Boutique Surf Hotel in Nicaragua for Families - the Hide and Seek Popoyo

We spent 3 days at the Hide and Seek Resort in Popoyo at the start of our Nicaragua trip, and it honestly couldn't have begun any better: it's one of those rare places where everyone gets what they want. No compromise between parents' downtime and keeping the kids entertained, but a place that manages both at the same time.

Location: quiet, safe and perfect for unwinding

As soon as we arrived, we noticed how different Popoyo is. No hustle and bustle, no huge hotel blocks – instead nature, peace and that laid-back surf vibe.

The Hide and Seek Resort is just a few minutes from Playa Santana, a beautiful, quiet beach. Thanks to jet lag, we walked the 5 minutes to the beach for sunrise every morning. For us as a family it was ideal:

• a short walk to the beach (easily doable with kids too)

• NO traffic

• lots of space to play and explore

• Especially with two kids, these quiet, manageable surroundings were worth their weight in gold.

Why the Hide and Seek Hotel worked so well for us as a family

1. Small, personal and relaxed

What struck us straight away: the resort is deliberately kept small. No strict routines, the restaurant is open all day, no stress. It felt more like a home than a hotel.

2. The perfect balance between kids' time and parents' time

One of the biggest pluses: here you don't have to choose between a holiday for the kids or a holiday for us. Both work at the same time.

While we were doing yoga or having a massage, for example, the kids were in the pool or in the garden. And all without any complicated planning.

3. Activities that are genuinely made for families

The hotel is happy to organise all kinds of excursions in the area for you – and with local organisations, too. We especially loved the trip to the Chacocente Wildlife Refuge, a state-protected sea turtle reserve where supervised releases are part of scientifically monitored conservation programmes. Together with a ranger, we got to release around 20 baby turtles that had only hatched that same morning.

4. Accommodation: practical and stylish at the same time

We had a large suite with a double bed and a sofa bed, which worked perfectly for the four of us:

• enough space for everyone

• comfy beds

• a terrace for winding down in the evening

The design is minimalist and pared back, and gives you plenty of room to spread out as a family. 

🏨 What the resort offers (and what we actually used)

A few things that made our stay special:

• Pool area – a daily fixture for the kids. The super shallow entry area is ideal for babies, too.

• Restaurant – relaxed, delicious and kid-friendly too

• Yoga & wellness – really great for switching off. There's even a sauna and an ice bath

• On-site organisation – everything is easily planned for you if you want. You can be super active – or simply do nothing at all.

🌊 What you can experience around Popoyo with kids

The surrounding area is one giant adventure playground – without any artificial attractions.

Surfing for all levels

Popoyo is a surf spot, but it's absolutely suitable for beginners too. 

Discovering beaches

Every beach feels a little different. Sometimes calm, sometimes with waves.

Little adventures and family-friendly activities in Popoyo

• Horses are part of everyday life in Nicaragua, which means horseback riding is a particularly popular activity there. Ideally at sunset, of course

• From there you can easily explore the colonial city of Granada on a day trip. We absolutely loved the colourful & lively city!

• Laguna de Apoyo is another really lovely day trip and combines well with Granada. Around the crater lake there are lots of restaurants and "beach clubs". Also really beautiful at sunset.

• Masaya Volcano: this active volcano is one of the few where you can drive all the way up to the crater. So especially with little kids who can't hike for miles yet, it's a great activity. It's best to visit Masaya Volcano at dusk or after dark. Since a landslide you can no longer see the lava lake directly, but you can see the volcano glowing and experience the smoke. That's also why you're only allowed to stay at the crater rim for a few minutes.

Our verdict: would we come back?

Absolutely: yes. The Hide and Seek Resort is perfect for families who:

• want to spend time together

• are looking for nature rather than mass tourism

• want to combine relaxation AND activity

Visit the Hide and Seek Hotel