Pelican Eyes... Piedras y Olas Hotel & Resort Hotel Photo
  San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua   Telephone: (505) 568-2110   Fax: (505) 568-2511   Email: reservations@piedrasyolas.com
Socially Conscious Development

In early 2003, through a unique collaboration with The Pangea Partnership, we began straw bale construction of the hotel's first four units, set dramatically on a hillside overlooking the ocean. The Pangea Partnership, a Canadian-based international aid organization whose mission focuses on a unique concept called development tourism, conducts workshops on ecologically sustainable building techniques in developing countries throughout the world, connecting tourists and students with local youth. The organization teaches participants how to construct healthy, ecological, and economic buildings such as homes, schools, medical clinics, and other structures vital to a community's long-term growth and well-being.

Over nine days in early 2003, Pangea's Ron Stone and Ben Polley taught local youths and others from the community how to build using straw bale construction. Through this workshop, we were able to take advantage of Pangea's tremendous expertise in eco-building, providing an architecturally beautiful and unique look for the hotel while being kind to the environment. At the same time, we provided valuable vocational training for the San Juan del Sur community and broadly demonstrated the suitability and versatility of these eco-building materials and techniques for Nicaragua's climate and terrain. Plans to complete future guest accommodations and other facilities using straw bale construction are currently well underway.

Strawbale construction of hotel

Strawbale construction of hotel