Surfing in Nicaragua
1 spot in Nicaragua with surfing schools, with the best months per spot.
Surfing in Nicaragua at a glance
Nicaragua is one of the most consistent surf countries in Central America, with offshore wind most mornings and swell on most days between May and November. For a first trip, base yourself in San Juan del Sur in the south: Playa Maderas, Hermosa and El Coco are 10 to 30 minutes away and suit learners and improvers. Popoyo on the Tola coast is the intermediate and advanced centre, with a mellow inside bay and a heavy outer reef. The north around Puerto Sandino is for experienced surfers who accept boat access. Camps report warm water of roughly 27 to 29 degrees Celsius.
Nicaragua is a Central American country with a long Pacific coast that faces open ocean and catches swell from the south and southwest. The coast splits into three regions that travellers use: the Rivas and Tola coast in the south near San Juan del Sur and Popoyo, the stretch around León and Puerto Sandino in the north-west, and the Caribbean side, which is a separate trip. Most visitors arrive in Managua and head south by road.
- Surf-Forecast rates Popoyo as very consistent and workable at every stage of the tide, with about 90 percent clean days in July
- Playa Maderas is a sand-bottom beach break with multiple peaks that works for all levels, with an inner section for learners
- Puerto Sandino has a long sandbar left that can hold 12 to 15 ft, reached by boat only
- Lineups are thinner than at Tamarindo or Santa Teresa across the border, though Popoyo and Maderas fill up when the swell is on
- A group beginner class at Playa Maderas costs 30 US dollars for 1 hour 20 minutes and a board rental 10 US dollars a day
When is the best time for surfing in Nicaragua?
Guides agree that the rainy season from May to November brings the biggest and most regular south-west swell, with July and August named as the peak, while the December to April dry season is smaller and more variable. Some camps put the best surf April to October. February is the windiest month and can bring cold upwelling, so it is the one month to avoid. Beginners often do better from November to January, when waves are smaller. The north-west near Puerto Sandino works from April to August on its main wave and gets smaller and easier from December to March.
| Spot | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan del Sur | ||||||||||||
| Playa Maderas | ||||||||||||
| Playa Hermosa and Remanso | ||||||||||||
| Playa Gigante and Amarillo | ||||||||||||
| Popoyo | ||||||||||||
| Playa Colorado and Playgrounds | ||||||||||||
| Puerto Sandino and Miramar |
The best spots for surfing in Nicaragua
| Spot | Water | Level | Best months | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan del Sur | Town base, beaches nearby | Base for all levels | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov | A town with no waves of its own and the main base for southern Nicaragua. Playa Maderas is 10 to 20 minutes north and Hermosa 20 to 25 minutes south, with beginner schools in town. Beach Break Surf School teaches at Maderas. |
| Playa Maderas | Beach break, some reef | All levels | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | A sand-bottom beach break with several peaks and some reef on the south side. The inner section suits learners, the outer peaks suit confident surfers. It gets busier than it used to, so go early. |
| Playa Hermosa and Remanso | Sandy beach breaks | Beginner to intermediate | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Sand-bottom beach breaks south of San Juan del Sur. Hermosa works best at mid to high tide and needs a decent swell, and Remanso suits longboards when the tide is low and waves are small. |
| Playa Gigante and Amarillo | Beach breaks | Beginner to intermediate | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | A small headland village that is quieter than Maderas. Amarillo to the north has beginner waves, while the main beach to the south is punchier in the dry season and can barrel when big. |
| Popoyo | Reef, point and outer reef | Intermediate, inner reef easy | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | The best-known surf town on the Tola coast. Main Point is a fast reef A-frame, Beginners Bay is a mellow peeling wave, and the outer reef is for experienced surfers only. Best with south-west swell and north-east offshore wind. |
| Playa Colorado and Playgrounds | Reef breaks | Advanced, Playgrounds mixed | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Reef breaks on the Tola coast known for hollow barrels at Colorado and several lefts and rights at Playgrounds. Rapture Camps rates Colorado advanced, and both are reached by boat. Rocks and shallow reef are the main hazards. |
| El Tránsito | Sandbars and a left | Beginner to intermediate | – | A quiet palm-lined village with several sandbars in front of its camp and a consistent left at the south end. Surf Atlas describes it as uncrowded and suited to a range of levels. |
| Puerto Sandino and Miramar | Sandbar left, boat only | Intermediate to expert | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug | A long sandbar left of five to six sections reached by boat, with offshore wind almost every day. Best April to August at 5 to 8 ft, smaller from December to March. Shallow coral and a strong inside current make it a spot for experienced surfers. |
Which Nicaragua spot suits your surfing level?
Base in San Juan del Sur and take a class at Playa Maderas, Hermosa or El Coco. Warm water, sandy bottoms and a beginner class priced at 30 US dollars make a first week easy to plan.
Maderas, Hermosa and Popoyo's inside reef give regular waves with room to progress. Stay a few days at each coast and keep the outer reef for later.
Popoyo's outer reef, Colorado and Puerto Sandino need swell, boat access and reef skills. Go between May and September for the biggest days.
Playa Gigante, El Coco and El Tránsito are quieter than Maderas and Popoyo, but Popoyo and Maderas can fill up whenever the swell is on.
February is the windiest month and cold upwelling can chill the water. Choose another month or plan non-surf days.
Getting to Nicaragua and between the spots
Getting to Nicaragua
Almost everyone flies into Managua (MGA), which has direct flights from Miami, Houston, Mexico City, Panama City, San José (Costa Rica), San Salvador and Guatemala City, and seasonally from Montréal. Some travellers also fly into Liberia in Costa Rica and cross the land border, because a few coastal camps offer prepaid shuttles from there. Book onward transport before you land.
Airports
Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, Managua (MGA): for nicaragua/san-juan-del-sur. About 11 km from central Managua; around 2.5 hours by road to Playa Maderas near San Juan del Sur, and about 1.5 hours to Puerto Sandino. Liberia Airport, Costa Rica (LIR): for nicaragua/san-juan-del-sur. Used by some travellers who cross the land border; at least one camp near Maderas runs prepaid private shuttles from Liberia.
Between the spots
San Juan del Sur lies about 140 km south of Managua. From the town it is 10 to 20 minutes north to Playa Maderas, 20 to 25 minutes south to Playa Hermosa and about 30 minutes south to Playa El Coco. Popoyo, Playgrounds, Colorado and Manzanillo are on the Tola coast, and several of their best breaks are reached by boat from the beach or from San Juan del Sur. Puerto Sandino has no road access to its main break, so it is a boat trip. El Tránsito has direct buses from Managua and León, but a private taxi is easier with boards. The FCDO advises using radio-dispatched or authorised red-plate taxis, avoiding colectivo minibuses and avoiding night driving because highways are unlit.
Entry and visa
British passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days, and the limit is shared with Guatemala and El Salvador. The passport must be valid for at least six months after arrival, and immigration may ask for an onward ticket. An arrival tax of 10 US dollars is paid in cash and a departure tax of 35 US dollars is usually included in the air ticket. Other nationalities have different rules, so check the official source for your own passport before you book.
Money and costs
The currency is the córdoba (NIO), held at a fixed rate of about 36.6 córdobas to the US dollar since January 2024, according to the Central Bank figure quoted on Wikipedia. Prices at tourist beaches are often quoted in US dollars. A local beginner class at Playa Maderas costs 30 US dollars for 1 hour 20 minutes, and board rental is 10 US dollars a day. Use money changers with official ID at bank entrances rather than street changers.
Climate and water
Nicaragua's Pacific coast is hot all year. In San Juan del Sur mean daily highs run from 26 to 29 degrees Celsius, and the dry season is roughly December to April or May. The rainy season brings the heaviest rain in September and October, with 460 mm in October against 0 mm in March in Wikipedia's climate table. One camp near Maderas puts the sea at about 29 degrees on average, another guide gives 27 to 28 degrees in summer, and a cold-water upwelling can chill the sea in the windy months of winter, so bring a thin rash top and a spring suit as a backup.
Safety
The FCDO warns that strong currents on the Pacific coast have caused drownings and that there are no warning signs or lifeguards. It also reports violent crime against foreigners, so avoid walking in markets, bus stations or poorer areas after dark and do not resist a robbery. Hurricane season runs roughly June to November. Drones are prohibited, and even small amounts of drugs can mean prison. Check that boat operators carry recognised insurance and take travel insurance that covers water sports.
Surfing in Nicaragua: your questions
When is the best time to surf in Nicaragua?
The best time to surf in Nicaragua is May to October, when south-west swell is biggest and most regular. July and August are the peak, and the wet season runs to November. The December to April dry season is smaller and suits beginners. February is the windiest month, so avoid it.
Where should beginners surf in Nicaragua?
Beginners should base in San Juan del Sur and surf Playa Maderas's inner section, Hermosa or El Coco. These are sand-bottom beach breaks with several peaks and warm water. Popoyo's Beginners Bay and inside reef also work. Take a class first, and leave the outer reef at Popoyo for later.
How much does a surf lesson cost in Nicaragua?
A beginner class at Beach Break Surf School in Playa Maderas costs 30 US dollars for 1 hour 20 minutes, and an advanced class costs 45 US dollars. Board rental is 10 US dollars a day or 50 US dollars a week. Other schools and camps set their own prices, so ask what is included.
How do you get from Managua airport to the surf beaches?
The surf beaches near San Juan del Sur are about 2.5 hours by road from Managua airport, and Puerto Sandino is about 1.5 hours north-west. Camps offer prepaid private shuttles. If you take a taxi, use an authorised red-plate or radio-dispatched one and avoid driving at night because the highways are unlit.
Do you need a wetsuit to surf in Nicaragua?
Usually no. One camp near Maderas reports about 29 degrees Celsius sea temperature through the year, and another guide gives 27 to 28 degrees in summer. A cold upwelling can chill the water in the windy months of winter, so bring a rash top for the sun and a thin spring suit as a backup.
Is Nicaragua good for advanced surfers?
Yes. Popoyo's outer reef, Playa Colorado and Puerto Sandino all offer hollow, powerful waves between May and September, and lineups are thinner than across the border in Costa Rica. Most need a boat, and shallow reef, rocks and rips are real hazards, so go with local knowledge.
Do I need a visa to surf in Nicaragua?
British passport holders can enter without a visa for up to 90 days, a limit shared with Guatemala and El Salvador. The passport must be valid for six months and you may need an onward ticket. Arrival tax is 10 US dollars in cash. Check the official source for your own nationality before you book.
Sources for this guide: Beach Break Surf School, Surf-Forecast: Popoyo surf guide, Perfect Wave Travel: Nicaragua surf guide, Rapture Camps: surf in Nicaragua in the rainy season, Rapture Camps: surf lessons in Nicaragua, Surf Atlas: Nicaragua surf towns, Surf Atlas: Puerto Sandino, FCDO travel advice: Nicaragua entry requirements, FCDO travel advice: Nicaragua safety and security, Wikipedia: Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, Wikipedia: San Juan del Sur, Wikipedia: Nicaraguan córdoba · Last checked November 2026.