While surfing the net for travel blogs for good places to visit in Central America, I've come across many blogs and travel sites that mentioned Little Corn Island and mostly mentioning only Casa Iguana and Los Delfines. There are other accommodations available on the island that are rarely mentioned on posts or have received very little to no reviews. For reference kindly see my other blog about the Corn Island trip.
1. Hotel Los Delfines (where we stayed at) - Double occupancy $50, Triple $60.
I must admit that we were disappointed when we first came to this hotel as not only was it very concrete, it also did not have any units with a view of the beach even if the beach is only a few steps away from the entrance. Los Delfines has a restaurant that charge a tad higher than other restaurants on the island i.e. $12 lobster meal (normally $10-11 elsewhere), $7 breakfasts (that you can get for $5 in other places) and $5 dollar piña coladas (cost $3.50 in a small shop that sells sandwiches but makes the best piña coladas with fresh ingredients on the island). They do have the most organized beach front on their side of the island. The color of the sand was not to my liking as there is a stretch of white sand on the other side.There is an upside though (we thought). We had more options at night to try other restaurants plus it's a 5-minute walk to our favorite Cuban ($11 lobster meal and other seafood choices on it's menu). It's also cozy to relax on the beach and read in the afternoons as it's not as windy as on the other side.
If you're an avid diver, you will be close to the 2 known dive shops (Los Delfines has one). I was told by friends who went diving that they really appreciated the hot showers afterwards and can't imagine taking a cold one after a dive specially in the afternoon. Except for Casa Iguana's intermittent hot water supply, Los Delfines is the only one on the island that has hot water (they also have a generator when the electricity goes out).
2. Lobster Inn - A mere 2 minutes walk from Los Delfines is Lobster inn charging $20 for rooms
with double beds, fan and private toilet and bath. Albeit concrete as well and a lot smaller than Los Delfines, it has rooms with sea view (at least 2, I think) and a restaurant with 'okay' and reasonably priced meals.
2. Lobster Inn - A mere 2 minutes walk from Los Delfines is Lobster inn charging $20 for rooms
with double beds, fan and private toilet and bath. Albeit concrete as well and a lot smaller than Los Delfines, it has rooms with sea view (at least 2, I think) and a restaurant with 'okay' and reasonably priced meals.3. Casa Iguana - $ 35 - 65 - 75 (the $75 casita in their website was actually $85 when we were there)
This place I would say is no more than 10 minutes walk from Los Delfines crossing a small forest (not dense at all). Fronting white sand and blue water.We met with a couple of other friends who also happened to be there and was staying in Casa Iguana. They were paying $85 per night for the biggest casita (with private toilet and bath and hot water). The hot water was not working at the time they were there.
We went to Casa Iguana's beach the first day we were there and was disappointed to know that the bar is not open until 5:30 pm, don't serve lunch and have only 1 dinner menu for everybody (reservations are necessary). Casa Iguana is known to make excellent food. I don't know about you but I want choices (it is considered prudent to not cross the forest at night time or walk the stretch of the beach unless you're in a big group ). We planned to have dinner there that evening except that they will be serving steak - we're there for seafood - meat we can get anytime in Managua., so scrapped. The afternoon we were there (before 5:30), I was told to check if anyone happens to be at the bar, if so, we will be served, if none....sorry (meaning that we have to lug our drinks and munchies with us each time).
One thing I just want to point out...what you don't see in the photo above, behind the hammock and chairs is a fence. You'll have to walk to your left, come down a flight of stairs before you get to the beach. Oh, alright, that's just me ...I'm that lazy when on vacation. But I'm thinking that if I will pay $85 for a room in a place where I can get it for $30, might as well be able to eat white sand for breakfast if I want to.
We went back to our hotel earlier than we planned as 1. we didn't bring drinks with us (we didn't know yet about the other lodgings about 5 mins walk on the same beach) 2. the wind (season) was blowing like crazy - we were downright cold...on the beach...in the Carribean (including T - the viking). We took a dip once and that was it, except for E who went snorkeling. We settled for a near(ly) sunset piña colada on the Delfines beach instead.
Other lodgings on the same stretch of the beach as Casa Iguana:
4. Elsa's Place
Cabañas $10-15 (with private bath) and dormitory lodging for $6 (check if rates are still the same). We only passed it but it looked good as well. They have a restaurant on the premises (we didn't check out the menu).
5. Grace's Place
Right next to Elsa's has cabañas from $8 with shared bath to $15 with private bath. They also have a restaurant and bar on the premises.
6. Sunrise Paradise (Carlito's) - Right after Elsa's has cabañas for $ 10 with shared bath and and $15 - 25 for cabañas with private toilet and bath. They have 2 cabins with 2 double beds (can be shared by 4 people) with own toilet and bath for $ 30.
They have a restaurant and bar which serves good, fresh (catch of the day) seafood dishes (and other non-seafood dishes) from 9 in the morning to 10 in the evening. We stayed at Carlito's often during the day (when not diving) and have met Carlito himself, a very friendly, soft-spoken and accommodating man. Clearly our favorite place, we vowed to stay there next time. We liked the beach in front of this lodging the most.
If you want to stay here, you need to reserve at least 10 days before you arrive. No deposit required.
The beachfront of Sunrise Paradise, and Carlito on the right.
Lodgings 3-6 above are very rustic and none are airconditioned (I don't know about the others but Carlito has fans in each room). But see, it's not necessary, you are on the windy part of the Island...and if we thought it was chilly in the afternoon...I can just imagine the evenings there.
There are more lodgings about another 10-15 minutes walk or so (we thought it's too far to walk if we want to go back and forth bet that part and town - where the dive shops are) - at least the first 3 on the list below.
1. Ensueños
2. Derek's Place
3. Casa Sunrise
4. Farm Peace and Love
5. Sunshine Hotel
One thing I just want to point out...what you don't see in the photo above, behind the hammock and chairs is a fence. You'll have to walk to your left, come down a flight of stairs before you get to the beach. Oh, alright, that's just me ...I'm that lazy when on vacation. But I'm thinking that if I will pay $85 for a room in a place where I can get it for $30, might as well be able to eat white sand for breakfast if I want to.
We went back to our hotel earlier than we planned as 1. we didn't bring drinks with us (we didn't know yet about the other lodgings about 5 mins walk on the same beach) 2. the wind (season) was blowing like crazy - we were downright cold...on the beach...in the Carribean (including T - the viking). We took a dip once and that was it, except for E who went snorkeling. We settled for a near(ly) sunset piña colada on the Delfines beach instead.
Other lodgings on the same stretch of the beach as Casa Iguana:
4. Elsa's Place
Cabañas $10-15 (with private bath) and dormitory lodging for $6 (check if rates are still the same). We only passed it but it looked good as well. They have a restaurant on the premises (we didn't check out the menu).5. Grace's Place
Right next to Elsa's has cabañas from $8 with shared bath to $15 with private bath. They also have a restaurant and bar on the premises.6. Sunrise Paradise (Carlito's) - Right after Elsa's has cabañas for $ 10 with shared bath and and $15 - 25 for cabañas with private toilet and bath. They have 2 cabins with 2 double beds (can be shared by 4 people) with own toilet and bath for $ 30.
They have a restaurant and bar which serves good, fresh (catch of the day) seafood dishes (and other non-seafood dishes) from 9 in the morning to 10 in the evening. We stayed at Carlito's often during the day (when not diving) and have met Carlito himself, a very friendly, soft-spoken and accommodating man. Clearly our favorite place, we vowed to stay there next time. We liked the beach in front of this lodging the most.
If you want to stay here, you need to reserve at least 10 days before you arrive. No deposit required.The beachfront of Sunrise Paradise, and Carlito on the right.
There are more lodgings about another 10-15 minutes walk or so (we thought it's too far to walk if we want to go back and forth bet that part and town - where the dive shops are) - at least the first 3 on the list below.
1. Ensueños
2. Derek's Place
3. Casa Sunrise
4. Farm Peace and Love
5. Sunshine Hotel
It really depends on what you want.
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