About Us
Known as the country of Lakes and Volcanoes, the southern coast of Nicaragua is no exception to the charm and beauty of this central american gem.
About
Known as the country of Lakes and Volcanoes, the southern coast of Nicaragua is no exception to the charm and beauty of this central american gem. This pristine stretch of coastline is situated in between the beautiful pacific ocean and the vast Lake Nicaragua. It is Lake Nicaragua that we are to thank for creating the consistent offshore winds that makes our surfing beaches so unique.
Emerald Coast
Nicaragua
Perfect weather, white sand beaches, epic surfing, and natural wildlife are just some of the many reasons that tourists and expats have been coming to southern Nicaragua for so long. While San Juan del Sur was the epicenter of this tourism boom in the 90’s, travelers soon began exploring north of SJDS to discover the hidden beauty of the Emerald Coast.
Perfect weather, white sand beaches, epic surfing, and natural wildlife are just some of the many reasons that tourists and expats have been coming to southern Nicaragua for so long. While San Juan del Sur was the epicenter of this tourism boom in the 90’s, travelers soon began exploring north of SJDS to discover the hidden beauty of the Emerald Coast.
As you travel north along the pan-american highway from San Juan del Sur, you will soon arrive at the beaches of Playa Colorado and Popoyo. Playa Colorado is tucked away within the private community of Hacienda Iguana. With plenty of vacation rentals and local restaurants, this community is a perfect fit for traveling surfers or families. The easy access to the beach, along with the ability to travel by boat to other surf spots, makes Hacienda Iguana an ideal location for surf vacation.
The area of Popoyo and Guasacate are a rugged retreat from the lush beach towns of San Juan del Sur and Hacienda Iguana. With dirt roads and wide open beaches, this quaint surf town is a genuine look at traditional southern Nicaragua coastal culture. Enjoy a fried fish on the beach with a cold Tona beer as you watch another beautiful sunset end another perfect day.
History
San Juan del Sur was first discovered by Spanish explorers in 1522 in an exploration to find a passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The effort to establish a canal through Nicaragua via San Juan del Sur shaped the area’s history throughout the next couple centuries.
Nicaragua gained independence from Spain in 1821 and San Juan del Sur was established as an official fishing port in 1827.
Fueled by the American Gold Rush and a need for transcontinental transportation, Cornelius Vanderbilt and his company The Accessory Transit company, began transporting passengers along the San Juan River and out of the port at San Juan del Sur as part of a 36 day journey towards San Francisco, California. During this time, over 80,000 passengers passed through Nicaragua via San Juan del Sur en route to California, including famous American author Mark Twain.
Years laters and after the American Military occupation of Nicaragua during the Banana Wars, San Juan del Sur quickly became the biggest tourist destination in the country. Today, while San Juan del Sur is still a booming fishing town, tourism and foreign real estate investment are the largest industries of the area.
Weather
May through September is the wet season and the real surf season along the coast of Southern Nicaragua. With consistent swells from the Southern Hemisphere, along with the all-day offshore winds, the beaches from San Juan del Sur up to Popoyo are a dream for any surfer. December through April is the dry season in Nicaragua. With average temperatures of 90 degrees fahrenheit, being by the coast will be your best option to enjoy the heat.