Where to surf in Central America?

by Los Clavos 07 nov. 2017

Nicaragua Surf

Why Surf in Central America?

Central America is quickly becoming one of the most sought after surf destinations and a mecca for those seeking surf, sun, and untouched natural beauty. While we think our home in Northern Nicaragua has the ideal mix of uncrowded waves, surf spots with perfect conditions (whether you’re a beginner or advanced surfer), and great opportunities to experience Nica culture, we’ve put together this round-up of our favorite surf destinations in Central America for you!

Here is our list of personal favorites along with recommendations from our well traveled guests, who often pair a trip to Los Clavos Surf Camp with another Central American surf destination or two…

Our Surf Picks in Central America

El Salvador - our neighbor to the north, which we can see on clear days! Head here if you love right hand breaks and are up for some adventure, since El Salvador feels more off the beaten track than some of the other surf destinations on our Central America list. Our top picks are Punta Roca and Las Flores. Like Nicaragua, you will find bigger swell May - October during the green season and smaller waves for beginners, November - April.

Panama - we love Bocas del Toro in Central America for its cool, Caribbean vibes and wide range of surf. If you’re a seasoned surfer, peak time here is November - April, when you will find heavy breaks and pumping waves.

Costa Rica - Nosara and Playa Santa Teresa are our top picks in Costa Rica. Check out our friends at Zopilote Surf Camp. This is where Romain had his first experience surfing in Central America and he loved the atmosphere there.

Why Nica is best for surfing in Central America?

We’ve toured the Pacific coast and definitely think Northern Nicaragua is the jewel in Nica’s crown! Within a 20 minute drive from our camp, there are 5 impressive breaks where you can find a wide range of perfect waves from clean, peeling beauties ideal for learning, to our world class break, the Boom. You will be impressed by how few people are in the water each day and by how much you improve your surfing by visiting here, where you don’t have to fight for waves. Check out our website here for information on surfing packages.

In southern Nicaragua, we are partial to Playa Colorado and Popoyo. Off shore winds allow you to surf all day long. If you visit Popoyo, we recommend saying hello to Johnny at Wild Waves Waves. He has a great house with nice, simple rooms right on the beach.

Travel simply in Central America

The great thing about Central America is that with a little time, you can travel inexpensively between countries or of course fly and maximize the spots you can visit. We include an airport transfer in all our packages, so the process of getting to and from Managua to your next destination will be a breeze. Wherever you plan to visit, we promise you will not be disappointed by the beauty of Central America’s coasts and the warmth of the people you will meet along the way.

If you want to know more about Los Clavos Surf Camp and our surf and yoga packages, visit our website here for more information. We love meeting new people, so feel free to email us with any questions about our camp or Central America in general.

Romain

Co-owner at Los Clavos Surf Camp