Playa Maderas

The beachbreak of Playa Madera is probably the best around San Juan. Very consistent, sometimes hollow, it hosted the first national contest in May 2002. Over the years, the fishing village of San Juan del Sur has become a cruise port and seaside resort, popular with Nicaraguan teenagers as much as gringo surfers. The surf isn't very good within the city's horseshoe-shaped bay, but many spots are accessible from here.