equipped kitchen: coffee maker, toaster, dinnerware and silverware for 6, linens and towels, toiletries, hair dryer, safe deposit box, flat screen for DVD player, large closets and unique design touches. Cleaning service is provided on stays over 5 days as is 24 hour security. 4WD vehicle is required to stay at and access Casa La Serena, this is not optional and we can assist with booking this! The house has electric hot water and there's a backup electric generator. Just so you know, the electrical generator runs the fans and the fridge. During power outages, you won't have hot water or a pool pump. The batteries will not last indefinitely and in a prolonged outage- will eventually run dry. This is a bonus feature of the home, and a prolonged power outage will not result in a refund to guests. Take advantage of this quiet and secluded place to enjoy a relaxing vacation. Of note- the home is south-facing with wide-open vistas. This means the home can get quite hot in the afternoons in the months of March and April in the main portion and primary suite. It's a great time to head to the beach :) but if you have health issues affected by heat- you may find it a struggle. Guest access The entire home and pool are yours to enjoy! Other things to note *You can fly to either Liberia Costa Rica or Managua Nicaragua to access the home, travel time is the same at 2hrs *We are 12km or 20mins drive from SJDS *More than two guests are charged at a rate of $15 per person per night *4WD vehicle is required to stay at and access Casa La Serena, this is not optional and we can assist with booking one at a discounted rate.

## The Space

Casa La Serena is a stylish and private boho-inspired home featuring two bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. It offers beautiful ocean and jungle views along with a private pool for your enjoyment. The villa includes cleaning services, power generation support, and a local team available to meet and greet you. This makes it an ideal retreat for honeymooners, couples, and families alike.

The home is located in Balcones de Majagual and boasts incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. It has a newly renovated pool and 200 Mbps fiber optic internet.

Please note that the coastal highway near the property is currently under construction. This may affect access routes and daytime noise from machinery might be noticeable. Thank you for your understanding as the area continues to develop.

Casa La Serena is one of the most cherished homes in Balcones de Majagual. It is designed as a romantic hideaway featuring:

- A private pool
- Stone dining table outdoors with ocean views
- Master bedroom with plantation shutters reaching up to the ceiling, creating a deluxe treehouse feel
- Balconies off the primary suite and living room
- A comfortable, well-equipped kitchen
- Bathrooms with picture windows
- Construction using beautiful exotic woods and tasteful design

While the home shows some age, it remains a comfortable space surrounded by a vibrant tropical forest full of wildlife.

The property is situated in the boutique seaside community of Balcones at Majagual, just a 15 to 20-minute walk from the ocean. Guests wake up to the sounds of birds, ocean waves, and occasionally the calls of howler monkeys. Unlimited Wi-Fi is included, allowing you to stay connected easily.

The second bedroom, which can also serve as a study, is located on the first level. It includes a full convertible bed, a private bathroom, a picture window, and a beautiful wooden desk. This setup is perfect for two couples or families with older children.

The kitchen, dining area, and pool space flow seamlessly into one another, creating a spacious and enjoyable environment.

## Location

Casa La Serena is near three of Nicaragua’s top surfing and swimming beaches, including Playa Maderas and Playa Majagual. The nearby town of San Juan del Sur offers opportunities for kayaking, hiking, fishing, and canopy tours, along with a variety of restaurants and bars.

## Amenities

This self-catering home is equipped with:

- Fully stocked kitchen including a coffee maker and toaster
- Dinnerware and silverware for six guests
- Linens and towels
- Toiletries and hairdryer
- Safe deposit box
- Flat-screen TV with DVD player
- Large closets
- Unique design elements throughout

Cleaning service is provided for stays longer than five days. The property also has 24-hour security.

## Important Details

- A four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle is mandatory for accessing and staying at Casa La Serena. Assistance with booking a 4WD vehicle at a discounted rate is available.
- The house has electric hot water and a backup electric generator. The generator powers fans and the refrigerator during outages, but hot water and the pool pump will not operate. Battery power is limited and may run out during extended outages. Prolonged power interruptions do not qualify for refunds.
- The home faces south with wide-open views, which can cause the main living areas and primary suite to become quite warm in the afternoons during March and April. This is a great time to visit the beach. Guests with heat sensitivity should consider this.

## Guest Access

Guests have full access to the entire home and private pool.

## Additional Information

- The property is approximately 12 kilometers (20 minutes by car) from San Juan del Sur.
- Guests arriving by air can fly into either Liberia, Costa Rica, or Managua, Nicaragua, with similar travel times of about two hours to the property.
- An additional charge of $15 per person per night applies for more than two guests.

Laura

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Maximum Occupancy

2BR villa in San Juan del Sur

Boho Jungle Retreat, ocean views, private pool - Cabins for Rent in San Juan del Sur, Rivas, Nicaragua

The area and the house were exactly what we were looking for. Loved the property itself and was a 5’ drive from the beach we liked the most. The host and staff were nice and attentive. The house has a safe box and, even though you feel safe, I highly recommend you to use it when not at home. I would definitely stay again and recommend the host.

We had a great experience at Casa Serena. Laura and Veronica were both very attentive both prior to arrival and during our stay. The home is in a more remote area outside of SJDS but with easy access to the city. The home has a beautiful view of the ocean and is surrounded by nature. While there, we saw monkeys, lizards, possums, and a few scorpions 🤪 The house was well equipped. Kitchen was easy to cook in, beds were comfortable. As described, the afternoons can get quite warm but we found a quick drive down the ocean around 3pm was the best way to beat the heat. One thing to note that I did not realize when booking (but is clearly noted in the listing), is that the home is made up of 3 separate buildings (two bedroom suites and the kitchen /living room space). For us, this was fine but if you have young children, this would be something to consider. One thing I would suggest is to ask for the cleaners to come more than once a week. Veronica was helpful in setting this up for us.

Wow!! This place has one of the best ocean views I have seen with the most beautiful sunsets. Beautiful and luxurious, fully stocked kitchen and a refreshing clean pool. Easy to navigate to and from SJDS once you do the route once. Bed was super comfy and everything was clean. Just watch out for critters 🦂

The location is great. Close to beaches and 20 minutes to San Juan. There are houses nearby so be prepared to potentially hear the neighbors. We had trouble with the locks and the half bath toilet didnt work even after they came to service it. Also wasn't given a key to laundry room and was locked out the last night with our clothes in the dryer. Over all the stay was fine. Minor details only but would probably stay here again.All of that was worth the pool. The kitchen was well stocked with everything you need.

Thanks for being a great guest, Steve. We've addressed these issues with the half bath toilet- thankfully, there were two other functional bathrooms.  and are super sorry about you getting locked out of the laundry room! An oversight on our teams end.

Hi Laura, Thank you so much for such a wonderful stay! We truly loved our time here in Nicaragua. Your home was beautiful, comfortable, and the perfect place to relax and enjoy our trip. Everything was seamless from start to finish, and we really appreciated your hospitality and attention to detail. It made the whole experience stress-free and memorable for us. Thank you again for opening your home to us — we would absolutely love to come back someday! All the best, Jordan

We had a great stay at Casa Serena. The accommodations have a beautiful view overlooking the ocean with amazing sunsets every night. The open air home is beautiful, rustic and fit into its natural surroundings very well. The pool was amazing, a must have at 30°. Casa Serena is in a very good location close to beaches, a resort, and restaurants. During our two week stay we saw many beautiful birds, howler monkeys, a few spiders, scorpions, and centipedes nothing that you wouldn’t expect living in the jungle. If you’re a light sleeper, I’d suggest earplugs.

We had a phenomenal time at Casa de Serena by balcones, waking up to that view undisturbed was a dream. It's a sprawling property for a couple and it really felt magical. If you do have an option to fly in through Managua definitely do so, Liberia is far more stressful, as the the border crossing can take hours and requires expensive private taxis to get back for your flight. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a peaceful respite, I wish I was still there.

Let me just start this by saying how amazing Laura, Veronica and the rest of the team are. Communication was top notch. This amazing host was so flexible even when a situation arose she was quick to make an alteration in my booking, and still being warm and empathetic toward my situation. It’s with great dismay I didn’t get to meet Laura in person I can already tell what type person she is. I hope one day I get to stay at one of your amazing properties and I hope that one day is soon. Thank you so much for being selfless and so helpful.

Amazing 🤩 to say the least. Beautiful layout, beautiful view. Theres a beach about a 10 mins walk down the hill and each side has beautiful views to enjoy your time. The host was responsive, accommodating, and helpful through and through. Would 100% go back. I would highly suggest arranging the chef, Erika, to come and cook you a meal, soooooo delicious, and she was so sweet too; and decently priced considering how tasty the meal was. Don’t buy groceries, ask for Erika; much better and prices balance out. We LOVED this property. LOVED IT 😍🤩🤯☀️🥰

A place if you want some peace and if you want to be intimate with your love one. Beach access is best to drive. Overall it is a good place.

Thank you, Fahad. It was great to host you.

this place was amazing, I cant tell ypu enough. The 5 minute drive to a beautiful beach with JKitchen bar restaurant was soo convenient. The beds were so comfortable as well. We had a great stay. and would recommend or stay again

It’s always tough to determine how nice an Airbnb will be based on photos alone, but Casa Serena met expectations and was such a great little oasis. The locals at Mujagual were so friendly and Playa Maderas’ surf break was epic! We absolutely loved the place and would highly recommend to our friends.

Great place! I had a great time, really clean, people really nice

Our stay was awesome at Casa La Serena. Very convenient to access the beach and only a short drive into San Juan del Sur. Couldn’t have picked a better location. Super quiet at the house and surrounded by tons of nature. Surf was great and hosts were quick to respond when needed. Thanks!

So nice to have you all Dakota. We hope it's not the last time we see you here in San Juan del Sur.

Excellent to spend time of relaxation , highly recommended in everything, it is a 100/100 to get out of the hustle and routine, you really enjoy and rest. The connection with nature is the most attractive of the local.

Excelente para pasar tiempo de relajación , muy recomendable en todo aspecto, es un 100/100 para salir del bullicio y la rutina, realmente se disfruta y se descansa. La conexión con la naturaleza es lo más atractivo del local.

Laura’s place is just what we were looking for, super quiet, romantic, and nestled in the woods above a cove. It’s not low maintenance, there are lots of instructions to keep critters out, and water is a hassle- buy your own to stay safe. Also the bedroom and bathroom are separated hy a half wall with no door.  But once you get the hang of it it’s lovely to see the forest out the window and feel the indoor/ outdoor space around you. The pool is pretty and cools you off and the beach down the road is a steep walk but 5 min drive with a nice casual restaurant w vegan/ veggie options. The privacy comes at a cost, have a 4x4 and be prepared to use it up and down a steep and not very smooth path. Once you’re up at the house, you can listen to birds, howler monkeys and ocean waves and it will all feel worth it. ps bed is comfortable, WiFi works well and we never lost power despite some pretty rainy nights. Staff at the compound is friendly and keeps to themselves. Washer / dryer or line dry.

Thanks for the excellent detailed review Barbara! Of note - the water is age to drink. We are on a well and you can drink it from the tap (it’s tested annually) but as an added precaution we provide bidons with clay filters. You dining add the tap water and voila! Safe, clean drinking

Casa la Serena was a wonderful place to call home for almost a week and, in particular, to foster the quiet, reflection, and writing I was seeking. It's just as beautiful as pictured, if not more, and offered lots of places to congregate or to take quiet time solo. A planning note: I came as a solo female traveler, without a rental car/4x4, and it was a great option. Though a rental car/4x4 would be ideal, I was able to make it work with: 1. Getting a sedan taxi to/from the entrance, then walking the 7-10 minutes (note: up/down a hill) between the entrance and the house 2. Buying all groceries beforehand, and relying on walking to Playas Majagual and Maderas (and their related restaurants) (I also could have called a taxi to go on farther-flung adventures while staying there, but that wasn't my intention with this particular trip.) I'd happily have another retreat here - at this house and in Balcones de Majagual, generally. Thanks again for all the help, Laura and Veronica!

What a thoughtful review Jeanette. So glad to hear that you found what you were seeking. Looking forward to your return.

Beautiful home in a beautiful location. Excellent communication and coordination all around. Highly recommended!

Rustic open-style house tucked away in the jungle with expansive views of the ocean. A breathtaking property that can’t be recommended highly enough.

This is a beautiful jungle retreat! Generally the house wasn’t as accessible to surf as we had hoped but we made great use of our rental truck (4x4). This is an exciting and safe adventure and is remote so plan ahead! There were wonderful eateries and beautiful beaches and views nearby, as well as great recommendations by the host!

This was our second time at a Balcones de Majagual property. Casa La Serena is a little dated and could use a bit of a refresh. The home is spread out over a cluster of three buildings with two sleeping quarters that share a living space, kitchen, and pool. The setup is fine for couples traveling together or older children. As with all these jungle properties expect to encounter all manner of bugs, scorpions, an occasional wildlife. We had visits from a stray dog, a raccoon, and a frog that dived off the roof and belly flopped into the pool one night. If you are skittish about this type of thing, then Balcones is probably not for you. That said, the surroundings are spectacular. There are panoramic ocean views that frame gorgeous sunsets. The beaches are minutes away. During the green season, the foliage is lush and beautiful. It's quiet, secluded and a very nice escape, if that's what you're looking for. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and plan to check out other casas in the future.

Thank you, Bobby. We look forward to your return.

This place is absolutely incredible, I hope to come back someday and enjoy that view again.

My wife and I were looking for a place that was off the beaten path, with scenic views and peace and quiet. This place delivered that and much more. Epic sunsets, private secluded beaches, panaoramic landscape views, and the sounds of wildlife, gave us an unforgettable 10 year anniversary week. 10/10 would return again

Thank you for this Andrew!  It wa so lovely to host you!

Great stay I really liked the place and the privacy

Excelente estadía me gustó mucho el lugar y la privacidad

This place is truly magical! The surroundings were amazing, very private and with a great view of the ocean and sunset. The house was super clean when we arrived and has all of the amenities you need. The pool is small but wonderful and a great lovely to watch the sunset from with a beer or cocktail. The community is also located next to some of the best beaches! Maderas, Mathilda, Majagual, not too crowded. Mathilda has a great restaurant on the beach where you can chill as well. 100% recommend this place !!!

Awesome host, super helpful for all  recommendations. Definitely a trek there but very peaceful. I would recommend a 4 wheeler or dirt bike for your time there. Very quiet with amazing views. Couldn't recommend Juanitas kitchen enough, just a 10 to 15 minute walk to the beach. If I did it again, I'd get groceries, which the host let us know all the markets around. San Juan Del Sur is 30 minutes, about 35 dollars per trip with a car. She recommended several drivers, super helpful. San Juan was just not as enjoyable as the home and the little community below on the beach. Loved our stay, pool was definitely a saver from the heat!

It was fabulous hosting you Jesse! And it's been super hot these last weeks- glad the pool cooled you off!

Excellent.  wonderful host.  MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEW EVER.  SUNSETS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful spot but it was a bit too secluded for us, we wanted to see more of Nicaragua. Definitely need 4x4 the roads are insane out there. There were snakes and scorpions in the kitchen one morning. Haha was prepared for that but was hoping I wouldn’t see any. Spiders in your towels, make sure you shake them before using. Storms at night kept us awake and it was super hot sleeping. Beautiful place overall.

Thank for the review Danielle! We are super clear in the description that we are out in the jungle, and secluded, and also that a 4 x 4 is absolutely a must. We also are clear that you will 100% encounter nature - at different levels. Overall is sounds like our description was accurate and we encourage guests to read it thoroughly to ensure this is the right place, and right kind of vacation for them. Thank you for the review.

Laura's place was absolutely beautiful!  It was exactly how she described and cannot wait to go back!  I loved sleeping in the open air and could hear the parrots and howler monkeys all around the house.  Laura (and Vero) made sure that I had everything that I needed before and during the trip.  The pool guy was there every morning making sure all of the leaves/debris were out of the pool.  Everyone was as nice as could be.  I couldn't have asked for a better vacation!

We really liked the place. It's beautiful for nature lovers. Everything was there for us to have an enjoyable stay. Hot water, electricity, wifi... nothing was missing. A real paradise!

On a vraiment aimé l’endroit. C’est magnifique pour les amoureux de la nature. Tout était là pour qu’on passe un beau séjour. Eau chaude, électricité, wifi… rien n’a manqué. Un vrai paradis!

I highly recommend this place if you value privacy, peace and nature over luxury, action and air conditioning. Although the home shows some age, it was clean and tidy (and kept that way by housekeeping during our stay). The views and surroundings match the photos and descriptions, stunning. There was an equally peaceful and picturesque beach within a moderate walking distance. The walk back up the hill will have you sweating but upon return you can stand under the outdoor shower or just jump into the cooling pool. We did this daily. There was a little worry about the lack of A/C, but the pool and ceiling fans did the trick. Pick up cooking essentials before arriving, including oil, coffee, etc. Many airbnbs provide these but I can understand why there weren’t any here- nothing can be left out that will attract critters. And there will be critters about. Beautiful architecture, with character, in an incredibly beautiful pocket of Nicaragua. We wish we could have stayed longer.

We appreciate the review Nicole- excellent!

We enjoyed our stay here so much! It was exactly what we hoped for. We were able to see wildlife right from the balconies, the beach and surfing were great and the views were stunning. We would recommend laura’s place to anyone and we hope to be back soon!

We had a wonderful stay! Will definitely be back. Laura and Veronica where amazing hosts. Spent a lot of nights at Juanita’s kitchen, and the beach access was so convenient and secluded. We were so happy with our house and whole experience.

It was so nice having you! Thank you Danielle. Glad this was a memorable stay.

Our stay at Casa La Serena was incredible. It was somehow even better than what we saw in the photos! Laura and Vero made our stay so special by reserving fun things to do. My only fear was seeing critters in the bedroom, and we never saw any! We want to go back already. So peaceful and beautiful.

Hope to see you back Mark! Glad the critters did a solid and stayed out of the bedroom- they tend not listen to our requests so let us know what you said!

What a beautiful home and location! This place has it all, from majestic views of the jungle, sea, and a star filled sky, to unique architecture, a well equipped kitchen, comfy beds, howler monkey wake up calls at 5am, gorgeous sunsets, excellent access to a beautiful beach (with the sweetest beach dogs) and a good beach restaurant, communicative hosts and super lovely caretakers. We stayed for 4 nights but could have easily stayed for a year happy to observe Nicaraguan nature at its best. Book now to experience a little piece of heaven on earth. Just don’t forget your SUV and bug spray!

Beautiful private domain completely shielded from the outside world. Super friendly  and helpful staff. Breathtaking views. If you want to get up every day with the sound of the jungle in your ears, this is the place to be. We will definitely return!

Prachtig privé domein volledig afgeschermd van de buitenwereld. Super vriendelijk  en behulpzaam personeel. Een adembenemend uitzicht. Als je elke dag wilt opstaan met het geluid van de jungle in jouw oren is dit the place to be. Wij keren zeker terug!

We look forward to having you back Hafsa :)

Do not miss out on this listing - if you’re looking for an adventurous jungle-like getaway this is for you. My partner and I absolutely loved our stay. Other reviews are correct in that there are little crawlers around (you’re in the jungle) and it can get loud at night/morning with the howler monkeys. Good to just be aware of these things, but the pros of this place are just overwhelming. Super close to one of the nicest beaches, and the pool was so warm and serene. The sunset is unbelievable. Pictures really don’t do this place justice. Highly recommend if you’re outdoorsy and want a cool experience! Also a really big space.

One of the most unique places I have ever been to and the photos did not oversell at all! This place provided the type of trip that you remember forever! Great spot and great hosts/staff! Felt safe as female travelers and got to see so much wildlife from the comfort of our stay! All around would definitely recommend!

Thank you Sydney! You are welcome anytime!

Casa de la Serena is a dream! We loved the house, neighborhood, and local beach/restaurants! The view from the pool is amazing. Definitely need 4 wheel drive to get up the hills but worth the drive.

Laura’s place was as described! The sunsets are absolutely stunning. The pool water was surprisingly warm throughout the day and night. Although there are other homes around it feels very secluded. The instructions given must be followed or you’ll struggle getting up the hills leading to the property. I recommend stopping by the grocery store first so you don’t have to make repeat trips. The assistant Veronica is amazingly responsive and helpful. She made our trip a huge success. Beware of the raccoons as they are pretty crafty and can get into the kitchen area overnight. The pool is cleaned several times a week, and the cleaners are very friendly. The maid staff come by several times a week and are equally as friendly.

Lovely stay! Relaxing and serene just as described and Veronica, the co-host was just a text away from helping with questions and suggestions. Thank you!

This place is fantastic! A beautiful view and the private pool is amazing. It was a perfect stop for our honeymoon and we loved our stay here!

Casa Serena lived up to its name. So serene and stunning. With the bamboo in the wind and the ocean views, ive never been more relaxed. Laura and her team arranged for massages and private yoga at the house. Will absolutely be back when in Nica.

We will absolutely want to be your hosts again Rob!

We loved our stay in Balcones ❤️ the location and property are beautiful! There are monkeys, birds and butterflies everywhere and incredible sunsets from the pool.. definitely recommend!

It was so great to host you and share Casa La Serena and Balcones with you Susannah!

The house is a show from its design to the wonderful view it has, very well equipped to spend time as a family, I'll be back soon🤩

La casa es un espectáculo desde su diseño hasta la maravillosa vista que tiene, muy bien equipada para pasar en familia, volveré pronto🤩

Wonderful stay, beautiful view and great concept of the home. We spent so much time in the pool. Great place over all!!!

Thank you Lisa! It is so great when people love the house like this!  We certainly do!

Casa La Serena is a very special place to stay in San Juan Del Sur -- It's away from the touristy noise of SJDS central, yet close enough to all the restaurants and amenities you would ever need. One of the better beaches for swimming is a short walk and an even shorter drive away. Stars. Howler monkeys. A refreshing, private pool. Great kitchen setup... And a staff that is on call with any help or questions you might need. This is a great vacation spot to unwind and reset your clock.

Such a great experience hosting you Terrance. Please come back anytime.

This place is amazing. I absolutely loved my stay here. The views are spectacular, the pool is perfect and the Majagual beach is a small and lovely cove.

Thank you Esther! You were a fantastic guest! Please come back anytime.

Great host - thank you so much! Your home made our trip great. Lots to do nearby with a car and very safe area. Wifi was a bit spotty but we didn’t need it!

Thanks Kylie! Great to have you. We can always increase the wifi for guests who do need for their stay. Come back anytime.

Laura was incredibly flexible and responsive. We had an issue regarding entrance into Nicaragua, but Laura and Verónica were helpful and communicative with one member of our party who was able to enter the country. They were able to help with transportation and took care of her getting to the house safely. The view and house were incredible. Hope to be back (myself) in person.

We look forward to that Jessica- I am glad we could make a tough situation a little easier.

I’ve stayed all over the world at different Airbnb’s and this one is AMAZING! Pictures don’t even do it justice. There is lots of privacy and beauty all around you. It has everything you need plus some! We loved being able to head to the beautiful beaches for a bit and then come back to our private pool! The architecture is gorgeous and the setup of this place is perfect for two couples to still have plenty of privacy from one another. I highly recommend having a motorcycle or quad or something like that, makes all the back roads more fun!

Thank you Lauren! Such kind words. Was a pleasure to have you stay.

Casa Serena is a beautiful house in the perfect location for exploring San Juan del Sur and the surrounding area. The beaches within walking distance are beautiful and we mostly had them to ourselves. We woke up each morning and went to sleep each night to the wonderful sounds of the forest. We couldn’t think of a better place to relax and enjoy Nicaragua. We’ll definitely visit again soon!

It is certainly one of the best places to relax we know of! Thank you Greg!

Laura was very kind during the booking process. She answered my questions and gave me the necessary information, with great interest and immediately

Laura fue muy amable durante el proceso de reserva. Atendio mis preguntas y me brindó la información necesaria, con mucho interés y de forma inmediata

The place was exactly as described. It was a convenient location to local beaches and was quiet and secluded.

Thank you Rotem- it was great to have you!

Just as described and definitely something different from our usual holiday but we enjoyed it none the less. Close to beautiful beaches and a short drive from SJDS itself. Probably not for you if you can’t handle insects and other wildlife. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for something a little different.

There really isn't anything  like it! Thanks so much Andrew

An amazing place to plan your stay in San Juan very close to the town and the beaches

The most Gorgeous beach I’ve ever seen, is exactly 1 km away...  this beach is by far my favorite, the property has a special access to the beach which is worth the stay.  We had no trouble with raccoons 🦝 or any other critters... that were promised 😜

The place is spectacular, has breathtaking views, is super private and is totally different from a beach house. It is ideal for a weekend.

El lugar es espectacular, tiene unas vistas impresionantes, es súper privado y es totalmente distinto a una casa en la playa. Es ideal para apartarse un fin de semana.

Laura is a great host, very helpful she guided me through with all the activities and car rental,the location was great!! Our Family had a great time.

This was one of my favorite experiences. There truly is no place like this place. It was a dream to wake up each morning. Laura and her crew were amazing to help with all questions and needs. I will be back! Thanks again for everything. I will never forget it!

Thank you so so much Amber!!  A pleasure to have you!

Amazing and magical location... I came one person and left another.... (which could be due to the daily in house massage which I had...haha

Well those massages combined with the overall vibe is how to do it right!  Looking forward to hosting you again!

We had a wonderful stay.  The house and property are very well maintained and as shown in the images(maybe even better in person.)  Laura and Joel were both beyond helpful - before and during our trip.  Would not think twice about returning and or recommending to others!

Outstanding!!!! If you love deserted beaches and jungle hikes and birds and monkeys and feeling free—- this place is it!

This was maybe the best Airbnb experience I’ve ever had. The house is even larger and beautiful in person. All of the information for my stay was delivered to me via an in person concierge, Gabriela, who was fantastic and available for any questions at any time. The house and property staff were so kind and accommodating. They helped me with any and every thing I needed - which was great since I was alone! I felt completely safe and cannot wait to come back alone and with friends!

We are so glad you felt comfortable and secure and had such a good time Lindsey.  We look forted to welcoming you back :)

The pictures of this place are obviously professional and already give you a good idea of how amazing both the location and this particular accommodation are, and they certainly did not disappoint in real life. We loved it so much that we cancelled some other travel plans in Nicaragua to stay a few days longer (close to 2 weeks in total). In fact, the house and pool were so nice that we're almost embarrassed at spending so much time there at the expense of being more adventurous in our explorations. Some reviews mention the less popular critters in the area, but during our stay we were mostly surprised by the abundance of butterflies, even inside our bedroom. Truly magical. It appears we were also lucky in that the roads had recently been serviced and we only needed 4WD within the steep loop on the community property (within the gates). Driving to town for groceries and elsewhere was easy. We also drove the (unpaved but perfectly fine) coastal road almost all the way down to the Costa Rica border, which was great in general and has some gorgeous hidden coves and beaches along the way. Overall a very memorable experience, that we hope to repeat in the future.

WOW!  Thank you so much Joachim, and thank you for joining the forest around you vs trying to make it go away!  It's a really unique experience at the home.  come back any time!

Much nicer than in the pictures! We'll be back :)

Noch viel schöner als auf den Bildern! Wir kommen wieder :)

I have stayed at Balcones De Majagual twice over the last 3 years. You absolutely need a 4x4 and you have to be comfortable with scorpions, spiders, racoons, rodents, monkeys, bugs, etc... Communciation between the host was great and was very helpful. You are located about a 20 minute drive into San Juan Del Sur and a 5 minute drive to a few really nice beaches. As much as I have enjoyed my time here, you are very secluded and even though they have security walking around you are in middle of nowhere so I could see how it wouldn't be for everyone. I will definitely be back again to Balcones and would recommend this house. There are a few things I would fix , in the living room racoons can easily get into and did at nighttime going through garbage. We ended up putting a seat from outside up against the sliding door that they were able to open which seemed to work. We had a large rodent living in the smaller bedroom which made it hard for my mother to sleep. There is a sliding door that leaves a gap large enough to allow many different things come in and also even though there are locks on some of the doors, the walls are screen and some sliding doors do not have a latch or lock so if someone wants to get in it would be very easy. I would use the safe in the bedroom. A few minor things but overall a great week and can't wait to be back.

Looking forward to having you back and thanks for the review!  We managed to trap those pesky living room raccoons and release them elsewhere.  Hopefully they don't find their way back!

This place is definitely off the beaten path. The ride to town is bumpy and steep but after a few trips you'll be cruising. I definitely recommend seeing if your car rental agency offers a wifi hotspot- our shuttle dropped us off at the car rental office and the property manager didn't meet us & was at times unreachable. So having GPS in the car was definitely clutch. Besides that you cannot deny this place's beauty. There are few places in the world I would rather watch a sunset that from the pool at Casa la Serena. Just keep an eye out for scorpions and giant spiders. All in all, I definitely recommend Casa la Serena and Balcones de Majagual in general. Just keep in mind- this is not the Hilton- you are in the jungle (bugs, animals, scorpions) and no one is there to hold your hand.

Andy- thanks for such an honest review we appreciate it.  And the pool at the home is the best spot in the world to watch the sunset- we agree.

The villa overall, from the views to the accommodation , was extremely relaxing and peaceful. The pictures do not do the sunsets justice. A 4x4 is definitely necessary to reach the villa as the only way to get there is through dirt/gravel roads with potholes everywhere you look. However, it is not necessary to rent a vehicle, a 4x4 taxi is not very hard to find in San Juan del Sur. Communications with the host Laura were very unpleasant. She insisted on renting a vehicle multiple times in a very unpleasant and demeaning manner which put an unnecessary stress on what should have been a relaxing vacation. Once we reached the villa it was smooth sailing from there. We had bought fresh fish and lobster in San Juan the day before, would definitely recommend. The beach is a 15-20min walk from the villa. You can find a few local restaurants in the area. The pool was also cleaned everyday, this was a pleasant surprise. I would suggest putting any food away in cabinets or the fridge. We had a monkey manage to get into the kitchen every night and go through the garbage bin to look for any food. I tried taking a shower the last day, but there was no warm water to my avail. Overall, I would rate our experience 4/5.

Dave thanks for your review and apologies for that cold shower.  We fixed that ASAP and we are super sorry.  I feel that it is important to note that my request for you to comply with house rules set for safety and security was not demeaning.  Demeaning means to humiliate or degrade someone and in no way was that the case.  At no time were you treated in that manner, perhaps it is just a misunderstanding of the word means.  I requested repeatedly that you comply with the rule of the house (which you were aware of) to have a 4WD.   It is written multiple times in the listing, multiple times in the reviews, and is the first message you get with an instant book- you were well aware of the necessity and requirement .  What ended up happening was willful ignorance on your end of the house rules we have put in place solely for our guests safety, and deceitful behaviour on the day of arrival when you notify us you were choosing not to comply.  In the spirit of AIRBNB I did not cancel your stay due to the last minute nature, and our desire to ensure you had accommodations..  I want to be clear we don't get commission on vehicle bookings, we instead offer a discount.  There is no local transport, a challenging cell signal, and the 4 x 4 taxi you speak of is hard to come by- after 8 years of hosting in the country- your stay and opinions are merely a snapshot of the overall conditions and irrelevant. Your decision to write a misleading review that states you don't need to comply with the house rules set up by an owner is a detriment to all future guests who's safety is our upmost concern.

We had a great vacation at Casa de Serena. Beautiful location, great beaches, cool house. Elsi, our meet and greet was so nice and fun. She helped us with Surf lessons and gave us good tips on markets and places to eat. The pool man and the cleaning ladies were very nice and quite thorough. Amazing sunsets from the deck. We saw one scorpion that we kindly removed to the forest and two spiders. Actually I was kinda disappointed cause I like insects but in retrospect glad I did not have to worry about any night time visits in bed!! The pool was a great addition although my daughter did have some skin reactions from the chlorine added to keep it pristine but no one else in our party did. She has sensitive skin. The kitchen is well stocked with everything you need to make great meals. The blender was a hit with all the fresh fruit we bought. Ron Flor de Cana, the local rum is quite good. We bought the seven year. All in all, what a great trip. Will definitely will be back. PS. The sunset horseback ride on the beach was incredible. Erlon and his colleague were so nice and interesting. And definitely check out Mathildes on your basically private beach. Good food and cheap, cold beer. Cheers!

This place is amazing. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend the place for the peace and quiet, gorgeous view, and access to an amazing beach. A few of minor issues: Our host didn’t show up at our agreed upon meeting time, but it turned out just to be a communication breakdown and when we got hold of her she came right away and was very apologetic. She was very friendly and helpful. Also, remember you’re in the jungle. Had a monkey invade the room and eat all of our bananas one night. Came back and raided the garbage can the next night. Makes for a good story anyway.

Wow! This place is amazing!! We absolutely hope to return one day!

If you book a stay at Casa La Serena, you can look forward to a spectacular experience by the sea and in the tropical forest right in front of your own pool! The house and the untouched nature in the area as well as the secluded beach nearby allow for a very private holiday. The support of the host is excellent!

Wer einen Aufenthalt in Casa La Serena bucht, kann sich auf ein spektakuläres Erlebnis am Meer und im tropischen Wald direkt vor dem eigenen Pool freuen! Das Haus und die unberührte Natur in der Umgebung sowie der einsame Strand in der Nähe ermöglichen einen sehr privaten Urlaub. Die Betreuung der Gastgeberin ist ausgezeichnet!

This unique House is perfectly located with a spectacular view over the bay of Playa Majagual. Very clean, great architecture and furnished with extraordinary design elements. Located  "in the canopies" of the surrounding forrest we found some scorpions but the house is well equipped with insectizides. The above mentioned monkeys fitted perfectly to the authetic jungle feeling- and they are a much more entertaining alarm clock than any roosters or mobile phones could be. We like to return any time

Incredible views from atop an incredible jungle! The house itself is super unique. We loved the floorplan and the design of the structures. Fully equipped kitchen and outdoor grill made for easy cooking of groceries we picked up at the local market in town--$8 USD bought us a feast for 4. The trek to town is only about 25 minutes but it is pretty rugged. The truck they set us up with was a beast and handled the gnarly terrain with ease. I think the this just adds to the remote jungle retreat experience, but keep in mind you'll probably won't want to travel back and forth to town more than once a day. We anticipated the bugs to be a real issue based on other reviews, but we're shocked when they were pretty non-existent (maybe this is seasonal?) We saw some geckos, spiders and moths but virtually no mosquitos and we even started leaving the big sliding doors open at night! Also on the nature front, Howling monkeys are super cool (bring earplugs if you like to sleep in). The beach is beautiful and quite private. It's only 1km away and you can drive or walk there. Overall, highly recommend.

James thanks so much for the review and particularly about the bugs- we have guests who see one bug on their stay and it's all the write about (this is the jungle and central america so it's pretty much guaranteed you will see a bug)  Your experience was the norm.  We hope to see you back!

Casa La Serena is really comfortable, designed to take advantage of the surroundings, we could breath, listen and enjoy nature. I liked how the pool area and living room/kitchen areas are located creating a nice ample space. Communication with Laura and the local contact, Elsi, was fluent and easy. Loved the access to the beach, just 5 minutes downhill from the house to a private area called Pitahaya Baya, exclusive for the community of Balcones where we could park the car behind the fence of the private property, just in front of the beach. A 4x4 is required to access the place and especially for driving to the beach. My wife and 2 daughters had a great time there, disconnected from the noise of the city and even from the town of San Juan, we drove there just to have dinner, we bought our food to prepare it at the house. It has everything inside. I´ll co back again in December

Oswaldo- we do certainly hope to see you again!  Thank you very much for the kind review, it was a pleasure to host you and your lovely family!

We loved it here, exactly what we were seeking for our stay in San Juan Del Sur.

Short and sweet- thank you Paul.  Come back anytime.

First, I'm going to tell you all the nice things that other reviewers tell you and they are very true. Second, I am going to tell you the unmentioned information that other reviewers don't tell you. The design and spaciousness of the home is one of the best we have ever seen: a four part home that includes a living room, full working kitchen, a guest room and bathroom, a pool, a grilling area and a master bedroom with a full bathroom. The entire home is designed beautifully and worth more than the price you pay for. We loved making food in the kitchen. Privacy is gurrentteed in this home. Although it is located in a resort-like village with a total of 12 homes, the home is surrounded by trees, snugged by nature and has a serene view of the ocean. The room service is excellent. A team of 24 people will serve you at all times for all kinds of needs. There was a cleaning team to clean our home and dishes and a team to clean the pool every other day. They spend great effort to maintain the home to the smallest details. Please tip them well. Now, let's talk about the unmentioned stuff. It was like seeing the minion spiders of Aragog from Harry Potter. Every time my wife and I return to the home, we had to become CSI agents examining every inch of our home for spiders and scorpions but no need for any sight of a detective because they are definitely bigger than your acne from middle school. Look at your hand and turn your palm up and imagine a long- leg spider a size of your palms. At the end of our trip, we have seen and killed so many spiders and scorpions that cockroaches look cute to us in comparison. By the way, monkeys show up at your home at about 5:00 AM every early morning. They are howling monkeys. Never heard of them? Wanna know what they sound like? Open your mouth and close your throat canal and try to suck air into your lungs. Yup. That sound of a suffocating person. That's what they sound like but only 10 times louder and longer. YouTube howling monkeys if you don't believe me. We advise you to watch a nature documentary about spiders and monkeys to prep yourselves mentally. Driving to the nearest town- San Juan De Sur is like a drive on the surface of the moon for 30 minutes- by the end of it you will probably be confused whether you have been on a wave-tossed boat or an actual car. The strongest hair freezing spray will not save your hair from all that head-bobbing movement. Do not think transportation is easy. The cost spent for airport shuttle and renting a car is very high. Higher than your recent acid trip. It is a 3 hours shuttle from the airport to the home and that costs more than $100. Renting...

Thanks so much for your detailed and thoughtful review Chris! It's good for others to know that this is in fact, Nicaragua and the wildlife is quite different, unique, and also, well- wild!  It's a unique space to experience what really is another world in.  Happy travels to you both!

This was the perfect spot for our honeymoon. The view was beautiful and we spent most days enjoying it by the pool. Nice and secluded - I don't think we saw anyone other than the cleaners. The beach is a short walk away and all of the amenities in San Juan del Sur are a short drive. This place was amazing, I'd highly recommend it!

Eric it was wonderful hosting you and we are glad you enjoyed not only the stay but the surrounding area.  The beach is a great walk- we think more people should try doing it!  Wishing you both much happiness!

wonderful airbnb surrounded by nature with a breathetaking view!

This place like most of Nicaragua was beautiful. It was our last city after visiting Granada and Ometepe. It is very romantic and the hosts were very helpful in setting everything up. Creepy crawlers are inevitable so if thats a huge concern, you might want to reconsider Nicaragua. After staying in two other cities that we're thriving with culture and cheap but delicious food and other essentials, we found that San Jaun is a bit of a tourist trap. We got our laundry done for ten times the price it was in the two previous cities. This place is secluded so there isn't as much access to the beautiful culture that Nicaragua has to offer. We also felt that the price of stay isn't quite fair, and when we asked to stay a bit longer were hit up with a $65 dollar fee. This wasn't anything like we had encountered in the other cities, where we interacted with our hosts and were welcomed into a community setting. Overall this place was beautiful, we just felt that this city over all is a surf town filled with European and North American travelers.  

About the Hosts: Laura and Joel were extremely helpful and accommodating. They provided us with tons of information for activities in the area and helped arrange transportation to and from Managua, as well as a private chef for one of the nights of our stay. About the place: While the setting is extremely beautiful, and the home is clean and well maintained we found that the amount of bugs made it very difficult to feel truly relaxed while there (we had three scorpion encounters in 5 days). In addition, the home is very removed from everything - it is at least a 45 minute drive into town, which is the closest place to access groceries, restaurants, etc. The best part of the community where Casa La Serena is located is the private beach just a short drive away - stunning views and practically nobody else there. The pictures of the home are all accurate, and the decks, pool and views are really amazing. To sum up, Casa La Serena is a very cool place, but be prepared for a bit of an adventure and bring bug spray!

Casa La Serena is a slice of heaven in Nicaragua! This secluded home was a perfect place for my husband and I to celebrate his birthday. Very clean and well appointed, Casa La Serena is simply gorgeous with an incredibly view. Playa Majagual private beach is minutes away and is a great place to relax and walk on the beach, Playa Maderas is also very near and is a great surf break. We enjoyed the remote location of the home and would love to stay again in the future! 

We'd love to have you stay again too Teresa!  We are so very glad you enjoyed the house!

The house is very remote at the top of a hill which requires you to drive through the jungle for a bit. We loved the experience and would definitely recommend the house to others. The view is stunning and the beaches in the area are great for relaxing, surfing and having a few cocktails or tacos on the water. The town is about a 25min drive which we loved. Arrive being aware that you are in the jungle so bugs and animals are around. Bring ear plugs and an eye mask if you're a light sleeper. The kitchen is fully equipped so you can make some great meals at the house and there is a grill outside by the infinity pool.

My husband and I really enjoyed our stay at Casa Serena.It was a beautiful house and very secluded. 

I stayed at this airbnb with my boyfriend and another couple. Our group had a fantastic stay. The house is absolutely beautiful in a very remote location overlooking the ocean. The house is about 20 min up a "mountain" from the main town of San Juan del Sur - therefore, it is important to have a car that can make it up a road that is not paved and a rocky. We managed in a small van! But, an SUV might be better. The house's pool was so great and the staff was fabulous. 

Casa La Serena was a delight. If you think the photos are beautiful, wait until you sit in the pool with a cool drink and gaze out to the sea. It doesn't get old. It's a well designed house with three pavilions and multi-levels which provide alcoves and privacy. The central pavilion and the pool area provide the social space, and the outside ones are the bedrooms. Amenities are basic (besides the pool) so be prepared for eco-living (preserving water, etc.). The management team is truly on top of everything and there when you need them, they were incredibly helpful. The location is remote/secluded, yet in striking distance from the beach and just a 30 minute drive into San Juan Del Sur (a sweet and colorful beach town with everything one needs). Because the beaches are superior surf spots, there are many options for surf lessons and water sports. We also bought fresh fish at the local market there - wonderful. Left with the best memories!

Casa la Serena is an absolute dream!!! Nicole and Laura were so helpful, we couldn't have asked for better hosts. This place is breathtaking and everything you could ever ask for! We can't wait to go back!

We loved our stay at Casa Serena.  Believe it or not, its even more beautiful in person. We would spend our days just lounging by the pool in the buff and drinking in the unobstructed view of the ocean.  We loved that we looked out over forest, filled with birds, butterflies and howler monkeys. No other houses in sight.  Ramon the pool attendant rocked - I picked his brain about Nicaraguan life - so courteous and respectful.  He always knocked and shouted hello so we'd have a chance to put clothes on and open the door ourselves.  There's a safe for valuables but this place felt super safe, well monitored, and very chill.  We would walk down to see the sunset every afternoon through the forest, about 20 minutes, steep but worth it, your own private biosphere, to the fantastic beach that we mostly had to ourselves as we'd watch the sun slip into the ocean.  Very few bugs, we did bring herbal insect repellent but didn't use it too much, no cockroaches or scorpian visits.  The big sliding screens everywhere do help as well.  Btw, the beds and linens are fantastic, we slept like babies in all that fresh air. Plenty of towels for bath/pool/beach. The wifi is great, although do download things in advance - Hulu/Netflix/Prime didn't let me stream because I was "out of area" geographically.  We went into Town (SJS) most days - a 20 minute country side commute in your 4X4 - while town's not glamorous it's well taken care of, super clean, no trash. Unlike other Central American countries, we never saw anyone asking for money, and the Nicaraguans were friendly, humorous and quick to connect. I had a little boy hugging my leg at the Pali store.  Adorable kids.   We preferred shopping at Sanchez and the butcher right on main street as you come into town (near Pan de Vida, great bakery) has the best tenderloin we ever had.  The grill at the house is great and easy to use.   We enjoyed the food at the Brewery (Ceversaria), el Gato Negro, and were blown away what the folks at G&G Gormet are doing.  All places took dollars and gave Cordobas back at a good rate, so we never worried about having to go to a bank.  We rented a little 4X4 Jimmy from the airport, and did get lost a bit on our way down, but the Nicas were great when we asked for directions and got us on our way.  The country side is beautiful, full of greenery and volcanos everywhere.  I read Giocanda Belli's "The Country Under My Skin" her memoir of the Sandanista Revolution while I was there - it was a powerful view into the background of this special country.  Finally, big shout out to Laura as hostess.  She took great care of us, top notch service from her and Nicole at Remax.  You're in for a treat.  We'll be back!

This was our 3rd year in a row coming to Nica! All of which, we have stayed in this magical community!!!! We adore this neighborhood! We have normally traveled in larger groups, therefore, stayed in larger homes in the neighborhood.......this time was a 4 man group! Absolutely breath taking! We will always come back!!!!!! This is our happy place!!!! All the homes in this neighborhood are on point!!!!!!!!!!! 

You are on point!  Our absolute favourite guest Kristen- we look forward to hosting you AGAIN AND AGAIN!

This is hands down one of the coolest places I have ever stayed! The house is wonderful, the beach is a 3-minute drive down a private road, and I didn't want to ever leave.   There appear to be about 11 houses scattered around this small development. We didn't see or hear anyone else the entire time except briefly once, so we felt we really had it to ourselves. The beach is pretty secluded, there's a small shack with beer and drinks you can buy. You can walk or drive to the Maderas beach (short walk along the beach if the tide is out, or a 20 minute drive around the hill if the tide is in) where you can surf or eat tacos at a variety of shacks.  The house has an on-site property manager who lives at the property entrance. She was super helpful and responsive when the Wifi went down one night (she fixed it immediately!) and the cleaning staff come every 3 days, and were all lovely. There is also a guy who cleans the pool daily and does some general deck sweeping.  After booking here on Airbnb, I was then introduced to a local contact in San Juan Del Sur who manages these houses and other vacation rentals. She met us at the house to hand over the keys and explain various feature of the house. She was extremely helpful in several areas, including: booking a private driver (who was awesome and a great resource himself), booking a private chef for us one night, booking catamaran cruise, as well as answering questions about the town, market, and surrounding area. I would suggest using this resource to the fullest because she and the driver know the inside tips around here! She is an expat and the driver is a local so you get some good tips.  There were very few mosquitoes as far as we could tell. The bugs weren't bad at all as it's pretty breezy up here, and there are ceiling fans everywhere. We brought citronella candles and some incense. There are mosquito nets over the beds and while it's hard to tell from the photos, the windows do all have screens.  There is a roaming troop of monkeys who stayed in the tree above the house for a couple days, and they were wonderful to hang out with. Occasionally they pooped on the deck, but it was more funny than anything.  I would stay again in a heartbeat!

This listing is a remote getaway in the jungle. It was beautiful and as described--I would have appreciated the tarantula/scorpion warning before we arrived. We saw no scary spiders, but did have a close call with a scorpion and our son. Thankfully-no sting! The view was stunning and the house is so private my boys had so much fun skinny dipping in the plunge pool.

HI Kristina!  Thank you so much for the review and we loved hosting you.  As for the tarantula/scorpion warning it is listed on our AIRBNB ad for the home that were do not spray the house for bugs- and as well our meet and greet goes over this on arrival.   As well this is central america and we are in the jungle so it is a bit of a given that you may see a creepy crawlies- particularly as scorpions range all the way up to the southern USA.  With less than 24hr notice to your arrival we did spend a lot of time just trying to make sure we had everything in place to maximize your enjoyment of the home.  We are thrilled the boys had such a good time and hope to see you back.

We had a great 40th anniversary week at Casa La Serena everything was exactly as Laura and Joel said it would be. We wanted this trip to be special and it was. Nicole and the staff were very helpful. Nicole took us to the grocery store to help shop for our grocery’s, then she went over all the thing we needed to know about the house and area she made us feel very comfortable.  At the beach was a one room café where we ate lobster while the waves lapped at our feet, best I’ve ever had! The entire trip was a joy all the Nicaraguan people were very friendly. Angela and I can’t wait for another trip to Casa La Serena.

Casa Serena is as beautiful as the photos and description represent. The house itself is very comfortable and functional, and allows for some of the most beautiful sunsets we have ever seen. I loved the layout, and the courtyard style pool with outdoor seating for meals. Almost all of what was promised was received. There are a few things that aren't listed that visitors should be aware of. The hot water is only heated by solar, so if you have days that are not very sunny, you won't have hot water. Even on sunny days, the hot water is very minimal. I had one semi-warm shower during the four day visit. It was fine for us, but definitely not what was expected per the listing. We didn't see anyone from housekeeping for our entire four day visit, and by day three the trash bin was smelling pretty bad, and we had to figure out a way to get rid of the trash ourselves. We could have tried to find the on site manager, but to do that would have needed to drive to another part of the neighborhood, so not very convenient to hunt them down. Also, be sure to ask for extra bath towels and kitchen towels. I would recommend confirming with the property managers that cleaning comes by at least every other day to empty trash and replace towels. We were told they should be by at least once, but unfortunately they didn't. Keep all your clothes and personal items in the closets. Especially in rainy season, the screens won't always block the moisture from coming into the bedrooms. We learned that the hard way on our last night, and had to pack soaking wet suitcases and clothes. Even our beds were wet. Unfortunately, we weren't aware this could happen. I would say that if you are very aware that you are still somewhat "roughing it" even in a house that appears as luxurious as Casa Serena, you will be very happy there. It has everything you could want to make for a very fun vacation. We even had howler monkeys almost every morning as our alarm clocks. A very fun way to wake up! Other reviewers have mentioned the bugs, which is certainly a given when you aren't able to close doors or windows and are in the jungle. Just be aware you will be in the company of lots and lots of bugs, and those can include scorpions. We killed five scorpions in the house during our visit. The last and largest one hiding in a swimsuit got me right on the index finger. Extremely painful, but luckily the pain only lasted a few hours. Shake out all towels and clothes very well! They are sneaky. We found a great beach about a 10 minute drive away called Playa Maderas. A very nice spot to spend the day. Restaurants located right on the beach, bathrooms, and places to rent surf boards or take surf lessons. We...

Thanks for the review Nancy-  We wanted to say what champs you guys are- a real a live tropical depression occurred during your stay (hence the rain in the house- completely not the norm- the winds came from the south) and were grateful to have such understanding people in the home when the rain came down sideways!  Completely bizarre weather as we explained to you- the whole town got wet that night but we are excited for the rain after a six year drought.  As for your garbage it is easily dropped off at the front gate on your way out of the community en route to town or the beach (right beside the managers office so not really all that far) if it has a bad smell- no need to wait for the staff to pop in if it smells bad.  As for the hot water it does say solar so that is sun dependant as you mentioned and unfortunately you didn't have the best of weather during your stay!  Wishing you happy travels in the future and less tropical depressions!

2BR Villa