In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Nicaragua
Playa Maderas
Spend 1–2 days at Playa Maderas: surf or relax, stay overnight in a hostel or surf camp, or take a day trip from San Juan del Sur.
Playa Maderas is a sandy beach north of San Juan del Sur on Nicaragua's southern Pacific coast, known for surfable waves and a relaxed vibe. It can be visited as a day trip or as a short overnight stay with several budget-friendly lodgings.
- Country
- Nicaragua
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, consistent surf)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy season, rough roads)
- Stay
- 1–2 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 US$20–30 excl. bed · Mid US$30–50 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 |
|---|---|
| Water taxi (one way) | US$8 |
| Taxi (two people) | US$10–15 |
| Bike rental (per day) | US$5 |
| Surfboard/boogie board rental (per day) | US$10 |
| Food stand snack | US$2–5 |
| Beer at food stand | US$2–3 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MGA · Managua International Airport
- About 2 h 30 min drive north via RN-1
Typical fares
- Water taxi Hotel Estrella → Playa Maderas
- US$8 one way, departs 10:00, returns 16:00US$8 one way, departs 10:00 AM, returns 4:00 PM
- Bike rental in San Juan del Sur
- US$5 per day
- Surfboard rental
- US$10 per day
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
Walk on the beach; bike rentals in San Juan del Sur (US$5/day).
See and do
Known for
- Surfing
- Beachside hostels
- Juanita's Kitchen food stand
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan del Sur | Water taxi from Hotel Estrella (US$8 one way) or taxi (US$10–15). | 30–45 min |
Sleep
- Selina Maderas
- Hostel with pool, communal spaces; price US$20 per night.
- The Li'l Aussie Hut
- Beachfront hut, basic amenities, wifi.
- Buena Vista Surf Club
- Backpacker vibe, breakfast included.
- Rapture Surfcamp Nicaragua
- Surf camp with tents and bungalows, shuttle service.
- Arte-Sano Hotel Cafe
- Boutique hotel with pool and restaurant.
- Camping Matilda
- Family‑run camping, shared dorms and private huts.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño? |
| I would like a surfboard, please | Quisiera una tabla de surf, por favor |
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
- Roads to the beach are rough; a 4WD is advisable in rainy season.
- Water taxi runs only 10:00–16:00; plan return accordingly.
Playa Maderas is generally safe for tourists; watch for rough roads and keep valuables secure on the beach.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Playa Maderas yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Surfing
- Beachside hostels
- Juanita's Kitchen food stand
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Playa Maderas coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/QXXXXX
- Wikivoyage: Playa Maderas, revision 4874839 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4874839
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/playa-maderas). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.