As an avid traveler, it’s not often I return to a destination more than once, but there is something about Playa Maderas that keeps calling me back. February will be my fourth time in Playa Maderas. It's a place that cracks my heart wide open.
The first time I traveled to Nicaragua was in 2018 as a solo traveler. I instantly fell in love with the raw untouched natural beauty and relaxed vibes. My first trip’s itinerary included volcano hikes, island hopping, and swimming in a crater lake. The highlight, by far, was Playa Maderas. A secluded beach tucked away beyond the jungle that just happens to have one of the best surf breaks on the Pacific.
Just a few hours from Managua or Liberia airports, the dirt road to Playa Maderas is so steep that you need to a four by four to get there. It’s a place that has slid under the radar of modern development. There are no paved roads, no big hotels on the coastline. Just small villas and jungle casitas. Your wakeup call is the sound of the ocean waves and the howler monkey outside your window.
The most stunning feature on the beach is the Fin - a colossal rock formation jutting out of the ocean in the shape of a shark’s fin. The sunsets are the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Mornings on the playa are spent sipping fresh local coffee, taking in the views and practicing yoga. Afternoons include riding waves, snacking on fresh fish tacos and sipping ice cold tona or taking a trip into town. The Playa is also 20 minutes to San Juan del Sur - a buzzing beach town with surf shops, beach-side restaurants, and the best smoothie bowls you’ve ever had (shout out to Ding Repair Cafe). Evenings are for chasing sunsets, horseback riding, or cruising on a local catamaran.
Playa Maderas is considered one of the best surf beaks for the warm weather, consistent waves, and a variety of breaks for all levels. The best time of year to visit Playa Maderas as a beginner or intermediate surfer is the dry season - November through May. The waves are a bit smaller and the break is more even.
The physical features of Playa Maderas are a great reason to visit, but it is the feeling of being connected to the natural world that stays with me. Surrounded by the lush jungle and looking out onto an endless ocean. Sitting on a board at sunset feeling the waves under you. A cold beer with fellow nomads. Just thinking about these moments puts me at ease. These experiences will stay with me forever, and the people that I’ve shared them with will be my friends for a lifetime.
Traveling to Nicaragua has taught me that travel doesn’t have to be luxury to be life changing. Sometimes adventures that are off the beaten path can offer an opportunity to connect with yourself and others in a more authentic way.
Since traveling to Playa Maderas in 2018, I have dreamt of bringing people to this hidden gem. It is the perfect place for a surf and yoga retreat. In April, Alchemy hosted its first retreat in Playa Maderas with fourteen kind and beautiful souls that have become like family to us. Waking to the sounds of ocean waves, eating the freshest local food, practicing yoga, spending the day on the water. These are things that feed the soul. For a few days every year, I plan to return to Playa Maderas to nourish my spirit. I hope that I am lucky enough to keep coming back and bringing like-minded people with me.
If you’re seeking a destination that blends natural beauty, adventure, and soul-nourishing experiences, I’d love to guide you to this little slice of paradise on a future retreat.
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