NEKUPE SPORTING RESORT AND RETREAT, NICARAGUA
WHERE: Set within a 1,800ac nature reserve, this intimate eight-room property, located 40 minutes from the historic colonial town of Granada, blends effortlessly with the environment to nurture exploration, adventure and wellbeing. Located in Nandaime, the ‘place of abundant streams,’ Nekupe (‘heaven’ in the local language of Chorotega) lies in the shadow of the Mombacho volcano and encompasses reservoirs and 14,000 newly planted trees, and is home to local wildlife, including spider and howler monkeys native to Nicaragua, deer, foxes and sloths.
WHAT: There’s a myriad of ways to rejuvenate and reconnect with yourself at Nekupe. From the nativebased treatments that utilise natural ingredients grown on the property to massage offerings that incorporate traditional techniques at Nekupe Spa, to daily yoga sessions with the country’s best instructors – look out, also, for the annual yoga retreat that features vegetarian meals, spa treatments and one-on-one sessions – expect each and every stay here a transformative experience. Rejuvenation at Nekupe also takes place outdoors, where invigorating fitness paths take you on scenic journeys with breathtaking views.
MORE: The great outdoors is, literally, just outside your door, so take the opportunity to go horseback riding along a series of lakes and mountains, clay shooting near a babbling brook, or sandboarding down an active volcano. More leisurely pursuits can be found at the resort’s Casa Club, a 10,800 sq ft communal space where you can relax at the pool or discover the treasures of the rum room. Enjoy a curated, modern take on Nicaraguan cuisine, the ingredients of which are mostly sourced directly from Nekupe’s diverse on-site farm.
EXTRA: While the temptation is to seclude yourself in Nekupe and its rich surroundings, Nicaragua is well worth the effort to explore further. Visit Granada, which dates back to the 16th century, or Ometepe, an island formed by two volcanoes rising out of Lake Nicaragua. It might be further away but take a trip to Chinandega to discover why the Flor de Caña (Spanish for ‘sugarcane flower’) distillery makes some of the world’s best rum.
