A surf beach, a rock in the bay and not much else. That is the point.
Playa Maderas sits on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, a short drive north of San Juan del Sur.
Close to town. Far from busy.
Playa Maderas is a bay on the southern Pacific coast of Nicaragua, about 20 minutes by road from San Juan del Sur. It feels a long way from town, which is a big part of why the beach stays quiet.
The landmark is Maderas Rock, the rock formation in the bay that you will see in nearly every sunset photo.
Two airports, one driver waiting.
| Airport | Drive to Playa Maderas | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Managua, Nicaragua (MGA) | About 2.5 hours | No border crossing. Usually the simpler option. |
| Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) | About 3 hours | Includes a land border crossing into Nicaragua. |
Airport transfers are included in every trip. Check the entry requirements for your passport before you book flights. Read the full guide to getting here.
A friendly place to learn.
Maderas is a beach break, which means waves break over sand. That is what makes it a popular place to take a first lesson, and why more experienced surfers come here too.
Surf lessons with local instructors are included in every trip. You do not need to have surfed before.
Sun most of the year.
The dry season runs roughly from November to April, with sunny days and very little rain. From about May to October the hills turn green and showers are more common, often later in the day.
When you want a change of scene.
- San Juan del Sur. The nearest town, about 20 minutes away, with restaurants, bars and shops.
- Other beaches. The coast north and south of Maderas has more bays to explore, easiest with a side-by-side.
- On the water. Catamaran days run along this coast. Ask us to add one.
Tell us who is coming. We handle the rest.
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