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Hola from San Juan Del Sur! I just got back from 5 days at a Nicaragua surf camp and am excited to tell you all about. The Pacific coast of Nicaragua has some of the best surfing in the world. I didn’t do too much sightseeing in the country, but did explore several beaches, seaside bars, and stayed at a surf camp. This guide is going to cover everything you need to know about a Nicaragua surf camp, specifically Dreamsea in San Juan Del Sur.
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Know Before You Go: Nicaragua Edition
Here are a few simple facts about traveling to Nicaragua to help you prepare for your upcoming visit!
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Language
The primary language spoken in Nicaragua is Spanish. Since Nicaragua is a developing nation with a more limited tourism industry compared to its neighbors Costa Rica and even Guatemala, I recommend learning some basic Spanish before you visit. Some people will know English, especially surf instructors, but any conversation I had with taxi drivers, restaurant workers, or shop owners were in Spanish.
Currency
Nicaraguan Cordobas (NIO) are used for daily needs, but dollars are widely used especially for touristic services. Either way, cash is king so be sure to have some for bars, tips, etc. If you pay in USD, you may receive Cordobas back.
Weather (Best Time Of Year To Visit Nicaragua)
The best time to visit Nicaragua is during the dry season. As with the rest of Central America, the best time to visit is from November to April. This time of year has the least amount of rainfall, warm temperatures, and less humidity. I would expect low-mid 80°Fs — ideally for soaking up the sun at the beach!
Due to less rainfall, there will also be less humidity, bugs, and road closures during this time — something that becomes a serious problem with flash floods and muddy, dirt roads in this part of the world.
WiFi / Phone Service
If you have an international phone plan (I love T-Mobile Magenta), your cellular service should kick in upon arrival. There were some spots where I lost service in more remote areas (like during the 3 hour shuttle ride from Managua to San Juan Del Sur), but for the most part, you’ll have service.
Any hotel or surf camp should also have WiFi. I had no problem doing some remote work, making FaceTime calls, etc. at Dreamsea!
Transportation
I would not ride the public buses in Nicaragua. Similar to Guatemala, there are “chicken buses” that locals ride. They are chaotic, get packed, and are used by mostly local men, so I don’t recommend them — especially for solo female travelers.
I also wouldn’t rent a car in Nicaragua since many of the roads are under construction, unmarked, or straight up dirt.
The best way to get around are semi-private shuttles that you can share with other travelers or taxis!
Water
It’s not recommended to drink the tap water in Nicaragua… like at all. I would avoid drinking water, brushing your teeth with tap, or even opening your mouth in the shower. Buy bottled water. However, I felt very good about the water at the surf camp!
What Is A Surf Camp?
A surf camp is pretty much exactly what it sounds like — it’s a “camp” aka multi-day program that incorporates daily surf lessons or sessions, in addition to group meals and other activities.
They take place all around the world, but common destinations for this experience include Australia, Bali, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and some European countries like Portugal, France, and Spain. Morocco has also become a more popular surfing destination in recent years.
Surf camps are typically booked by younger, adventurous travelers. They have very social environments as guests typically share dorm rooms, do surf sessions together, and other activities. It’s the perfect trip for a solo traveler.
Pro-tip: Surf camps are for people of ALL skill levels. I’ve done two now and some people have never even held a surf board and other folks could surf through barrel waves. The instructors will pair you with other people at your level in the lessons / sessions. Don’t be intimidated!
Why Should I Do A Nicaragua Surf Camp?
San Juan Del Sur is one of the best places in the world for surfing, especially for beginners. Plus, I think a surf camp is one of the safest and best ways to visit Nicaragua as a tourist.
Nicaragua is considered generally unsafe to visit because of its high crime rate, including armed robbery and kidnappings. It has had a tumultuous past, especially regarding governmental concerns in the capital city, Managua. It’s recommended to avoid the capital as a tourist.
I met so many backpackers during my trip who were traveling all around the country, and felt safe doing so. However, a lot of backpacking is incredibly independent. Although you may overlap with other travelers, I think a surf camp is the safest way to travel to Nicaragua since it’s group-oriented.
During my few days at the Nicaragua surf camp, I was rarely alone. Aside from feeling safe, you won’t have to worry about filtered water or properly-prepared meals at a Nicaragua surf camp since these things will be provided to you. I felt comfortable eating meat, smoothies with ice and fruits, etc — all things I normally avoid when visiting developing countries.
Finally, surf camps plan daily activities and itineraries with shuttle transportation, so you can avoid taking your own taxis or riding the local chicken buses — which should generally be avoided by travelers.
Where Is San Juan Del Sur?
I didn’t realize how much there is to do in Nicaragua! Many of the people I met were visiting for at least 2 weeks. Everyone seems to take a similar backpacking route that includes sand surfing down a volcano in Léon, visiting the colonial city of Granada outside of the capital Managua, staying on Ometepe Island, and also visiting Popoyo (another small surf town).
One of the most popular activites to do in the country though is surfing, and San Juan Del Sur is the most famous place to do so. Most Nicaragua surf camps are located in the San Juan Del Sur beach area.
San Juan Del Sur is located in the southern part of the country, just 1 hour from the Costa Rican border. “Sur” means “south” in Spanish. It’s on the Pacific side of the country, which has the better surfing.
Similar to Costa Rica and Panama, the country has coasts on both the Pacific side and the Caribbean side, although the Pacific side is much more popular to visit, especially for surfing in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
This region is about 3 hours from Managua and the country’s main international airport by shuttle. It’s one hour from Rivas, which is a popular jumping off point to reach Ometepe Island. San Juan Del Sur is also only about 2 hours from Liberia, Costa Rica, which is home to one of the largest airports in the country.
What To Do In San Juan Del Sur
The Beaches
San Juan Del Sur is known for its beaches. There are dozens in this area. Aside from this, the town is also full of local shops, cafes, and bars. Although, it is small. I actually never browsed in town during the day — just at nighttime for some nightlife.
One of the top beaches in the area for both surfing and swimming is Playa Remanso. This white sandy beach is perfect for all ages. There are volleyball nets, cafes, bars, and surf equipment here for rent.
The Bars / Cafes
During my time at a Nicaragua surf camp, I went to 3 bars + cafes that I recommend around the San Juan Del Sur area. Ding Repair Cafe is a cafe / restaurant during the day that serves acai bowls and local dishes, and turns into a vibrant bar at night. Aside from serving cheap local beer in a tropical, outdoor setting, you’ll never guess the best part.
There’s a skateboard park INSIDE the bar! It’s super cool to watch locals (including the town kids!) do their tricks here. I’ve never seen anything like it.
I also recommend going to Hush. This boutique hotel has an infinity pool and often has live music and cocktails. It’s the best place to catch sunset in the area!
Lastly, I loved Machete. It’s super close to Dreamsea (which BTW — provides transportation to all of these spots), and has a cool backyard bar vibe. There is live music on a back deck here too, with swings, a pizza oven, and fire pits.
Pro-tip: If you’re in San Juan Del Sur on a Sunday, you HAVE to participate in Sunday Funday. It’s a world-renowned hostel crawl / pool party situation for backpackers. For about $25 USD, you can get access to 5 bars in the San Juan Del Sur area, which includes a shot upon arrival at each and a t-shirt. Unfortunately, I flew out on Sunday so I didn’t attend but most of my new friends at my hostel did. Wear comfy clothes (it’s a marathon, not a sprint) and HYDRATE!!!
Other Sights
You must hike up to Cristo de La Misericordia during your time at a Nicaragua surf camp in San Juan Del Sur. I recommend going up to the Jesus statue in the evening to watch sunset. Here, you’ll get views of the San Juan Del Sur crescent beach and bay, and also the coast and mountains. It was STUNNING! You can drive up and just hike up a few stairs. Once you’re there (and pay the small entrance fee), you can also walk up a ramp onto the statue to get a view from the area’s highest vantage point.
It’s no Christ the Redeemer, but it’s pretty epic up here! Don’t miss it.
Pro-tip: It’s common to ride horses on the beaches around San Juan Del Sur too! This top-rated horseback riding tour is a great option!
What To Expect During A Nicaragua Surf Camp
To wrap up, I wanted to cover what to expect at a Nicaragua surf camp! I already shared a little about the food — but to reiterate, it’s all safe to eat and is SO good at Dreamsea! Each night, you’ll get two options. One is vegetarian and another has meat (ex. quinoa burger vs. beef burger). If you sign up for the weekly package, you’ll have dinners included. As an overnight guest, you’ll have breakfast included… which was AMAZING! There are like 5 options, and I ordered the same, traditional breakfast every morning. I wish I could eat it everyday — scrambled eggs, beans, fried plantains, avocado, etc. So good. As for lunch, there is also a snack menu you can pay for a la carte. I ordered a smoothie most days to hold me over!
As for the accommodation itself, if you book the standard room, you will be in a co-ed, shared dorm with 5 other people (3 bunk beds). There are also private bungalows. Anyone in the shared dorms has to share 2 bathroom stalls + 2 showers, but this was never a problem. Everyone is on different schedules!
Pro-tip: It gets quite cool at night so I slept quite well! However, there may be some critters. You are in the jungle after all. Pack bug spray!
Finally, as for activities, there is a daily agenda at Dreamsea, complete with surf lessons in the AM, options for yoga, group meals, surf theory (“classroom” session about surfing in the afternoon), along with a nightly bar or excursion option. There is also plenty of downtime for reading, naps, games, etc. I thought the days were super well balanced and were SO fun. The people that I met here were so welcoming, friendly, and like-minded. I would expect a lot of solo travelers at surf camp, especially females, and to be quite social during your stay!
That brings us to the end of my in-depth review on a Nicaragua surf camp. Overall, I can’t recommend this experience enough. This trip was slightly out of my comfort zone since I went to Nicaragua solo, but it ended up being one of my favorite adventures to date.
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