Nicargaua is the next surfing frontier in Central America. Its’ approximately 300 km Pacific Coastline is a swell magnet for SW and S swells which are most prevalent from March-November, averaging 4-6 feet, and sometimes up to 10-15ft + on the biggest swells, but rarely smaller than 2-3 ft. December-February is less consistent but still produces fun rideable surf most of the time. Nicaragua is uncrowded, over 90% consistent, and unlike Costa Rica its best surf breaks are not spread out all over the country but concentrated in one area along its SW Pacific coastline in the province of Rivas. Its primary swell source is SW and S ground swells for which the orientation of this coastline is ideal. Most of the surf can be accessed by 4x4 truck, with other spots accessible only by boat. Nicaragua has no crowds, and is a refuge for the serious surfer seeking an alternative to the crowded lineups of Costa Rica to the south and Puerto Escondido to the North.
Wavehunters’ Nicaraguan operation Popoyo Surf Camp, is located in Salinas, in
Nicaragua’s Rivas Province, 2.5 hrs. from Managua International Airport and is
hosted by expatriate Floridian surfer JJ Yemma, his wife Kimberly, and their
daughter Mikayla. Guests of Popoyo Surf Camp will be met at the international
airport in Managua by Popoyo staff and transferred directly to Popoyo Surf Camp.
Packages include 7 nights fully air-conditioned accommodation, 3 square meals
per day, 3 days of surf tours by 4x4 truck, and 3 days of surf tours by 25 foot
powerboat. JJ is a very accomplished surfer who has spent the last several years
of his life building and operating Popoyo Surf Camp and dialing visiting surfers
into the nearby surf.
At
Popoyo and in the vicinity you will find a plethora of surf breaks ranging from
hollow, A-frame beach break to super fun, classic point breaks, to critical
outer reef breaks. These surf breaks benefit from Nicaragua’s permanent Santa
Ana condition, and enjoy offshore winds over 300 days per year. Nicaragua’s
Santa Ana phenomenon is a phenomenon whereby the dominant NE trades from the
Caribbean are accelerated across Nicaragua’s narrow land mass by the absence of
mountains in this southern region and by Lake Nicaragua, a massive inland lake
approximately one-half as wide as the country. As the NE trades sweep across the
narrow isthmus of the country towards the Pacific ocean they blow straight into
the approaching SW ground swells. The offshore winds groom these swells into
clean hollow lines and almond-shaped barrels at the many points, reefs and
beachbreaks which bless Nicaragua’s Pacific coastline.
Unlike the Papagayo winds which blow in Guanacaste, Costa Rica generally from
December-April only, the Nicaragua lake-effect winds blow offshore year-round.
This means the only quality surf for much of the year isn’t just found from 6-10
am before the winds come up and blow it out. The surf here is good all day, so
plan on surfing 2-3 quality sessions per day, bring plenty of sun protection,
and arrive in good physical fitness (swimming, running, situps and pushups are
excellent if your local surf hasn’t done it for you).
Nicaragua - Political
There are many common misconceptions surrounding
Nicaragua. What people often expect is an unstable country with guerrillas
running around in the jungles. This could not be further from the truth. There
was a Sandinistan Revolution beginning in 1979. The US intervened with the
revolution, sponsoring many anti-Sandinistan contra guerrillas through much of
the 1980's. Free elections in '90, '96 and in 2001 have seen the Sandinistas
defeated in a democratic manner. During these years the country has stabilized.
The economy is now growing at a rapid pace and Nicaragua is learning from its
neighbor Costa Rica and is encouraging tourism as a main form of income for many
of its lesser fortunate people.
Nicaragua, Popoyo Surf Camp
Nicargaua is the next surfing frontier in Central America. Its approximately 300 km Pacific Coastline is a swell magnet for southerly swells. These swells are groomed to perfection by all-day offshore winds, averaging 4-6 feet, and sometimes up to 10-15ft + on the biggest swells. Nicaragua is uncrowded, over 90% consistent. Most of the surf can be accessed by 4x4 truck, with other spots accessible only by boat. Nicaragua has no crowds, and is a refuge for the serious surfer seeking an alternative to the crowded lineups of Costa Rica to the south and Puerto Escondido to the North. Popoyo Surf Camp, is located in Salinas, in NicaraguaÇs Rivas Province, 2.5 hrs. from Managua International Airport and is hosted by expatriate Floridian surfer JJ Yemma and his wife Kimberly. Packages include airport transfers, 7 nights fully air-conditioned accommodation, 3 square meals per day, 3 days of surf tours by 4x4 truck, and 3 days of surf tours by 25-foot powerboat w/70hp. Space is going quick on this one, book your spot in the lineup today...
Packages Include:
… Airport greeting and roundtrip transfers to Popoyo Surf Camp
… Accommodation w/AC
… 3 square meals per day
… Surf guide: JJ Yemma
… 3 full-day surf tours by 4 x4 truck
… 3 full-day boat trips w/ 25ft covered powerboat w/70hp including lunch &
fishing
7 night package:
1 surfer in shared accommodation: $915.00
1 surfer in private accommodation: $1090.00
2 surfers in private accommdation: $845.00 per surfer
3 or more surfers in private accommodation: $825.00 per surfer