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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

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

    JS, Winscombe Jan 2016
  • '"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
  • “El Castillo is remote and absolutely rewarding . Our guides took us kayaking and made us a picnic from local produce and treated us like family. Owners of Victoria Hotel…

    SF, Reading Jan 2011
  • 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: “Sunset at Totoco - closely followed by composting toilet (also Totoco) - actually possible to enjoy both at the same time.” 

    CN, Ruislip Aug 2012
  • "This was our first experience of Central America and the itinerary was spot on for us. Every place we visited held some considerable interest making it probably the best holiday…

    DRF, Stafford Feb 2015
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Our Expert's Opinion

Alex
Alex Walker - Travel Expert

A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • 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.

  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

  • Alex
    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

  • 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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