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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

  • '"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
  • Highlights: “Sunset at Totoco - closely followed by composting toilet (also Totoco) - actually possible to enjoy both at the same time.” 

    CN, Ruislip Aug 2012
  • Most Memorable Moment?: Seeing into the crater of Volcan Masaya at night. The red fire was like staring into the gates of hell.  Absolutely amazing sight

    IM, Andover Dec 2017
  • “Great trip, very varied and not yet catering to the masses. Beauty everywhere, lots of wildlife to be seen and very welcoming people. Would go back in a heartbeat.”

    JK, Polegate Mar 2012
  • 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
  • "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

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.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • 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.

  • Finn Clennett
    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

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