Your Guide to Exploring Nicaragua and the Popoyo Surf Zone
The world is opening again…How to Get to Nicaragua with Covid-19 Travel Restrictions
The world is opening again, and people are itching to travel! What better way to jump back into the travel world than by exploring the beautiful country of Nicaragua? This county has a lot to offer, full of lush tropical greenery, mysterious active volcanos, and gorgeous beaches.
Located on the west coast and aptly named is Costa Oeste Hotel, the perfect place to stay during your Nicaragua vacation. Playa Santana, locally known as Playa Jiquelite, is in the heart of the Popoyo Surf Zone. It provides an amazing place to enjoy the surf, sand, and sun and have a few adventures along the way. Here is a list of some wonderful things you can do as a take-off point from Costa Oeste Hotel.
Boat Tours and Catamaran Trips
Enjoy the gorgeous water and scenery of Nicaragua’s coastline on a boat tour or catamaran trip. Sit back and relax as an experienced crew sail through the waters. Feel the wind against your face and the sun beating down on your cheeks, and let your worries fade away into the blue water.
Horseback riding
What better way to soak in the land and sea than by a horseback ride through the beach of Playa Santana and neighboring beaches? Several stables in the area provide private guided horseback tours of the area, which offers a unique way to soak up the scenery.
Fishing
Fishing in Nicaragua goes back to ancient times as a source of survival. While today you may not need to fish to survive, it is still a very popular and rewarding pastime! Local fishers and captains curate fishing tours to bring you out in the beautiful open waters where you could catch mackerel, snapper, tuna, mahi-mahi, parrotfish, and maybe even a marlin!
Volcano Boarding
Have you ever wanted to slide down the slopes of a volcano? Well, here in Nicaragua, you can do just that and get a thrill of adventure by volcano surfing or volcano boarding. Your guide will help you with all the proper protective gear and equipment. You’ll take a vertical hike up the side of an actual volcano and will zip down the side of the lava rock on a snowboard-like sled. It’s a rush and an adventure like never before!
Surf
Whether you’re specifically coming to Nicaragua to catch the waves or looking to try something new, the Popoyo Surf Zone is one of the most sought-after surfing spots. Located on the southern end of Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, the Popoyo Surf Zone is well known for consistent offshore wind and barrel opportunities year-round. It is some of the most pristine surf conditions. No matter the time of year or day, there is typically a wave working!
How to Get to Nicaragua with Covid-19 Travel Restrictions
Since the onset of the pandemic, international travel has become a little trickier to navigate, but don’t fret. You can still enjoy the beauty of Nicaragua! The two main ways to get to Nicaragua are via Managua, Nicaragua, Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport (MGA) or Liberia, Costa Rica, Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR).
To enter Nicaragua, citizens and foreigners must present a negative COVID-PCR/SEROLOGY laboratory test taken a maximum of 72 hours before entry. The COVID-19 test results should be sent electronically to the airline prior to the date of travel. Each airline has specific guidelines, be sure to read the COVID-19 travel requirements specific to the airline. If you are already vaccinated, this does not qualify as an exemption from the necessary country-specific requirements for entry. Travel requirements evolve quickly, be sure to check with your airline for the most up-to-date requirements along with Nicaragua and Costa Rica official government sites.
Arrival by air via Managua (MGA)
Currently, from the United States, major airlines such as Delta, United, Avianca, and American Airlines provide direct flights to the capital of Managua, mostly from major airports like Atlanta, Miami, and Houston. Canada has currently suspended all their international flights. Still, when things do re-open, you can find flights from major hubs like Toronto and Montreal to Managua on airlines like Avianca, Copa Airlines, Spirit, and Aeromexico. If you’re making your way from Europe, once international flights pick up in full force, you’ll be able to get flights to Nicaragua through a connecting flight through all the major hubs in the continent.
For any Nicaragua entry point, send your negative lab results to solicitudes@migob.gob.ni within 72 hours of entry (the confirmation response is surprisingly speedy). Note: For citizens arriving from Asia, Africa, and Oceania, the test must be taken a maximum of 96 hours before they arrive in Nicaragua. For more information visit the Nicaraguan Tourism Board for updated information.
Arrival by land via Penas Blancas border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Another popular way to get to Nicaragua, no matter if you’re coming from England, the United States, or Canada, is to fly to Liberia, Costa Rica, and drive or taxi across the two countries’ land borders. This is also a fun way to experience Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and even get off the beaten path and appreciate the beauty and bounty of these countries. Several taxi services offer full transport and border crossing assistance. Inquire with your hotel accommodation to get this set up.
To enter Costa Rica, COVID-19 testing is not required. However, any traveler must obtain medical insurance (even for same-day border crossings to Nicaragua, 5 days of medical insurance is required) and obtain a HEALTH PASS online. The Health Pass should be completed within 72 hours before departure to generate a QR code necessary for entry at immigrations. For more information visit Essential Costa Rica for up-to-date entry requirements.
As the world begins to open up again and you’re looking for your next great adventure, Costa Oeste is the perfect place to use as a home base for your next vacation. Not only is it a stylish boutique hotel, but it provides the idyllic central destination for some of your favorite activities to do in the area. Soak up the gorgeous water on a catamaran cruise, stroll through the foaming waters of the beach on a horseback riding tour, or tear it up down the side of a volcano! No matter what you’re interested in during your Nicaraguan vacation, there’s a little bit of something for everyone!
