Hostal El Momento

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Upgrade of the hostel and wesbite.

Update for 2017, tourism and Zika.

The high season in Granada and Nicaragua has come to a close but many tourists are not aware that July and August are 2 months that usually sees another surge for tourism in the country and they can usually miss out staying at their favorite or best hostel in Granada as they could be booked out.
There has been a small drop in tourism the last year due to elections both in the USA and in Nicaragua plus the Zika scare has also put off some tourists coming to this part of the world.
Central and South America plus the Caribbean did see a drop with tourists starting in 2016 and has continued into 2017 with a more noticeable drop of American tourists, whether it was the media or CDC  having an affect we are not sure but this has been discussed amongst some hotel owners with the country.
Zika just like Dengue and Chikungunya  is spread by the same type of mosquito, the symptoms can be all very similar with headaches, nausea and muscle pain although I have heard from some that have had Zika that the symptoms are not as bad and can disappear within a few days, this can depend on the persons age and health at the time. The exception of Zika is that it can affect pregnant women and their babies which is understandable for this particular group to not want to travel but we have found in the last year that Zika has not gotten out of control and Nicaragua has not had that many cases, in fact Dengue is still the disease locals prefer not to get.

Nicaraguan health departments do keep on top of controlling mosquitoes by spraying different areas within each city and department and repeating the process throughout rainy season. Businesses also have to have a 3 month check and get all areas sprayed and this is by law, with these in place Nicaragua does its very best as they know the health of tourists is important and it is a shame the CDC are not aware of this as they can scare tourists from traveling.

As there are many new hotels/hostels opening up in the city of Granada we have made changes and as always we try to upgrade the rooms and bathrooms either re-tiling or painting and adding new artwork, we still want to be one of the best hostels in Granada and Nicaragua.  New hotels/hostels is more competition for businesses and good as long as tourism numbers keep going up but is always good for the tourist as they have more options and possibly cheaper prices because of it.

Granada is one of the cities you can spend a few days, Las Isletas, Mombacho and Masaya volcanoes, Masaya market, Zip Lining are just a few attractions you can see, click here for more information for all the attractions we can help you with in Granada.

Outside view

Local Nicaraguan Food.

Local Food.

Quesillo

A medium sized tortilla topped with molten cheese, pickled sliced onions, sour cream, rolled into the shape of a burrito. Very convenient for eating on the run. It has become a staple of the Nicaraguan cuisine (although it may have its roots elsewhere).

Nacatamales 

The local take on the traditional Latin America Tamale. It’s big. It’s tasty! It’s made of corn flour, and filled up with as many as 20 ingredients, which may include: pork, chicken, peas, carrots, onions, peppermint, sour orange, peppers, and many others. This is one of the meals that is cooked in banana leaves. An average  may have 1000 calories. It is a very popular dish in Nicaraguan cuisine.

Click here for the rest of the post from the Leon Travel Bureau.

Making Reservations or Taking a Chance…in Granada !!

2014 seemed a Churchbusy year in Granada, I don’t take much notice of Government figures and look at our own bookings and from what I hear of other businesses in the city. We did have a good year and I felt we were turning more guests away when we were full than we did in 2013 which leads me on to this topic which I have covered before but would like to cover it again for those tourists who may be thinking of visiting the city.

With my own travel experience in the past I would always arrive in a city and find somewhere once I was there, only three times have I ever had real trouble finding a bed, once on an island in Thailand and the other time in a city in India,both times when there was a festival on….oh and the other time,yes here in Granada when there was not a festival on and it wasn’t even peak season, why ??

My theory is this and maybe times have changed but the two times I had trouble in Thailand and India was back in 1999, no cell phones, no Wifi,no laptops , no Trip Advisor, a few websites but everyone had a guide book, backpackers in particular just arrived at a destination, some phoned ahead.

We have noticed that when we are full many of the other hostels we phone to help the guest are also full, this happens alot throughout the year except maybe for June,September and October. Granada is located only an our from the airport and many guests want to have a booking for their first 2 or 3 nights in a new country until they have become accustomed , many do not want to stay in Managua and come straight here. Also with its location Granada is centrally located for guests to return from Leon or SJDS then head north or south again. This plus the ease of now being able to get free wifi, going on your cell phone and sending an email and getting your information from Trip Advisor and other websites.

We get many guests arriving and in complete shock that ourselves and other hostels are full, recently we had some Ticos arrive and commented “People make reservations in Nicaragua” !!!  My guess is that because the country is relatively new on the tourist scene many travellers think it is still untouched which it is in many parts but Granada is different and it’s location does have an advantage.

So for future tourists,backpackers,travellers etc remember the country has about 5 main locations, Granada,Leon,SJDS,Ometepe and Corn Islands and other smaller locations and towns, they will be busy from December until Easter but May, July and August can also be busy in some of the main locations also. Don’t make the mistake I made and be aware of the festivals also but for those who are fancy free and prefer a

 

 

Reservations and our Policies !

patio hdrWhen we opened the Hostel in 2011 we decided to take reservations both here on our website and with Hostel World as this would help the hostel generate business and get the name on the ‘World Wide Web’ which it did. The problem with reservations is we had to have policies to protect  both the hostel and to protect those guests that wanted to make reservations, otherwise we would have guests making bookings then canceling at the last minute. This meant the hostel losing business and a potential guest losing out on staying with us when they had their heart on staying here.

In the last 17 months we have kept the hostel running at 90% occupancy using a booking system and with Granada being so close to the airport and a better option than staying in Managua many guests want somewhere for when they arrive in the country, this does not happen with Hostels/Hotels in Leon/Ometepe or San Juan but possibly with Corn Islands. So there is a market here in Granada for reservations and with us using Hostel World also it makes sense for us to do that.

With this in mind we need to remind the guest that we are only a small- medium size hostel so our policies are important in that we do not lose reservations, there is a small hotel in town with only 1 room so they have a weeks cancellation policy, there is another very popular and very large hostel in town with many dorm and private rooms, they do not take reservations at all.

Every business works a little different and they have to incorporate what they have and how well it works for both the customer and the business but it is has to work for both, having reservations without polices can mean a business losing money and shutting down or having policies with the guest not receiving all the informations is not fair on the guest.

 

Trips to Laguna de Apoyo

 

After being open for just over 1 year we have decided to start working with the San Simian Resort in Laguna de Apoyo. We are offering trips 3 days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays when there are 3 or more people, The cost will be $6 for the transportation and $5 entrance fee, the bus will leave Hostal El Momento at 10am and return at 4pm.

Laguna de Apoyo is the cleanest lake in the country and is surprisingly warm for a lake, at San Simians you can kayak, swim or hang out in the lake in a large inner-tube. They have a beautiful restaurant, their menu we have printed at our hostel or you can simply hang out in their hammocks and enjoy the view.

They also have a website which gives other information on the hotel if you wish to return- www.sansimian.com.

How long in Granada.

So how long are you planning to spend in Granada, it may just may be possible that it will not be long enough for some and you may also end up returning, it will all depend on your research and where you end up staying.
 One of the reasons we opened up a hostel in the city was because we could see that the area has alot to offer and it is one of the places where many feel comfortable especially after coming from El Salvador, Honduras etc were travel can be a little more stressful. So where to visist is a question we obviously get asked many times, ‘The City itself is joy to walk around,especially for those that like Colonial cities and for those that enjoy photography with the brightly painted buildings and the old churches. You can view the city from the bell tower at Guadalope Church or visit the Isletas from between 1-3 hours,the costs depending on how many people in the boat, there is also a new tour in town which involves a boat,bus and walking tour.
 
Out of town you can visit Mombacho either with a tour or head out on your own and get transport to the top once you get over there, there are a few different treks can you can do also depending on your experiance.
Lago de Apoyo is day or a whole day visit worth doing as it is the cleanest lake in the country and surprisingly warm, you can take a transfer from either Monkey or Oasis hostels which leave in the morning and come back about 4pm.
When Volcan de Masaya is not blowing off some steam then the park can visited again either independently or with a tour, the tour would include Masaya market which is also another day out if you are spending more time in Granada. Masaya has 2 markets the old and the new, one more touristy but it has plenty of things to offer but you may need to visit the post office after.
 
Another great area is Catarina which also has a market and will show you how Nicas live in a smaller town, there is also fantastic views over looking Lago de Apoyo with Mombacho to the left and then in the distance Granada and Lake Nicaragua,bring a camera.
 
We have many guests that go to either Ometepe or to San Juan Del Sur then return to us before heading out to another country like Honduras or Costa Rica as they would rather spend their last days with us than in Managua waiting for Ticabus or Transnica.
 
So there it is and with Granada also offering swimming pools,good food and bars to party until you drop there is no reason for you not to want to spend extra time here and with the extra incentive of staying at Hostal El Momento with comfortable accommodation at a reasonable price !
 
One extra note,Granada is not for everyone as some backpackers are looking for a different experience and at lower coasts, as with most cities around the world it does have beggars and as I have posted another blog mentioning that Granada hopes to get World Heritage Site in a few years which has led to the government being stricter here on taxes than other parts of the country. 
 
Hope the majority of you get to enjoy ‘Beautiful Granada’.

Educacion Plus de Nicaragua

Having a hostel in Granada Nicaragua gives you the opportunity to meet plenty of interesting people and some of those that do really good work for the community  and we all know that from Leon to San Juan Del Sur to Managua there is plenty of hard work and dedication that is needed from those at a grass roots level and from charities or volunteer groups.

One such group Educacion Plus de Nicaragua, a non profit organization is helping those most needed, the children and the future of the country. They currently  help a school in Panatel,Granada not just with learning skills but also to help them fight malnutrition and learn life skills so they do not end up on the streets like so many others.

They are currently looking for donors and contributions and Monica who has been staying at Hostal El Momento has been working hard to find other donors locally and internationally and keeps me up to date on their progress.

Already they have received donations for clothes,school supplies and food as well as reconstructing the roof and walls of the school which has resulted in school attendance doubling.

You can visit their website at  www.eduplusnicaragua.org or send an email to eduplusnicaragua@gmail.com and contributions can be made to either via paypal at eduplusnicaragua@gmail.com or via wepay.comasEducaciónPlusdeNicaragua. Even the smallest contributions will help and at Hostal El Momento you can contact Monica for contributions or she may even have volunteer work also.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IVA.

IVA or the 15%  Sales Tax of Nicaragua which many of you will see on your bills depending on where you are or which business you visit is something many travelers are not aware of until they come to the country.
As one of the highest in the region it does add extra cost to the bills of some travelers who are passing through the country and had already set a daily budget !
I have recently heard reports from other destinations within the country that IVA, permits and restaurant/ hotel bills are not enforced as much as they are in other location across the country.
 
Here in Granada all permits and the  bills with 15% IVA are not just needed but checked on by government officials from all departments and business owners need to be on top of their game.
This got me thinking of article I had read and also a review we had received about how expensive everything is in Granada compared to everywhere else and this is probably due to the strict usage of the tax paid. How much more expensive Granada is compared to everywhere else probably depends on your budget, if you are traveling for many months then your budget is alot less than for those away from home for only 2 weeks.
 
This lead me to believe that as Granada is a huge tourist destination, the government are continually looking to make more of the city and with there talk of it being a World Heritage Site the infrastructure needs to change for them to qualify. As when they changed Calzalda St and the recent paving of the roads it all costs money and this is were IVA plays its part.
Granada is the jewel in the crown for government at this present moment in time and so when you do visit the city and find it is a little more expensive this could be the reason behind it.
As Nicaragua becomes more popular then the likes of Leon and San Juan Del Sur may also see a change in how businesses are affected by IVA and permits etc as government will start to put more money into these areas. Hopefully this will benefit both local people and the tourist who sees better infrastructure as the next few years roll on.
 
These are my views only and not from another source.
 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Reservations !

Reservations, should we make them or not ?
Being an avid traveler myself and usually with a backpack,I was used to turning up at cities and towns around the world with a guide book in hand and no reservation. Less than 1% of the time have I struggled to find somewhere to sleep for the night and if I did it was because of a festival or holiday…. until I came to Granada !
The city does have plenty of accommodation but then it also receives more tourists than it can handle at times so the questions you will be asking…..what is your budget ? What type of accommodation are you looking for and How long will you be staying ? 
One thing I did notice was how may backpackers/travelers now have some type of device or laptop that can connect to the internet and how many are now using internet sites and reviews to make their choice of bed for the night. Lonely Planet for all its positives does have 1 big negative, their reviews are out of date no matter how new the guide book. Internet reviews with the likes of Hostel World and Trip Advisor are current and easly accessible, they give you more information and written by someone who actually stayed at the hotel/hostel unlike travel writers. I am not knocking travel writers its just that they cannot get around every bar,restaurant,art gallery,hotel and ice cream parlour and give an accurate assessment plus prices are usually incorrect by the time it goes to print.
What I have found is that most of the hostels in Granada do not take reservations,as can be the same in Ometepe, Leon etc which can be frustrating for the organised traveler. That has swung in our advantage and one of the reasons we are so full but of course we have to have some set of rules in place and also offer some advice and warnings for those that want to make a reservation with us and these you can read under our reservation section.
To clarify on this we do ask that you make your confirmation by email as its better for you the guest and for the hostel to have it writing, you can phone and make a reservation but we will ask you to confirm by email. The reason for this is we would like to know where you are coming from ? What time you think you will arrive ? How many in your party  and How many nights ? We will hold the bed for upto 3 hours after the time you think you will arrive and this is due to the possibility of you being late or delayed, after this time the beds could be sold due to us thinking that you are a no-show.
For any cancellations we will ask also that you make them 24 hours before your check-in date or there will be a 20% cancellation fee  if it is under that time, this gives us time to try and resell the beds or rooms again. If there are guests arriving without a reservation and we a turning them away but you do not turn up then its unfortunate for both that guest and the hostel.
For those that are already staying it creates another problem, they may have arrived on a reservation but there are many behind them who have done the same.  We have many many guests who want to stay extra nights and so we ask them to book extra nights as soon as they know or we could be full especially around fiestas or holidays.
We do take Visa and MasterCard for any reservations or deposits for longer stays or you can always come in whilst in Granada and make a reservation with cash.
Email with any questions hostalelmomento@yahoo.com
Thank You
Chris
 

A big thank you and our progression so far.

Its been a very successful two and quarter months since we opened on the 20th of December 2011 and we have to thank all those that have left comments on Trip Advisor and Hostel World plus those that have handed out our flyers in other countries like El Salvador,Honduras and Guatemala and throughout Nicaragua to places like Ometepe,Leon and San Juan Del Sur. A special thanks also to those that have been recommending us as they have traveled on their journeys,met friends along the way and passed on their experience at Hostal El Momento.
Some of the stats we have already are remarkable and we are overjoyed that so many have come here and so we wanted to share with you some of the information we have accumulated so far.
1145 guests from 32 countries.
Europe- Denmark,Belgium,Holland,England,Ireland,Spain,Portugal,Italy,Hungry,Norway,France,Germany,Switzerland.
Asia- Japan,Mongolia,Malaysia
Latin America- Nicaragua,Costa Rica,Colombia,Argentina,Guatamala,Mexico,Chile,San Salvador,Guyana
Americas- USA,Canada
Caribbean- Jamaica,
Pacific-Australia,New Zealand
Middle East- Israel
The first 2 full months we have been open for 2012 have brought us in 97.67% and 98.62% room occupancy respectively and guest occupancy at 65.11% and 85.45% respectively.
With this information above and as we try to inform future guests with our twitter feed, that it is so important to try and book ahead as we do fill up quickly. If you know your dates then let us know and if you change your mind for the dates or want extra days then let us know ahead of time as soon as possible.
Granada is somewhere people always spend more time than they expect and after some long or stressful journeys it is somewhere you can relax,take in the lakes nearby or just enjoy the bars and restaurants on Calzalda St.
So a BIG THANK YOU AGAIN and for those who have not visited yet contact us as soon as possible so that we can accommodate you.
Chris,Maria and the team.