March 2019 will see the beginning of " Tesoro Surf Days" in partnership with Big Foot Hostel of Leon. Big Foot is superbly marketed with hostels in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras. Upon closing their Las Penitas beach retreat, the discussion turned to a cleaner, safer surf location for their clients at Playa Tesoro. After 2 years of planning and upgrades, we are ready to begin. The plan is to offer a $15 surf day at Playa Tesoro to Big Foot hostel occupants. Our Mercedes truck will collect up to 16 people each Thursday and provide a surf board for an hour. The client is free to eat, drink and stay over night at Tesoro. Or take the bus back to Leon at the end of the day. With excellent waves, top quality facilities, 3 kilometers of private beach and great staff this is certain to be a success.
Our 4 construction crews have been woking for 4 months to prepare Playa Tesoro for this venture. The needs of a bus load of surfers is different from the needs of a famly of 4 from America. So, we have developed our property some more. The well finished public bathroom with 4 exterior showers and a lovely coffee area on the second floor is finishing up. The roof top view of the surfers in front is fantastic.
The Tesoro farm started 6 years ago and required steady care, constant watering and bug prevention. In August 2018, the strong plants are bearing multitudes of fruit and vegetables. The Tesoro farm is also doing well producing meat, eggs and fish. The restaurant serves these fresh items, and they are delicious. The objective is self sufficiency in terms of food production.
The Tesoro fishing program started 4 years ago and required lots of money and mechanical repairs. For November 2018, we are ready to offer fishing tours in the 22 mile river system behind Tesoro or the vast Pacific Ocean in front of Tesoro.
The 3 boats we offer are:
1. 27 foot red panga with Suzuki 140 hp for the ocean.
2. 23 foot blue panga with Suzuki 40 hp for the river and near ocean waters.
3. 14 foot white panga with Suzuki 15 hp for the river only
Five new homes are in construction at Playa Tesoro, and two more homes are in the design stage. Further, several more lots have recently sold. Tesoro rental inventory should double by Christmas 2018.
A studio home with covered garage and carport is 70% complete at Tesoro lot #57, as shown above. Cabana #3 on Tesoro lot 32 has the roof complete, as shown below.
Cabana #4 on lot #30 is well on the way to finishing the cement work, as shown below.
Each cabana design gets increasing options and design thoughts. On this cabana #4, we have added a loft, a simple interior staircase, small kitchen, 7 foot area under the home for car parking, shower at floor height, and a kitchen side door.
Cabana #3 completed Sept 15 2018 and we are quite proud of this cabana. The elevated floor at the 4 foot level will allow an ocean view, and a lovely sunset view from the deck.
This cabana is on the clubhouse site close to the yoga studio.
Cabana #3 has the shower at the same level as the living area, and an interior door to access the shower. Thus, the client need not go outside to reach the shower, as in the previous two cabana. Cabana #3 is the ninth home at Playa Tesoro.
Cabana #4 and #5 feature the above, plus a second floor loft with interior stairs, a small kitchen and a side deck. Framing and roofing continue on these homes. Cabana #4 and #5 are homes eleven and twelve at Playa Tesoro, and will complete January 2019.
The one bedroom home at lot #57 continues with interior finishing. This home is the tenth at Playa Tesoro, and will complete in December 2018.
Despite all the crazy behavior in Nica these days, we still having lots of good times at Playa Tesoro
Our first yoga retreat in January 2018 was an outstanding success. Our 20 clients from Vancouver had a great time with yoga, boating in our river, surfing lessons out front, volcano boarding at Cerro Negro, volcano hiking at Telica, rum factory tour in Chinendega, poolside relaxing at Tesoro, hammock sleeping, shopping & dining in Leon, touring the old Leon ruins, Leon museums and donating to the local community.
In the 4 months prior to September 2018, Tesoro contractors and staff have been busy building 4 homes, resurfacing the pools, building protective sheds for the pool pumps and generators, repairing the 3 fishing boats, upgrading the garbage area, dramatically improving the farm, delivering a new baby horse, building brick barbecues and upgrading the restaurant. Much deferred maintenance is now complete and more is in progress. Playa Tesoro is more prepared than ever to receive clients. Casa Amarilla pool is now open again August 23 with new surface, pumps, pump house and generator house.
Tesoro restaurant and pool are upgraded and open with new pump house and generator house. The fridges are stocked and fish ready to cook.
The new barbeques at the cabanas are ready to use too, should you wish to cook up your own local fish.
Please come visit us and enjoy the most peaceful and natural Playa Tesoro, Leon, Nicaragua.
Read more: Much house building, pool repairs, and upgrades since April 2018
Over the past 5 months, Playa Tesoro's rental inventory of 6 homes has been essentially full every night. The guest reviews are outstanding, here are some comments:
"This place is simply incredible. I looked along the coast of Nicaragua for places and we stayed at a few different locations. I wish we would have just spent the week here! It is such a great value, amazing location and full of the friendliest and most laid back staff you can imagine. If you want to spend the day in solitude either in your hammock or on the never ending flat clean beach - easy to do. If you want to socialize with others staying nearby at the restaurant and have fantastic food and cold drinks (for a crazy low price) - easy to do as well. Also Leon is so close, under 40 minutes, but why go there and leave paradise? We got massages on the beach for less than half what we pay at home and the also had paddle boarding and surfing but.. we just relaxed ate and drank! Cannot wait to go back again. Favourite spot in Nicaragua and we stayed at some fancy houses. The mood and setting here just can't be beat." Jonathon from New Brunswick, Canada. Feb 2018
``I don’t write many reviews, but this place is heaven on earth, woke up to horses and the ocean just steps away. Our host was great and the groundskeepers were amazingly helpful and friendly. Would recommend to anyone looking to get away from touristy sites and enjoy an authentic and unreal experience. Just a tip: ... a quick trip to the store beforehand!" Natasha from Ontario, Canada. April 2018
" We ended up cancelling the rest of our plans in order to extend our stay here... so needless to say we loved it! The rooms and beach were both clean and beautiful. The wonderful, friendly and fun staff (Alex and Sarah, plus some adorable puppies) went above and beyond to help us and ensure we had everything we needed. We really don’t have enough good things to say about our stay here!! We will be back and highly reccomend to anyone seeking a peaceful, private, and laid back experience. They also have a ton of fun activities, from surfing to horseback riding. So when you choose to stay here you can expect a truly wonderful and authentic experience." Emily from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. February 2018
"Playa Tesoro is a great place to be if you are looking for some amazing beaches and R & R. The house was perfect for our needs and the pool was an awesome addition - we felt like royalty. Beds were super comfy and we slept like logs both nights. The restaurant and staff were also fantastic. All in all it was a great stay." Danielle from Saskatoon, Canada. January 2018
``Wow, a true hidden gem! And to top it off...the best staff I've come across anywhere in the world. Will be back!" Ben from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. February 2018
``Our stay at John and goeff's cabaña was wonderful! It's really in the middle of nowhere but even without a car you will defintetively find your way to them. If you're looking for a beautiful and quiet place to loose track of time you're absolutely right at this place!`` Janika from Cologne, Germany. January 2018
"Great spot for relaxation and Pacific ocean experience. Would stay there for a much longer time if I could. A truly great place to get away!" Pawel from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. April 2018
"Playa Tesoro, the best hidden gem in Nicaragua (but not for long). If getting back to nature without the hustle and bustle of a tourist's Mecca is your thing, then this is the place is for you! Miles and miles of unencumbered, pristine, volcanic ash beachfront and a surf break less than a hundred feet from my front door and in-ground pool. Evenings are spent unwinding with a rum and watching quite literally the most perfect of sunsets on Playa Tesoro. The resort and resort restaurant (Ceviche's) has a management team headed by Luis and it in itself is something to behold. Whether it be his lobster fricassee, his warm smile, or his ability to get you out of any local jam (motorbike issues) this guy is a consummate professional and amazing chef de cuisine. Don't get me wrong - this place is as casual and comfortable as it gets but the staff elevate it to another level. Owner operators Geoff and John go out of their way to please. From riverboat excursions to first aid care (motorbike issues lol). There's nothing these guys can't arrange for you and yours. The dedicated Wifi tower went in a couple weeks ago and you can quite literally, roam like home...." Jason from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. January 2017
"Absolutely amazing stay. Exactly what we were looking for. The home and the grounds are amazing. The beach is picturesque. The staff was very friendly and accommodating to all of our needs. Food was great as well. We definitely enjoyed our stay and have no regrets. Look forward to our next trip." Mandy from Chatham, Ontario, Canada. September 2017
``Very cool little place. Just a few steps from the beach, and your neighbors are mostly cows and horses. The staff is wonderful, and the food is delicious! It's not fancy, so as long as you're not expecting something fancy you're going to love it." Lu from Tampa, Florida, USA. April 2018
``Wonderful place! Very much off the beaten track, miles of deserted beach, the most incredible starry sky and the ocean on your doorstep, just what we were looking for. John and Geoff were both incredibly helpful with everything before and during our stay...and getting our baggage which was lost by the airline back to us!! Thorough maps, signs and driving instructions made it easy to find. Great food, music and company, a wonderful community feel, relaxed, laid back and welcoming. Thank you!`` Alice from London, England. January 2018
" I really don’t want to give this resort a good review as I want to keep this little gem a secret! We spent two nights in Casa Azul before moving to Casa Purpura...Playa Tesoro is on an area of a beautiful unspoiled beach with breathtaking sunsets which made it very difficult to leave and have left me yearning to return. Staff interaction was one of the best parts of Playa Tesoro. I come from a big city and wasn’t sure if I could do 6 days on a secluded/quiet beach. (we ended up staying 10) Unlike an all inclusive Caribbean resort where interaction is forced upon you, at Playa Tesoro it was there if you wanted it and we welcomed it. All the beds were super comfortable and the AC in the bedrooms helped to cool the room down just before sleeping. Again, I didn’t find I needed AC most nights as the outside temperatures dropped to perfect sleeping temperatures. The washing machine is a great feature! Playa Tesoro staff was like a big family who quickly made us feel like we were part of that family. My fear is that when all the lots are sold and more homes are built that Playa Tesoro will lose its alluring charm. Muchas gracias and hope to see you all again soon! xoxo" Renee from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. March 2018
"We ended our backpacking trip at John and Geoff’s place and truly believe that anyone traveling in Nicaragua should make the journey to Playa Tesoro. The cabana was our favorite home away from home. We woke up to the sight of horses on the beach everyday and an incredible view of the sunrise. The beach is absolutely pristine; no garbage or tough rocks to navigate, just soft sand and nature. Besides having our own piece of private beach paradise we also loved the community at Playa Tesoro and enjoyed dinners at the restaurants and relaxing in the pool. All in all staying in the cabana is a must and we can’t wait to one day return." Brittany from Rhode Island, USA. December 2017
``We had a great moment at playa Tesoro, it’s a very quiet away from the rest of the world. Very nice people working there and so welcoming! We strongly recommend to stay fitter days there. Victoria from Geneva, Switzerland. March 2018
In this era of manipulated news, it seems only 3rd party, independent, personal reviews are all that can be believed. Here are more of those reviews on Playa Tesoro...
Read more: Tesoro Visitor Reviews are Great. People having an Exceptional Time
Here are two fantastic hiking options that are close to Playa Tesoro, and are world class experiences. We are happy to organize your excursion to Somoto Canyon or Telica Volcano. Telica is a half day. Somoto is an over night trip with a night in the lovely town of Somoto.
Somoto Canyon is outstanding on a world scale. ``Discovered``only 14 years ago in 2004, the canyon is unparalleled in beauty. Somoto canyon is 4 km from the Honduras border and on the Rio Coco, the longest river in Central America. The long canyon tour is 6 hours and features river swimming, cliff jumping, casual hiking, bat caves, rock formations that must be millions of years old and ends with a good meal. The short tour is 2 hours. There is also an option for a short walk and a boat ride.
Telica Volcano is in a range of volcanos on the north side of Leon city. Cerro Negro is the famous neighbor of Telica, where the sand boarding takes place. From the top of Telica you can see Honduras, and many other volcanos such as San Cristobel, Momotombo, Cerro Negro and more. This is a 2 hour drive from Playa Tesoro that takes in most of the elevation gain, then about 40 minutes on foot in a gradual sloped valley to the top. Not a strenous hike, but a great sunset trip.
Some more random pics of the excursions follow:
Read more: Two Great Tour Options: Somoto Canyon and Telica Volcano
We are proud to announce that January 2018 sees the completion of our most impressive home yet at Playa Tesoro. Casa Verde is home #8 in the Playa Tesoro beach community, featuring a second floor deck with wet bar and great patio furniture. This deck offers an outstanding view onto the surf break, sea turtles nesting and miles of unihabited beach directly in front of the home.
In the aerial picture above, Casa Verde is on the extreme right side. We have also included substantial landscaping on the lot with interesting types of plants, fencing and 700 feet of stone walkways. The landscaping features a 960 piece canterra walkway parallel to the beach through the forest, to allow a peaceful walk from Casa Verde to the restaurant. The eucalyptus fencing offers a wind break for the palm trees to root and grow.
This home we call Casa Verde at Playa Tesoro on lot #56. On Jan 4 2018, this home entered the rental pool on airbnb.com for nightly rentals at $90 to $100 per night. You can rent Casa Verde, or any of our 7 homes, by following the links under the swimming pool picture at this link: http://playatesoro.com/renting.html
Read more: Progressive House #8 Completes Construction at Playa Tesoro