Costa Dulce Beach (San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua)

ABOUT THE SURF CAMP

Costa Dulce is located within a tropical dry forest half of the year, which transforms into a lush jungle during the rainy season. We are environmentalists at heart, and as such do our best to minimize our impact on our surroundings; which we share with monkeys, sloths, snakes, iguanas, turtles, birds, and bugs.

Just steps away from our bungalows and cabins is a beautiful public, but a secluded beach. You will find our surf school is stationed here along with a little locally owned restaurant serving up fantastic margaritas and authentic Nica food. The beach is equipped with hammocks, sun chairs and lots of shade. Down the south end of the beach, the river Escameca Grande flows into the ocean. This is a great place to go paddleboarding (SUP), spot local wildlife, or enjoy a freshwater swim.

The beach is generally very safe, sandy and without hidden rocks or strong current, which makes it great for surfers and water enthusiasts of all levels

Our desire is to enjoy mother earth’s bounty while simultaneously helping to regenerate what has been lost, creating a more abundant future.
Without an established set of guidelines we feel the ‘ecolodge’ concept has become a bit of a cliche. It is our belief that to be ‘eco’ we need to have a holistic understanding of the impact created by our actions. We can then strive to manage a net positive impact for our planet and society.

Though we are blessed with natural beauty, what makes Costa Dulce a one of a kind gem is definitely our team and community. While most resorts scout talent from far and wide to find the skill sets they require, at Costa Dulce we understand the value of creating prosperity for our neighborhood.

Though there has not been a history of tourism in our area, we have helped our neighbors evolve and learn, with extremely rewarding results. Our team is now one of the best in the business with 100% of our local staff coming from the rural villages that surround Costa Dulce, where alternative opportunities for employment are extremely limited.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

Located on Playa Escameca, Costa Dulce Retreat is ideal for all travelers looking to enjoy good company in a relaxed, safe, and healthy environment. Costa Dulce Retreat has 12 individual Beach Bungalows, two yoga shalas, a lounge/honor bar, spa, surf school, food garden, sea turtle hatchery, and a restaurant – the Dulce Cocina. We have added a new eco-friendly salt water pool that overlooks the ocean, beach and the ocean towards Costa Rica.

Enjoy healthy fresh vegan and Gluten-free meal options at Costa Dulce Retreat.
Our food has consistently been one of our favorite features for guests, where most find our farm-to-table kitchen to be a highlight of their trip. La Dulce Cocina takes pride in serving you healthy and delicious local food. We pay extra attention to selecting locally grown fresh ingredients so our menu changes with the seasons.

We consider food to be a pillar of well being. Good food not only means that it’s deliciously kind to our taste buds, but also that it is good for our body, our planet and our communities. A true nourishment for ourselves and our surroundings. We understand how important individual dietary needs in order to feel good and that’s our main goal.

SURF COURSE AND ACTIVITIES

Our surf school is led by local instructors, who are really stoked to do what they love and pass that love on to you. They will help you patiently in English and Spanish and guide you step by step in your exciting surf journey.

Your instructors will also introduce you to the tips and tricks for an unforgettable surf experience in our educational Surf Clinic, where our guides unveil the secrets to the perfect surf, the waves, the pop-ups and the swell. Prepare well on land, to make the most out of your experience in the water.

Costa Dulce has a wide variety of surfboards to rent. We have lots of good quality soft tops perfect for the beginner surfer. Classic longboards for the days when you just want to cruise. Funboards for the intermediate surfer. And all kinds of shortboards for when you want to rip. We also have SUP’s for rent and an awesome lagoon to explore in flat water and see some awesome wildlife. Costa Dulce has all of your surfboard rentals covered. We also have a few wetsuits for rent for when the water cools down, although the temperature is usually fairly high and wetsuits unnecessary.

- Visit the Collado reserve with our jungle hike
- Release Baby Turtles
- Visit the Barrio Planta Project
- Afternoon Trip to San Juan Del Sur
- Horseback Riding
- Boat Trip with Fishing
- Day trip: Artisans and Volcano
- Day trip: Colonial City Granada
- Day trip: Laguna de Apoyo

MORE INFO, HOW TO GET THERE & FAQ

Playa Escameca
Our almost private and beautiful beach. The waves break right in front of our cabins and bungalows and the conditions are perfect for beginners and intermediate surfers. The beach is very safe with no rocks, sandy bottom, and no strong currents.

Playa Yankee
Right next to us is the famous Playa Yankee with probably the best wave in the south. On the main peak, intermediate and advanced surfers will have a blast and get spit out of the wedge barrel. You can walk to Playa Yankee by taking a jungle walk of around 15 minutes.

Playa Hermosa
Hermosa means beautiful and it is a fitting name. It is the longest beach in the south and perfect for every surf level. There is a nice restaurant with good food and nice drinks, lots of shade and hammocks. Going there is an afternoon well spent.

Playa Remanso
Remanso is the main beginner break in the San Juan del Sur area and it can get crowded quite a bit. Nevertheless, it is a nice beach and if the swell is really big beginners still have a chance to paddle out. The beach lies within a cove and a lot of the big waves get blocked by the rocks.

Characterization of surroundings/region

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America and is abound with natural wonders. These include 910 km of majestic coastline the majority of which are white sand beaches, and Lago Cocibolca (Lake Nicaragua), the 19th largest in the world home to La Isla de Ometepe and world’s only freshwater shark.
A total of 23 volcanos (19 of which are active) magical islands including the Corn Islands in the Caribbean, Ometepe and her twin volcanoes, and hundreds of small islands in Cocibolca (Las Isletas) that formed when Volcan Mombacho exploded in 1570.

Music and Dance
Music in Nicaragua is largely an expression of our History. We have several local mariachis in our community who enjoy performing on the beach during our weekly bonfire and at open mic nights on Saturdays in our neighboring community of Escamequita and Wednesdays in San Juan del Sur, both events are available for our guests to enjoy.
Dance also plays an important role in the lives of local Nicaraguans. Salsa is one of the most popular styles of music and dance. We often host Salsa Classes, so don’t forget your dancing shoes if you’re interested in learning some new moves.

Activities and facilities

Blessed with beauty on all sides, you will find a network of walking trails to explore, enjoy and immerse yourself in nature. Find the secret lookout where you will be surrounded by the serenity of the environment, collect shells in “mermaid cove” or take a dip in the tidal pool. Our playground is full of places to discover!

Ways to get to the camp

Available airports: Liberia (Costa Rica), San José (Costa Rica) and Managua (Nicaragua)

Once  you’re there one of our professional private drivers will pick you up directly at the airport and bring you all the way to us.

If you land in Costa Rica then the drivers will help you with the border crossing into Nicaragua.

Important details

To get into Nicaragua – no matter if via air or land border – you need a negative Covid-19 test not older than 72 hours
At the land border that test needs to be a printout on paper, not electronical.

PACKAGES & PRICES

Head to the beach to catch year-round surf-able waves  just footsteps from your room. It sounds like a dream, but it is the reality here at Costa Dulce. Whether you are a beginner or more advanced surfer, fun is guaranteed!

This package includes:

- Daily surf lesson with our local teachers
- Surf clinic
- 7 nights in one of our premium cabins
- 4 delicious meals from the Dulce Cocina including pre-breakfast, breakfast buffet, lunch,   dinner and snacks
- All day coffee, tea and fruit
- Introduction to turtle conservation
- Guided jungle walk and animal spotting
- Trip to San Juan del Sur (local tourist hub)
- Temazcal (Mesoamerican sweat lodge)
- Bonfire

Start your day with yoga and then head to the beach to catch year-round surfable waves  just footsteps from your room. It sounds like a dream, but it is the reality here at Costa Dulce. Whether you are a beginner or more advanced surfer, fun is guaranteed!

This package includes:

- Daily Yoga
- Daily surf lesson with our local teachers
- Surf clinic
- 7 nights in one of our premium cabins
- 4 delicious meals from the Dulce Cocina including pre-breakfast, breakfast buffet, lunch, dinner and snacks
- All day coffee, tea and fruit
- Introduction to turtle conservation
- Guided jungle walk and animal spotting
- Trip to San Juan del Sur (local tourist hub)
- Temazcal (Mesoamerican sweat lodge)
- Bonfire

Ocean view dorm
Shared spacious ocean view cabin with a max. capacity of 5 guests in 2 rooms and 5 individual beds. It has 2 bathrooms, a lounge and a large deck.

Standard Cabin
Standard cabin with a max. capacity of 3 guests. 1 double bed and 1 single bed.

Room | Private Bathroom
Horizon room with balcony and private bathroom with a max. capacity of 4 guests. 2 queen beds.