Santa Teresa, Costa Rica... Saint Valentine

Love and affection? The guys construct a door from scrap wood... in between sunset surfing, babe hunting and their beach dog companion... it's so prehistoric.

Playa Marsella, Nicaragua... everything but surf

Around the bend, a 10 minute ride from Playa Maderas lies Playa Marsella... here it is tranquilo, a stark contrast if surf is the objective. Accessible from San Juan del Sur, an attractive overnight alternative offering private accommodations for rent... for the elite surfer with a wallet or cram all you can. There's no waking up in front of the break... you'll be checking the conditions over your cliff.

Tres Hermanos Hostel, Nicaragua... Madera Surf's ultimate beach shack

Residing in Playa Madera directly in front of the surf break... Tres Hermanos Hostel has it all for surf enthusiasts. This colorful, affordable beach shack hosts basic rooms upstairs, comida typica cafe downstairs and surfboard rental beneath, offering surf lessons (Danny's the best). Run by local surfers, if the common goal is to surf, eat, chill, drink, sleep (repeat)... this is it...lights out after sunset.

Playa Maderas, Nicaragua... popular beach break

Just a 30 minute ride north of San Juan del Sur, a sand bottom beach with a great swell... excellent playground for advanced surfers... mid-tide for beginners. This stretch comes with a strong offshore wind due to Lake Nicaragua... beach bums, expect to get sand frosted. Morning wake up call with a Cafeailey's (Americano + Bailey's) at the open air Barrio Cafe... soy milk available if you're lucky... catch the sunset with a Tona at the local taco shack with supposedly the "best fish tacos in Nicaragua".

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua... affordable beach town with out a beach

Nicaragua's surf destination on the pacific coast just north of Costa Rica, San Juan portrays the dream beach town, only it's direct beach is lacking serious qualifications. An excellent central hub for nearby satellite beaches Playa Maderas, Playa Yankee, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, Playa Remanso and El Ostional... use it as an overnight stay. Beyond affordable, access to often deserted beaches, great surf breaks, some would argue it still has it's cultural charm, exuding energy from it’s proud locals...do not however expect to wake up directly on a surf-able beach in town...