Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NIO
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, consistent surf)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, rough roads)
- Airport
- MGA
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Playa Maderas118 ▾
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 Playa Maderas, 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
- SafetyPlaya Maderas is generally safe for tourists; watch for rough roads and keep valuables secure on the beach.
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 Managua International Airport (About 2 h 30 min drive north via RN-1).
- Getting aroundWalk on the beach; bike rentals in San Juan del Sur (US$5/day).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealFood stand snackUS$2–5
- BeerBeer at food standUS$2–3
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Water taxi (one way)US$8
- Budget bedCamping mat, a night, per personNIO 10
- Mid-range bedCamping mat, a night, per personNIO 15
- High-end bedCamping mat, a night, per personNIO 20
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NIO 25 · Mid NIO 40 · High NIO 70
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 Managua International Airport (About 2 h 30 min drive north via RN-1)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Apr (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Playa Maderas: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 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
Walk on the beach; bike rentals in San Juan del Sur (US$5/day).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
San Juan del Sur
goDoor to door: 30–45 min
Water taxi from Hotel Estrella (US$8 one way) or taxi (US$10–15).
Return water taxi at 16:00; taxi runs all day.Return water taxi at 4:00 PM; taxi runs all 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.
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.
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
- US$20–30 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$30–50 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed2 × 1 night × NIO 15 | NIO 30 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × NIO 25 | NIO 50 |
| Water taxi round‑trip2 × NIO 8 · check | NIO 16 |
| Bike rental (per day)2 × NIO 5 · check | NIO 10 |
| Surfboard or boogie board rental (per day)2 × NIO 10 · check | NIO 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NIO 13 |
| Trip total≈ NIO 70 per person per day, bed included | NIO 139 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| 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 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads to the beach are rough; a 4WD is advisable in rainy season.
- Water taxi runs only 10:00–16:00; plan return accordingly.Water taxi runs only 10:00 AM–4:00 PM; plan return accordingly.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 118
- Fire
- 115
- Red Cross ambulance
- 128
Pocket card
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Playa MaderasPlaya Maderas
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)
- 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
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?
- Quisiera una tabla de surf, por favor — I would like a surfboard, please
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 Playa Maderas. 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, consistent surf) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, rough roads) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 6 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 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 Playa Maderas
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