El Zopilote
Hostel in Nicaragua
Reasons to book
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
Includes essentialsGarden, Pets allowed, Internet / Wifi and more
About this hostel
El Zopilote Permaculture Farm/hostel is a backpackers hostel and a permaculture farm at the same time. We offer various types of hospitality like private rooms, dormitories, camping areas and hammocks.
Amenities
Pets allowed
Internet / Wifi
Smoking allowed
Balcony or Patio
Gym or Fitness Center
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Nicaragua
Available Rooms
1 Double • 193 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 Bunk • 430 ft²
Sleeps 1
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 Double • 1 Sofa • 538 ft²
Sleeps 4
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 Double • 538 ft²
Sleeps 3
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
3 Double • 882 ft²
Sleeps 7
+
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
$$$$
Ratings and reviews
100% verified reviews
10.0 / 10.0
Un lugar bellísimo, sinceramente me encantó todo. Pero creo que la mejor cosa es la conexión con la naturaleza. Además las personas son súper amables y hay un ambiente único.
3.0 / 10.0
el personal
sucio, te bañas con los sapos, meas con cucarachas y duermes con tarantulas
sabanas que huelen mal, manchadas, huecos en la mosquitera (sabiendo que no hay paredes son dorm solo con un techo de palma)
10.0 / 10.0
Mi estancia en El Zopilote fue simplemente maravillosa. Este hostal ecológico no solo ofrece precios muy accesibles, sino que también está profundamente comprometido con la sostenibilidad y la agricultura orgánica. Desde el primer momento, se puede sentir la dedicación a la conservación del medio ambiente y la promoción de prácticas responsables.
Las instalaciones están rodeadas de naturaleza exuberante, lo que proporciona un ambiente tranquilo y relajante. Las habitaciones son sencillas pero cómodas, y están construidas con materiales naturales y sostenibles. La electricidad proviene de fuentes renovables, y hay un sistema de gestión de residuos muy eficiente, incluyendo reciclaje y compostaje.
Una de las mejores partes de mi experiencia fue la comunidad en El Zopilote. La atmósfera es muy acogedora y amigable, con un enfoque en la colaboración y el intercambio cultural. Tuve la oportunidad de conocer a personas de todo el mundo y participar en diversas actividades organizadas por el hostal, como clases de yoga y talleres sobre permacultura.
El personal es increíblemente amable y siempre dispuesto a ayudar. Además, el restaurante del hostal ofrece deliciosas opciones de comida orgánica cultivada en su propia granja. Esto no solo garantiza la frescura de los ingredientes, sino que también apoya la economía local y reduce la huella de carbono.
En resumen, El Zopilote es un lugar perfecto para quienes buscan una experiencia auténtica y sostenible en la hermosa Isla de Ometepe. Sin duda, lo recomiendo y espero regresar pronto.
10.0 / 10.0
The tranquility of the place because the farm is embedded in the jungle.
Working together with nature -> permaculture
great food!
Awesome activities
A lot to discover on the farm
loving and conscious community
/
9.0 / 10.0
Its setting in the jungle makes it feel exotic. Its use of alternative energy and strongly-encouraged recycling needs to be admired by patronizing it. Staff was amazing and into what they represent. I also truly enjoyed the vegetarian buffet dinner served one night.
The less costly dorm accomodations has only mosquito nets over a thatched roof covered open area. It should be duly noted as you have to want this or not to deal with the humid jungle rural environment. It's also quite a walk from the road up a hill to get there. Don't arrive in the darkness of night: it's dark! Far from town, so once there, you stay in.
10.0 / 10.0
everything, was one of my favorite life experience <3
8.0 / 10.0
The vibe, great group of workers and backpackers, place was clean and I loved to sleep with sounds of nature! Plus yoga is a bonus and all activities organised made so hard to leave
I would recommend to anyone that doesn’t have issues with bugs compost toilets etc if you don’t mind that you’ll really connect with the vibe and purpose of this place
The kitchen facilities unfortunately could improve a lot!
1.0 / 10.0
They offer a free yoga class each morning
The room was described as a private double room w private entrance, balcony and mountain view....it had none of these! The room entrance was in an 8bed dorm, no window, no balcony, no privacy. They moved us to a better more private room when we complained but in the new room there was no plug sockets, we found a cockroach and spider in the bed and the mosquito net was full of holes. The shared bathroom door didn't lock, and there was no fan in the room. The description also didn't mention it is accessed by a hiking trail that's unsuitable if you have movement impairments. They wouldn't give us a refund and we left after one night.
5.0 / 10.0
The nature is beautiful. I appreciated the food that is grown there. The bed was spacious and comfortable. My room was was fairly easy to find, even at night (the first night). I can imagine if your dorm/double room is off the beaten path, it might leave the guest with a bad taste in their mouth. The breakfast was really good. Pizza night as fun. Yoga Classes. I thought the staff were fairly friendly. I appreciated the sustainability efforts. There is a certain percentage of the population that will love this place. The most important thing is figuring out if you are one of them before you book the accommodation.
I extended my stay for two nights, so they had to change my room (which is no big deal). I ended up exploring the island for the entire day, and then joined some friends for late dinner at another hostel. I went back to get my room (around 9:30-9:45pm), and there was no one at reception. I asked a volunteer who was very nice, but wasn't much help at all. Apparently, there was no one around who could show me to my new double room. I ended up sleeping in a hammock. I also left my blue bike helmet at reception that evening. I woke up to find it missing. It really isn't fair to blame the hostel, but this certainly didn't help my experience. I didn't like how they kept my passport when I paid for my room in cash and had no tab to pay at the restaurant. The main issue is what if I forgot to ask for it back or they forgot to give it to me. I also don't like how they couldn't take credit cards, though that seemed pretty standard across the country (maybe they have an issue accessing payment infrastructure). I would personally not stay here again, but I can see a certain type of person loving this place.
7.0 / 10.0
- the activities : amazing yoga teacher , the farm tour is also very insightful (so much knowledge !) and it helps you to understand all the beauty of the place
- pizza night is super cool like a little party ! great to meet people
- restaurant : cheap and so yummy !
- can get quite warm in the cabin during the dry season (and no fan)
6.0 / 10.0
Nice on site restaurant
Amazing views, great place to connect with nature
Vegan / vegetarian
Pizza night is great
Free yoga session
It’s a hike from the main road then some dorm / room are far from reception
Some Dorm are totally open plan, no outside wall
Not enough showers available
Sone staff aren’t the most welcoming
1.0 / 10.0
I had to climb up to the lobby 10 minutes. and then climb to the room another 7-10 minutes. the room itself was an area that it’s a house for dogs. making noises all night. the over all experience was bad.
10.0 / 10.0
Everything was great, the site, the people, the vibe. I had to force myself to get out after a few days!! I’ll be back for sure
10.0 / 10.0
This little Mecca of a hippy village is a must stay for anyone that vibes with eco/alternative culture. I think this is one of the coolest hostels I’ve stayed in. I kept extending my stay because I LOVED the island and I LOVED this place. Tons of delicious vegan food, including vegan pizza on pizza nights. Comfy beds with mosquito nets. There was even a vegan dinner one night with the best vegan food I had in the two months I traveled Latin America (and are only vegan food). The yoga was awesome. They teach a lot on their eco tour, so sign up. This place is a staple of the list of best hostels in Latin America.
Nothing
7.0 / 10.0
perfect situated in the jungle, food is great and lots of fun activities
the private room appeared to be an attic above an open dorm…
9.0 / 10.0
very nice experience to stay at this place, good food and cheap, loved the vibe, a lot of workshops.
we had a private cabaña and the beds were uncomfortable :/
10.0 / 10.0
One of those hostel you can't leave.
Stayed for 8 weeks.
It's a jungle experience, it may not be for everyone
9.0 / 10.0
we stayed for two nights here and really enjoyed our stay. we loved learning about the permaculture and taking part in the activities, many of which are free. all the food served is delicious.
the hostel wasn’t as sociable as I was expecting. it felt a bit cliquey.
7.0 / 10.0
Nature, paths to the dorms, air, food was good, mostly peaceful, outdoor showers. Plenty of activities.
9.0 / 10.0
The atmosphere, ethos and culture of this place is incredible. The property is beautiful, they really care about their impact on the planet, the many free activities (2 hours of yoga and a permaculture tour to name a few) were fantastic. Recommend going on pizza night for the fire show! The room was large and great value (with a beautiful outdoor shower) and fantastic vegan food
It is not for those who don’t want to be in close contact with nature. There are many dogs, compost toilets, and plenty of walking required between buildings (with little lighting), although none of these were problems for us. Free coffee would have been nice
6.0 / 10.0
The environment is nice, you see parrots, nice plants all around. It has a calm vibe, reception girl is super kind, they have a yoga class in the morning (didn’t try it)
no direction signs, no water, no proper orientation map
10.0 / 10.0
great restaurant, permaculture garden and nice vibe
holes in mosquito nets and make sure you keep your snacks away from dogs!
10.0 / 10.0
I stayed at one of the further away dorms, elsewhere land, and I loved it! surrounded by a lush forest, it is an awesome place to feel the jungle life of Ometepe (yes it includes one or two bugs). I enjoyed their yoga, and the permaculture tour. Decent pizza, good food overall. Interesting people around.
1.0 / 10.0
Nice hostel into the nature
It looks like hippie green hostel but in reality is a cool, business oriented hostel
They have kitchen but is destroyed and doesnt work at all and literally have 0 kitchet equipment. The social area is in the restaurant and is the only place where wifi works and without kitchet thet almost force you to spend money in their quite expensive restaurant.
They had an agressive dog that almost bite me, so i left one day earlier loosing money
10.0 / 10.0
The energy of this place is really cool. No place here for toxicity folks. If you dont need high-class luxury, you will be fine here. Very interesting permaculture going on too. The land has regenerated a lot since 2003. Great relation price/quality and very good meals at the restaurant, with all home grown products. The taste of the meals was incredible!
10.0 / 10.0
beautiful cabin immersed in nature, permaculture designed sustainable hostel, great community of guests, well facilitated by friendly and proactive volunteer team and loads of workshops and events. really helpful and friendly staff
nothing
6.0 / 10.0
I liked the place but you should know that is on the middle of nowhere so, is full of insects and animals. If you are okay with that it’s good!
Free yoga and activities!
7.0 / 10.0
Very nice staff, chill place, very much in the nature
Too much nature, no electric sockets in the room, very dark to walk around, eco toilet - quite intense if you dont know what youre going into
6.0 / 10.0
They have a bunch of activities must of then for free
I had to hike in the middle of the jungle with no lights to get to my dorm
5.0 / 10.0
Friendly reception staff
Immersed in nature
Great programs and events on
Completely eco friendly with compostable toilets, solar etc
Our private room was an attic with the dimmest light and many cockroaches
Volunteers were unfriendly and felt like a clique you couldn't get in with. One volunteer who showed us to our room just want to himself on the way there without talking to us until I asked questions. He seemed annoyed when we asked for help with our bags.
The restaurant food is not the best and overpriced. Fyi we are vegan so know what good vegan food tastes like and this was mostly bland or smoothies room temp.
8.0 / 10.0
The farm, the workshops, the nature, the open dorm, the people and the pizzas!
The lack of a proper kitchen is a real bummer to me!
8.0 / 10.0
Good menu, nice yoga, cool pizza night.
A bit messy, hard to find your way around, even the reception girl was lost. Fake price on Booking! Rooms looked like 12$ but WE were asked for 20 on Arrival. And the room Is all but amazing: bad lightening, tiny, Not confortable. Need to pay for parking
3.0 / 10.0
.
There was a rat in a trap below the bed.
Rat poop and pee on the bed.
Not clean
FAQs
How much does this hostel cost compared to others in Nicaragua?
The average price for a rental in Nicaragua is $123 per night. This rental is $107 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this hostel?
Parking is not specified as an available amenity at El Zopilote. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this hostel?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this hostel. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is El Zopilote pet friendly?
Yes! This hostel is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at El Zopilote?
We found 7 amenities for this rental. This includes pets allowed, internet / wifi, smoking allowed, balcony or patio, and gym or fitness center.
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