Major city · Nicaragua
Popoyo
Go for 3–4 nights if you surf; otherwise skip — it's a remote beach with one world-class wave and little else.
Popoyo is a Pacific coast surf town in Rivas department, 100 km south of Managua. Its consistent wave breaks 2–20 ft at all tides with offshore winds 300 days a year, suiting beginner to expert surfers. The town itself is a dirt-road strip with a handful of hotels and restaurants; non-surfers will run out of things to do in a day.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NIO
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, best surf consistency)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, road access can be tricky)
- Airport
- MGA
- Nights
- 3
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Nicaragua ↗Check entry rules for your passport with a Nicaraguan embassy and your airline before booking; some visitors must register in advance, and entry can be refused without explanation.
- Nicaragua ↗Avoid political gatherings and do not photograph police, the military or protests; foreign nationals have been detained or expelled.
- Nicaragua ↗Do not bring drones or professional camera equipment without prior permission; they can be confiscated at customs.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Popoyo118 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Popoyo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO, C$); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas.Nicaragua-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro and Tigo sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.Nicaragua-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap outside some Managua hotels; buy bottled or use refill stations.Nicaragua-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% often added; otherwise leave 10%.Nicaragua-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Nicaragua-wide
- SafetyPopoyo is generally safe, but petty theft can occur on the beach at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; do not flush paper in many older buildings.Nicaragua-wide
- Emergency numbers118 police · 115 fire · 128 Red Cross ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckSemana Santa Thursday–Friday and Christmas shut much of the country; museums close Mondays (check).Nicaragua-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMGA Augusto C.
- Getting aroundNo public transport within Popoyo.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (cup)C$30–60 (≈ US$25–45)
- Sit-down mealMeal at a sit-down restaurantC$200–500 (≈ US$150–400)
- BeerBeer (bottle, local)C$40–70 (≈ US$30–55)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Popoyo to San Juan del SurcheckC$600–900 (≈ US$450–700)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personNIO 400
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (double), a night, per roomNIO 2,500
- High-end bedPrivate room (double), a night, per roomNIO 5,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NIO 1,200 · Mid NIO 2,500 · High NIO 5,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MGA Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (Managua) (2–2.5 h drive to Popoyo)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Sep (13 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Popoyo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport within Popoyo. Walk between the beaches (15–30 min) or hire a taxi/tuk-tuk from the main road. A 4×4 is useful in the rainy season.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Shuttle or taxi, about 45 min
More restaurants, nightlife and a bigger beach; good for a half-day.
Door to door: About 30 min
Taxi, about 20 min
Quieter beach with a few casual eateries; a short escape from the surf crowd.
Door to door: About 2 h
Shuttle or car via NIC-62 and Panamerican, about 1.5 h
Worth a day trip for colonial architecture and the isletas, but it's a long drive for a half-day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Playa Popoyo / Las Salinas
Cliff-top hotels like Magnific Rock with views of the main breaks; walk to the beach.
Playa Santana
Quieter stretch with Buena Onda Beach Resort; a short drive or walk to Popoyo.
Playa Guasacate
Mid-range hotels like Hotel Casitas Pacific; close to restaurants and the main surf zone.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$1,000–1,800 (≈ US$750–1,400) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$1,800–3,500 (≈ US$1,400–3,000) excl. bed
- High
- C$3,500 (≈ US$3,000)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (double)1 × 3 nights × NIO 2,500 | NIO 7,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × NIO 2,500 | NIO 15,000 |
| Shuttle from Managua airport, one way2 × NIO 800 · check | NIO 1,600 |
| Surfboard rental per day2 × NIO 500 · check | NIO 1,000 |
| eSIM for travel (about a week)2 × NIO 600 | NIO 1,200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NIO 2,630 |
| Trip total≈ NIO 4,820 per person per day, bed included | NIO 28,930 |
2026 estimate in córdobas (C$); US dollars accepted almost everywhere. Flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Surfboard rental, one daycheck | C$400–700 (≈ US$300–550) |
| Beer (bottle, local) | C$40–70 (≈ US$30–55) |
| Meal at a sit-down restaurant | C$200–500 (≈ US$150–400) |
| Coffee (cup) | C$30–60 (≈ US$25–45) |
| Taxi from Popoyo to San Juan del Surcheck | C$600–900 (≈ US$450–700) |
| Shuttle Managua airport ↔ Popoyo, one waycheck | C$700–1,000 (≈ US$550–750) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road from NIC-62 to the beach is unpaved and can be muddy in the wet season; a 4×4 helps.
- No ATM in Popoyo — bring enough córdobas or US dollars for your stay.
- Rip currents: surf only at patrolled breaks or with a local guide if you're inexperienced.
- Last shuttle from Managua leaves by mid-afternoon; check schedules.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 118
- Fire
- 115
- Red Cross ambulance
- 128
Pocket card
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PopoyoPopoyo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police118
- Fire115
- Red Cross ambulance128
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shuttle Managua airport → Popoyo: about C$800–1,000 (≈ US$600–750), 2–2.5 h (check)
- Taxi Popoyo → San Juan del Sur: C$600–900 (≈ US$450–700), about 45 min (check)
- Local bus Popoyo → Rivas: about C$40–60 (≈ US$30–45), 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah PLAH-yah)
- Necesito un taxi — I need a taxi (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon TAHK-see)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
US dollars are widely accepted; small bills preferred. Many places quote prices in US$.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Popoyo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season, best surf consistency) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, road access can be tricky) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Popoyo
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