Welcome to our neighborhood
Playa Maderas!
Playa Maderas is located just north of San Juan del Sur.
It is only about 10 kilometers from town though a 15-20 minute drive depending on road conditions as the Chocolata Road
(aka, the Coast Highway Road) is a dirt road in the dry season and a muddy road in the rainy season.
But don’t let this deter a visit to Playa Maderas, as it is the most consistent surf spot in Southern Nicaragua! And, beach shuttles run from San Juan del Sur every day.
If you are going to rent a vehicle, a 4X4 is recommended for the
rainy season as the hill into Playa Maderas is rather steep. From town just follow the Chocolata Road, there will be signs at the turn off before the Chocolata Junction, take this left turn, then just stay on this road. At the last fork in the road stay to the right going up the steep hill and as you come down the other side, you are at Playa Maderas!
Year round there are always waves to be had and even though this is one of the most popular surf spots the crowds are thin compared with surfing at most spots in the US!
And, the views of the coast line are stunning, walk the beach at low tide and don’t forget to stay and watch sunset!
So what is there to do in our neighborhood....Surfing, of course!
Playa Maderas is a beach break that is a good spot for beginners to advanced surfers, as the inside section has a re-form that is great for learning and the outside section is fun, workable, and on many swells hollow tubes for intermediate and advanced surfers with both lefts and rights to be had.
As with all the surf spots along our southern coast Playa Maderas likes a medium to high tide but with off- shore winds predominant you can catch good waves daily. No blown out afternoon sessions around here!
And you can enjoy low tide with a walk down the beach to Playa Majagual which is on the north end of the bay.
If you want to rent a surf board or have a surf lesson, we have
two surf shops at Playa Maderas.
JC & Kids Surf School is located at the foot of the hill, just before the parking lot at Playa Maderas. They have a good selection of surf boards including some great short boards for the intermediate surfer.
Maderas Surf Shop is located right at Playa Maderas at the
Tres Hermanos Hostel. They have many good surfboards for beginners,
nice long boards for easy learning and some short boards for the more advance surfer.
Click here for more information about Surfing in Nicaragua
What else can you do at Playa Maderas? How about celebrating the sun and surf with a yoga class on the beach! Café Revolucion has daily yoga classes and even an onsite masseuse to ease those sore muscles after a day of surfing!
Or....enjoy a Surf and Yoga Retreat
What else is there to do in the Playa Maderas neighborhood?
How about a game of Frisbee Disk Golf at Marsella Valley Park
Or take a walk on their nature trail and see some monkeys and parrots!
How about a coastal cruise along our shores to check out some marine life and enjoy landing at a secluded beach for a swim!
How about a massage after a long surf session, just stop by Dunia’s. Nestled under the trees, at the north side of the foot of the hill, just before the parking lot at Playa Maderas, Dunia’s massage will have you ready for another day of surfing!
The Playa Maderas neighborhood is interspersed with several good restaurants and bars.
Bar Guanacaste is a local bar that is located on the Chocolata Road as the Playa Maderas neighborhood begins on the West side of the road.
A stone throw away on the East side of the road is
Rancho Maria’s Restaurant. They cook great Nicaraguan cuisine with seafood as one of their specialties and they always have our famous Nicaraguan Flor de Cana rum.
Turn left, just before the Chocolata Junction and head down the road to the beaches, Maderas and Marsella. You will cross over the creek on the bridge, stay to the left and you are on the correct road.
On the west side of the road you will see
Mango Rosa- Adventure Travel & Surf Resort
The poolside Grand Rancho Bar and Grill is open to the public and is just steps from their luxurious bungalow accommodations.
And, don’t miss out on Munchie Blue’s Cafe!
Located at Marsella Valley Park, their pizza is real Italian, handmade and cooked in a wood fire oven
Right on the beach at Playa Maderas are our favorite lunch restaurants
Taco Locos which has great fish tacos
The Chicken Shack of Los Tres Hermanos Hostel has, you guessed it, great chicken dishes and cold beer!
Café Revolucion, has fantastic cappuccinos and good food. Home of Los Rebeldes Surf School, It also has a rustic surf camp with tent sites nestled under the trees. Watch the howler monkeys while relaxing with a message or enjoy a yoga class right at the beach at Playa Maderas!
If you want to enjoy the beauty of the jungle and see some of our wildlife right outside your window our Playa Maderas neighborhood has Accommodations ranging from surfers specialty lodging, bed and breakfast inns, rental homes, hostels and even a small resort
And, we even have a little market in our neighborhood,
Angelita's which is located on the Chocolata Road. She has all basics, beer, rum, rice and beans, so if your renting a house you will want to stock up in town at the Mercado and then hit Angelita's for re-supplying.
The neighborhood of Playa Maderas
a cool, tranquil place to spend your
Nicaraguan vacation!
