Things to do in Popoyo.
Follow the coast.

IN THE WATER

Beginner Bay

Lesson area beside Magnific Rock. This approximate bay marker is for orientation; your instructor chooses the meeting place and suitable conditions.

IN THE WATER

Popoyo Main Reef

A powerful reef break with lefts and rights for experienced surfers. Check the swell and tide with a local guide; rocks and shallow reef require care.

IN THE WATER

Popoyo Outer Reef

An offshore big-wave reef for expert surfers with appropriate local support. Watch from shore when the swell arrives.

IN THE WATER

Playa Santana

A powerful beach break with shifting sandbanks. A local guide can help choose the right tide and conditions.

IN THE WATER

Lance’s Left

Lance’s Left, also called El Peñón, is the rocky left-hand point north of El Astillero, beyond the rivermouth and toward Playgrounds. Arrange access with a local surf guide. The pin shows the approximate surf area.

IN THE WATER

Playgrounds

A remote reef break usually reached by boat. Arrange a guided trip from El Astillero, with the route chosen for the swell and your experience.

IN THE WATER

Playa Gavilán

A rock-influenced surf break near El Astillero, usually described as a left with occasional rights. Ask a local guide to choose the tide and conditions. Marker shows the approximate offshore area.

IN THE WATER

Punta Conejo

Punta Conejo is a local right-hand point break near Playa Gavilán and Surf Ranch Popoyo. Ask a local surf guide about the rocky entry, suitable tide and current conditions. The pin marks the approximate surf area.

IN THE WATER

Astillero Rivermouth

Astillero Rivermouth is the beach break beside the river at the northern end of El Astillero beach. It is separate from Lance’s Left, the rocky point farther north. Sandbanks and conditions change; ask a local surf guide before paddling out.

BEACHES & COASTAL LIFE

Guasacate tide pools

Visit around low tide only when swell allows. Confirm the walking approach; this is a shoreline location, not a parking entrance.

BEACHES & COASTAL LIFE

Playa Guasacate

Beach walks, cafés and surf. Marker shows the beach area.

BEACHES & COASTAL LIFE

El Astillero

Fishing village and beach. Marker shows the village area; arrange a waterfront meeting point for boat trips.

BEACHES & COASTAL LIFE

Magnific Rock headland

Coastal views and sunsets around the rock. Use a confirmed public approach.

BEACHES & COASTAL LIFE

Jiquelite / Santana

Long beach walks and powerful surf. Marker indicates the beach area, not a private resort entrance.

BEACHES & COASTAL LIFE

Punta Teonoste beach day

Beach and pool access for eligible direct-booking guests, for a separate fee. Ask our team to confirm access before visiting.

ON LAND

Beach horseback riding

Guasacate is one of the riding areas. Marker shows an activity area only; the guide confirms your exact route and meeting point.

ON LAND

Fishing & surf boat trips

Arrange fishing or surf boat trips with a local captain at the panga boats on El Astillero beach. This pin marks the beach boat area; confirm your exact boarding point and departure before arriving.

ON LAND

Chacocente coastal reserve

Approximate coastal reserve area. Book a guided visit and confirm the meeting point; this is not a verified vehicle entrance. Turtle sightings depend on natural events.

ON LAND

The Way community pump track

The Way Youth Center in Virgen Morena. Confirm visitor sessions and equipment.

ON LAND

Popoyo’s Secret

Popoyo’s Secret brings music and occasional parties to the Popoyo coast. Check the latest event announcement, entry arrangements and transport before heading out.

A DAY ON THE GREEN

Hacienda Iguana golf

Nine-hole course within Hacienda Iguana. Marker shows the golf-course area; confirm visitor entrance, tee time, fees and rentals with the pro shop.

A DAY ON THE GREEN

Guacalito de la Isla golf

David McLay Kidd’s coastal course at Mukul. Marker shows the course area; confirm visitor access, check-in location, tee time and available course setup directly.

WHERE TO EAT

Café con Leche

Coffee, breakfast and lunch on Calle Popoyo near Magnific Rock. Ask about their barbecue nights when planning an evening visit.

WHERE TO EAT

Dutchy’s Deli

A Guasacate stop for homemade bread, sandwiches, breakfast and lunch between surf sessions.

WHERE TO EAT

El Tigre Restaurant

Asian fusion and sushi at La Jolla de Guasacate. A hilltop setting for a relaxed meal; outside visitors are welcome.

WHERE TO EAT

Amahula

Vegetarian and vegan dishes in Guasacate, with local ingredients and options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

WHERE TO EAT

Cold Beer Lady

Look for Cold Beer Lady on the right side of the main road as you enter El Astillero from the south. The pin marks the approach area, not a confirmed building. Ask locally for the exact stop and current hours.

WHERE TO EAT

Club Surf Popoyo

An oceanfront restaurant and pizzeria on Playa Guasacate, with a relaxed surf-side setting.

WHERE TO EAT

Casitas Pacific

Beachfront dining on Playa Guasacate, with locally inspired dishes and ocean views.

GROCERIES & ESSENTIALS

Ocean Market

Groceries, drinks, snacks and everyday supplies in the Popoyo area. Check the location that best fits your route.

GROCERIES & ESSENTIALS

Dale’s Pues Market

A local market for pantry staples, frozen meats, dips, drinks and practical extras for your stay.

GROCERIES & ESSENTIALS

Plaza Nahualapa

A local shopping plaza in Las Salinas, with shops and services along NIC-62.

ARRIVING ON THE COAST

Costa Esmeralda Airport · Currently closed

Currently closed. Costa Esmeralda Airport is shown as a local landmark. Do not plan an arrival here unless reopening and flight availability have been confirmed directly with the airport.

ATMS & BANKING

LAFISE ATM · La Jolla

ATM at the La Jolla de Guasacate entrance off the main road. The map marks the entrance area.

ATMS & BANKING

BAC · Plaza Riviera de Tola

BAC banking and ATMs at Plaza Riviera de Tola, near the Costa Esmeralda airport road. A useful cash stop when heading toward Hacienda Iguana.

ATMS & BANKING

LAFISE ATM · Hacienda Iguana

LAFISE ATM in the Hacienda Iguana commercial area, across from NSR Surf Shop, between Iguana Surf Rentals and Everyday Nicaragua. The map marks the nearby commercial area.

ATMS & BANKING

ATM · Ferretería Ibarra

A cash machine at Ferretería Ibarra, a convenient stop near Popoyo. Confirm machine access and cash availability before making a special trip.

CAR RENTALS

National · Costa Esmeralda

National lists its Tola rental office 100 metres south of Costa Esmeralda International Airport. Reserve ahead and confirm the pickup point with the office.

HEALTH CARE

Roberto Clemente–Santa Ana Health Clinic

A nonprofit community health clinic serving the Tola coast. Contact the clinic directly about available care and appointments.

POLICE & FIREFIGHTERS

Policía Nacional — Las Salinas

The mapped local police station in Las Salinas, near the Popoyo access area.

Police emergency line · Nicaragua: 118

POLICE & FIREFIGHTERS

Estación de Bomberos Roger Mercedes López Alemán

The Las Salinas fire station opened in March 2025, serving the coastal communities of Tola. Confirm the exact approach locally. Approximate Las Salinas area · confirm station location locally.

Fire emergency line · Nicaragua: 115

PRIVATE & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Tola International School

A bilingual, community-centered school in El Limón 1. The school’s official directions place it 300 metres north of the Roberto Clemente clinic. This marker shows that approximate area; confirm the campus entrance with the school before visiting.

School administration: +50588113834

PRIVATE & INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Escuela Santa Ana

An independent day school within Rancho Santana. Contact the school about admissions, grade availability and access. Approximate school area · confirm entrance with Rancho Santana.