PLAYA PLAYA PLAYA!
Nicaragua is full of great beaches! Each of them have their own personalities along with some pros and cons.
Here are some of my personal experiences of Nicaraguan beaches starting from the south going up north, then all the way over to the Caribbean.
Coco
- Visited in August, water was warm
- One of the prettiest beaches I've seen in Nicaragua with lighter sand
- Great for swimming, with gentle waters, but got stung by small jellyfish
- One restaurant on the beach, otherwise isolated
- Large hammocks available in the shade
Maderas
- Visited in September, water was warm
- Great little waves for surfing
- Crowded for Nicaragua
- Difficult to get to
Gigante
- Visited in October, warm water
- Good for swimming
- Located in a small town with easy access to small selection of restaurants
- Easy to walk around town
Amarillo
- Visited in January & February, water much colder in Feb. (windy season)
- Fairly gentle, mostly small waves for surfing. Larger waves in windy season.
- Isolated, no restaurants on beach
- Can walk up to Monkey Hut Hostel or restaurant/bar overlooking beach (~15 min walk)
Santana
- Visited in December & February
- No pictures =(
- Good for surf -- can get very large
- Can get crowded
- Handful of restaurants/hotels/hostels within walking distance
Guasacate
- Visited in December & January, good for swimming
- Rivermouth - can be good for beginner surfers with small waves
- Located in a small town with hostels, restaurants, small store & surf shop
- Lots of beach front accommodations
- Long stretch of beach
Popoyo
- Visited several times between September & February
- Good for swimming, rocky in some parts
- Big spot for surfers, not too crowded compared to other popular places
- Handful of accommodations nearby
- Walking distance to Guasacate
- Long stretch of beach
Apostillero
- Visited in December & January
- Fishing town, good for fishing
- Good surf spot -- waves can be small & large
Pochomil
- Visited in November, warm water
- Stayed in a beautiful beachfront house
- Nice beach, but strong undertow & rip currents - not recommended for swimming
- Got bit by a TON of sand flies here
- Close to Managua!
Masachapa
- Visited in October or November (only for a day trip)
- Very close to Managua
- Long stretch of beach
Transito
- Visited in February & March
- Located in a small town with some restaurants and bars
- Small selection of hostels, not super developed
- Stronger current than southern beaches, but okay for swimming
- Surf seems good for intermediate/advanced
- Close to Managua -- about 1.5 hr drive
Miramar
- Visited in March for about an hour
- Located in a small town, industrial feel
- Small selection of hostels -- overpriced
- The most trash I've ever seen on a beach
- Close to Managua -- about 1.5 hr drive
Poneloya
- Visited in October or November
- Close to Leon
- Can be okay for swimming, strong undertow
Jiquilillo
- Visited in January
- Waves were smaller, okay for beginners
- Located in a small town with a handful of restaurants
- Less developed than Popoyo area
Little Corn Island
- Visited in January
- Beach in front of Yemaya
- Warm water, but a bit difficult to access for swimming
- Yemaya amenities are a plus
