Just curious why are some of you guys wary of Nicaragua (vs. CR or Panama)?
Not sure about the crime statistics
My take on it is that because Nica is the poorest mainland country in the northern half of the continent (Haiti is poorer), that makes people view it as dangerous
I loved it.
Almost bought land there, but then realised I want to live in New Zealand, so the distance to get to a vacation home would be silly.
Costa is great, but just like paddling out in a tropical version of california, american tourists everywhere.
Which is not a problem, but i’ll take pristine deserted wave with a little love shack on the beach any day
If you want a relaxed experience, I would reccomend nicaragua, theres a guy named jj yemma who runs a surf resort down there. Also, the country is not only beautiful but also rich in culture, which would allow you to go and do the whole tourist thing if you wanted to. here is the link to jj’s resort http://surfnicaragua.com/
good luck planning your trip and pm me if you’ve got any questions, Cam
If you plan on CR, then I would not recommend Playa Hermosa if you want easy waves. I went in March and scored great waves the entire week but the power in Playa Hermosa is pretty good. It’s beach break and it’s heavy. I surfed La Curva most of the time in the morning (oh yeah, it blows out by mid morning / afternoon) and it was pretty much empty. The most crowded it got was maybe 4 other guys out. Nothing but good vibes and the few expats I met were very friendly. I wouldn’t consider this area ‘honeymoon’ friendly but if you’re looking for a chill location, this is it. It’s just south of Jaco (lousy surf from what I saw). The afternoon was spent hanging out and doing a few touristy things and then I would surf again in the evenings when the winds would die down.
I’m considering a trip to Nica sometime in the next few years…
Thanks everyone for the response’s. I knew asking on sway’s was the thing to do. I will check out all that get’s posted for a good while. I will PM people on here back once I have had time to look at everything and compare my options. Nica is sounding better and better. I am getting my a** kicked with my work schedule right now but will respond to all Pm’s. Thanks for all who have left there advice,
Keep it coming…not many threads have been updated for these area’s in awhile.
Everyone who has responded about Nica…How heavy is the surf there compared to area’s in CR?
oh, and i’m so jealous of people who have a lady that surfs… no such thing in this country
Have a really good time!
Kit
I know of three single ladies in Gizzy who surf. Thats where I met my wife who rips. If no luck come to BC There are usually more girls than guys in the water, no BS
Keep it coming…not many threads have been updated for these area’s in awhile.
Everyone who has responded about Nica…How heavy is the surf there compared to area’s in CR?
Thanks again!
It all depends on where you go there are a ton of playful easy beach breaks, With even alot of the breaks that barrel its bc of the offshores so its not just crazy power I wish I could of gone there when I was learning it drastically helps you surfing and will give you confidence to set up for the barrel with little consequence.
There’s a wide variety of surf in the general San Juan del Sur area, some of which can be accessed via car, others by boat. The wind is offshore pretty much all year around. There’s great restaurants serving fresh fish right on the waterfront (for what amounts to very little money compared to the US). The rum is epic. The weather/water temps are warm. People were friendly and kind. Just about all businesses in SJS take Amercian currency (we survived on a wad of $1s and $5s). There’s a variety of places to stay from your typical hostel, to camping to eco resorts to condo rentals to fancy resorts around SJS.
There’s also some cool non-surfing diversions worth checking out: Sea turtles to the south. the volcano on the island in the middle of the lake (inland). Neat colonial towns like Granada and Leon.
It’s a special place. Whenever any of my friends head there, they typically bring some sporting equipment (soccer balls, volleyballs and nets, etc.) and try to dial in one or two of the local schools as a way of giving something back.
I have been reading about the winds and the swells that hit that area.
?? What time of year should I go…to not be there when it is really going off…I have read that bigger in the summer months(ours) and cleaner in the first few months of the year. Also read that the winds blow way more in the winter(ours).
So would November be good? Or better in January? I am looking for maybe the chance to get barrelled but mostly clean fun surf…this may change in a year’s time…we will see.
Thinking San Juan Del Sur or Guasacate. Anyone know how long it takes to get to the different breaks…example Stay in Guasacate…be able to surf there and popoyo…but what if we wanted to go to San Juan Del Sur and then check out Playa Maderas…could this be done in a day or plan on staying down that way?
Are there sharks at certain breaks? I am asking because of the large turtle population to the south. I know anywhwere that there is salt water there are sharks but, am just asking if it was more than average or comparable to somewhere else.
Wow…it has been awhile since I looked at this. We are now trying to decide between Iguana and Santana.
I have gotten a lot of advice. I think a lot of it will depend on our economy and what we can spare. I have been told all about the area from pro surfers.
They seem to like the break at Colorado(Iguana) better but said the food isn’t as good and the restuarant is all the way by the gate, not by the ocean. Panga drops is also right out front.
Santana better food…more of a playfull break(rosada) Also more activity’s for the wifey.
Think we are leaning toward Iguana and getting on of the Condo’s right on the beach and have a local cook in our place a few times to experience local fare.
Think the first trip we are going to pay a little more and check it out…next time it will the 4x4 and traveling down the coast exploring each town.
The winter in Nica can have very strong offshores and cold(er) water which usually help to minimize any small swells from the SouthPac that arrive…that means pretty small surf in the waist to head high range but with clean conditions at the spots that have some sort of landward protection from the strong offshore winds… Spring (April-June) can be good as the winds start to moderate and you will see some South swell activity. Summer surf is consistently head high to overhead and pretty powerfull, although there are many playful waves to be had then in the Southern area. Fall is probably the worst time as tropical storm activity can cause onshore winds and the storms themselves can threaten the area as well, but there can be some epic windows of swell conditions then as well.