Located near the midway point of Nicaragua’s pacific coast, Miramar Surf Camp is one of the best kept secrets that the country has to offer. I have already been twice, and I hope to make my third trip within the next year. This review of Miramar Surf Camp will cover everything you need to know about the accommodation.
Getting to Miramar Surf Camp
Both times I went to the camp I came directly from the Managua airport. The surf camp has connections with a trusted local taxi service that can pick you up from the airport terminal and drop you off right at the camp’s entrance. The drive usually takes around 2 hours, and you can stop along the way at food markets and grocery stores if you want to stock up on food or other items. I believe the cost for the transportation was around $70 for the whole car.
Rooms at Miramar Surf Camp
The first time I came, I stayed in one of the budget rooms that is located at the back of the property. While the price is great (around $72 per night), you have to share a bathroom (hostel style) with the other rooms in the area. There were also a lot of mosquitos when I was staying.
If your budget allows, I definitely suggest renting a room that is located in the front of the property. The second time I went I stayed in the room with an ocean view. Not only are you right next to the pool and bar/restaurant, but you also get an incredible view of the sunset.
The surf camp staff comes and cleans the rooms daily, so everything is nice and well kept.
How good is the surf at Miramar Surf Camp, Nicaragua?
The first time I went to Miramar was in April of 2018. I was there for a week, and there were decent 3-5 foot waves every single day. The best spot was on the beach right out front of the property. I believe this spot is called Punta Miramar. There is also another beach about a 10 minute walk from the property that has calmer and smaller waves.
There was a huge swell the second time I visited in September of 2021. The camp staff said it was the biggest waves they had seen in 5 years. Right out front of the property there were 10-12 foot waves. Although I wasn’t able to ride the perfect barrel, I did catch a couple waves in the 5 – 7 foot range.
One of my friends brought his drone and was able to get some good footage. In the video below I am the person on the left that wipes out two seconds into the wave.
You also have the option to take a boat from Miramar Surf Camp to Puerto Sandino. The waves break much further out, but I was told they frequently reach heights of over 10 feet. It was pretty slow the morning that I went, but I’m guessing it was just an off day.
Board Rental
Miramar Surf Camp has a wide selection of boards you can choose from. The price ranges from $15 to $30 per day depending on the type of board that you choose. You also have the option to pay for lessons from some of the camp staff.
Food
When you stay at Miramar Surf Camp, you have the option to choose an all inclusive option or pay by the meal. Most of the meals cost around $5 to $7. The first time I went I thought the portions were a little small, but on my most recent trip I definitely noticed the portions were bigger. There is a pretty decent range of items to choose from on the menu, and everything I had was delicious. There are a couple local restaurants that are walking distance from the camp that are great if you want a taste of some local food.
What else is there to do?
There are a lot of things to do if you want to take a break from surfing. The property has 2 pools (one of them is an infinity pool) that have an amazing view of the ocean. There are also plenty of hammocks around the property which are great for reading and naps. You can also hang out at the large beach right outside the property if you just want to lay down and chill for the day.
Both times I went I made the journey to the nearby city of Leon. It’s about a 45 minute drive from the camp. The city has some cool architecture and beautiful churches. I also did an excursion with a local hostel in Leon that took us volcano boarding at a nearby mountain.
Conclusion
All in all, Miramar Surf Camp is an incredible accommodation and I highly recommend it if you are considering a trip to Nicaragua. The entire staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. I can’t wait to go back.
