Playa Madera: Profile of Playa Madera, Nicaragua

If San Juan del Sur is the California of Nicaragua, then Playa Madera, Nicaragua is Trestles.  Also called Playa Maderas, this surf spot holds clean, sizeable surf almost every day of the week.  Thanks to Lake Nicaragua, Madera enjoys offshore winds more than 300 days of the year.

Playa Madera: Profile of Playa Madera Nicaragua

How to get to Playa Madera:

The Panamerican Highway will bring you south to San Juan del Sur.  As you enter this small tourist city, you will see signs to your right for Playa Marsella, Playa Majagual and Playa Madera.  Take this right and follow a dirt road for approximately 2 miles.  On the way, you will see cow and horse pastures, along with a few pulperias.  Just keep following the signs to Playa Madera, and it's easy to find.

Accessibility:

Very easy to locate and there's free parking

Wave Quality:

4.5 Stars (1-5 stars, with 5 being best)

Experience Required:

Beginner to Experienced...you can do everything from ride straight to punt airs at this beach-break.

Wave Consistency:

Very consistent

Ocean Floor:

Sand

Wave Length:

20 to 100 meters

Best Swell Direction:

N, NW, W, SW, S

Best Tides:

Mid-Incoming tide

Other Playa Madera surf information:

There's a bit of localism here, so watch out.  But if you know what you're doing, it's usually not too bad.  The best restaurant on the beach is Cafe Revolucion.  You can find $10 dorm rooms right on the beach here, although the nearby Playa Marsella Beachfront Hotel is much more comfortable.  They have a pool, free breakfast, lockers, kayaks, repelling, snorkeling, and diving.  Rooms start at $17 per night.

Hope this helps!

Surf Popoyo: Popoyo Location Profile

Popoyo is one of the most popular surf destination in Nicaragua.  Often compared to Trestles, Calif., Popoyo offers a fast, barreling wave that produces both rights and lefts.  While the inner reef offers a fun, playful wave that is great for progressive surfing, the outer reef, creatively called Outer Reef, is one of the few big-wave spots in Nicaragua.  Here, you can find 20-foot, barreling slabs, and the offshore wind caused by Lake Nicaragua makes these monstrous waves manageable.

Surf Popoyo: Popoyo Location Profile

How to get to Popoyo:

From Managua Airport, use the Panamerican highway to reach Rivas. You will pass the Ochomogo bridge and turn right.  This is Chacocente Road, and you will take this to Las Salinas.  You will notice several signs for Popoyo and accommodation.

Accessibility:

Popoyo is easy to find and there are a handful of hotels and surf camps in walking distance.  Public access.

Wave Quality:

5-Star (1-5 stars, with 5 being best)

Experience Required:

Intermediate to Experienced

Wave Consistency:

As consistent as it gets

Ocean Floor:

Rock-Reef

Wave Length:

60 to 160 meters, or longer on good days

Best Swell Direction:

N, NW, W, SW, S

Best Tides:

All tides

Other Popoyo surf information:

Like every city in Nicaragua, be careful of your belongings.  Don't even leave them in the car.

Hope this helps!

Surfing Nicaragua: The Ultimate Surf Trip

Surfing Nicaragua is an amazing experience.  Any surf trip here is sure to produce incredible rides and memories.  After travelling all around this beautiful country and surfing the best waves she has to offer, we’ve concluded that the best surf destination in Nicaragua, if we had to choose one place, is San Juan del Sur.

Surfing Nicaragua: The Ultimate Surf Trip

The entire town of San Juan del Sur is built around the incredible surf that its beaches have to offer.  There are several point-breaks, both lefts and rights, and no shortage of beach-breaks.  You can take a boat to secluded point-break barrels like Manzanillo or stay in town and ride the world-class beach-break of Playa Maderas.

There’s also plenty to do here.  The town of San Juan del Sur offers some of the best nightlife in Nicaragua.  It’s the perfect place for a bar crawl, and there’s live music almost every night.  The beer is cheap, and the food is delicious.

So, where should you stay?  Well, that depends on your budget, but after considering budget, nearness to surf, personal experience and available activities, the Playa Marsella Beachfront Hotel is the best spot around.  It just opened, so rooms start at a reasonable $17 per person, per night, and all of the facilities are new.  Attractions include an infinity-edge pool, oceanfront views, billiards, foosball, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, zip-lining and horseback riding.  Every room has free wifi and free breakfast, and more expensive rooms are available with a/c and pool-side living spaces.

For a list of Nicaragua surf reports, read Surfing in Nicaragua: Sources for Nicaragua Surf Report.

For our list of the best surf camps in Nicaragua, read Nicaragua Surfing: Surf Camp Nicaragua.

Surfing in Nicaragua: Sources for Nicaragua Surf Report

Surfing in Nicaragua has boomed in the last few years.  Unfortunately, quality Nicaragua surf reports have yet to follow.  Here is a list of the few sources for Nicaragua surf report that we use on a daily basis.  They are listed in no particular order.

Surfing in Nicaragua: Sources for Nicaragua Surf Report

Magicseaweed.com

Magicseaweed is the best source for day-to-day reports and forecasts for most breaks in Nicaragua.  You can also find useful information in the Spot Guide such as which months are the best, seasonal water temperatures, where to stay and what to do.

Wannasurf.com

Wannasurf is less of a Nicaragua surf report website and more of an information website.  It’s definitely worth a check when you plan a surf trip so you can compare the upcoming conditions to the ideal conditions of particular spots.

Miramarsurfcamp.com

Mirmarsurfcamp.com is one of the few frequently updated Nicaragua surf report in the country.  The website posts photos of Puerto Sandino and details upcoming forecasts.

Surfline.com

Surfline.com is probably the best information website overall.  When you’re trying to decide which regions to visit, this is the place to look.  They also have daily stats about the upcoming surf, although Magicseaweed.com is my personal preference for day-to-day surfing in Nicaragua reports.

Swellinfo.com

Swellinfo.com offers several forums that provide random information that other websites lack, such as info about places to stay, what to do and first-hand experiences of surfing in Nicaragua.  But for Popoyo, Swellinfo.com provides one of the most accurate forecasts available on the internet.

For our list of the best surf camps in Nicaragua, read Nicaragua Surfing: Surf Camp Nicaragua.
For our list of the best barrels in Nicaragua, read Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 Best Barrels.

Nicaragua Surfing: Surf Camp Nicaragua Top 3 List

Incredible Nicaragua surfing has led to a boom in the surf camp Nicaragua industry.  But with so many to choose from, which is best for you.  Well, we’ve done the legwork for you and compiled a list of 5 surf camps in Nicaragua that we think steal the show.  We considered price, accommodations, nearness to surf and food quality.

Nicaragua Surfing: Surf Camp Nicaragua Top 3 List

3. Chica Brava Surf Camp

Chica Brava Surf Camp squeaked by a few close competitors just because it is provides such an incredible all-around experience, but only for women.  That’s right boys, this San Juan del Sur camp is reserved for the fairer sex; no boys allowed.

The price of Chica Brava Surf Camp is a little high at $1,000 plus for one week, but the packages include yoga, some meals and transportation.  If you’re a female looking for a killer surf camp Nicaragua, Chica Brava should be at the top of the list.

2. Miramar Surf Camp

While Chica Brava boasts a variety of breaks to choose from, none of them compete with Puerto Sandino, which is located a short boat ride from Miramar Surf Camp.  Out front of the camp is one of the few true point-breaks in Nicaragua.  It’s a left called Punta Miramar and will provide a decent wave on most days.

To the north is Pipes, one of the best beach-breaks in Nicaragua.  It’s an A-frame wave that produces lefts and rights, and there’s a small rock-reef section that helps the wave barrel when the conditions are right (hence the name Pipes).

The food at this surf camp Nicaragua is nothing short of incredible.  Even the presentation mirrors a 4-star restaurant.

Rooms at Miramar Surf Camp start at $20 per person, per night.  The food can get a little pricey at $8-$10 per plate, but Miramar Surf Camp is an incredible Nicaragua surfing destination.

1. Playa Marsella Beach Front Hotel

You could take away half the beauty of Playa Marsella Beach Front Hotel and this Nicaragua surfing destination would still be number one.  It’s got everything you look for in a surf camp Nicaragua: ocean views, infinity-edge waterfall pool, restaurant, and a variety of attractions including diving, snorkeling and spearfishing.

Besides the perks, it’s located in San Juan del Sur, which is arguably the surf capital of Nicaragua.  Why you ask?  Within 20 minutes, there’s an incredible selection of point-breaks and reef breaks.  Winds are offshore 300 days of the year and there’re rideable waves almost every day.  Playa Marsella Beach Front Hotel is only 10 minutes from the San Juan tourist area and less than one mile form Playa Maderas.

Rooms at the Playa Marsella Beach Front Hotel start at a competitive $17 per night.  This includes free wifi, free breakfast, a locker and a bunkbed—everything you need for an incredible surfing vacation.

For our list of the best barrels in Nicaragua, read Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 Best Barrels.
For our list of the best beach-breaks in Nicaragua, read Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 Best Beach Breaks.

Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 Best Barrels

Nicaragua is probably best known for its beach breaks.  When you’re surfing in Nicaragua, everywhere you look there’s sure to be a long, fast, barreling beach break with minimal crowds.  Despite its reputation for beach breaks, some spots offer incredible barrels that meet world-class standards in the right conditions.

Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 Best Barrels

3. Popoyo

Popoyo is probably the most popular destination for travelling Nicaragua surfers, and for good reason.  The wave offers both lefts and rights, and the reef bottom sets up perfect barrels in the right tides.  It’s similar to California breaks because it offers fast lines and a playful lip, but in the right swell, Popoyo can offer some long, makeable barrels.

And for daredevils, the outer reef at Popoyo, cleverly named Outer Reef, offers some stand-up tubes that will scare even the most advanced surfers.  Outer Reef is only a short paddle from shore.

2. Playa Manzanillo

Manaznillo is a left-hand point-break, but because of the perfectly shaped rock shelf, this spot produces some incredible tubes at low tide.  It is only accessible by boat, unless you’re willing to spend $500 per night to live on the luxury resort.  Boats usually cost $150, but can be split by up to eight people.

1. Puerto Sandino

Often compared to Fiji, Puerto Sandino is a goofy-footers dream.  It’s a fast, hollow left that breaks along a rivermouth.  The wave can last more than 200 meters and at low tide, the barrels can last more than 10 seconds.

The wave is surprisingly easy and breaks over sand.  It’s only accessible by boat, but ask one off the nearby surf camps and they’ll hook you up for a cheap price.

Nicaragua is not known for its barreling waves, but they’re definitely out there.  Surfing in Nicaragua is an incredible experience and if you plan your trip right, you can fit in beach-breaks, point-breaks and some incredible tubes.

For our list of the best beach-breaks in Nicaragua, read Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 Best Beach Breaks.
For our list of the best point-breaks in Nicaragua, read Nicaragua Surfing: 3 Best Point-Breaks.

Surf in Nicaragua: 3 Best Beach Breaks

Nicaragua offers an incredible selection of beach breaks.  Whether you’re new to surfing and looking for something gentle or want a heavy beach-break barrel, this country has what you’re looking for.  Here is a list of the 3 best beach-breaks in Nicaragua.  When we compared surf spots Nicaragua, we considered swell consistency, offshore wind consistency, crowd and accessibility.

Surf in Nicaragua: 3 Best Beach Breaks

3. Playa Remanso

Located in San Juan del Sur, Rivas, Nicaragua, Playa Remanso combines and incredible point-break with a perfect, forgiving beach-break.  While the point only works in bigger swell, there’s a wave at the beach-break almost every day.  It’s fast and at low tide, you might be able to sneak into a barrel or two.

The beach break can go for up to 100 meters in the right swell.  San Juan del Sur enjoys offshore winds 300 days of the year, which is why this wave is so forgiving.

Playa Remanso can be easily accessed by car.  There’s a taco restaurant and bar on the beach that has everything from margaritas to fruit smoothies.

2. Playa Maderas

Also located in San Juan del Sur, Playa Maderas is arguably the best all around surf spot in Nicaragua.  There’s a few hostels right on the beach with lodgings for $10 per night.  Like Playa Remanso, the swell is super consistent, as are offshore winds.

The beach-break at Playa Maderas offers both lefts and rights.  It’s been called a point-break before because to the north, right rights break off of a rock shelf and to the south, the lefts trail passed a rock face at low tides.  This all comes together to form long, fast lines.

1. The Boom

One of the lesser-known spots in Nicaragua, the Boom is a super heavy wave that offers some thick, screaming barrels.  There are several breaks here, depending on where the sand is at particular times of the year.  

While the waves at the Boom can produce some incredible rides, they can also dish out some intense punishment.  Make sure you bring two boards for a trip here.

If there’s one thing that Nicaragua has plenty of, it’s beach breaks.  Don’t let this list limit your travels.  There’s a lot to see here and great surf in Nicaragua can be found everywhere you look.

For our list of the best point-breaks in Nicaragua, read Nicaragua Surfing: 3 Best Point-Breaks.
For our list of the top 5 surf spots in Nicaragua, read Where to Surf in Nicaragua: Top 5 List.

Nicaragua Surfing: 3 Best Point Breaks

The list of incredible beaches for Nicaragua surfing seems endless.  There’s an incredible selection of beach-breaks, reef-breaks and point-breaks that pepper the east and west coasts.  In this blog post, you will learn about the 3 best point-breaks in Nicaragua.  To create this list, we considered surf consistency, ride length and crowd factor.  Enjoy!

Nicaragua Surfing: 3 Best Point Breaks

3. Playa Remanso

You’ll see Playa Remanso popping up in several blog posts here, mainly because it’s such an incredible break that appeals to all levels of skills.  The swell is incredibly consistent and the winds are offshore 300 days a week.

We listed Playa Remanso as one of the top three point-breaks for these factors and because it offers both a right- and left-hand point-break.  Both of them offer rides well over 150 meters in good swell.  The crowd can sometimes pick up during the busy season, but overall, there’s plenty of waves for everyone.  This is largely due to the fact that, when it’s working, there’s two point-breaks and a beach-break, so the crowds are spread out.  Playa Remanso works best and mid- and high-tides. 

2. Punta Miramar

Punta Miramar is located just south of Puerto Sandino.  So, when you stay here, you’ll have access to the incredible rivermount break of Puerto Sandino and the Punta Miramar point-break.

Punta Miramar is a left-hand wave that breaks over a rock-reef.  It’s best at mid- and high-tides because the reef is exposed during low tides.  It can hold big swell (3.5 meters+) and offers great barrels and fast lines.

1. Playa Manzanillo

Playa Manzanillo is hands down the best point-break in Nicaragua.  It’s only accessible by boat, which you can catch for $150 from the San Juan del Sur Bay.

The take-off zone is over a rock-reef, but most of the ride is over a sand bottom.  Manzanillo offers rides up to 150 meters and often barrels.

The crowd is rarely, if ever, a factor here.  It’s a one-hour boat ride, which helps, and the take-off zone over rock-reef keeps inexperienced surfers away (although this spot is very safe).

And that’s our analysis of the best point-breaks in Nicaragua.  There are a ton of great spots in this country and plenty to see.  Stay tuned for more information about Nicaragua surfing.

For our idea of the ultimate Nicaragua surf trip, read this post about Surfing Nicaragua.
For our list of the best beach-breaks in Nicaragua, read Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 Best Beach Breaks.

Where to Surf in Nicaragua: Nicaragua Surf Spots Top 5 List

In this post, we will discuss where to surf in Nicaragua.  When we compared Nicaragua surf spots to find the best of the best, we considered swell consistency, offshore wind consistency, crowd factor and accessibility.

With offshore winds, high swell periods and low cost of living, Nicaragua is truly a paradise for surfers of all levels.  It’s one of the easiest places to learn, one of the best places to improve your skills and one of the hardest places to leave.

Where to Surf in Nicaragua: Nicaragua Surf Spots Top 5 List

5. Playa Manzanillo

If this post was solely focused on wave shape, crowd factor and getting barreled, Manzanillio would have easily made the top spot.  It starts working best at about 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) and can hold rideable surf up to 3 meters (9.85 feet).  Although this left-hand point break produces quality surf at all tides, low tide offers the best barrels.

The problem with Manzanillo is accessibility.  It’s located on a private resort and can only be accessed by boat.  The best deals are $150 for about three hours of surfing.  You will rent a boat from San Juan del Sur Bay and the ride to the break is about one hour.  You can fit up to eight in the boat, which will reduce the price per person.  If the swell’s up, the price is worth it.  No crowds, perfect barrels and incredible surroundings.

4. Playa Remanso

Playa Remanso should be called “Everybody’s,” because it’s the perfect wave for a range of talent levels and stances (goofy and regular).  It’s located in San Juan del Sur, an area just north of the Costa Rican border that enjoys offshore winds more than 300 days each year.  This means a gentle wave that is perfect for beginners, but when the swell’s over 1 meter, you’ll definitely see some talent in the water.

Playa Remanso offers a left point-break and a right-point break.  Say what?  That’s right, when the swell reaches about 2 meters, the points will turn on and rides can go 300 meters.

The good thing about Remanso is if there is any swell in the water, there’s a wave to ride.  The bottom is sand, so it’s perfectly safe for beginners.  The best tide is mid and high, although it works on all tides.

Access is easy by car.  There’s also a taco stand that sells alcohol, food, smoothies and drinks.  The beaches in San Juan del Sur are perfect for groups travelling with people who don’t surf; there’s plenty to do and the waves are easy to learn on.

3. Popoyo

Popoyo is by far the most known spot in Nicaragua.  It’s often compared to Trestles due to its fast speed and incredible shape.  It’s a rock-reef break and offers some incredible barrels in the right tides and swell size.

Popoyo offers a-frame waves, so it’s great for goofy- and regular-footers.  The outer reef is about a 15-minute paddle from shore and gets massive!  If you’re looking for powerful, big surf, Popoyo Outer Reef is the place to go.

2. Puerto Sandino

Puerto Sandino, often incorrectly referred to as Freight Trains, is a rivermouth break that resembles Restaurants in Fiji when the conditions are right.  It’s always fast and usually has a decent wave.  At low tide, Puerto Sandino can offer 10-second barrels.

The wave length surpasses 100 meters pretty frequently.  Many days, you’ll do six or seven turns and still see an incredible wall building at the perfect speed.

Puerto Sandino is an easy wave to surf and it only breaks left.  It would have made the number 1 spot, but it can only be accessed by boat.  Fortunately, there are several surf camps nearby that offer boat rides several times each day.

1. Playa Maderas

And taking the top spot—Playa Maderas.  You’ll find rideable surf at Playa Madears almost every day, and with the offshore winds of San Juan del Sur, this is the place to be.

Compared to most spots in Nicaragua, Playa Maderas can get a little “crowded.”  I use the “quotes” because crowded in Nicaragua means 20 people sharing three peaks.  The crowd really isn’t much of a factor here.

Playa Maderas is mostly a beach break, but in the right conditions, a left-hand point break will start working.  Access is easy from shuttles in San Juan del Sur or by car. There’s several places to stay right on the beach starting at $10 per person, per night.

And there you have it—our synopsis of where to surf in Nicaragua.  We’ll have more information soon with pages directly devoted to each of these spots and offering useful statistics to plan your next surf trip.  Stay tuned for more useful info about Nicaragua surf spots.

For our list of the best barrels in Nicaragua, read Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 best Barrels.
For our list of the best beach-breaks in Nicaragua, read Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 Best Beach Breaks.