Central America Surf Trips
Rancho Santana, Nicaragua
Rancho Santana, Nicaragua, is a great destination for surfers with families. Blessed with multiple breaks, consistent swells, and near constant offshore winds, Rancho Santana is the jewel on this wave drenched coastline. Accommodations run from Affordable to luxurious.
Rancho Santana is a private, gated ranch development which includes 3-4 kms of coastline. Surfspots include; (right out front) Playa Santana, a consistent beachbeak with hollow peaks and prevailing offshore winds. Rosada is a left point/reef break that can have a thick lipped, slabby first section before lining up into the bay.
The next ranch to the South is Playa Iguana, which includes (or excludes, depending on how you look at it, another 3 kms of coast line and 3 more good waves, including playa colorado, considered the best beachbreak in Central America by those in the know.) Iguana can be accessed via a 10 minute walk on the beach from Santana.
Rancho Santana has a beachfront clubhouse with restaurant, swimming pools, stables, playground... The fishing in front of the clubhouse is unreal with Robalo (snook), Trevally, Snapper, Dorado, etc.... pulled in daily right off the rocks. There is also a small market, making it possible to spend your whole trip surfing instead of going back and forth to town.
The best thing about the Southern Nicaraguan coast is the offshore wind. This weather phenomenon is caused by Lake Nicaragua and produces offshore winds more than 300 days a year. It works magic on the beachbreaks, producing groomed hollow perfection up and down the coast.
South swells are most consistent, but good waves can be had all year. October tends to be the rainiest time with the most onshores. It can also pump with very little crowd, and the wind is still offshore a lot of the time.
More Information:
Playa Grande, Costa Rica
Casa Linda Vista: One of Costa Rica's most consistent beachbreaks, Playa Grande is a beautiful 2 mile stretch of white sand inside the leatherback turtle nesting sanctuary. Casa Linda Vista is a family-run compound with three rentals on beautifully landscaped grounds a five minute walk from the beach. Howler Monkeys and Iguanas are year round residents here. Other wildlife is abundant.
Nicaragua
Lodging
The surf sanctuary
Playa Santana, Nicaragua
www.thesurfsanctuary.com
Casa Ensueno
www.casa-ensueno.com
Costa Rica
Food & Lodging
Rip Jack Inn
The food here is great!
One minute walk to surf
Well trained yoga instructors and classes at this restaurant in the mornings.
www.ripjackinn.com/index.htm
Playa Grande, Nicoya penninsula, Costa Rica
Lodging
Casa and casitas Linda Vista
Kai and Ruth Pyle
casalindavist@racsa.co.cr
Borinquen hotel
Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica
http://www.borinquenhotel.com/home/welcome.html
Transportation
Economy rent a car
In Liberia and San Jose give good service
liberia@economyrentacar.com
www.economyrentacar.com