Nicaragua is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches & surfing in the world. The beach town of San Juan del Sur has become the main tourist destination within Nicaragua & there are an abundance of great places within easy access both by car & boat!
Here's some beaches you have to check out:

(Click here for maps to Playa Maderas and Playa Yankee & the Southern beaches).

Playa Maderas (right)
This consistent, sand bottom, beach break is located approximately 15 minutes by car (slightly longer in the rainy season) from San Juan Del Sur.  Most days, it’s a playful wave, fast and racy with occasional barrel sections. It's safe for learners although it can get up to double-overhead.  The best tide is usually, mid-incoming, but high tide down to mid-outgoing also breaks well at times.  It is rarely good at dead low.

Pacific Land Crab Facts

• They live in burrows
• They are omnivores, but primarily feed on plant material
• They are increasingly popular in the pet-trade due to their purple-blue carapace and orange-red legs
• Although as they grow older the colors tend to fade, and females may be duller than males
• The female land crab is supposedly the most delicious
• You can tell a female land crab by their flat underside
• One claw is usually considerably larger than the other

San Juan del Sur Bay Facts

• The bay or SJDS is 3 km long

• If you walk up to the lighthouse south of San Juan bay, you’ll find the ruins of William Walker’s fort. Walker was an American soldier who reigned as Nicaragua’s president from 1856-1857, but was executed by the Honduran government in 1860

• Its port was part of 'La Ruta de Nicaragua, used by Americans to cross between both coasts during 1840-1860

• Hundreds of Cruise Liners arrive on its port each year
  

• During "Semana Santa" SJDS bay is crowded with thousands of visitors

San Juan del Sur Bay (below)
This beach will most likely be on your doorstep as it is right in the centre of town.  Lined with restaurants smelling of delicious garlic and seafood, you can sunbathe and swim whilst watching fishermen boat in with today's fresh catch. Make sure to try the fresh Ceviche from one of the restaurants one lunchtime.  One of the freshest and tastiest local dishes.

Playa Majagual
This beach is just a 5 minute walk North of Playa Maderas.  It is absolutely stunning and and you can walk a fair distance around the coastline.  Although people have been know to surf around this point, it is usually quite a strong shore break and current so be careful not to get out of your depth.

Playa Marsella
This is a non surfing beach directly South of Playa Maderas. It's a beautiful deserted white sand beach, great for swimming and bbqs with friends.

Playa Remanso (left)
This is the closest break, just 10 minutes south of town.  It is a beautiful white sand bay with a small bar on the beach and shaded areas open to everyone.  This beach provides long gentle rollers, making it an easy paddle out and fun for all standards of surfing.  Ideal for learners!

When swell is too big Playa Remanso boasts some incredible waves.  Make sure to ask in local surf shops when is a good time to visit this break depending on your surfing level.  If you like cruising longboarding waves this is the beach too head to.

Playa Yankee
This is a fantastic break South of San Juan del Sur, boasting great views of Costa Rica.  Ask in the local surf shops for rides to this break.

La Flor (right)
Only a 15 minute drive south from Playa Coco, La Flor is a very special beach, something that you can only experience in a few lucky places on earth. The Olive-Ridley Turtles have chosen the beach down at La Flor, just south of San Juan del Sur as one of their only beaches in the world to lay their eggs.

A couple of the Hostels and Hotels organise excursions down to La Flor at night to go and watch this spectacle, see our natural wonders page for details...Definitely a once in a lifetime sight worth seeing!