Why Nicaragua

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About the Area

Nicaragua is one of the most beautiful and welcoming countries in Central America. Travelers and families who want an authentic Central American experience embodied in local culture, without crowds, with limited commercial tourism and spending pressure, will not be disappointed. Nicaragua is known as the land of lakes and volcanoes, and for good reason. Home to Central America’s two largest lakes, Lake Nicaragua, the biggest, covers almost 3200 square miles and is the largest in the world. There are over 19 extinct and active volcanoes. Masaya volcano is currently active and well worth the visit, especially at dusk when the view of the lava-filled caldera is breathtaking. There is much to explore in Nicaragua. The biodiversity is amazing and nearly a fifth of the country is designated as a protected area. There is much to see for travelers: mountains and coffee plantation to the north, the coastal fishing villages and surf towns on the Pacific, the Caribbean side with Bluefields and the Corn Islands, or the central colonial cities like Granada and Leon.

San Juan Del Sur

It wasn’t that long ago that the Pacific coastal town of San Juan Del Sur was a sleepy little fishing village known only to locals and the most adventurous travelers. While it has retained much of its original charm, it has grown into a significant tourist and surfing destination.
San Juan has a mix of mellow locals and expats, with a free vibe that you can feel in the streets; a Latin American pueblo mixed with a little gringo influence and surf culture. The town is only 3 square blocks with surrounding barrios and about a mile of beachfront bars, restaurants, and palapas. The town has one of everything a small town needs – a bakery, farmer’s market, local bars, sushi, Thai food, good pizza, coffee and espresso, a brewery, boutiques, hotels, local tours, surf shops, taco stands, and real Italian gelato.
Our town is particularly attractive to adventure seekers as part of the Central American tourist trail. San Juan brings in peaceful and curious travelers from all over the world.
It’s a pretty quiet town, however during peak tourist season (Dec-Jan), spring break as well as Catholic holidays, it can light up with fireworks and beach parties until late at night.
One of the best things about San Juan is the beaches. Its sandy beaches are uncrowded, the water is crystal clear and warm (most of the year). The surf breaks are world-class and numerous, the views and sunsets breath-taking, and the options for activities in the area endless.

Weather & Seasons

We are approximately 1200 feet (365 meters) higher in elevation than the town of San Juan Del Sur, offering a cooler micro-climate. The weather is just right with a consistent breeze throughout the year.
We experience a rainy season and a dry season at Arrebol. Temperatures throughout the year stay between 70°F and 90°F (21-32°C). During the dry season, which lasts from November to April, you can expect very little rain, higher daily temperatures, and a fairly dry landscape. In contrast, the rainy season, which lasts from May to November brings the lush jungle back. The rains are usually in the form of morning and evening showers, and occasionally nighttime thunderstorms, which are fun to experience. There is also less wind in the rainy season. Both seasons have their advantages.

Surfing

The surf season is virtually all year long and the offshore winds are perfect most of the year. The prime surf season is from May to November. This time sees larger and more consistent swells, off-shore winds, and warm waters. The rest of the time sees fairly regular swells, but also stronger winds (occasional on-shores) and cooler water temperatures. Surfing is great all year! The variety of surf spots caters well to beginners as well as expert surfers.

Extra info

Currency: U.S. dollars work everywhere – the national currency is the Nicaragua Córdoba with an exchange rate of approximately 33 to 1 US or 24 to 1 Canadian dollars.

Language: The official language is Spanish, This is often the only language that locals speak.