If you’re reading this, you’ve probably just caught wind of the notorious jungle rave in Granada known as the Treehouse Party. Its reputation spans across Central America as one of the best (and most unique) places to party – and for good reason! This guide will cover everything you need to know about the Treehouse jungle rave and the Treehouse itself!
What is the Treehouse Party in Nicaragua?
The Treehouse Party in Nicaragua is a legendary jungle rave held over 150m up in the treetops, away from civilisation. Its combination of electronic music, scenic views, and general good vibe attracts several hundred travellers from across the world every single week.
Predominantly playing a mixture of techno and house music, this party pops off until the early hours of the morning, providing a whole new meaning to the term ‘rumble in the jungle’!
FAQs
Below are some of the key details for the Treehouse Rave. If you have any more questions, please comment below and I’ll try my best to answer them!
Where is the Treehouse Jungle Rave?
The Treehouse jungle rave takes place in a hostel called The Treehouse located on the edge of the Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve. The nearest city to the party is Granada, Nicaragua (not to be confused with Granada in Spain)!
How to get to the Treehouse Party from Granada?
You have three options to get to The Treehouse from Granada.
Shuttle: The cheapest method is to catch one of the free shuttles running from the centre of Granada directly to the entrance of The Treehouse. Shuttles are included in the ticket price for the party. Pickup is from the Townhouse Hostel at 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00. There is also a free shuttle at midday Wednesdays-Fridays usually for transporting guests of the hostel.
NOTE: Double-check The Treehouse’s socials for confirmation of shuttle times for the week you are attending.
Taxi: If you are unable to catch your shuttle to The Treehouse, your best option is to get a taxi or tuk-tuk. This should cost approximately 250 Cordobas (£5.50/$6.80).
Public Transport: If you are on a strict budget, you can get the bus from Granada Market to the main road nearest the party. From there, follow the signs up to The Treehouse via the dirt track.
Once you have been dropped off at the roadside or entrance to The Treehouse, you will have a sweaty climb of over 150m up to the dancefloor! It takes around 5-10 minutes to reach the top, up many uneven steps!
NOTE: It’s a lot easier getting up there than down at the end of the night!
Your bonus option for getting to the Treehouse rave is to stay at The Treehouse Hostel itself.
Getting home: Free return shuttles run at midnight, 01:00, 02:00 and 03:00 back to the Townhouse Hostel. If you don’t make these, tuk-tuks often wait by the main road. You should be able to share one back to Granada.
When is the Treehouse Jungle Rave?
The Treehouse party takes place every Friday.
The hostel also runs other sporadic events including festivals such as Treefest, and special events like Treehouse Pride Edition.
When does the Treehouse Party Start and Finish?
The Treehouse Party officially starts at 16:00 and finishes at 03:00.
Timings for the Treehouse party used to be flexible, with people allowed to stay until the early hours. Nowadays security clears people out quickly after closing to avoid conflict between the hostel and the locals or police.
How much does the Treehouse Party cost?
The standard ticket price for the Treehouse party is $30 USD (1100 Cordobas).
You can buy the tickets online when they are released. Tickets usually go on sale the Sunday before the event and often sell out during the high season. Whilst tickets at the door used to be a regular feature, as of 2023 the party no longer offers this option unless the event hasn’t sold out.
If you are staying overnight at The Treehouse Hostel on the night of the party, the ticket price is discounted by $10 USD. This is the best-value option, but you need to be organised as beds sell out weeks in advance.
What to Bring to the Treehouse Party
If you are joining just for the Treehouse party, you won’t need to bring much!
I recommend a small bumbag to carry your phone and wallet securely. This means you should also have space to bring other popular items such as insect repellent, sunglasses, tissues, or chewing gum.
NOTE: The night is cash-only so bring cash.
The Treehouse is not a fancy place, so you should wear comfortable clothes that are suitable to dance and party in! The more vibrant the better! Occasionally they run themed events so be aware of this.
Don’t bring backpacks, outside alcohol, or food. You may be searched on arrival.
What to expect?
Arriving at The Treehouse
Most shuttles to the Treehouse party will be jam-packed, particularly the earlier ones. It’s a 20-minute drive from Granada filled with anticipation and a great way to meet fellow party-goers.
On arrival at The Treehouse, you will be greeted with a short hike to the dancefloor. I recommend arriving early so you can enjoy the chill vibes, chat with people and watch the beautiful sunset. At this time it’s not too busy, plus you’ll get to watch everyone else pant and sweat as they scramble to the top!
The Venue
It will come as no surprise that the venue is like no other. Just like a regular treehouse, it’s up in the canopy and made predominantly of wood. Only this treehouse is decorated with disco lights and fluorescent colours, and is a maze to navigate!
The main dancefloor space is created by clearing all the hammocks, deckchairs and tables normally used during the daytime. At the front are the DJ decks and speakers; the bar and kitchens are off to one side, a path leading towards the toilets at the back, and then a suspension bridge on the other side.
The suspension bridge leads to a separate area normally used for hammock sleepers. During party hours, it’s transformed into a den for face painting and glitter.
Follow the stairs up from the main dance floor and you will find a balcony area used as an additional dancefloor. There’s also a fireman’s pole that links the two areas should you need to make a quick exit from the balcony!
If you climb through a hole in the upper deck, there’s another smaller dancefloor behind the roof of The Treehouse. People use this as a chill area (similar to smoking areas in nomal clubs) as well as an extra makeshift bar.
Elsewhere on site, there is a more secluded hut where you can get a tattoo done!
NOTE: The layout stays largely the same across Treehouse parties, however, some things vary. I’ve heard that in recent events, they have created an extra stage. There are also rumours around The Treehouse expanding, so watch this space!
Music at The Treehouse
Artists: The Treehouse Rave invites a selection of electronic DJs to play each week at their event. Whilst not mainstream artists you would find in Europe or North America, the quality is still really high. They also try to incorporate Nicaraguan talent into their events wherever possible.
Genre: The Treehouse predominantly plays techno and house music. However, UK bass, electro, trance, and drum and bass music also feature.
Soundsystem: I’ll be honest, I have no idea what sound system they use. Since you’re outdoors, literally in the middle of a jungle, the sound quality isn’t perfect but the atmosphere and setting make up for it. If sound quality means a lot to you, you should spend your time near the speakers at the front.
Food and Drink during the Treehouse Party
Food and drink are both available at the bar during the party. When I visited, the kitchen offered pizza or pasta and included vegetarian options.
The event is cash only. For those staying at the hostel, the tab closes and you will need to pay in cash like everyone else. Whilst this may seem annoying, you don’t want anyone buying a load of drinks under your name!
If you are not a drinker, there were clearly other options available on the dancefloor (if you catch my drift)… Stay safe and party responsibly if you decide to pursue this option.
Afterparty
At 3am, the rave officially ends. Security will walk around to check that only guests with the appropriate wristbands are left on site. If you’re not ready to go to bed, you may be wondering what’s next.
Whilst there isn’t an official afterparty for the Treehouse rave, many guests will stay up until sunrise. I couldn’t possibly comment on whether the music is restarted again to help pass the time! You won’t see the outline of the sun rising up, but it’s nice to witness the sky getting lighter and hear the jungle wake up with your fellow Treehouse survivors.
If you’re staying in Granada, you won’t find anywhere else in the city still popping. Your best bet is to try and sleep or quietly chill with your friends at your accommodation.
Other
Wildlife: Whilst howler monkeys and spider monkeys can often be spotted at The Treehouse, it’s unlikely that you’ll be seeing any during the party because of the noise. What the party lacks in monkeys, it makes up for with cicadas! Though they’re harmless, these huge bugs will fly at you and start buzzing! It’s not bad in the crowd, but in open areas with light, these bugs will give you the fright of your life!
Activities: Face paint and glitter are available during the party for an optional donation. If you want something more permanent, there is a resident tattoo artist who can give you a tattoo to remember the Treehouse party by!
Toilets: Toilet facilities are basic. The main toilets by the dancefloor can get very busy with both cicadas and people. The toilets on the far side by the tattoo area are quieter. Toilet paper is provided but you should bring tissue just in case.
Staying at the Treehouse Hostel
Something special about The Treehouse is that it also doubles as a hostel. I’ve stayed in many amazing hostels over the years, but never a hostel in the jungle on the side of a volcano!
Staying at the Treehouse on Friday Night
You should only stay at The Treehouse for the night of the party if you really like to party. Whilst the majority of rooms are located away from the dancefloor, the bass of the music can still be heard.
However, if you are here for a good time, then staying at The Treehouse Hostel feels like you’ve won the golden ticket! When the party is over and all the non-guests are asked to leave the venue, you are left in the jungle with the rest of the night (and day) ahead of you… The party never really stops at The Treehouse!
What’s great is that it feels like a community vibe between everyone staying at the hostel once everyone else has left. It’s a bit weird, it’s a bit funky, but what else would you expect from a jungle rave in the canopies of Nicaragua?!
TIP: Check dates as early as possible as this hostel sells out! There’s 48-hour free cancellation if any of your plans do change.
The Treehouse Hostel outside of party hours
Accommodation
Outside of Friday night, The Treehouse is open to guests between Wednesday and Sunday. They offer a dorm room and a variety of private rooms.
Whilst the rooms don’t have air conditioning, it is slightly cooler than in Granada due to the increased altitude and proximity to the Mombacho cloud forest.
Activities
Since The Treehouse Hostel is a short distance from the city, you can still participate in any of the typically touristic things to do in Granada. In my opinion, you can always stay longer in the city to do these activities, so you should embrace the things offered by The Treehouse.
During the daytime, there are a variety of activities on offer, depending on the volunteers available. These include zip-lining, community tours, massages, yoga, cacao classes, and football with the locals.
The community tour takes place in the nearby village of Poste Rojo, allowing the chance to grind (and taste) local coffee and make tortillas the traditional way! It’s a fun way to connect and give back to the community, particularly given that once a week heavy music comes blaring from the jungle!
Since the hostel is out of town, the best thing to do in the evening is to watch the sunset and enjoy the scheduled activities. On Wednesday nights they run a quiz; Thursday night is karaoke; Friday night is the jungle rave; and on Saturdays, they organise a wholesome film night on the big screen.
Treehouse Party Review
Did I have a good time? Yes.
Was the music good? Yes
Did I feel dreadful the next day? Yes, but surprisingly not as bad as I’d expected! Being outside in nature definitely helped.
A night at The Treehouse party is not one to be forgotten. Starting with a beautiful sunset; dancing with friends; and then losing yourself in the music, all while wondering how on earth a place like this exists in the treetops of Nicaragua! What’s not to love?
Actually, the only negative was how crowded it felt due to the small capacity. The bar sometimes struggled to deal with everyone, which led to long waiting times. Thankfully this subsided deeper into the night.
The number of partyers also means, if you’re backpacking around Nicaragua, you will probably bump into at least one person you recognise from your travels, as The Treehouse is the place to be on a Friday night in Nicaragua!
Treehouse Hostel Review
I’ve stayed in my fair share of party hostels but The Treehouse Hostel is one-of-a-kind. Not many can put on a party that wild and still create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Plus the stunning location is a massive bonus!
With the exclusivity of beds available, it really creates a community among those who are staying. Particularly because everyone is staying for the same nights. Since the hostel is closed Sunday-Tuesday and it’s a 2-night minimum stay, most people arrive and leave at a similar time.
Staying in the jungle has its positives and negatives which should be considered before staying here. Its remoteness makes it more difficult to see Granada’s main sights, which is tough if you’re tied to a fixed schedule. However, the hostel offers many of its own experiences which shouldn’t be overlooked. Of course, the jungle party, but also its community tour and relaxing in the jungle amongst howler monkeys are all unique to this hostel!
Beyond having a great time at the party, the rest of my stay at the hostel was enjoyable. The wifi was reasonable, though only in the main shared area rather than the dorms. The food was tasty and cheaper than expected given its isolation (though only served at certain times). Plus they allow Paypal payment if you don’t have enough cash. This is very common as the tab system makes it easy to lose track of spending.
Treehouse Party Summary
What: Techno/House Rave
Where: Granada, Nicaragua
When: Fridays, 4pm-3am
Price: $30 USD ($10 discount for guests)
Ticket Link: Here
Contacts: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Whatsapp (+50585503093)
Worth going? Yes
Before you go
Thank you for reading my guide on the Treehouse Hostel and Treehouse Party in Nicaragua. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.
Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.
Happy partying!
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