The Perfect Destination For a Surf Yoga Retreat | Nicaragua
Are you seeking the perfect destination for your next surf and yoga retreat? Look no further than Nicaragua. Renowned for its world-class waves, stunning beaches, and vibrant culture, Nicaragua offers an ideal setting for surfers of all levels. From beginner-friendly breaks to challenging barrels, this Central American gem boasts a diverse range of surfing conditions to suit every taste.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the reasons why Nicaragua stands out as a top destination for surfers. Discover the country’s most iconic surf spots, learn about the best times to visit for optimal wave conditions, and gain valuable insights into the local surf culture. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your surfing journey, Nicaragua has something to offer every type of surfer.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Surf Destination Great?
A great surf destination offers a combination of world-class waves, stunning natural beauty, a vibrant local culture, easy accessibility, a safe and secure environment and most importantly, minimal crowds in the line up. Consider the consistency and variety of waves, the scenic surroundings, opportunities for cultural immersion, travel ease, and the availability of quality accommodations.
Surf Conditions
When considering the best destinations for yoga surf retreats, surf conditions are at the forefront of thought. Consistently good conditions are way better than really good conditions some of the time. Especially when you only have a week or so to get good waves, so consider consistency over perfection if you have a short trip.
Wind
Surfing requires specific wind directions for the surf conditions to stay good. In most places around the world, the wind is variable. Meaning, it changes direction from day to day. But, the wind conditions in Nicaragua are consistently offshore which is great for surfing. Offshore wind grooms the ocean and offers clean waves that are easy to read and ride. That is one of the reasons why Nicaragua is a great destination for surf yoga retreats.
Swell
Surfing requires waves. Some surf destinations ave consistent waves, while others don’t. Some surf destinations have big waves while others have small waves. Nicaragua has two distinct seasons, one surf season offers small waves perfect for beginner and advanced beginner surfers and another surf season that offers bigger more powerful waves for more advanced surfers. This makes Nicaragua a perfect destination for surf yoga retreats.
Variety of Surf Breaks
Nicaragua boasts a rich variety of surf breaks along it’s west coast. There are so many types of waves to choose from along this vast stretch of coastline. This fat makes it both undiscovered and generously spreads out the crowds. Considering this in combination with it’s sightly shady past makes the beautiful coast relatively undiscovered and untouched, leading us to choose Nicaragua as one of our favorite destinations to host yoga surf retreats.
Crowd Factor
As mentioned above, Nicaragua has a relatively recent history of political unrest, which has since resolved. As a result, the Nicaraguan coastline is relatively untouched and foreign to the world of surf tourism. It’s vast in accessible coastline combined with recently resolved political unrest makes it the perfect destination to go to escape the crowds and host a surf yoga retreat.
Safety & Accessibility
In recent years Nicaragua has really cleaned up any and all crime, making it one of the safest countries to go and surf in. There are pockets of accessible coastline with newly developed surf tourism hotspots like El Transito, Popoyo and San Juan Del Sur.
Best Time to Visit a Surf Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua
Although Nicaragua boasts some of the most consistent waves on earth, there is an optimal time to visit this magnificent coastline to surf. The best time to surf in Nicaragua depends on your ability and what you want to get out of your trip. Nicaragua get’s most of it’s swell from the Southern Hemisphere which is most active in the Northern Hemisphere summer, meaning the peak surf season is between April and October. However, that’s not necessarily suitable for everyone.
November - March (Beginner - Intermediate)
November to March is technically surfing low season in Nicaragua. Meaning, the waves are relatively small because the Southern Pacific Ocean is dormant during Northern Hemisphere winter. This makes November to March the perfect time for beginner surfers to visit the West Coast of Nicaragua and attend a surf yoga retreat.
April - October (Intermediate - Advanced)
May – October is technically surfing high season in Nicaragua. Meaning, the waves are relatively big because the Southern Pacific Ocean is most active during Northern Hemisphere summer. This makes May – October the perfect time for intermediate and advanced surfers to visit the West Coast of Nicaragua and attend a surf yoga retreat.
Is It Safe To Surf In Nicaragua
This is a question that we get asked all the time. The simple answer is yes, it is very safe to surf in Nicaragua. In-fact, Nicaragua is one of the safest countries to visit and surf in Central and South America, here’s why:
Very Little Crime
There is a lot that probably shouldn’t be spoken about, but, the crime factor in Nicaragua is basically non existent outside of the major cities. Most of the surf destinations in Nicaragua are located on the West Coast of Nicaragua, far away from major cities. These small communities are made up of subsistence farmers and fisherman that live simple lives. They have a rich family orientated culture which creates a sense of pride and ownership. These communities are so small that everyone knows everyone, making it safe for everyone to visit and surf.
Improving Infrastructure
Similar to most developing nations, Nicaragua is putting a lot of effort into improving it’s infrastructure, making the country more attractive to foreign investment, ultimately rendering the countries magnificent coastline safe and more accessible to everyone.
A Few of the Best Surf Spots In Nicaragua
El Transito: A combination of three different waves, including a long left point break, an a frame, soft rolling beach break and a punchy, hollow beach break around the corner.
2. Popoyo: Known for its consistent, powerful waves, Popoyo is a favorite among experienced surfers. This reef break offers both lefts and rights, making it suitable for a variety of skill levels.
3. Playa Maderas: Located near San Juan del Sur, Playa Maderas is a popular beach break with mellow waves that are perfect for beginners and intermediates.
4. Playa Gigante: This beach break offers a mix of mellow waves and occasional barrels, making it suitable for surfers of all levels.
5. Playa Manzanillo: For those seeking a more remote and adventurous experience, Playa Manzanillo offers world-class reef breaks that are accessible only by boat.
6. Playa Colorado: This beach break is known for its powerful barrels and is considered one of the best waves in Nicaragua. However, access is limited and requires a boat or a long hike.
7. Playa Santana: Located near the charming town of San Juan del Sur, Playa Santana is a popular beach break with consistent waves and a relaxed atmosphere.
8. Playa Aserradores: This beach break offers a variety of waves, from mellow to powerful, making it suitable for surfers of all levels.
This is just a small sample of the many excellent surf spots Nicaragua has to offer. With its diverse range of breaks, stunning beaches, and friendly locals, Nicaragua is a surfer’s paradise waiting to be explored.
