Destination

Nicaragua Pacific Coast Beaches

Nicaragua's Pacific Coast is blessed with kilometers of pristine undeveloped coastline. This is slowly changing, but many of the beach projects are ecologically friendly and there appears to be reason to hope that Nicaragua can develop beach tourism without razing the coast and planting concrete jungles. Below is a very small sampling of what is available to date, though much more is planned, so please inquire of what's new if you are interested in beach time without beach crowds.

Las Peñitas - this is a wind and wave swept beach that is often ripped by strong currents. The coast is full of pelicans here playing in the drafts of the waves and if the waves are not too strong some good swimming in warm water can be had here. The seafood and sunsets are excellent and this makes Las Peñitas a great day or half-day trip from León's fine lodging options just 30 minutes east of the beach.

Montelimar - a beach resort with all inclusive service located just over 1 hour from Managua. The resort is built around a farm with interesting political history and although it is fairly mainstream; those who want to do nothing but relax and eat have found their spot. The beach is long and deep with dark gray sand and a long gradual sandy shelf that extends well into softly breaking waves. Montelimar Resort is located 1 hour and 20 minutes east of Managua.

Morgan's Rock - this south coast beach hotel is Nicaragua's entrance in the heady world of sustainable eco-friendly beach hotels, built on a private beach reserved for hotel guests only. Opened to the public in July of 2004, the all inclusive hotel has a reforestation project, a private nature reserve and educational programs to mix with great beach relaxing and the luxury in its private cabins. The beaches of this zone of Nicaragua's coast are the finest on Central America's Pacific Coast. Access is via San Juan del Sur (30 minute), Granada (2½ hours) or Managua (3 hours), using a mixture of paved highways and dirt roads, the latter of which are slated be improved.

San Juan del Sur - a broad half-moon bay on Nicaragua's southern Pacific Coast, San Juan del Sur as long since been discovered by international travelers and its popularity is by and large well deserved. The beautiful bay is good for swimming, though the water is a bit chilly by Nicaraguan standards. There are numerous lodging and eating options along the waterfront and the town is an excellent base for exploring other less known beaches in the region via motorboat. San Juan is 2½ hours from Managua or 2 hours from Granada.

Playa El Coco - is a long tan colored cove backed by forest and caressed by medium sized waves. Playa El Coco is the only lodging close to the very special sea turtle nesting site of La Flor Wildlife Refuge, just a 20 minute walk south of the beach. The ocean is a very refreshing temperature here and the forest is quite lush during the rainy season. Lodging is one of the best reasons to come, with a wide variety of rental homes and apartments available with daily cleaning service, internet, general store and a beach front restaurant. El Coco is 30 minutes from San Juan del Sur and 2 hours from Granada.