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- Who and where are we?
We are a home owners association renting out our vacation homes when we cannot be down there on vacation directly through our website and also through select surf shops and surf travel agents. We have an onsite property manager couple that lives there 24 / 7, daily maid service and security. This is good for you because the per person rate is much better than the surf camps and your surf vacation can be more flexible and personal. We have 20 condos available, so we can accommodate an entire surf camp, a large surf industry group, surf teams, large church group or just 1 surfer looking for perfect waves. We are located in a private beach front community; the condos are just a short walk from the surf breaks of Playa Colorado and Panga Drops and a beautiful nine-hole golf course. Each condo is comfortable, stylish, and fully equipped to take advantage of everything that this amazing destination has to offer.
- How do the condos benefit the local community?
The condos benefit the local community by providing jobs for local Nicaraguans and by supporting several organizations. We have 16 full time employees from the local community and we subcontract services from many locals in the area. As individual owners and or as a group we support the following organizations that have projects in Nicaragua;
- Water.org is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization committed to providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries. http://water.org/
- Kiva empowers individuals to lend to an entrepreneur across the globe. By combining microfinance with the internet, Kiva is creating a global community of people connected through lending. http://www.kiva.org/
- Roberto Clemente Clinic was started with the simple idea of providing emergency and ongoing medical care in this rural area of Nicaragua. It has improved the lives of many locals and visitors. This is the only medical care in this rural part of Nicaragua. http://www.nicaclinic.org/
- What time of year is the best for waves?
The Pacific of Central America all receives the same swell. Typically smaller, longer period swells are from January through March. From then on, the South Pacific seems to be consistently active in producing larger more powerful swells that fill in every nook and cranny along our coastline. From December through April, due to the hard offshores, the water's temperature can drop slightly due to upwelling. A long sleeve wetsuit top is highly recommended!
- What is the water temperature?
From May – November the water temperature is in the 80's (f). However, in Jan - March the wind can blow hard enough to cause upwelling and the water can drop into the low 70's (f). A wetsuit top or spring suit is nice to have when the morning breezes are chilly and the water dips into the mid-70's.
- What do I need to bring?
Wax, extra leashes, rash guards, baggies, sunscreen, insect repellent, beach towels, ding repair kit, sunglasses, hat, flashlight, CD's, DVD's (if you have favorites to watch), light long pants for night, light long sleeve shirt for night, camera, benadryl and epipen (if you are allergic to anything), new surf mags, basic first aid (Band-Aids, gauze, aspirin, Neosporin, Imodium AD, etc.), and a few surf boards. Make sure you have enough cash to spare for the $5 entry & $37 departure tax at the airport in Nicaragua. If you want to fish or snorkel, bring the appropriate equipment with you. The same goes for any special activity you plan on doing while in the country. If there is anything you can't be without, bring it!
- What boards do I need to bring?
We recommend surfers come prepared with 2 surfboards, an everyday thruster from
6'- 0" to 6'- 6" and a step up thruster or semi-gun from 6-6 to 7-0. Performance longboards and hybrid boards are also viable for surfers who prefer this equipment. Offshores can sometimes hold you up a bit on the wave face and you might want a few extra inches to get you in early.
- What shots do I need?
Hepatitis A, Tetanus & Typhoid are recommended. Visit the Center for Disease Control's Site (CDC) for the latest information.
- What airport do you fly into?
Managua the capital city. Airport code MGA.
- Is it safe to travel in Nicaragua?
Nicaragua is one of the safest countries in Central America, however if you are not conscious of your surroundings and paying attention to potential dangers, traveling anywhere can be dangerous.
- Is the drive safe?
The drive is not dangerous. It is very flat (unlike Costa Rica), and the roads are paved and wide except for the final stretch of about 16 KM on a dirt road. During the green season that road can have some wash outs, especially in the rainiest months of Sept and Oct. If you drive, just make sure you check the depth of the water before you enter.
- How long is the drive from the Airport to the condo?
Depends on road conditions, weather, and who is driving. Can take from 2.5 - 3.5 hours.
- What are the driving directions from the airport (Managua MGA) to the condos?
- How can we get from the airport to the condo?
You can get an airport transfer through us for $150 each way. That is $150 total, not per person, for up to 6 people.
You can also rent a truck at the airport, we recommend a 4X4. The cost for a Toyota Hilux is $500 ~ $600 per week.
- Do I need to speak Spanish to get by in Nicaragua?
No, but it does help, especially if you are driving here MGA. The road signs are not very good, or non-existent, so it is nice to be able to ask directions. If you don't know Spanish, you should brush up on your directional vocabulary if you plan to drive.
- Is there a store, restaurant, or bar?
Store: We suggest you shop in Managua on your way here because of the freshness, selection, and the variety of the products in the grocery stores there. We can also have someone do grocery shopping for you, and stock the condo for a fee. A private cook may also be possible upon request. At Rancho Santana about a 20-minute drive from the condos there is a small convenience store where you can buy some food and beer, but it is not cheap.
Restaurant: There is a simple restaurant here Don Eloy's Nica Bar and Restaurant that serves pizza. At Rancho Santana about a 20-minute drive from the condos there are two restaurants.
- You have 3 options for meals.
- The first option is least expensive. You can buy groceries at the supermarket here in Nicaragua on your way to the condos and cook in your fully equipped kitchen.
- The second option is we offer a meal plan at a reasonable rate. For $35 per day per person we will serve 3 well balanced meals daily. We combine local culinary traditions with more typical American cuisine. We also buy fresh fish from the local fishermen.
- The third option is eating at the local restaurants.
- What is the official government of Nicaragua?
Nicaragua is Democratic Republic with free elections every 5 years. The next election is in November 2011.
- What is the current population of Nicaragua?
The population is slightly greater than 5 million people.
- What is the capital of Nicaragua?
Managua.
- What countries border Nicaragua?
Honduras to the north, and Costa Rica to the South.
- What is the currency in Nicaragua?
The monetary unit is a called a Cordoba. 1 US Dollar = 18 - 20 Cordobas.
- What is the sales tax (IVA) in Nicaragua?
IVA - Impuesto al Valor Agregado in Nicaragua is a mandatory 15% tax on almost all goods and services including hotels, tours and travel.
- What is the country code for telephone?
505 + 8 digit phone number.
- When is the Green Season?
The Green Season is from July to October.
- When is the Dry Season?
The Dry Season is from November to June.
- What language is spoken in Nicaragua?
Spanish.
- What time zone is Nicaragua in?
Central Standard Time.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Playa Colorado Surf and Turf, USA number 865-268-9139.
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