Alright, so let’s talk Nicaragua. This Central American gem is wildly underrated—like, how are we not all living here already? With coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean, Nicaragua’s beach game is chef’s kiss. Think black-sand volcano shores, party bays, secret snorkel spots, and Caribbean hideaways you legit have to take a chicken boat to find. I wandered through most of these with a backpack, a dying phone, and zero sunscreen, so you better believe I’ve got the goods—and the burn lines—to back this up.
Whether you’re a hammock dweller, wannabe surfer, or someone whose dream is to say “I swam with turtles today,” you’re about to find your kind of paradise.
Here are Nicaragua’s 7 most remarkable beaches—in all their sandy, sunburned glory.
1. Otto Beach, Little Corn Island
Best beach for Caribbean vibes
Okay, Otto Beach on Little Corn Island is so dreamy it almost feels illegal. You take a tiny plane from Managua, then hop a sketchy boat that 100% will soak your backpack, your hopes, and maybe your soul. But when you land? Boom—turquoise water, reggae on the breeze, and nothing but soft sand and sea turtles.
I passed out in a hammock here after two Toñas and woke up to a hermit crab crawling across my stomach. I named him Harold. If you like your beach days slow and your seafood fresh, this place delivers. Stay at Yemaya Reefs if you’re feeling spendy, or just grab a cold beer and let the sun do its thing.
Local tip: Rent a snorkel and swim out to Blowing Rock. It’s a full-on underwater disco—parrotfish, rays, neon everything. And get the fried plantains. Don’t argue. Just do it.
Also Read: How to Visit Naples on a Budget
2. Playa Maderas, Rivas
Best beach for surfing
Playa Maderas is like that effortlessly cool person you meet at a hostel—surfboard in one hand, coconut in the other. Located just north of San Juan del Sur, this beach is surf central. Lefts, rights, and a whole lotta wipeouts (I’m talking “face full of sand” levels of grace here).
This is where I thought I was gonna go full Kelly Slater—spoiler: I ate it five times in twenty minutes. But whatever, the fish tacos healed me. Between the laid-back beach shacks, the bonfires at night, and the steady rhythm of waves, you’ll forget Slack even exists.
Surf secret: Go early if you’re a newbie—less crowded, less terrifying. And if Maderas feels too spicy, check out Playa Remanso for beginner-friendly waves. Still gets you that surf-in-Nicaragua street cred.
3. Playa La Flor, Rivas
Best beach for sea turtle spotting
Okay, real talk. Nothing prepares you for the magic of Playa La Flor. From July to January, thousands of olive ridley sea turtles pull off this synchronized nesting act called arribada. You sit there, watching them lay eggs like it’s the world’s chillest miracle. And then? BABY TURTLES, MAN.
I slept on the sand with two granola bars, a busted headlamp, and a heart full of awe. No Wi-Fi. No light pollution. Just moonlight and these tiny flippered dudes doing their thing.
Turtle tip: Camp here, but come prepared. Like “no one’s saving you” prepared. Or stay nearby at Playa El Coco if you prefer your adventures with a mattress.
4. Playa San Juan del Sur, Rivas
Best beach for party people
Let’s not lie—San Juan del Sur is where chill goes to get wild. This beach town’s vibe is half surf-town, half Spring Break that never ended. On Sundays, there’s Sunday Funday, which is exactly what it sounds like: a pool crawl where you lose both time and flip-flops.
I ended up dancing with a guy dressed as a pineapple, ate three fish tacos at midnight, and found my sandals two days later at a taco stand named after someone’s grandma. No regrets.
Party pointer: Climb to the Cristo de la Misericordia statue before sundown. That view? Iconic. Also, sobering—great for that “why did I take seven shots of rum” moment of reflection.
5. Playa Las Peñitas, León
Best beach close to a city
Need to escape the molten lava hot colonial streets of León? Playa Las Peñitas is your salty oasis just 30 minutes west. Take a chicken bus—mine had a goat in a backpack, and I wish I was kidding—and boom, you’re at the coast.
The beach is long and low-key, great for catching sunsets, beers, or a rogue surf lesson. I ate ceviche that slapped so hard I cried a little. Also, a dog tried to surf here. Not well, but hey, points for effort.
Don’t miss: The nearby Juan Venado Island Nature Reserve is an actual slice of paradise. Kayak through the mangroves, spot birds, and pretend you’re in a David Attenborough doc.
6. Punta Jesús María, Isla de Ometepe
Best beach for volcano views
Punta Jesús María is basically Nicaragua’s mic drop. It’s a sandbar that stretches out into Lake Nicaragua, with Volcán Concepción looming dramatically in the background like it owns the place. And honestly? It kinda does.
I walked the sandbar at sunset, tequila in hand, yelling something poetic-slash-dumb like “this is MY kingdom.” The black sand gets warm from the sun, the lake water is calm, and the view is all vibes. Perfect place to pretend you’re in a movie.
Bonus: Rent a bike to cruise around Isla de Ometepe—but fair warning: the roads are a nightmare. Like, “why are we bouncing into the next century” levels of rough. Still worth it.
And no shade to naples, but this ain’t Florida. This is full volcano fantasy at backpacker prices.
7. Pearl Cays
Best beach for would-be castaways
Ever dream of being Tom Hanks in Castaway, minus the volleyball trauma? The Pearl Cays are your scene. Eighteen tiny islands off the Caribbean coast, reachable via boat from Bluefields—yes, it’s a trek, but holy paradise, Batman.
Our boat stalled out halfway there and we floated with a pod of dolphins for, like, 20 minutes. Honestly, it was the highlight of my accidental meditation practice. Most of the cays are deserted, the kind of places where time stops and you’re just a human-shaped dot on a map.
Real talk: Go between December and April. Pack your snacks, sunscreen, and a healthy respect for open water. Ain’t no Uber Eats out there, friend.
So whether you’re shredding at Playa Maderas, dancing at San Juan del Sur, or whispering life advice to baby turtles at La Flor, Nicaragua’s beaches are straight-up spellbinding. They’re raw, wild, occasionally weird, and completely unforgettable.
Forget naples. Nicaragua is calling—and trust me, you want to answer.
