Vacation Made by History

Vacation made by history

El Faro translated to English is “Light House”.  Your El Faro – one of our vacation rentals in San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua – was the location of William Walker’s second lighthouse to guide his soldiers for the takeover of Nicaragua.  Walker was a US mercenary hired by the Leon people to help defeat the Granada desiring to make Granada the capital of Nicaragua.

From your vacation rental of El Faro “Light House,” you can see the original “El Faro” Walker built next to the fort at the South entrance to our bay.  He was destined to protect the bay and guide his ships with his soldiers, military supplies and other items need for his expedition.

In fact, it is a great relaxing walk to visit the old fort of  Walker’s, some great history of Nicaragua.  On May 1, 1857, Walker surrendered to Commander Charles Henry Davis of the United States Navy and was repatriated. Walker finally on May 5, 1857, abandoned Nicaragua in the Sloop St Mary.

He returned to the U.S. to resume his law practice and make plans to try again to take control of Nicaragua.  After several unsuccessful attempts to leave the U.S., he finally landed in Trujillo, Honduras where he was captured by the British Royal Navy. The British turned Walker over to Honduran authorities, who executed him by firing squad on September 12, 1860.  He was 36 years old.

Today your El Faro is located in the upper section of our gated community allowing for great views of the ocean and fantastic sunsets as William Walker, the invaders, saw as the ships arrived. Today you will see large cruise ships arrive and depart to visit San Juan del Sur and farther areas of Nicaragua.

El Faro is located within a 2-minute walk to the Lap Pool and the Family Pool and just a short walk to the center of San Juan del Sur.

Carved into a premier patch of land above San Juan del Sur the Casa de Cooper offering El Faro has all the wonderful sunsets while sipping your favorite beverage.

 


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No Straight Lines!

The rolling hillside architecture of Nicaragua

When we take a look at the hillside in the valley, we often think of the pre-Columbian people who once lived on that hillside and the valley was their ocean.  It is all evident by the artifacts which have been discovered there.

Was the design concept of Casa de Cooper and Pelican resort a dream coming from the rolling hillside or was it something from the history of the 16th Century culture or even a touch of the adobe style of building in the pre-Columbian days in this area?

Perhaps it was from an inspiration of Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) – an Architect from Barcelona in Spain.  Gaudi was well known for making houses with curving organic form – inside and out.

Perhaps it was none of this,  just an inspirational design with all of the concepts over the years of study in Spain and building in Nicaragua.  However, I feel confident Gaudi had an influence from his impressive showcases at the 1888 World’s Fair.  Our Architect, by the way, studied in Barcelona.

Casa de Cooper and Pelican is built with “no straight lines”

The theme was to not have straight lines or as few as possible.  The architect wanted us to meet the culture and nature of Nicaragua through the conception of this awesome no straight lines design. The team wanted Casa de Cooper to represent not only the Culture but give an experience of a design which would depict the older culture of the pre-Columbian era and the 16th century with adobe finishes and a lot of wood railing.  This is where Nicaragua began and you can meet the Culture of the Country here.

You will get a feel of all this from your first arrival at Casa de Cooper. You will not only notice the delightful feel of the design with all the teak wood railings, high ceilings, large balconies and views that will display the wonders of Nicaragua from sea to a working cow ranch to the North.  Even our new 30-bed hospital is a speck in your viewing.

If our architect would have applied the rule of a straight line to the building, you would not have the splendid feel and comfort of the interior walls of your Villa. An art within itself.  Think about the added features of the doors with rounded tops of the screen doors and rounded frames of the windows all with screens to prevent the flies and other insects from entering your Villa.  An opportunity to rest with the warm and sometimes cool breezes from the Island of Ometepe without air-conditioning.

Even the stairs and entrances carry the theme of the culture with “no straight lines” continuing with exposing you to the country.  The replicated statues of the pre-Columbian days add to the story of Casa de Cooper meeting Culture along with the local fine artwork.


 This is Heaven On Earth – Our Little Piece of Paradise

Nicaragua

 After sharing all the reasons Nicaragua is the jewel of Central America and why Casa de Cooper is the villa of your dreams, we know you’re intrigued and ready for the experience.

As we said, staying near San Juan Del Sur is the perfect setup for access to food, beaches, excursions, and transportation. Casa de Cooper is situated a convenient distance in town with views of the ocean and valley, and our villas fit couples, groups and families.

Here’s what one couple had to say about staying our  Casita Romantica:

“This is the second year staying at the Casita Romantica. Let me tell you there is no mistake this is heaven on earth. Everything you see in the pictures is that and then some. But to make things even more spectacular the quality of service you get from Casa de Cooper and his constituents ia BAR NONE!…. As you can see I can’t say enough great things about this place! Do not pass go… If you are in the fence this is your house!”

We have multiple villas and properties to choose from, and as our guests  have so graciously said, this truly is a beautiful vacation haven. We would love to host you on your next getaway, because let’s face it, you deserve it! Book Your Stay at Casa De Cooper.


The Paris of Central America

Nicaragua is an adventure and serenity in one country. With exotic Latin culture and lively surfing spots and picturesque beaches across the coast and you’ll feel the exhilaration from the moment you step off the plane.

Nicaragua is a hidden gem that the Huffington Post described as “delightfully undiscovered”. Casa de Cooper is the perfect villa to relax and unwind as you spend your time in this blissful country.

Here are the top reasons why you need to book your stay at Casa de Cooper.

he Pacific Ocean is a light-hearted and full of the fun beach town. During the day you can find yoga, fishing, and just relaxing. You can also situate at one of the many beach bars and enjoy sun and a tropical drink. The night life is just as inspiring with many local bars to enjoy music, dancing, and the breathtaking Pacific sunset. When you’ve had a day to remember you can simply head back to your Casa de Cooper villa, just minutes away.

Step back in time and soak in the beauty of the “Paris of Central America”. Granada, Nicaragua is one of the oldest cities in the Americas.  In the 1500s Granada was discovered by Spanish conquerors and you can still see the colonial architecture, churches, and boutiques.

Nicaragua boasts some of the world’s most delicious and affordable fruit. From a roadside stand, you can buy a Watermelon for $1 or try exotic fruits only found in Central and South America. Enjoy your exotic fruit from the comfort of your fully equipped kitchen at Casa de Cooper.

If you love nature, you will be spoiled by Nicaragua. Nearly a fifth of the country is protected as a national park or reserve. You can explore the volcanoes, rain forests, beaches and islands in nearly untouched condition. Arrive early to Nicaragua and Experience Masaya active Volcano on way to Casa de Cooper.

Corn Islands off the coast was a real-life haven for Buccaneers in the 18th century. You can explore the islands and imagine what treasure could be hidden there. Visit the William Walker fort and learn the history of a man set on taking over the country.

Nicaragua is home to Central America’s most beautiful beaches. Hermosa Beach is one of the nicest beaches where the reality show of Survivor was filmed. Take a trip to Ometepe Island and have made to order lobster at one of the island restaurants. Or stay close to your villa and enjoy world-class views of the ocean straight from Casa de Cooper. Guests call our views some of the best they’ve seen – in the world! San Juan del Sur is a fishing village, so you have fresh fish each day to BBQ or cook in your kitchen. You don’t have to dream about a private chef because Casa de Cooper can furnish the chef.

Nicaragua is the adventure capital of the Americas. Where else can you volcano-board (yes that’s a thing) down a real volcano? Concepción Volcano is perfect for thrill seekers because it is still active. Hikers must check out the Somoto Canyon which was only just discovered in 2004. The Casa de Cooper staff can get you lined up with whatever excursion you’re craving! Experience the adventure.

Casa de Cooper is situated just outside of San Juan Del Sur. Our beautifully designed and comfortable villas are the perfect place to land after a day of Nicaraguan adventure.

Don’t take our word for it, here’s what a recent guest had to say:

We would have to write an epic novel to fully explain how amazing our experience was in Nicaragua and specifically at Casa de Cooper :). The house was absolutely gorgeous inside and out and so spacious….We loved the beautiful architectural details especially the bathroom sinks, which were carved out of stone. The kids loved the pool, which they couldn’t wait to get back to after our daily excursions to town or the local beaches. The views from the many balconies were beyond gorgeous. We could see the ocean, sunsets, fishing boats in the harbor, the statue of Christ, amazing cliffside homes, the forest where we zip lined, fields of green where horses and cattle grazed, and banana trees growing all around the house. .….We went zip lining, took surf lessons from a well-known and fantastic surf instructor, Baldo, went horseback riding on the beach, watched traditional Nicaraguan dancing at El Timon’s, shopped at the local Pali market, and even went sailing….We can’t wait to come back to Nicaragua, and we will definitely stay at Casa de Cooper again….t was the most memorable experience of our lives!”

 We hope to see you as the next guest at our villas! Book your stay at Casa de Cooper.


The Best Vacation You’ve Never Heard Of

Safety in a Third-world Country

Everyone wants to see the world from pristine undiscovered beaches to remote mountainsides. But sometimes exploring off the beaten path raises safety concerns in some people. Yet, the most unadulterated countries are developing nations.

While you should generally exercise caution when you travel, you can very securely travel and vacation in a country like the Republic of Nicaragua. Particularly, when you have access to a rental vacation home like the ones at Casa de Cooper.

Why travel to Nicaragua is safe:

 The Terror Threat is Low in Central America

 Though terrorism in recent decades has become an unfortunate threat, many developing countries have the lowest threat level of 1, that is lower than that of the US, Canada and the UK.

(Source: Telegraph Travel)

 According to the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report for 2017, Nicaragua, ranked higher in terms of safety than the UK.

How to be a safe, savvy, adventurer

Now that you’re more comfortable with the idea of travel to a nation like Nicaragua, let’s prepare.

Do your research, understand each country’s unique considerations to ensure you’re taking the right precautions.

Choose trusted shuttles and tour guides. Simply speaking with your travel agent, villa owners, and other trusted advisors you can set up a safe plan for getting around.

Set up Google Alerts for the country you plan to visit.

Search through the for information on your destination. Check out travel forums and guides for insider tips on Nicaragua travel.

Discover Nicaragua

Nicaragua is rich in culture, history, and experiences.  As mentioned, Nicaragua is safer than Mexico and the UK according to the Travel and Tourism Report of 2017.

Casa de Cooper is the perfect place for you to immerse yourself in a tropical paradise. We have multiple well-appointed villas, a pool, and out of this world views. You also will feel totally immersed in the Nicaraguan culture here.

A recent guest had this to say:

“We were so blessed to have had the opportunity to stay at this beautiful home for the month of February. The pictures don’t actually do the property justice… it was everything and more than we needed….We have travelled the world and this place is definitely one of our faves – we will be back!”

 We hope you’ll book your stay at Casa de Cooper and have an unforgettable vacation too. Learn more about Casa de Cooper.

 


Best Vacation Spot in a Developing Country

Vacationing in a Third-world Country

When you think of vacation you think of relaxation, an escape, and a beautiful location, you may have images of five-star, all-inclusive resorts in mind, but there’s beauty in the unexpected. Specifically, the unexpected beauty in the Republic of Nicaragua.

There is a beauty in the unfamiliar

While we all know what a tropical resort vacation is like, either from experience, friends, or the media, traveling to Nicaragua is an off the beaten-path adventure. Nicaragua is a rich gem, including unique landscapes you’ve never seen and traditions and customs you’ve never experienced.

Break out of your comfort zone

Sometimes after months of working in our careers, focusing on family obligations, we just want to escape the grind. We crave excitement and change and vacationing in a developing country is full of excitement. Though you might feel a little resistance at first, you’ll feel totally liberated when you spend a week experiencing the Nicaraguan culture and way of life.

Learn Real and Forgotten History

If you’re a history buff, you will be blown away by the customs, traditions, and history of a developing nation. Most of the time these countries have incredible stories but they don’t make the history books. You will learn exhilarating stories of how a country came to be. You will also be able to see more true history than in other areas because with less tourism and exposure, third-world country history is often more intact.

We recommend this villa in beautiful Nicaragua.

Casa de Cooper , a piece of paradise, is a hidden gem situated in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua with multiple well-appointed villas to choose from. Guests marvel over the views, the relaxing pools, and the impeccable service.

What our guests are saying:

“All I have to say is that Casa Cooper not only met the expectations… but surpassed them. The place is well taken care of, looks just like the picture if not better. The access to the hotels pool is a plus. After spending time at the beach it was nice to spend some time at the pool (Beautiful sunset!!) The day of our arrival there was a big concert in San Juan del Sur and the streets were closed, Gabriel helped us to get to the apartment and did everything possible to make this inconvenience seem like nothing. Great host, amazing vacation place, definitely thinking of going back and recommending to friends. GREAT VALUE FOR THE MONEY.”

Learn more about Casa de Cooper, our special Nicaraguan haven. We would love to host you in our villas, and give you an unforgettable experience in our little piece of paradise.’

You want to know more or have a question about Nicaraga?  Leave us a comment and ask us.  Casa de Cooper is based on information.

 

 


Birds in Paradise – Nicaragua

Birding In The Rock Marsh of Punta Huete on the North Shore of Lake Managua

By Pat Werner

Birding in Nicaragua. Nicaragua is full of unexpected niches and crannies of beauty.  I recently had the opportunity to go birding in a place I visit occasionally, Punta Huete, on the north shore of Lake Managua.  It is a few km from Managua, which you can plainly see from the marsh.  But to get there it is a trip of 100 km over some bad roads to get to the marsh. The place was famous momentarily in the 1980s when the Nicaraguan government built a MIG Base there. They never put any MIGs on it and so the place has always been peaceful. 

They surrounded the base with a wide minefield and nasty signs of crossbones and the words, ¨campo de minas¨ and ¨peligro¨.  Before the revolution, there used to be swimming contests from the north shore of the Chiltepe peninsula to Punta Huete, which is about eight km away.  And what makes the area so interesting is that the marsh, which is several km long and a couple of km wide, sits in part not on mud but hard rock.  When the water levels permit, you can drive, with a good guide, almost to the very tip of the Punta.  And it reminds me so much of the marshes on the edge of Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron, where I spent so much time with my brother Mike and old friends like Jim Mich, the Gonea brothers,  Lloyd Kramer, and Gary Nearman.  The marsh at the end of Boutell Road outside of Bay City was about the same size, full of sticky mud, and much cooler than the tropical shore of Lake Managua. The place really does look like the cattail marsh at the end of Boutell Road.

To get there at sunrise, we had to leave home at Diriamba at 2:00 am, a pretty painful hour for old folks like me.   Wife Chilo told me I was nuts but got up to make me and my gardener Luis, a quick breakfast. We got there about 5:30 am, after driving around the east end of the lake, going west almost to San Francisco Libre and then south towards Punta Huete itself.  We had lined up a very good guide who knew the marsh and the zig-zag path through the reeds and onto one of the many rock islands found inside the big marsh.

The rising of the Sun brought out thousands of birds and for a half an hour at least the skies were full of all sorts of birds.  Most common were the clouds of migratory wildfowl blue-winged teal, shovelers, and a rare green-winged teal.  Also present in large numbers was the pato chancho, or olivaceous cormorant, coming out for breakfast.  Also searching for food was a couple of ospreys. A flock or two of Loras, or parrots, flew over with their raucous calls.  What surprised me was the number of wood storks that intermingled with the other species. Compared to the other birds they are big bombers. And there were both black-bellied tree ducks and Falvey’s tree ducks peeping with their unducklike call. Me,  I just took my folding  camp chair out of my HiLux, sat is on the rock island where we were, and enjoyed the show.

Another surprising find in the rock marsh is that caimans are coming back.  One Captain, later Admiral, Matthew  Ridgway, present on the south shore of Lake Managua during the War with Sandino, spent a lot of time crawling through the mud hunting the big caimans that were common there.  H

e lost his West Point graduation ring in that mud but bagged a lot of caimans, which are quite succulent.  Most of the caimans were hunted out in the 1950s for their hides, but 70 years of protection has allowed them to come back.  And, in that marsh, there are not a lot of people living there, only a few fishermen who fish there, and some cattle farms around the edges.  No one lives in the marsh itself.

If you go there, be sure to find a good guide, as there are mud holes between the rock formations.  If you get stuck in one of those mud holes it will not be inexpensive to get out of the mud hole.  Ask around for the person who knows the marsh best. I drove to an island very close to the tip of Punta Huete, always in the water, never more than a foot deep, and no mud at all.I could never see the bottom of the Lake  It was pure zig zag and I still do not know how we found the island where we stayed, nor how my guide found his way back, as there are no landmarks, only reeds, and a flowing current.  It was a fun trip.

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