Nicaragua might not automatically come to mind when searching for surfing camps; its southern neighbour Costa Rica’s booming surf tourism economy has long overshadowed it. But recently, the country has seen many professional and novice surfers venture into its waters to hone their surf skills.
Nicaragua offers conditions for surfing that fiercely rival neighbour Costa Rica (Photo: Alexander Schimmeck via Flickr)
When it comes to surfing Nicaragua is home to some of the best spots in the region. With a number of surfing school’s offering their own unique take for their surf camp, figuring out which suits your own requirements can be difficult, so we’ve selected the top five based on accessibility, itinerary and value for money.
LOS CLAVOS IN EL VIEJO, NORTHERN NICARAGUA
FROM: $1260/per person
Various types of surf vacation are on offer from Los Clavos Surf Camp. These camps give surfers of all experience levels an option to get out in the waves and strengthen their surf skills in daily sessions, offered in English, Spanish and French. This surfing camp includes accommodation at the Los Clavos Surf Resortin a shared wooden bungalow with ocean views. Various locations around Northern Nicaragua are selected for surf lessons with each depending on the experience level of the group. Trip lengths are flexible, with guests offered the option to stay for just two nights up to two weeks. Included in the rate are daily yoga lessons, a boat trip to the local harbour where you will cruise Aserradores Estuary, the opportunity to wakeboard, all meals and drinks, a horseback riding tour, board hire, transport and, not to be missed, unlimited cold beers.
GIANT’S FOOT SURF TOURS IN PLAYA GIGANTE
From $1350/ per person
Escape to Playa Gigante for one of Giant’s Foot’s Surf Camps. Each of their eight-day surf vacations is offered at a different level: beginner or intermediate, with varying level of intensity. For those with more experience, the intensive surfing camp offers one-to-one daily coaching sessions and video analysis to help surfers break down and understand their technique. Giant Foot offers onsite accommodation at its own camp, which is included in the rate, with the option of double or dorm rooms available. All meals and drinks are also included, on top of daily surf lessons and surfboard hire.
NICAWAVES IN RIVAS
From $1150 per person
With surfing camps all year round, Nicawaves invites guests to the relaxing surroundings of Popoyo in Rivas to enjoy their surf vacation. This surfing hot-spot is a location identified as regularly having world-class surf breaks. If that’s not enough to entice guests to Rivas, Nicawaves’ surfing camp offers a professional guide to help you jump straight into the waters and explore secret spots around the reef. An additional trip to the Las Salinas hot springs is also on the surfing school’s itinerary. Included in the rate of this surfing camp is: a seven-night stay in Nicawaves Hotel, single, double or triple rooms are available; a 30-minute complimentary massage and three meals every day. Surfboard hire is available at an additional fee.
MIRAMAR SURF CAMP IN LEON
From $600/ per person
From July through to February, Miramar Surf Camp hosts two different surfing schools for surf enthusiasts of different skill levels. Beginner and intermediate surfers are offered five-day surf vacations with daily lessons and those at an advanced level able to enjoy six days with surf sessions and boat trips to more difficult surf-spots. Both surfing camps include daily meals and accommodation at the Miramar Surf Camp complex. Here guests are offered a range of types of rooms for different budgets: upgrade to a comfy ocean view double for extra privacy or save in budget AC rooms. Both private single and double rooms are available. With surfboard rental and three daily drinks included in the price, there are few added extras required for this trip making this surfing school great value for money.
SURFARI CHARTERS INTERNATIONAL IN RIVAS
From $1700/ per person
The climate of surfers’ paradise Rivas makes all day surfing a reality. Stretching to spots across the beaches of southern Nicaragua, Surfari Charters hosts a surfing camp the caters to the needs of guests for the entirety of their surfing vacation. From airport transfer to accommodation in a shared beach house, this lively surfing school and its attentive team provide surfing camps to those from beginner to top surfer level. Surfari Charters offer daily surf lessons and boats to surf spots, so all surfers need to do is relax and enjoy the waves!