Hacienda Merida (Isla, Mexico)

Created by a rich Nicaraguan family from the Esteli, on the grounds of a former coffee plantation owned by the Somoza family, Hacienda Merida provides some social programs for the local area, but definitely has a feel of keeping tourists away from the real Merida. Nicely landscaped grounds, a travel library, good (even if somewhat pricey) restaurant, kayak rental, and an interesting conversation with the opinionated owner. (He earned a national prize in 2009 for a public environmental education campaign; posters created by him can be seen all over the island, and Hacienda Merida, is, naturally, an epicenter of their concentration; he continues to carry out a number of environmental and educational programs, such as using plastic garbage as a construction material, and running the Ometepe Bilingual School on site)..

A tiny "monkey island" off Point Congo (some 500 m away; {{marker|type=see|name=Monkey Island|lat=11.433265|long=-85.560456}}) can be visited by kayak. According the hacienda''s owners, the monkeys had been taken from people elsewhere in Nicaragua who had been keeping them as "pets" (chained), and placed to the island by the hacienda''s staff. As posters warn, they creatures can be vicious, and should not be approached.

A number of smaller, locally owned hotels are located in the vicinity; they are typically cheaper than Hacienda Merida, but lack its publicity and somewhat unique atmosphere.