Creating An Island Paradise
The Story of Jicaro Island
Discover the story of a Londoner turned luxury lodge owner
The story of Jicaro Island Lodge is the stuff of daydreams. It begins back in January of 2007 when Karen Emanuel, Jicaro’s owner, was on vacation in Nicaragua.
Island For Sale!
Exploring the colonial city of Granada, Karen walked into a restaurant and saw a notice proclaiming “Island for Sale”. Partly as a fantasy but also recognizing Nicaragua’s tourism potential, it caught her eye.
A short boat ride later with the owners followed by a relaxing week at an outstanding eco-lodge on the Nicaraguan coast and an idea had started developing in Karen’s head.
After arriving back home to the bleak London winter, she scribbled down a few figures on the back of an envelope and within a few weeks had wired over a deposit for the island.
With the help of architect Matthew Falkner and the Cayuga Collection team — a Costa Rica based hospitality company dedicated to managing sustainable luxury hotels and lodges in Latin America — the dream became reality: our secluded getaway lapped by the calm waters of Lake Nicaragua was born.
