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Voykit pocket guide · Nicaragua
Las Peñitas
Spend 2–3 days for surf, island tours and relaxed beach time; a single day works as a León day‑trip.
Las Peñitas is a small surf village on Nicaragua's northern Pacific coast, about 30 min by road from León. The beach, surf schools and nearby Juan Venado Island reserve provide enough activities for a short stay, while budget accommodation makes a 2‑day stay comfortable.
- Country
- Nicaragua
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season, good surf)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rain, hotter, stronger currents)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- NIO
- Money
- Currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO, C$); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas.
- Daily spend
- Budget C$15–25 excl. bed · Mid C$30–45 excl. bed · High C$60+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro and Tigo sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 118 · Fire 115 · Red Cross ambulance 128
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs; power cuts happen in the rains.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% often added; otherwise leave 10%.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per day.; Shuttle drivers: Round up.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap outside some Managua hotels; buy bottled or use refill stations.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; do not flush paper in many older buildings.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus León → Las Peñitas (one way) | C$12 |
| Shuttle from Big Foot Hostel (one way) | C$50 |
| Taxi within town (short ride) | C$20–30 |
| Meal at a beach bar | C$25–45 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MGA · Managua International Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Bus León → Las Peñitas
- C$12 each way, departs hourly, first ~4 am, last ~6 pm (check)
- Shuttle Big Foot Hostel
- C$50 each way, departs 9 am & 3 pm daily (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The beach, bars and hostels are within a few minutes walk; short taxi rides cost C$20‑30 if needed.
See and do
Known for
- Surfing
- Juan Venado Island nature reserve
- Sunset views
- Budget beachfront hostels
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Juan Venado Island Nature Reserve | Boat from the harbor; tours arranged locally | ≈1 h total |
| Surf schools (Coco Surf School, Pelikan Surf School) | Walk along the beach to the school | ≤10 min |
Sleep
- Playa Roca Hotel
- Dorm $8, private rooms $20 US
- Caracolito Hostel
- Dorm $6, rooms $15 US; kitchen available
- Mano a Mano Eco Hostel
- Similar prices to Caracolito
- Rigo’s Guest House
- Dorm $6 pp, private rooms from $12 US
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑KUL‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑SEE‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN‑to KWEHS‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?DON‑de es‑TA el BAH‑nyo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; avoid: Starting with a request before greeting
- Politics: Change the subject; avoid: Opinions on the government, in person or online
- Dress: Covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
- Photos: Ask first; avoid: Police, soldiers and rallies
Scams and watch-outs
- No lifeguard patrols; strong waves, currents and rips – ask surf instructors for safe swimming spots.
- Bus to the beach runs roughly hourly; last departure from the beach is ~6 pm.
Las Peñitas is generally safe for tourists; main risks are strong surf currents and occasional petty theft—keep valuables secure and heed surf‑school advice.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Las Peñitas yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Surfing
- Juan Venado Island nature reserve
- Sunset views
- Budget beachfront hostels
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Las Peñitas, revision 5261579 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5261579
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/las-penitas). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.