Experience Nicaragua

Come experience Nicaragua’s best surf spots – right in front of your door! Whether you’re an advanced surfer or want to ride your first wave, you’ve come to the right place. Nicaragua is famous as one of the only destinations in the world with epic surf practically all year long. The Emerald Coast region of the country offers waves for every level of surfer, including beach breaks, point breaks, reefs, and more. Get barreled before breakfast or glide along on perfectly peeling waves – the choice is yours! 

Within Hacienda Iguana and close to any of our vacation rentals are two famous surf spots – Colorados and Panga Drops. 

Colorados Surf Break

This wave is every (experienced) surfer’s dream. It’s a picture-perfect, fast, barreling beach break that attracts surfers from around the globe. It’s not rare to sit in the lineup next to a professional surfer. Especially on a larger swell with a long period, this wave can hold tubes up to double overhead. 

Expect the waves to be busy during the high season (May to September, especially June and July). However, because there are a variety of peaks along the beach, there’s always a wave for everyone. Colorados can also be an excellent break for intermediate surfers (sometimes beginners) on a small swell with a short period during the off-season (October to March).

Panga Drops

Located toward the north end of the Hacienda Iguana bay, Panga Drops is slightly less popular than neighboring Colorados, but nonetheless (or partly because of it), it is a great wave! 

It is a lot more mellow than Colorados and attracts fewer crowds. It’s a horseshoe rock/reef break that peels left and right. Panga Drops is surfable for most ability levels and board shapes until a large swell comes. 

“Pangas” does require some surfing knowledge due to its strong currents and long paddle out. When it gets big, it can turn into a barreling reef break, but this is somewhat rare. Most days of the year, Panga Drops is a safe option and a fun wave to try while in Hacienda Iguana.

Los Perros

Located about 550 yards north of Panga Drops, Los Perros is a right-hand point break that only breaks a few times a year, but when it’s on, it’s on! Los Perros needs a large southwest swell to break off of the rock and create a long, peeling right. This wave may work when everything else is too big and messy, so keep your eyes open and ask your local surf guides for information on when to surf it! 

Playa Santana (Playa Jiquelite)

Playa Santana, in front of the Rancho Santana community, is another fun beach break along Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast. This beach offers a lot of different peaks with some barreling and others being more mellow. The two main peaks are toward the south end of the bay, and they’re usually the most crowded. However, there’s always a wave to find along this beach. When Santana is small, it’s a fun wave for all levels of surfers and every type of board. On bigger days, it’s a fast beach break with steep take-offs and open tubes. This wave works best from mid- to high-tide. 

Popoyo

About a 20-minute drive from Hacienda Iguana, you’ll find another famous surf break in the area: Popoyo. Sheltered by a rock and with offshore winds around 300 days a year, this A-frame wave is a fun alternative to Hacienda Iguana’s home breaks. Popoyo can hold swells up to 20 feet and breaks at all tides. Low tide offers a steeper barreling wave (careful of the rock reef bottom), and high tide offers more mellow rids. 

Popoyo is one of the most consistent waves in the area, so it can get crowded on a good swell. It’s suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers. Beginners should head over to Beginners Bay, which is a smaller and friendlier wave with a mostly sand bottom. 

Not sure where or what time you should go surfing? Or, want to try surfing your first waves in a safe and friendly environment? Contact us to book a lesson with one of our knowledgeable and professional surf guides. All our guides have local knowledge of all the waves in the area, so they can take you to the best spots for your surfing style and ability level. 

Don’t need help but still want to go on an epic adventure? We also organize surf tours. Our guides will take you to some of the most epic and secluded spots in the area – but shhh – don’t tell anyone about our secret surf spots!

Hacienda Iguana offers a variety of restaurants to suit all palates. This community provides a wide selection of restaurants and numerous private catering options. Whatever you want, we’ve got you covered!

Restaurants in Hacienda Iguana

Pilis Kitchen Nicaragua: Chic beach club and bar with a fun daytime ambiance and romantic nighttime feel. Pilis offers beach volleyball, flavorful and healthy food, and cocktails. Located on Playa Colorados, this is the perfect place to watch an incredible sunset with family and friends.

Casa Ananas: Authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy backyard setting. Here, you will find Hacienda Iguana’s only brick oven pizza and the most delicious plates of pasta in the area. Casa Ananas is next to the golf course with a beautiful “al fresco” style dining area. Keep your eyes peeled for live music and other events!

Scoops and Spokes: Hacienda Iguana’s cafe Scoops and Spokes serves artisan ice cream, delicious coffee, homemade pastries, fresh pressed juices, and mouth-watering paninis.

La Conquistadora: La Conquistadora is known for authentic Mexican food and great cocktails. It is located next to the Eco Casitas and Iguana’s new complex La Joya.

Our Favorites Restaurants around Hacienda Iguana

La Taqueria: La Taqueria is on Playa Los Perros in Rancho Santana. This small beach venue offers the most delicious homemade tacos and margaritas. Just a short walk from Hacienda Iguana, this is a must-visit while in the area.

La Finca Y el Mar: Located in the clubhouse of Rancho Santana, this five-star restaurant will delight you with their special menus, prepared with curated ingredients sourced from their organic farm and garden. It’s a great place for larger groups or bigger celebrations. (Reservation needed at least 24 hours ahead of time)

Magnific Rock: Located in the Popoyo area, Magnific Rock is the restaurant with the most stunning views around. It’s the best location for sunset drinks in the Tola area. Magnific Rock serves a large menu of local and international foods, as well as cocktails, smoothies, and more. Hit the Happy Hour for sunset or lounge by the outdoor swimming pool. Pets are welcome on a leash, and Magnific Rock often throws fun parties and events. 

Pizzeria Calabria: Pizzeria Calabria is a delicious restaurant with outdoor seating and incredible brick oven pizzas. Located in Limon 2, Calabria serves delicious food in a rustic and charming ambiance.

Private Chef & Catering

Relax and fully enjoy your vacation by inviting a private chef to cook in your rental home. The tailor-made catering service provided by our dedicated concierge team includes three meals per day, plus snacks and fresh fruits. 

Start your day with a hearty breakfast, enjoy a light lunch by the pool, and finish the day with a delicious dinner. Options include lighting up the grill, preparing freshly caught seafood, or choosing any of your favorite meals. Just ask us, and our chefs will prepare mouthwatering meals to suit your taste.