Popoyo

Surfing in Popoyo, Nicaragua

Popoyo is a Pacific coast beach town in the department of Rivas, Nicaragua. It is known as the best, most consistent wave in Nicaragua. The wave breaks from 2 to 20 feet and at all tides. The surf zone in Popoyo gets offshore winds 300 days per year. There are areas for waves of all skill levels, from beginner to expert.

Get in

By car

Popoyo is 100 kilometers south of Managua and will take 2 to 2-1/2 hours to drive. 2 hours if you go via Masaya, and 2-1/2 if you use highway 1 (Panamerican highway). Either way, drive south until you get to Paso Real de Ochomogo, then turn west on highway NIC-62 (towards Popoyo). The road ends when you're at the beach.

Sleep

• Buena Onda Beach Resort (Popoyo Surf Hotel), Playa Santana, ☏ +505 8 973 01 01. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Best beach resort in Popoyo. 
• Magnific Rock Popoyo, Playa Popoyo, Las Salinas (in front of Playa Popoyo), ☏ +505 89166916. Perched atop a 30-metre cliff on Popoyo beach. Best views of Popoyo, Outer Reef, Santana and several other surf breaks. Hotel with penthouse, apartments and shared accommodation. Excellent bar and restaurant onsite. 
• 1 Hotel Casitas Pacific, De La Bacana, 300 Metros Norte Playa Guasacate, ☏ +505 784 14 533. Check-in: 2pm, check-out: 11am. Modern hotel with spacious, clean rooms. Hammocks on the patio. On-site restaurant with good food, plus other restaurants nearby. Beach views, cold drinks. US$67. (updated Sep 2023)

Go next

• Granada
• Isla de Ometepe
• San Juan del Sur