Mark and Dave's (Rivas, Nicaragua)

ABOUT THE SURF CAMP

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LOCATION AND SURF CONDITIONS

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Nicaragua is blessed with an abundance of good waves, offshore winds, and sunny weather year-round. Mark and Dave’s Place is situated in front of the best waves the country has to offer with a climate that averages around 80 degrees and water temps that hover between 75 – 85 degrees. The surf rarely drops below 2 feet at any time during the year and bigger swell events are likely – up to 8 feet – between April through September.   Mark and Dave’s is located ocean front on one of the most fertile surfing beaches in all of Nicaragua. A boat or car is not required and there is little reason to go anywhere else! The wind tends to blow offshore due to the Lago Nicaragua effect so be prepared for a good mix of barrels, beach breaks, reefs, and points during your visit.  There are several other breaks within driving distance or a boat ride away.  Our surf guide will set up a trip to the break of your choice including Astellero, Chacosante, Manzanillo, Outer Reef, Playgrounds, Popoyo, Rosada, Santanas, and many more!

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CAMP OPERATOR

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Surf and yoga resort managers, Zac and Kim Hyland, have turned the cliché of living the dream into a reality. When Zac and Kim left New Zealand on their honeymoon more than seven years ago they transferred their individual passions and love for travel into full time jobs.
Kim, a qualified yoga instructor and physical therapist, Zac a Qualified Surf instructor and Chef, have experienced how opportunities have presented themselves to do what they love whilst traveling.
While in London, as the days were getting shorter and darker, they felt the urge to move on. They applied for positions and their first opportunity opened and they were on their way to Morocco.  At Surfmaroc, a Surf yoga travel company, they were able to blend their individual passions with being a part of a successful adventure travel business.  They quickly learned that multi-tasking, from front of house, to behind the scenes, to embracing a foreign culture, was the key to success in this industry.
After Morocco, they worked a yacht to Canary Islands, then on to the US.  Looking for vacation destinations after the US, they found an ad for a variety of positions at a surf resort in Nicaragua.This dynamic duo covered all of the positions and this became their ticket. They arrived in Nicaragua five years ago and it is here where they found their piece of paradise. As resort managers at Mark and  Dave’s they have created a home away from home.
“The biggest joy for us is our guests. We get to meet inspiring people. When they are stoked, we are stoked. There is nothing like sharing our lifestyle of culinary culture, yoga and surfing in paradise with those that visit us. It is a lifestyle!  Every day we are grateful we are living it.  Viva Nicaragua!”

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

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ACCOMMODATION TYPES

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“The Hacienda”
While located at the heart of the Nicaraguan Riviera, the sense of ease and seclusion at Mark and Dave’s is palpable; the “Ocean Front” two-acre Hacienda, stretching out into the Pacific Ocean, offers wonderful panoramic ocean views that compound the tranquility of the property.

“The Hacienda” crowns the property and is loosely connected by shady terraces and a palm-vaulted walkway to the guest rooms, an unforgettable space for welcoming guests.  The open-air, 40-foot thatch palapa is the inner sanctum of the property and offers an outdoor retreat anytime of the day. Relax in the morning while sipping coffee and checking the surf, enjoy a cold beverage with friends and family while watch the sunset, and enjoy flavorful hors d’oeuvres before an amazing dinner. “The Hacienda” is the perfect setting to start and end the day.  A walkway sits behind the inner sanctum of the Hacienda to the guest rooms, with four additional individual rooms providing independence and privacy.
Get out of the sun and stay cool and refreshed! The relaxing infinity-pool and terrace are shaded by a woven thatch roof and surrounded by the beauty of tropical paradise.  Sit back and watch your friends surf Panga Drop’s while relaxing for yet another surf session at one of the three breaks in walking distance.
The lap pool sits parallel with the sandy shoreline of the Pacific Ocean in which endless ocean and shoreline views are made for entertaining guests and relaxing, all while enjoying our completely inclusive dining experience, game of ping pong with friends, or just sit at the Iguana bar while watching the sunset and enjoy a cold beverage.  Steps away from every room on the property enjoy magnificent views of the sea.
The style emphasizes a sensual blend of local colors, textures, and materials in a manner that renders the structure an integral part of its environmental surroundings.  Traditional hardwoods with elements of tropical modernism set the mood for a calming tropical oasis.  Mark and Dave’s provides a blissful ocean front escape in a perfect tropical setting.


“The Casita”
Down a grass path from “The Hacienda”, you will discover “The Casita”, a circular, palm-thatched building with a traditional thatch roof.  While a 20 foot circular wall encases the building, the front of the structure is open with panoramic windows, creating views of the waves and headlands.

Down a grass path from “The Hacienda”, you will discover “The Casita”, a circular, palm-thatched building with a traditional thatch roof.  While a 20 foot circular wall encases the building, the front of the structure is open with panoramic windows, creating views of the waves and headlands. Combined with a mesmerizing 13-foot-tall ceiling, the Palapa makes a stunning tropical “air conditioned” guest room that is perfect for couples or groups of two or three. A queen sized bed, full sized couch bed, and modern bathroom retreat offer a sanctuary away from the heat of the tropics.
Surrounded by the sea and set among beautifully maintained gardens with mature trees and tropical plants, The Casita’s setting allows for tranquility and peaceful relaxation.  Stay cool with air-conditioning or open the windows in the evening to enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze.


“The Hacienda Rooms”
Centrally located and steps away from “The Hacienda”, four private and individual “air conditioned” guest rooms, with private bathrooms and showers, await you.  Each room provides two full size beds,  comfortably adequate for sleeping two.  Enjoy restful sleep on these amazing pillow top beds.

Centrally located and steps away from “The Hacienda”, four private and individual  individual “air conditioned”  guest rooms, with private bathrooms and showers, await you.  Each room provides two full size beds, comfortably adequate for sleeping two.  Enjoy restful sleep on these amazing pillow top beds.  Travel in comfort and enjoy our media player with over 300 movies and an iPod docking station.  The Hacienda rooms are perfectly equipped to comfortably house two guests and small families with young children.
The style emphasizes a sensual blend of local colors, textures, and materials in a manner that renders the structure an integral part of its environmental surroundings.  Traditional hardwoods with elements of tropical modernism set the mood for a calming tropical oasis.

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CATERING

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“One of the most incredible weeks of food you will ever experience”

Savor the gourmet culinary offerings of Chef Zac’s amazing international cuisines. You will enjoy the convenience of meals and drinks included in Mark and Dave’s all inclusive program. We offer Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten free and specialty dishes upon request (please inform our booking agent prior to your departure). We also provide various drinks and one case and a half of beer per guest. Our staff can provide liquor, wine and beer for a nominal fee.

All Inclusive details

Gourmet breakfast, lunch, snacks and sunset hors d’oeuvres, and four course dinner Vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten free and vegan meals (upon request prior to arrival). 1.5 cases of beer or 3 bottles of wine per guest

SURF COURSE AND ACTIVITIES

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SURF COURSE DETAILS

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Experience the exhilaration of riding a wave!
Our team enjoys working hands on with students and introduces the basic elements of surfing.  It all starts on the shore where you learn the motions of getting to your feet on the board.  Our instructors will work closely with you and prepare you to ride small waves close to shore.  While in the water, it’s very important that our students are comfortable and learn how to navigate through a “surfer’s” eyes.  Our instructors have taught thousands of students and work hard to make sure that you feel comfortable in the surf.

Group Surfing lessons
A great way to learn how to surf with family and friends.  Group surf lessons include a 15-30 minute water safety briefing, along with a demonstration on the best ways to paddle your surfboard, catch waves, how to stand up, and stay up for the best ride ever!  After paddling out together, your surf instructor will be there to coach and guide you into the rides of your life!  Focus is on correct wave etiquette, style, and technique.

Private Surfing Lessons
For those interested in one-on-one personal attention to jump start their surfing experience or novice surfers looking to take their surfing to the next level.

Advanced Surfing Lessons
We all strive to get better at surfing and could use a coach to help achieve our goals.   Book a one-on-one lesson with our instructor to help you break through to the next level.  This is a great opportunity if you are a beginner or novice level surfer to increase your skill set.  Our coach will help with your equipment, paddling technique, surfing stance and core surfing structure.  Each class will include a video and performance review.

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SURF MATERIALS

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At Mark and Dave’s we emphasize safety and fun in the water while learning to surf!  We provide high quality soft top foam surfboards from “INT”. These boards are buoyant and pliable to help avoid injuries.

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OTHER ACTIVITIES

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Yoga
Embrace the rhythm of the ocean, the warm sea breezes and the sounds of nature in the jungle. This paradise setting becomes the heartbeat for your yoga practice, surfing adventure and wellness experience. If your focus is yoga, surfing, detoxification, nutrition, self-healing or a combination of all five, we have the right retreat for you. Our all inclusive retreats are designed to nourish your body, mind, and spirit. Relax while viewing the Pacific Ocean and take in the beauty of Nicaragua.  Enjoy the off shore winds blowing down a mile long white sand beach, surrounded by lush coconut palms and tropical gardens while listening to the waves lapping on the empty shores.
At Mark and Dave’s we offer “Ocean Front” all inclusive yoga packages for groups of 8+.  We also offer daily sunrise and sunset classes for our guests on a regular basis.  We also offer community classes, Tuesday and Thursday’s and private classes are available upon request.

Fishing
Nicaragua offers incredible fishing, The Pacific offers tuna, dorado, red snapper, jack trevalle, mackerel, mahi, roosterfish, and sailfish. The best fishing is between March – September. There are a variety of options – deep sea fishing or a near shore spear fishing mission. Our guides will help you plan and facilitate your fishing adventure.
There is no need to bring any of your own equipment, grab a case of beer, a few friends, and head out to the open ocean for the day!

Golfing
Mark and Dave’s is located within a two minute walk from one of Nicaragua’s premier Golf Courses. Perched high atop a hill overlooking the entire beach, tee #5 provides an example of the overall beauty the course provides with its small, tiered greens it’s definitely worth a few rounds during your visit.
Club rental, golf carts and accessories are available at the pro shop.

MORE INFO, HOW TO GET THERE & FAQ

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SURF CONDITIONS

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Playa Colorado
Playa Colorado is arguably one of the best beach breaks in Nicaragua, if not Central America. Any hint of south swell gets funneled into A-Frame peaks groomed to perfection by the constant offshore wind.  The wave itself is a never-ending mix of barrels, peaks, sections, and ramps that revolve around the mood of the ocean and tides.  Playa Colorado is a world class beach break with long spitting barrels when the elements come together.

Panga Drops
Panga Drops (aka: Mark and Dave’s) is located directly in front of the Mark and Dave’s resort.  A deep water, soft bottom reef break is an absolute magnet for swell.  It can turn on with any pulse the Pacific Ocean throws at it.  Panga Drops breaks from various swell directions and holds up nicely with offshore winds or no wind at all.  Surf a very playful right that breaks all the way through to the inside. Ideal for big top turns and cut backs with a solid section on the inside great for big maneuvers.  On the other side of the peak lies an against the grain left ideal for multiple cutbacks and playful ripping that can stand up for expressive turns through the inside.  It can hold any size without closing out and has been compared to a tame Sunset Beach, Hawaii crossed with ripple conditions at Wind and Sea, La Jolla.  Best of all, your friends and family can film/photograph you surf from our infinity pool!

The Right
The Right down the beach is a fickle right hand wedge that hugs the corner of a picturesque rock cliff. The waves here refract and bend around the headland and ultimately open up for a very entertaining 50 to 75 yard right hand wave that eventually extinguishes itself into the bay.  The Right does not break on a consistent basis, but can be compared to various global world-class wedge breaks when it’s on.  The Beach stretches for over a mile and is highlighted by Playa Colorado and Panga Drops.  Besides these two superb waves the entire beach has the ability to transform into a very good beach break depending on wind, tide, and swell. The area directly out front of Mark and Dave’s can get remarkably good on a mixed swell and has the ability to fire on any given day.

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SURROUNDINGS / REGION

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Nicaragua has gained popularity over the last few years for their great waves and its diversity both geographically and culturally.

In the 16th century the Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony – today it has a population approaching 6,000,000 and tourism is its second largest industry. Why do people want to visit Nicaragua? Because it has a little of everything ranging from surfers seeking barreling bliss to families on bus tours visiting active volcanoes.

Nicaragua has a range of microclimates, on the Pacific side, invierno (winter), or rainy season, runs May to November. It is at its rainiest in September and October. Verano (summer), or dry season, is November to April, the best time for hiking, camping and partying, and there is still plenty of good surf to be found! (December to March).

Nicaraguan culture has strong folklore, music and religious traditions, deeply influenced by European culture but enriched with Amerindian sounds and flavors. The Pacific coast around Mark and Dave’s Place has strong folklore, music and religious traditions, deeply influenced by Europeans. Nicaragua was colonized by Spain and has a similar culture to other Spanish speaking Latin American countries. Consequently, Spanish is spoken by about 90% of the country’s population.

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JOURNEY

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Ways to get to the camp

Once you arrive into Managua a representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to a passenger van. On the way to Mark and Dave’s you will travel back in time through a landscape of grass fields, active volcanoes, and colonial cities.  Sit back and relax and enjoy the ride. Cold drinks are provided in the van along with a stop (est.2 hours into the drive) in Rivas for a Pizza lunch. Pizza is ordered in route, so there will be little time waiting. Back on the road we wind our way towards the ocean and eventually onto a 12 mile (35 minutes) road to Mark and Dave’s.

PACKAGES & PRICES

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PACKAGE A - One Week All Inclusive Package - from 1450,00 $ per Week / Person

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Duration:  8 Days / 7 Nights –  All Inclusive

    Accommodations:  Suitable for Single travelers and large groups
    The Hacienda Rooms: 1 to 2 guests per room
    The Casita: 1 to 3 guests per room

Pricing:

     1-4 guests    =$1,550.00 per person double occupancy
     6+ guests     =$1,450.00 per person
     3 to a room =$1,450.00 per person  [based on "The Casita" availability]

     PACKAGE RATES- Please ask our “Trip Coordinator”  about photo & board rental package rates.
    TRAVELING SOLO?  We can put you in with another vacationer or you can have your own room for a slightly additional cost.
    FAMILIES- Please ask about our family and children price discounts.

Price Includes:

    Accommodations  w/soft and comfortable beds
    Oceanfront location w/ beachfront pools
    Airport pick-up and drop-off
    Airport Transfer in Nicaragua (Including Pizza & Drinks)
    All Inclusive Meals and Drinks
    Gourmet breakfast, lunch, snacks, sunset hors d’oeuvres, and four course dinner
    Vegetarian, Pescatarian Gluten Free and Vegan Meals (request prior to arrival)
    1.5 cases of beer or 3 bottles of wine per guest
    Wireless Internet
    IPod Hook up (Rooms and The Hacienda area)
    Satellite TV  w/sports package (The Hacienda area only)
    Movies (Cinema, Kids, Surf, etc – 500+ in each room)
    Stand up Paddle Boards
    Welcome towel refreshment and drink
    Rest and Relaxation
    Ping pong table
    Horseshoes

Services (additional, not all included in price):

    Yoga
    Massage
    Short board rental (a full selection of “Firewire, Channel Islands, Rusty, and various other”  Short and longboards)
    Surfing lessons
    Surf Coaching
    Golfing
    Fishing
    Surf Excursions (land or boat)
    Horseback Riding
    Motorcycle rentals
    Bottled Liquor
    Extra Beer and Wine (If group surpasses their allocated consumption)
    Daily ground Transportation

Price does not include:

    Airfare to Nicaragua
    Staff gratuity