About Tola Surf Travel
The honey hole when it comes to the Nicaraguan surf experience, the Tola Province is holding some of the country’s best surf. Spots like Playa Gigante, Popoyo, Playa Amarillo and Playa Colorado have all helped to put the country on the international surf map in recent years. Blessed with a constant flow of offshore wind courtesy Lake Nicaragua, the approximately 20 miles of coastline is exposed to south and southwest swells, making it an amazing summertime getaway. Warm water, friendly locals and good vibes are what the zone’s all about, so keep it mellow, keep it cool and enjoy some of Central America’s most dependably epic conditions. One word to the wise, Nicaragua was ravaged by a civil war throughout the ‘80s and into the ‘90s, and subsequently, is one of the poorest countries in the Americas. While the prices around the beaches of Tola are a little more than you may in other parts of the country, you’re still getting a smoking deal and every nickel into the local economy makes a big difference. This is one area where traveling with the right attitude can really pay off and enhance your trip. Nicaragua’s Tola Province is a magic little slice of the Central America surf zone, one trip down there and you’ll see why.
Surf Hazards
Tola is pretty mellow when it comes to tourism, especially if you avoid going during peak season. Surfers and backpackers are largely who you’ll run into. Petty crime exists, but not nearly to the extent that’s seen in other Central American countries like El Salvador. In the ocean, expect to tangle with the usual tropical suspects—sea lice, stingrays, urchins, etc. On land, mosquitos can be relentless, so plan on protecting yourself accordingly. Also, the sun can get hot and when combined with the strong offshore winds it’s easy to get dehydrated. Keep plenty of bottled water handy.
Surf Pollution
A relatively remote, pristine stretch of Central American coastline, for the most part, the water quality around here is good. There can be periods heavy rains during the wettest months of the year and surfing any flowing river or creek mouths during or immediately following a deluge could expose you to tropical bacteria and parasites.
Best Surf Seasons in Tola
1) Fall
(September-November) September and October’s prime time for Playa Colorado as South Pac energy still comes roaring in. A steady flow of southern hemisphere swells will continue to march with the occasional tropical swells bringing spots throughout the area to life. It’s also a little less hectic with visitors. By November the South Pacific starts to go to sleep for the winter.
2) Summer
(June-August) the heart of south swell season, spots like Playa Colorado and Popoyo will be consistently head high, and it’s not uncommon for big swells to push things well over that. For the beginners, spots like Playa Amarillo are excellent for getting your feet under you.
3) Spring
(March-May) early season in Nicaragua, a strike down in April or May can mean empty and offshore. Keep an eye on early activity in the South Pacific to beat the crowds.
4) Winter
(December-February) this is a quiet time of year for Tola, Playa Gigante and the surrounding area. South swells activity slows down and the North Pacific swell train doesn’t get into this area all that well.
Directions to Tola
If you’re flying into Nicaragua, chances are you’re going to land in Managua, the country’s main international airport. If you rent a car or hire a driver it’s about three hours from the Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport to Playa Gigante (providing you don’t get lost or stuck behind some crazy buses or donkey-drawn wagons). There are also buses that will get you from Managua to Rivas, which is about 25 miles from Playa Gigante. From there you can catch local buses to surrounding beaches or hire taxis.