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Victoria Hotel

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A friendly family hotel and restaurant on the banks of the Rio San Juan and below the fort in folksy, vehicle-free El Castillo.

This family-owned property, Hotel Victoria, is situated on the banks of the jungle-fringed Rio San Juan, a short stroll from the centre of the village. Folksy El Castillo itself – accessible only by river although a new road to Costa Rica passes nearby – consists of a huddle of wooden houses, some on stilts, crouching below the monumental hilltop stone fort built by the Spanish colonists.   

 

The old building has a lovely veranda with river views, warm hospitality and one of only four private generators in town – handy in one of the power cuts which afflict this remote, vehicle-free community. The hotel was refurbished in 2013 and the 15 rooms – some with river views – are in very good condition with gleaming wooden walls. There is also a very pleasant al fresco restaurant with river views and a pond with turtles.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • Most memorable experiences: “Nicaragua as a whole including Ometepe island and Granada. Bocas del Toro” 

    MT, Birmingham Mar 2013
  • El Castillo - wonderful setting on river - arriving by boat (even though it broke down and we had to Be rescued by public boat for last part of journey.…

    NJ, Pinner May 2016
  • Highlights? Solentiname Islands for their remoteness and bird life. Masaya volcano for the bubbling lava.

    CY, Wirral Jan 2020
  • '"Overall we had an absolutely fabulous time and would recommend anyone to visit Nicaragua and visit using JLA - we felt it was a great mix of culture and wildlife…

    OW, Arsenal Jun 2013
  • "All.... the people are wonderful..and all are so keen to promote their country, which is in it's infancy of tourism. I told them that I would happily be an ambassador…

    PM, Cambridge Feb 2015
  • Highlights: Various boat trips, Matagalpa market, additional visits to Granada prison and political cemetery, Boca del Mar

    JS, Winscombe Jan 2016
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Our Expert's Opinion

Juliet
Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

  • Rosie profile
    Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

    During a career break, Rosie embarked on an unforgettable year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. Now back in the UK, she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them discover her favourite place in the world.

  • Maggie
    Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

    Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

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