Sleep in a Protected Forest at Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge in Nicaragua

The <a href="http://www.isasurf.org/Events_WMSC12.php" target="_blank">World Master's Surfing Championship</a> is taking place in Nicaragua this month, so the Central American country is on our radar - and so are the eco hotels we want to stay in. Take for instance <a href="http://www.morgansrock.com/" target="_blank">Morgan's Rock Hacienda &amp; Ecolodge</a> outside of San Juan del Sur. Located in a protected forest, the hotel is dedicated to <a href="http://www.morgansrock.com/the-property/ecotourism-and-sustainability/" target="_blank">ecotourism and sustainable living</a>. You can stay in your own private bungalow made from local materials with views overlooking a serene beach on the Pacific.

Nicaragua is a hot place to be right now if you're craving sun, surf, and sand - and <a href="http://www.morgansrock.com/" target="_blank">Morgan's Rock</a> is definitely the sustainable hotel you'll want to stay at.

Located right on the Pacific coast, the hotel enjoys a quiet beach and 85 degree water year round. The ecolodge shares a 1,800 hectare farm named "El Aguacate" with Desarrollo Ecoforestal S.A, which contains 1,000 hectares of precious hardwood trees and 800 hectares of the "Reserva Silvestre Privada El Aguacate" natural reserve, which is protected by the government.

In addition, the farm works to <a href="http://www.morgansrock.com/the-property/agrotourism-and-reforestation/" target="_blank">sustainably grow and harvest</a> tropical hardwoods while educating visitors and other farmers on smart practices.

While there, visitors can learn more about the local flora and fauna or take part in <a href="http://www.morgansrock.com/tours-and-excursions/tours/" target="_blank">eco tourist activities</a> like hikes, jungle tours, kayaking in the estuary, surfing and sailing.

The ecolodge is named after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tyler_Morgan#Postbellum_career" target="_blank">Senator John Tyler Morgan</a>, who supported building the water route through Nicaragua instead of Panama.

Built on a cliff and accessed by a suspension bridge, the hotel features private bungalows set amongst the trees.

The buildings were built by local craftsman using locally sourced stone, palm fronds and wood.

Interior of the dining room showing the intricate construction of the palapa roof.

To reduce site impact, the hotel cut as few trees as possible and minimized earth movement.

Traditional architecture with palapa roofs rely on sea breezes for cooling and solar hot water heaters soak up energy for hot showers.

All waste water is collected in a centralized system and treated with a bio filter and then used for irrigation.

Whenever possible food is sourced on site from the organic farm or nearby from the ocean and other local farms.

Morgan's Rock main lodge at night.