Selvista: Casa Chilamate canopy top jungle studio

Room in nature lodge in Magdalena, Nicaragua

  1. 2 guests
  2. 1 bedroom
  3. 1 bed
  4. 1 shared bath
Rated 4.77 out of 5 stars.52 reviews
Hosted by Christopher
  1. 10 years hosting

Listing highlights

Self check-in

Check yourself in with the lockbox.

Mountain and garden views

Soak up the views during your stay.

Dedicated workspace

A common area with wifi that’s well-suited for working.
Some info has been automatically translated.
This spacious, self contained tree-top cabin with viewing deck is a bright and airy, naturally finished room sitting in the canopy at the base of Volcano Maderas. It is west facing, w views to Volcano Conception.

Located just 10 minutes outside of Balgue and ten minutes from the trailhead to Maderas lagoon, this is a convenient 'jungle' setting.

Breakfast fruits, juice and a coffee, WiFi, parking, travel assistance, advice + tours of our farm included- gratis.

A true island adventure!

The space
Located just 10 minutes from the official trail head to the Maderas volcano crater lagoon summit and 15 minutes to the center of Balgue town, Casa Chilomate sits on the foothills of Maderas amid a thriving agro-tourism centered permaculture guesthouse and farm.

The house has a modern toilet inside and an outdoor shower and private entrance.

We share the space with chickens, ducks, pigs (all in an enclosed area) and 3 lovable farm dogs (petting optional).

Estamos ubicado con un acceso al volcan y el centro de Balgüe - solo 15 minutes a pie. Somos una fincita que practicamos la permacultura en las faldas de Volcan Maderas

La casa tiene inodoro adentro, baño afuera y entrada privada.

Compartimos el espacio con gallinas, patos y cerdos (enserados) y 4 perros amigables.

Guest access
Make yourselves at home on this small farm and Homestead.

You will find edible plants and exotic fruits all around the property, with access to all the goodies nature (and our gardeners) provides!

There is access to a shared, open air kitchen, with stovetop, gas oven, fridge, kitchenware and herbs, seasonings and oils as well as an outdoor grill and cob oven.

Private parking is available (4x4 or equivalent is best for full access, options available lower down the private driveway for small cars and scooters).

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Encontramos plantas comestibles y frutas frescas alrededor de la finca. Esta invitado a probar y disfrutar de nuestros productos.

Tiene acceso a la cocina abierta que tiene un horno, una nivera, liquadora, tambien hierbas y aceites. Ademas hay parilla y horno de barro por si te gustaria usarlo.

Tenemos un parqueo privada gratis para tus carros o quadriciclos. Para carros pequeños o scooters, tenemos un parqueo abajo en el camino privado de Selvista.

Other things to note
Friendly, fluffy dogs live on site to keep you company.

The driveway is on a volcano - this means a rocky dirt-track. Please do not attempt to drive if your vehicle cannot or you are not comfortable doing so. There are alternative, safe parking options further below.

This house is situated in a 'jungle' setting in a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Wildlife is abundant here. You may see small creatures- ants, toads, bugs and spiders (to name just a few) around. They are not aggressive, nor toxic to humans. Please do not be alarmed. We are more of a danger to them than the other way around. The houses come complete with mesquito netting for your comfort at night. Please bear this all in mind before reserving!

There is one type of venemous snake on the island, the coral snake. It is small, timid and rarely seen, usually living higher up the volcano slopes. It is very obvious warning colors of red and black. Please ask for more information and do not touch anything you are not sure of.

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We have very affectionate dogs that can keep you company.

The private road is rocky because we are in the lap of the volcano. If you do not feel comfortable driving around here you have another option to leave your vehicle downstairs.

We are part of a UNESCO reservation. We live in diverse wildlife There are many animals including toads, insects, butterflies, birds, and spiders. But don't worry, because none of them are ageist and you have a mosquito net for your comfort at night. Please consider this one before booking please!


There is only one poisonous animal to humans here on the island. The Coral snake is small and shy with very obvious colors of danger - red and black striped. They are not frequently seen, but you can ask us for more information about this snake if you are interested. No toques nada que no conosco.

Sleeping arrangements

Bedroom
1 queen bed

Amenities

Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Free parking on premises
Pets allowed
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm
Unavailable: Smoke alarm

Select check-in date

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4.77 out of 5 stars from 52 reviews

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Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 83% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 12% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 6% of reviews
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  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Magdalena, Rivas Department, Nicaragua

We are uniquely located in a quiet, reserved 'jungle' setting which is conveniently only 15 minutes from the center of town.

Wake to howler monkeys calling out their territory boundaries and exotic birds flying overhead.

We are located just outside of Balgüe, a local community on the Maderas side of Isla Ometepe.

Ometepe is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, made of twin volcanoes- one dormant and one active- in the middle of the largest lake in Central America. The perfect spot to appreciate the 'land of lakes and volcanoes' that is Nicaragua!

We are 10 minutes on foot to the Finca Magdalena, a historical sight boasting many petroglyphs and the oldest Hacienda and Cooperative on the island. It produces organic coffee among other local treats and contains the trail-head for the lagoon summit.

Balgüe is a lively community, hosting some of the best restaurant options on the island.

Maderas volcano is known as a hot-spot for permaculture and eco-tourism, which helps us feel like less of a drop in the ocean with our philosophy and missions to produce chemical-free food and less waste.

Our 1-hectare (2.5-acre) Selvista property features a range of guesthouses with a central open-air kitchen. It is located inside a 9-hectare (22.5-acre) educational organic farm called Project Bona Fide.

The entire site has been completely reforested over the past 15 years. You can find many trails, tropical fruits, plants, trees, butterflies, birds, and monkeys throughout the property. The organic greens garden above the kitchen often features spinach, lettuce, oregano, basil, rosemary, amaranth, arugula, and hot peppers. The property at large includes chickens and ducks (enclosed area), pigs (enclosed area), coconuts, bananas, mango, jackfruit, breadfruit, starfruit, canistel, and many other exotic species to learn about and explore.

From the house, you can embark ON FOOT to:

- Tour my 2.5-acre farm property
- Tour the 22.5-acre Project Bona Fide property (2-3 hours)
- Walk 10 minutes to Finca Magdalena to visit the coffee harvesting area, old hacienda, hostel/restaurant, and entrance for hiking trails
- Walk 15 minutes to the heart of the town of Balgüe to visit local restaurants & bars, shop for basic groceries, or catch a public bus to Ojo de Agua and other parts of the island
- Walk 20 minutes to Café Campestre, Dona Isabella or any of the other local restaurants
- Go trail running through the shaded cloud forest of the Maderas volcano
- Hike a short trail on the lower slopes of the Maderas volcano to see 10,000-year-old ancient petroglyphs (1.5 hrs)
- Hike partway up the extinct Maderas volcano to the "mirador" lookout point (3-4 hrs)
- Hike all the way up Maderas to the lagoon crater (8 hrs; certified guide required)
- Treat yourself to a holistic massage, right in your house in the tranquility of the jungle!

Local restaurants and small grocery stores in the town of Balgüe are a 15-25 minute walk from the property.

Be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp, as it gets dark around 6pm throughout the year!

Hosted by Christopher

  1. Joined in May 2014
  • 787 Reviews
  • Identity verified
Designer, plant explorer, trail runner, foodie, ecological builder and developer, dog lover, farmer. I am originally from New Jersey, USA, but have lived and worked in Nicaragua for almost 2 decades.

Over the past 15 years I have completely reforested and developed my farm property on Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua. Together with my local team we welcome guests to 5 houses & suites in a peaceful tropical forest, just walking distance from exploring town, hiking a volcano, and swimming in the lake. At Selvista Guesthouses we look forward to sharing with you the BEST "jungle luxury" experience on Ometepe.
Designer, plant explorer, trail runner, foodie, ecological builder and developer, dog lover, farmer. I a…

Co-hosts

  • Megan

During your stay

I am always available for guests via Airbnb message, and I am occasionally on site when I'm not working on landscape design projects in other parts of the world.

The co-host lives on-site and is contactable here or via wahtsapp in English or Spanish. Ask us for ideas or assistance.

My entire property is run by a friendly team of Spanish-speaking employees between 8 am-5 pm. There is a farm-fresh breakfast available every morning.

The plant nursery, garden, fruit forests, and farm animals are cared for by several friendly farm employees.

Our in-house written information and website (theselvistaexperience) cover many useful and important details to help you make the most of your time on Ometepe.

Using the wifi here you can organize many activities directly with English-speaking providers while also supporting local guides and small businesses. (See this listing's Airbnb Guidebook below.)

You can purchase drinks and snacks at the "honesty bar" fridge in the open-air kitchen all hours, even when there is no staff around.
I am always available for guests via Airbnb message, and I am occasionally on site when I'm not working on landscape design projects in other parts of the world.

The co-…
  • Languages: English, Français, Norsk, Español
  • Response rate: 100%
  • Response time: within an hour
Contact Host

Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 1:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
2 guests maximum
Safety & property
Carbon monoxide alarm not reported
Smoke alarm not reported
Climbing or play structure