For years, Nicaragua was seen as a secondary tourist destination for surfers around the world. But Nicaragua is no longer just an option; it is establishing itself as a must-visit destination—or even a place to live—thanks to the undeniable rise of surfing in Nicaragua. Natural conditions that foster great waves year-round, a rapidly expanding infrastructure, a growing community of surfers who have turned this sport into a lifestyle, and the embrace of surfing as a new source of national pride. 

Surfing is no longer just a pastime for residents of Nicaragua’s Pacific coastal areas; it has become part of the local identity and is already making its mark on the world’s biggest surfing stages.

Nicaragua, a Perfect Surfing Paradise 

When we say that Nicaragua is the perfect year-round surfing paradise, we’re not exaggerating. While other countries have specific seasons for surfing, in Nicaragua you can surf all year round thanks to Lake Cocibolca—or Lake Nicaragua—located on the Pacific coast, which generates what are known as “offshore winds”. Lake Nicaragua, covering more than 8,200 km², acts as a natural wind tunnel that drives cool breezes toward Nicaragua’s Pacific coast year-round, helping to generate perfect waves more than 300 days a year. 

Beaches like Popoyo, Rancho Santana, Maderas, and El Astillero feature consistent waves, warm waters, and a variety of breaks that attract surfers from around the world—suitable for both beginners and pros.

If you’d like to learn more about what makes Nicaragua a unique destination for surfing, we recommend reading our blog post on the best places to surf, the best seasons, and tips for surfing in Nicaragua.

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Surfing in Nicaragua: More Than a Sport, a Lifestyle

Nature has already blessed Nicaragua with surfing conditions that are unique in the world, but its people have also filled in the missing piece: embracing surfing as a lifestyle that is a source of pride. 

Thousands of children and young people grow up on the Pacific beaches, seeing the ocean as a place of sporting opportunities, while surf schools and academies have helped develop new generations of athletes. Among the most notable schools are Popoyo Surf Camp and Sirena Surf House, located in Playa Popoyo, Rivas, or Beach Break Surf School at Las Peñitas Beach in León.

The rise of surfing in Nicaragua has also boosted key economic sectors such as tourism, hospitality, real estate, gastronomy, and local entrepreneurship, creating jobs and strengthening the economies of various coastal communities. According to statistics from the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR), approximately 10% of international tourists visiting Nicaragua cite surfing as their primary reason for visiting. This means that more than 100,000 people visit Nicaragua each year to go surfing.

The Competitive Growth of Nicaraguan Surfing 

In addition to visits from international surfers, an increasing number of Nicaraguan athletes are beginning to shine on the world surfing stage. The national teams have participated in championships organized by the International Surfing Association (ISA), the Pan American Games, and regional events, achieving increasingly impressive results.

The growth of sports infrastructure, the tireless work of specialized coaches, and the experience gained in international competitions have enabled Nicaraguan surfers to continue significantly raising their competitive level. In recent years, impressive progress has been made in international competitions.

Candelaria Resano, the Athlete Making History in Nicaraguan Surfing

Candelaria Resano, a 20-year-old Nicaraguan surfer, has already secured her place in the history of Nicaraguan sports by becoming, in 2024, the first Nicaraguan surfer to qualify for and compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. In this competition, Resano—who trained in the legendary waters of Popoyo Beach—broke a barrier that had long seemed out of reach for surfing in Nicaragua. By mastering the formidable waves of Tahiti, in French Polynesia, with great artistry and skill, Resano is solidifying a career that is just getting started. 

Even before Paris 2024, Resano had already demonstrated her potential, winning a bronze medal at the 2023 Junior World Surfing Championships in Brazil and an impressive seventh-place finish at the Pan American Games in Chile that same year. 

Now Resano and three other Nicaraguan athletes (Gerardo Siezar, Óscar Guzmán, and Yeferson López) have their sights set on the next competition: the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, to be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, between July and August 2026.

The Future of Surfing in Nicaragua

All these advances in the competitiveness of Nicaraguan surfing demonstrate that this sport is no longer just a tourist attraction or an activity exclusive to foreign tourists. This new crop of local surfers, who are beginning to make a name for themselves in world competitions, is elevating Nicaragua’s status as a world-class surfing destination that deserves closer attention. 

Reliance Realty is proud to be an official sponsor of the major surfing events on Nicaragua’s South Pacific coast, as we have confidence in the talent of our athletes. These achievements not only bring sporting recognition to the country but also reinforce Nicaragua’s status as a surfing mecca and enhance the value of the country’s beaches.

Ultimately, Nicaragua is becoming a dream destination for any surfer who wants to enjoy incredible waves in a sort of never-ending summer. This opens doors to try your luck and even invest in real estate, since every amateur or professional surfer’s dream is to live near the world’s best beaches—and that destination is Nicaragua. Are you ready to ride this growing wave?