SURFING IN NICARAGUA

Nicaragua's coast is divided into two sections: the Caribbean "Mosquito Coast" and the Pacific Coast, which has the best waves in the country. The presence of Lake Managua, roughly 50 miles inland, helps funnel wind across the country, providing 300+ days of offshore winds on this southwest coast. These groom the Southern Pacific's southwest swells that formed in the 1940s and 1950s. The consequence is outstanding, if not world-class, pointbreaks and beachies, as well as a rich local culture, low living costs, and tropical weather.

Nicargaua boasts some of Central America's top points, reef breaks, and sandbars. The province of Rivas has the best surf breaks. They get 3-5ft south swells from the Roaring 40s and roughly 330 days of offshore winds on average. Nicaragua's most popular surfing beaches, such as Playa Maderas and Playa Majagual, are located near San Juan del Sur. Playa Gigante and Popoyo, a little further north, also have good surf. Much further north is less traveled, thus there will be fewer people.