Challenge of pitching Nicaragua as the next paradise

What transforms a country from tourism pariah to hot destination for wealthy travelers? First, you need a place for opulence-seeking people to stay.

Last week, one of Nicaragua's richest men, Carlos Pellas, opened Mukul, the country's first full-fledged luxury hotel. Nicaragua, with its charming colonial city of Granada, active volcanoes and reliable Pacific waves, is already popular among backpackers and surfers. And it is a new favorite among travel writers. But Mukul will be courting the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton crowd, with rates beginning at $500 per night.



Source: Wall Street Journal